We’ve heard all about the Schiphol disasters, and know the ins and outs of the housing crisis — so now, it’s time to learn about the Netherlands’ latest trend.Coming in 2023, to a neighbourhood near you: power cuts.
Power cuts? Yep, grid operator Alliander has warned that their power grid is becoming too full, and entire neighbourhoods could face temporary power outages in the near future. ⚡️
What?! Why?
At the root of the issue is the rapid switch to sustainable energy, which many Dutch homes have been undergoing.
The switch to gas-efficient heating pumps, solar panels, and electric cars requires homeowners to install heavier electricity connections in their homes.
These stronger connections, along with the high electricity consumption of the sustainable alternatives, put a lot of pressure on the energy grid, which struggles to keep up with the demand.
“The power grid in residential areas is not yet calculated for the speed at which consumers make their homes more sustainable,” Alliander CEO Maarten Otto said in a press conference.
This, in turn, can result in power outages in individual homes, streets, or entire neighbourhoods.
Adding to the problem
Intensifying the issue of the overloaded power grids is (you guessed it!) a staff and material shortage. Niet leuk!
Therefore, writes Het Parool, Alliander may temporarily be unable to help customers directly if the grid in their district fills up. You know what that means: Time to stock up on candles! 🕯️
Teamwork makes the dream work
While Alliander is investing €5 billion into the low-voltage network that supplies our homes, the grid operator points out that there are steps consumers can take to help avoid problems.
As the NOS writes, people with solar panels are advised to store their own power, for instance, or use it directly so that it doesn’t have to go onto the energy grid.
Those of us without solar panels can reduce our consumption by unplugging appliances when not in use, or spreading our consumption more evenly throughout the day. 🔌
What do you think about these potentially incoming power cuts? Tell us in the comments!
Keep your snow boots on: the weather forecast is in! A code yellow warning has been issued all throughout the Netherlands after the snowfall last night. ❄️
There’s no need to panic, though, as the code yellow warning for slipperiness applies until 9 AM this morning and will only make a brief reappearance on Friday, reports NU.nl.
You know you live in the Netherlands when instead of spring sunshine you get snow in march
By afternoon, our constant companion will be back by our side as rain will fall all over the region, eventually turning into snow at night.
A frosty Friday
Thought you’d be getting a break from the icy weather on Friday? Think again, as it’ll rain throughout the day, which may turn into snow by the evening’s arrival. ⛄
With that comes another code yellow warning for slipperiness due to wet snowfall freezing on the flat ground. (Well, thank goodness it’s flat, or we’d all be sliding back into the winter blues. 😭)
As a result of this increased slipperiness, motorists in the middle and west of the Netherlands may need to keep an especially watchful eye on the road.
What are you looking forward to doing when spring arrives? Tell us in the comments below!
The Netherlands is the “drain of Western Europe,” researcher Peter Schipper tells RTL Nieuws, and less than 1% of surface water is deemed clean. Yup, you read that right: The pioneers of water management have the dirtiest water in Europe.
The consequence? Hefty fines. Should Dutch waters not meet European requirements by 2027, they’ll face fines of tens of millions of euros PER YEAR. Yikes! 😬
Should we be worried?
Nee but also ja. First things first: No, this does not apply to the lekker Dutch tap water — that’s perfectly A-OK.
However, a report by Natuurmonumenten (a Dutch conservation agency) has shown that the water ecosystem of the Netherlands is not doing well. AT ALL. The situation is dire, and the pollution is not decreasing.
By 2027, the bodies of water designated by the Dutch Water Framework Directive (Kaderrichtlijn Water) must meet a set of goals. These goals concern the rivers Ems, Rhine, Meuse and Scheldt.
But experts are pessimistic: “We’re not going to make those goals,” Peter Schipper from Wageningen University tells RTL Nieuws.
So what’s wrong with the water?
According to Natuurmonumenten’s report, various things are wrong with Dutch surface waters.
They are polluted with chemicals from agriculture and industrial operations, and have nutrient loads (of nitrogen, phosphorus, and other elements) that are too high.
Further problems are caused by the too-rapid disposal of water and the removal of too much water from groundwater sources.
The root of the issues, as Peter Schipper explains, are the Netherlands’ agriculture, industry, transport, and high population density — all of which are adding pollution to the water.
2/2 There is no other country that knows more about this engineering than the Netherlands, and I can see a lot of problems with having a road over the water, and I’m not even a civil engineer – road dust and debris going into the water pollution to name just one.
On top of its own pollution, as “the drain of Western Europe,” the Netherlands has to accommodate contaminated waters that flow into the country from abroad. Ah yes, let’s blame Duitsland (Germany)! 😉
Bleak outlook
It’s becoming clear that water pollution is taking its toll on the Netherlands, and will heavily affect not only its animals and plants but also its future generations.
