Why should refugees have to take integration courses, but not expats? This is the question Amsterdam’s city council wants to address this week.
And how will they do this? By voting on whether or not expats (highly-skilled migrants) in Amsterdam should have to take a “citizenship course.”
According to the NRC, the course has been proposed by PvdA member Lian Heinhuis and will be voted on by the council this week.
What would this course even look like?
The idea is that participants in the course would receive Dutch language lessons, explanations about Dutch culture, and how to navigate practical matters such as going to the doctor and traffic rules — to be fair, that sounds pretty helpful.
The course would also be somehow linked to neighbourhood initiatives and volunteer organisations in order to further encourage integration with the local community.
Who would have to take the course?
So far, it sounds like the course would be specifically targeted at highly-skilled expats who receive the 30% ruling.
These are migrants who are hired by Dutch companies and brought to the Netherlands due to their specific skill set.
In conversation with the NRC, Heinhuis questions why these specific expats should benefit from the 30% ruling, without also being expected to integrate:
“Why should migrants who fled a war be required to integrate and migrants with a generous salary not? Nothing is expected of expats, in fact: they get a 30% tax reduction for five years.”
To “protect the social character of Amsterdam”
As of 2022, there were at least 90,000 highly-skilled migrants in Amsterdam, and according to research agency Decisio, this number increases by 10% each year.
This amounts to ten times more expats living in the city than asylum seekers or status holders, reports the NRC.
Heinhuis believes a “citizenship course” for these expats will help “protect the social character of Amsterdam and ensure that people really have contact. The expat is also a human being, with more needs than work and income.”
And Amsterdam’s local residents agree — at least when it comes to “protecting the social character.”
In a 2023 survey carried out by AT5, expats were described as “a plague” and “parasites” who “drive up house prices” and “refuse to learn Dutch.”
The question is, would a course be able to fix these issues? Let’s see what the city decides.
What do you think, should expats in Amsterdam follow such a course? Tell us your thoughts in the comments below.
its good choice to learn about dutch culture
Yes! I am an expat and not only think I should have to do this, I would absolutely love to do this. The only way I can learn Ditch right now is to take lessons at a private school (quality varies wildly) and though I’ve tried to figure out where to take the integration course required for others, I’ve not so far been able to figure out how to do it. Please help us integrate!
Ypu can go to Dutch Library (Biblitheek) courses are free
This is a great initiative that would help with integration, though I would go a step further and reduce the length and amount of the 30% ruling, too. Denmark also has a similar program that offers free language courses up to C1 for all immigrants in their first 5 years in the country.
I will be honest, few expat ls including me don’t want to learn dutch it is not easy, it is expensive and not necessary for work or to live here this the truth, I am being honest like the dutch likes!!, the problem here is they don’t have enough people so they need our helps, if you put the situation worse nobody will come and companies will have to move to other countries.
I came to The Netherlands 25 years ago as an international school teacher. My indoctrination into Dutch culture took place in the school where I taught and at home with my family in the neighbourhood I live. It is by doing that culture is learnt.
Yes! I am an American expat and I want this! I am so angry other people get it free and I have to pay! That’s not fair at all!!!! It really makes me super angry! I want to learn Dutch like everyone else!!! Please do this so I can take the course!!!