21 Secrets About Living In the Netherlands To Know Before Moving

Are you moving to the Netherlands? We have a lot to share with you. There’s a great deal more to this nation than windmills and clogs; it’s one of the most diverse countries in Europe, brimming with healthy, tall, straight-laced individuals with a strong admiration for the orange hue.

From hagelslag to bikes, let’s explore Dutch life’s many key cultural aspects.

Sections

1. The Dutch are polite, honest, and straightforward

Although their English is often perfect, people from the Netherlands are very different from England. What the British refer to as politeness, the Dutch deem a weakness.

Those from the Netherlands are blunt, honest, and to the point – and what’s more, they’re proud to be this way. Native people never beat around the bush when they have something on their mind, which is highly refreshing and 100% transparent!

If English manners are your forte, you may get shocked when you spend a day with the Dutch people and their directness, although you’ll likely learn to love it. To top this off, they despise queuing.

2. Most people speak English

Even if you’ve practiced the local language day and night, it is likely anyone you speak to in the Netherlands will respond to you in perfect English. This makes this country an excellent option for those who are more confident speaking in the English or American tongue and don’t speak Dutch.

The Netherlands ranks the highest of all nations in English proficiency as an additional language. However, schools, televisions, and radio stations still speak in the local tongue, which means it’s still a good idea to practice your Engels – especially for children.

3. The healthcare system is great

The Netherlands is home to an epic healthcare system. They’re also highly fit and enjoy a healthy lifestyle as a nation. Their healthcare system is known as the basisverekering and comes in the shape of an insurance scheme that is compulsory and costs between €95 and €120 per month.

This system is so efficient that it ranked first among all healthcare systems across the globe. This country’s doctors are on hand to help irrespective of age or status. Looking to take this cover out for your family, there are four different levels to select from. The bottom is a basic cover, and the top boasts a premium cover.

4. The cost of living in the Netherlands

The Netherlands is an expensive place to live in in the European Union. However, the quality of life, wages, and the healthcare system make up for this.

In terms of food costs, generic items such as milk and bread cost between 0.89 and 2 euros, while a one-way ticket on local transportation is between 2 and 5 euros.

Rent ranges from 850 to 2250 euros per month (this is dependent on where you rent and how many bedrooms the property has), while the average monthly salary tends to fall around the 3000 euro mark after tax.

5. The Dutch have an excellent education system

If you’re moving to the Netherlands with a family, you can rest assured that the local education system is noteworthy. It’s one of the best in the world. Why? As well as homework, this nation’s schools embrace exercise and play – both are key to school performance and growth.

Another reason? Schools are free up until the age of 16 years, but low-income families are privileged to loans and grants even then.

On top of this, there are a variety of classes to choose from, one of which includes a second language class.

Finally, the hours are friendly with most schools commencing at 8.30 am and completed at 3 pm. All children also have the option to go home for lunch.

6. What’s the weather like in the Netherlands?

The weather in the Netherlands is delightful and is privy to an oceanic or moderate climate, which comprises cool summers and mild winters. Unlike other countries that boast humid climates, the Dutch weather is more bearable.

The average temperatures in the Netherlands span from 3.5 °C in the winter months to 18 °C in the summer months, with July and August being the warmest.

7. Is the Netherlands a monarchy or republic?

This country has been a constitutional monarchy since the year 1814. What does this mean? Ministers make up the government while the King heads the state.

8. The food is healthy and great

The Netherlands ranks high in terms of health, affordability, and nutrition. Here, you will find proper nosh and hearty grub, which are guaranteed to fuel you for longer.

The Dutch love cheese, yet despite what many may think, this high-calcium food doesn’t seem to affect the nation’s waistbands. Cheese is deemed a great source of calcium and protein and is proven to enhance weight loss, providing it’s eaten in moderation and as part of a balanced diet.

So what is their signature dish? Perhaps one of the most famed dished in this area is Poffertjes. These come in the shape of tiny pancakes, baked upon an iron skillet, dusted with icing sugar, and served with melted butter.

9. They love their bicycles

The Netherlands is renowned for its love of cycling. To be part of the authentic Dutch life, you must accept the bikes on the road. Bicycles now outnumber people with a massive 22.5 million bikes.

Due to an uproar in the 1970s, there is now a system that grants bicycles the right of way, including bike path networks spanning around 22,000 miles.

10. The work-life balance in the Netherlands

The Netherlands scored an impressive 9.3 out of 10 for work-life balance. Not many employees in the minor and major cities in the Netherlands work long hours. This small country features the lowest rate in the OECD.

When you live here, you can expect to devote a massive 16 hours each day to sleeping, eating, and leisurely activities.

11. Landscape and scenery

From land reclaimed from polders to coastal lowland, around half of the Netherland’s surface sits less than one meter above sea level, with about 24% of all surfaces in this country sitting below sea level.