“We are burdening the next generation with a crisis,” says Piet Verdonschot from Wageningen University, “too little has been done in recent years.”
So, what can we do? Address the root of the problem: Instead of removing substances from the water, the Netherlands will have to make sure that they don’t get into it in the first place.
To do so, politicians need to start prioritising the quality of the water, by making demands and imposing stricter restrictions on the environment.
What do you think about this alarming report on Dutch waters? Tell us in the comments!
Spring is finally here and what better time to explore the Netherlands? There’s plenty to do in Holland at this time of year, so if you’re looking for some inspiration, you’ve come to the right place.
Whether it’s walking, hiking, freebies, adventure, or just lazying around — spring in the Netherlands has something in stock for everyone. 🌷
1. Go and see the tulips
Just imagine a wonderful afternoon strolling through the tulips! Image: Depositphotos
We’re approaching April now, so the tulips are beginning to blossom in all their glory. If you have some money to spare, then head to the Keukenhof to walk through the gardens.
What’s the Keukenhof? I hear you ask.Where have you been!?
It’s a park dotted with beautiful gardens, filled with famous tulips and other spring flowers. It’s absolutely beautiful and a must-see. Plus, there are lots of tulip fields next to it if you can’t get enough of it already!
If you want something a bit cheaper, catch a train, grab your bike or use your legs, and walk or cycle alongside the tulip fields that are blooming everywhere around Den Haag, Leiden, and Haarlem at this time of year.
2. Have a blast at an Amusement Park
Efteling is a magical Dutch amusement park full of castles, dragons and fairytales. Image: Depositphotos
Nothing can beat an amusement park on a sunny spring day. Not too hot, not too cold, and there’s plenty to keep yourself occupied.
There are lots of amusement parks in the Netherlands that are perfect for the whole family, and we also have our very own Dutch Disneyland called the Efteling.
So if you want to take your little ones on a day out or you’re an adult just looking for an adrenaline rush — this may be just the thing you need!
3. Visit a castle
Want to feel like a real king or queen? Image: Depositphotos
This might surprise you, but the Netherlands has many beautiful castles!
Have you been to any of them? This beautiful weather offers the perfect opportunity to explore a castle near you and learn a little bit about its history. 🏰
All of these castles have beautiful landscapes surrounding them, too. So if you’re with someone who isn’t into history, then the place itself and its surrounding areas will win them over for sure.
4. Head to a Dutch beach
Yep, this summery beach and ferry wheel is in the Netherlands, Scheveningen! Image: Depositphotos
So, what could you possibly do with your time that’s worthwhile? Going to the beach, of course! The Netherlands has an array of beautiful sandy beaches.
In fact, I’d go so far as to say that most of them are completely underrated (the Netherlands is not known for its beaches). If you’re a getting-drunk-in-the-sun-because-why-the-hell-not kind of person, you’ll love the Dutch beach bars that open in summer.
5. Swim in an outdoor pool (or buitenbad)
It’s also a great way to cool off when the weather starts getting warmer! Image: Freepik
The Dutch are suckers for a swim, especially in an outdoor pool. When the sun is shining (and the pools are open), the Dutch flock to these public pools to enjoy a nice swim and sunbathe.
Dutch kids also absolutely love these buitenbads, and parents love ’em because it means their kids will spend time away from their screens in the sun.
Some pools may not be open just yet, but we’ve had a couple of warm days already, and you’ve got to get out while you can. 😎
If not, there are plenty of indoor pools in the Netherlands, too!
6. Check out some windmills
Have you ever seen a more Dutch sight? Image: Depositphotos
I always recommend this one, because I’m a massive windmill lover when it comes to a peaceful walk and new Instagram pictures. Two of the most popular places to go are either Kinderdijk or Zaanse Schans.
Not only is it typically Dutch, but it’s just a great place to cycle or go for a walk.
Want to see a windmill in the city, or looking to visit a windmill that isn’t filled with tourists? Well, there’s no shortage of those either.
7. Go mudflat walking
Feeling the mud between your toes already? Image: Depositphotos
Do you live in the north of the lowlands or fancy travelling there? If you don’t mind getting down and dirty (no, not in that way 😉), then this may be for you.
Mudflat walking is an activity that you can do across the mudflats in the Wadden Sea. An experienced guide will navigate you around the area, showing you the landscape and the wildlife.
It’s really fun feeling the mud and silt between your toes!
8. Tour a canal by boat
A beer, a boat, and sunny weather. What more could you wish for? Image: Depositphotos
Today may be the perfect day to get on your boat and go on a boat tour, as you’ll never see a shortage of boats on the canals in the Netherlands. When the sun is shining, some areas start to look a little like King’s day.
Okay, maybe not quite as bad (or as orange!), but the boats are definitely out in full force.
For the lucky few who have a boat, they are usually accompanied by a crate of beer, a large family or a guy who just wants to treat his dog for a ride.
