If you are considering moving from Qatar to The Netherlands, this guide will tell you everything you need to know—from visa requirements to cost of living differences, healthcare top tips to rules about moving country with your pets—helping you to feel empowered when the time comes to make the big move.
Quick Netherlands Facts:
- Population: 17.53 million (2021 estimate)
- Official Language: Dutch (de facto) is the official language, but English is widely spoken, too
- GDP Per Capita: $57,767 USD (2021 estimate)
- Random Fact: Although The Netherlands is relatively small in size, it has the highest population density in Europe!
- Currency: Euro (€). As of mid 2024, £1 = €1.18, $1 = €0.89, $1 CAD = €0.63, $1 AUD = €0.58
1. Moving Costs to The Netherlands from Qatar
The table below shows the estimated cost of hiring a 20- or 40-foot container from Qatar and shipping it to some of the largest cities in the Netherlands:
Destination City | 20FT | 40FT |
---|---|---|
Amsterdam | $4,200 - $4,700 | $7,000 - $8,000 |
Eindhoven | $4,400 - $4,900 | $7,200 - $8,200 |
Rotterdam | $4,100 - $4,600 | $6,900 - $7,900 |
The Hague | $4,200 - $4,700 | $7,000 - $8,000 |
Utrecht | $4,400 - $4,900 | $7,200 - $8,200 |
- All figures are in USD;
- The rates above are estimates only and may have changed since the time this article was updated (June 2024). They are based on the lowest estimated rate from either Freightos, iContainers, or SeaRates;
- To get a more accurate idea of the cost for you, please use the quote form at the top of this page;
- Please also see our guide to international container shipping.
2. How Long Does It Take To Move to The Netherlands from Qatar?
Let’s take a look at some sample flights from Qatar to The Netherlands to give you an idea of move time when relocating.
- Doha to Amsterdam – 10 hours, 30 minutes (one stop) – €290
- Doha to Rotterdam – 15 hours, 10 minutes (one stop) – €275
This duration covers the flight time only, so additional time will need to be added to get you from the terminal to your final location.
3. Moving Restrictions to The Netherlands from Qatar
For those wishing to live and work in The Netherlands, a residence permit for work will be required. This will usually be arranged by your Dutch employer and can be arranged while you are already in the country, as you won’t need a visa to enter The country. You will also need to arrange a long-stay visa.
You will need a clean criminal record, and proof of this will typically be needed at the point of visa application or residence permit. For those wishing to bring pets from Qatar to The Netherlands, you will need to ensure they have a microchip fitted, are recently vaccinated, and have a health certificate from an accredited veterinarian—more on which we will cover in a later section.
If you need to move to The Netherlands with certain medications, it’s important to check if they are lawful to be transported between countries before bringing them to the airport—otherwise, they could be confiscated, and your boarding could be negatively impacted, leading to delays.
At the time of writing, there are no COVID-19 restrictions between Qatar and The Netherlands, but this can change, so it’s best to check the latest information available before your travel.
4. Visa Requirements to The Netherlands from Qatar
Alongside a valid passport, you will need a long-stay visa (MWV) to grant you entry into The Netherlands if you are travelling from Qatar. If you already have a job lined up in The Netherlands, once your employer has sent off and received approval for your residence permit, you are able to apply for your long-stay visa, which can be done at your local embassy.
However, if you are already employed and are being transferred to work in your company’s Dutch office, you may be exempt from needing a long-stay visa. This is determined on a case-by-case basis and should be checked on the Government of The Netherlands website.
It’s common practice that if you have a job lined up in The Netherlands before travelling to the country, your Dutch employer will arrange for your residence permit to work on your behalf. To do this, they need to submit a residence permit application to the Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND).
However, if this hasn’t been arranged before you travel over, you are still permitted to stay in The Netherlands for 90 days. If the decision process takes longer than 90 days, you will be able to stay in the country to await the outcome.
Once you have worked in The Netherlands for five consecutive years, you will no longer need a work permit. For full information on living and working in The Netherlands, take a look at the Immigratie- en Naturalisatiedienst (IND) website.
In all cases, you should speak to a visa specialist to advise you on your individual circumstances and always keep up to date with the latest changes in the rules.
5. Cost of Living Differences in The Netherlands
While this article covers The Netherlands as a whole, house prices will obviously vary from area to area, but the figures below will give you an indication of what’s available at what price.
As a general note, the cost of living in Amsterdam is estimated to be 33% higher than in Doha, with rent being around 29.2% higher.
Monthly Rental Prices in The Netherlands:
- 1 bedroom flat (apartment) in City Centre: €1,930+
- 1 bedroom flat outside the City Centre: €1,575+
- 3 bedroomed flat in City Centre: €3,290+
- 3 bedroomed flat outside the City Centre: €2,430+
The Netherlands Home Purchase Prices:
- Price per square metre (10.7 square feet) to buy in City Centre: €8,850+
- Price per square metre (10.7 square feet) to buy outside the City: €6,000+
Source: Numbeo
6. Tax Treaties in The Netherlands
The biggest difference between The Netherlands and Qatar is income tax law. In Qatar, there is no personal income tax, whereas The Netherlands charges income tax.