From beautiful parks to charming cheese markets, there is plenty of must-visit, scenic places in the Netherlands. Our top picks include The Hoge Veluwe National Park, Keukenhof Gardens, Delft, Maastricht and The Old Windmills of Kinderdijk to name a few.

12. Taxes in the Netherlands

Irrespective of whether you are a citizen or an expat, you must pay taxes in this country. These include income taxes, VAT sales tax, and payroll taxes. The Dutch tax year runs from January 1st to December 31st. It is essential to learn more about what you must pay and when to avoid any fines.

13. They love the colour orange

The Dutch agree with Frank Sinatra’s line, “orange is the happiest colour.” This obsession with the orange hue began in the 17th century when William of Orange took to the Dutch throne.

Today, on many occasions, the Dutch will transform streets, buildings, and parks into a dazzling display of orange. From public holidays such as Koningsdag (the King’s birthday) to variant International sporting events, orange fever is prevalent in this part of the world.

It was the Dutch who developed orange carrots. These vegetables used to be grown in purple and yellow hues only.

14. Weed is not legal in the Netherlands

Despite what many may think, cannabis plants are not permitted in the Netherlands. The Opium Act, which was passed in 1976, deemed this rule. Despite this, smaller measures and the low-scale cultivation of weeds are allowed in some regions of the Netherlands, particularly in Amsterdam.

15. Raw fish is their national dish

Suffer from hangovers? Try the traditional dish of raw fish. Raw onions and raw herring encased in sweet bread are the go-to snacks post a heavy night on the tiles.

The fish is cured in salt overnight before being served, making it incredibly soft and easy to digest. It’s available from both cafes and food carts in almost every Dutch city and goes by broodje haring.

16. The Dutch love their koffie

The Netherlands are big fans of coffee culture. They love it so much that they’re ranked the fifth most avid coffee drinkers across the globe, downing an impressive 8.4 kg of coffee grounds per year.

Need a quick pick me up? There is a coffee shop and a coffee style to suit all – comprising everything from cortados to ice coffees and more.

17. You’ll love hagelslag

Hagelslag, also known as sprinkles, are little confectionery pieces used as toppings for buttered bread. This celebrated food is devoured both as a snack and eaten as part of the main meal by both children and adults, often on Christmas Day.

18. The Netherlands was the first country to legalize gay marriage

The Netherlands was the first country to make same-sex marriage legal. This law was passed by Queen Beatrix on December 21st, 2000, taking full effect on April 1st, 2001.

19. Don’t call it Holland

Referring to the Netherlands as ‘Holland’ is like calling Great Britain ‘Northumberland.’ Holland is an area that makes up around one-third of the Netherlands, which means calling it Holland is simply wrong, as you’re missing out on both Utrecht, Groningen, and Limburg, as well as another 12 regions.

20. Amsterdam is entirely built on long poles

A true and possibly quite concerning fact? The capital is built upon lengthy poles because the ground is incredibly soft. Every pole in this country is erected through an impressive 11 meters of soft peat and clay before hitting a solid sand layer.

An example of this? The Royal Palace. This building based in Dam Square sits upon a great 13,659 poles, all crafted from wood.

Even some of the trees based in the celebrated Vondelpark sit upon poles. This is why many of the houses in the city centers are positioned close together as this assists in supporting them.

21. Getting around in the Netherlands

The best way to get around this part of the world is via train. The train system in the Netherlands is one of the best train systems in Europe. The local Railway company is responsible for its operation, Nederlandse Spoorwegen.

This, along with the many bikes and bike lanes in this area, means you can get away without investing in a car or worrying about the speed limit. This is the case for small and more significant cities.

FAQs

How much is Dutch health insurance per month?

The average health insurance in the Netherlands, of a basic level, boasts a premium of around 120 euros to be paid each month. This price varies between different health care companies and the level of cover you choose.

Those wishing to live the expat life without worry will likely invest in a top-tier health insurance package when moving to the Netherlands.

Which are the most famous Dutch cities for expats?

Amsterdam, Rotterdam, and The Hague are the most prevalent places in the Netherlands for expats, especially those wishing to learn Dutch and meet Dutch friends.

What is unique about Dutch culture?

Overall, this country’s society is both contemporary and independent in style. Most who reside here believe in equality and are big fans of individuality. All in all, they are considered to be a middle-class society.

How long does it take to get a Dutch residence permit?

In most cases, a residence permit for the Netherlands takes anything up to 90 days to be actioned in the Dutch system.

Once you have filled in the application form and provided the necessary paperwork, you will be contacted and informed whether your residence permit has been granted. If accepted, you can visit an IND office in your local municipality to collect your local residence permit.

Final Thoughts

From the excellent healthcare services to the highly ranked education offerings, the polite yet transparent people, and the many cultural sights and sounds, the Netherlands is ideal for expats, especially those looking for a safe environment and a place privy to the English or American tongue.

There are also numerous visa types, making it a relatively easy country to become an expat. Schiphol Airport boasts an array of daily flights to various destinations, meaning you can easily travel for business or visit home.