The current rate of income tax in The Netherlands ranges from 37.10% to 49.50%, depending on your exact income. Of course, this is subject to change, and you should always check to ensure the most up-to-date figure.
It is a complex process, though, and it is always best to enlist the help of a tax professional to ensure you are processing your taxes lawfully and in the best way possible to unlock tax credits and benefits and, most importantly, not be overcharged on your income tax.
7. Working Rules in The Netherlands
If you are planning on living and working in The Netherlands, you will either be engaged in a:
- Fixed term contract
- Temporary contract
- Permanent contract
Employment law in The Netherlands states that the average working week is between 36 and 40 hours, typically Monday through Friday, 9 am to 5 pm. A 30-minute lunch break and two further 15-minute breaks are required by law, and an employee may not work more than 12 hours in one single ‘shift’.
The Dutch labour law says that employees must receive at least four weeks of paid annual leave per working year. Maternity and paternity leave can be provided, which is at least 10 weeks after giving birth, and foster parents are entitled to 6 weeks of paid leave after adopting.
As we have mentioned in our previous section, in order to work lawfully in The Netherlands, it is important to have your working residence permit in place, which can be applied for by your employer. To fully understand your tax obligations, it’s best to enlist the guidance of a financial professional to ensure you are following the right protocols at all times.
Whatever your employment circumstances, it’s important to have your working permit ironed out before entering the country to ensure a smooth transition. It’s also important to get up to speed with taxes and any beneficial programs, such as healthcare schemes, so that you are completely clued up on your rights.
8. Healthcare in The Netherlands
It’s important to know that when you live and work in The Netherlands, you are legally bound to take out health insurance. This can come in different forms depending on the type of cover you need, but can basically be split into two categories: standard and additional.
Standard health insurance will cover the cost of the most basic health needs, such as GP visits, prescription medicine and emergency hospital treatment. This is the type of cover you need to take out by law.
Additional insurance can cover other medical treatments, such as dentist visits or physiotherapy. It isn’t required by law, but it can be useful to help offset some additional health-related payments.
If you are found to be earning an income in The Netherlands without health insurance taken out, the Dutch Central Administration Office will be alerted, and the cost of the basic health insurance premium will be deducted from your net salary.
9. Rules Around Moving With Pets in The Netherlands
Moving house includes lots of boxes of belongings – but it can also include some particularly important furry friends, too! If you need to move to The Netherlands with a pet in tow, here’s what you need to know.
As you will be travelling from a non-EU country to The Netherlands, you will need to ensure that:
- Your pet has a valid EU pet passport or valid veterinary certificate to affirm their health status
- Your pet must be vaccinated against rabies
- Your pet must have a microchip fitted, and this must have been implanted before the rabies vaccination
- A blood test may also be necessary
This is the case for cats and dogs – but if you need to transport another animal, such as a rabbit, rodent or reptile, a different set of rules will apply. You can take a look at these regulations at the Government of The Netherlands website.
It’s important to follow the rules exactly to avoid delays at the airport and to reduce potential stress for both you and your pet.
10. Similar Cities
Both Doha and Amsterdam are high-income locations with key sectors in finance, technology, and trade. The cities have strong ties to global markets, with lucrative economies.
Although they are both relatively small areas, The Netherlands has a higher population density despite being larger in land mass than Qatar. There has been significant urban development in both locations, although The Netherlands has more historic features than Qatar.
11. Pros and Cons of Moving to The Netherlands from Qatar
Perhaps you’re moving for a new job opportunity or just to try out a completely different country and climate—whatever your reason for wanting to move from Qatar to The Netherlands, let’s take a look at some of the main pros and cons associated with moving.
ADVANTAGES OF MOVING TO THE NETHERLANDS FROM QATAR | DISADVANTAGES OF MOVING TO THE NETHERLANDS FROM QATAR |
---|---|
Quality of Life: The Netherlands ranks highly in "quality of life" indexes owing to its excellent healthcare, education, and social welfare | Language Barrier: Although many citizens will speak different languages, to fully integrate into all sectors, you may need to learn Dutch |
Cultural Diversity: The Netherlands has a diverse and inclusive culture, welcoming all backgrounds and lifestyles | Cost of Living: Living in Amsterdam comes with a high price, as well as the general cost of healthcare and transport being higher than in The UAE |
World-class Education: The Netherland's education system is world-class, with an economy to match | Climate: The climate in The Netherlands is acutely different to Qatar, being temperate, which could take some adjustment |
Whatever you decide, you must understand the legal factors affecting your move. For all the information you need, be sure to visit Government.nl.
Other Useful Guides to the Netherlands
- 2025 Sea Freight Container Shipping Rates To & From the Netherlands
- 29 Best International Moving Companies in the Netherlands
- 10 Best Money Transfer Companies in the Netherlands
- Moving to the Netherlands? 2025 Living Costs & Relocation Tips
- 21 Secrets About Living In The Netherlands To Know Before Moving
- Moving to the Netherlands from the United States
- Moving to the Netherlands from Bahrain
- 13 Best Places To Live in the Netherlands
- Moving to the Netherlands from Dubai and the UAE
- Moving to the Netherlands from Kuwait
- Moving to the Netherlands from South Africa