Don’t have a boat? No worries, they are available to rent in most places, as long as you’re prepared to pay a small fortune.
9. Take a trip to a Dutch Island
Imagine fresh, salty air and soft sand between your toes. Image: Pixabay
Bored with the usual Dutch cities? You could always escape to an island for a bit.
For example, the Dutch island of Texel is the perfect place to get away for the weekend. The ferry is quick and cheap, and it’s the perfect time to go.
You may want to wrap yourself in 16 layers and build up some strong leg muscles to combat the Texel wind on the bike. 🚴🏻 However, when it gets really warm, the beaches there are beautiful.
10. Go to a coffeeshop
You haven’t lived if you’ve not been high in Amsterdam at least once. Image: Freepik
It may be the most stereotypical thing in the world, but hey, why the hell not? If you’re in Amsterdam and looking for a list of great coffeeshops, we’ve got you covered.
It’s sunny outside, you take a joint to the park, smoke up and let the day take you to that strange place where everything is funny, and life is beautiful.
It also gives you a wonderful excuse to demolish every single stroopwafel insight.
11. Explore a national park
Exploring rolling fields of heather and enchanting forests is more fun than it sounds! Image: Depositphotos
Looking to be at one with nature? 🌿
Then take a walk around one of the many national parks that we have here in the Netherlands. It may be a flat country, but it sure is pretty.
There are several Dutch national parks to choose from, and each of them comes with its own array of flora and fauna.
With so many to choose from, you’ll never have an excuse not to go out again. (Apart from all that rainy weather, of course! 😉)
12. Embark on a cruise
A cruise ship is preparing to depart from Rotterdam for England. All aboard! Image: Depositphotos
In the spring, a lot of cruises leave from Rotterdam and Amsterdam to travel around Europe. So if you want to get away for a little bit, then this is something to consider.
You can choose a weekend break or splash the cash and escape for as long as a month. Tropical beaches, here we come! 🏝
13. Rock out at a free festival
With the restrictions gone, all we wanna do is partyyy! Image: Depositphotos
Feeling the pinch this month? Then there are plenty of free events happening all around the Netherlands.
Some are music-related, some are food-related, and some are just purely Dutch-related (*cough* King’s day *cough*).
So if you want to save those euros, or you’ve just spent them all, then there’s no excuse not to go out now. The best part is that these events are located all over the country, so there’s likely one near you!
14. Celebrate King’s Day
King’s Day in the Netherlands is one huge, day-long, booze-filled party. Image: Depositphotos
One of the biggest days of the year is coming up in the Netherlands: King’s Day.
Don’t we love this time of the year when Dutch stores fill up with orange items, and everyone stocks up on Heineken crates weeks in advance?
This year, King’s Day is on Thursday, April 27. Get ready!
15. Take a road trip
Is there anything better than a spring road trip? 😍 Image: Freepik
Technically, this involves leaving the Netherlands, but it’s still the perfect spring activity. The Netherlands borders two countries, Germany and Belgium. It also doesn’t take too long to go a bit further afield than that.
So if you’re looking to head somewhere brand new, then this could be an option. We have guides on road trips to Germany, Belgium, and Luxembourg.
Can you think of any other things to do in spring in the Netherlands? Let us know in the comments!
Renter abuse is an issue in the Netherlands — and because of the huge housing shortage, many have no choice but to accept their lot: high rents, high deposits, and unnecessary fees. But it looks like something is being done about it.
How? Deposits for Dutch rentalproperties will finally be regulated.
This comes after an agreement by the House of Representatives, aimed at better overall protection for tenants.
New rules
Currently, in the Netherlands, there are no legal regulations when it comes to rental deposits. If a tenant runs into issues with their landlords, all they can do is take them to court — an intimidating process, to say the least.
But that’s about to change: New rules proposed by the Dutch government will regulate not just the deposit amount, but also its reimbursement.
Should the legislation be approved (and it looks like it will 💪), landlords may only request a maximum of twice the basic monthly rent (without service costs) as a deposit.
On top of that, they will have to refund the deposit within two weeks after a tenant moves out. Hoera! 💸
Senate needs to approve
A member of the DENK party, Stephan van Baarle, proposed the legislation after seeing that many landlords in the Netherlands withhold their renters’ deposits as a sneaky form of extra income.
What’s something you wouldn’t expect when spring is approaching the Netherlands? Snowfall. But hey, perhaps we should just give up on the seasons altogether.
This crisp March morning, the southeastern region of Noord-Brabant can count on up to five centimetres of snowfall dusting the landscape.
That’s not all either; the hills of South Limburg can expect up to 10 centimetres, reports RTL Nieuws.
Code Orange due to the snowy conditions
However, life isn’t all snow angels and chocomel. Those Limburgers aren’t so lucky, and Brabandt will suffer a blizzardy beating.
Due to the oncoming large layer of snow, the KNMI has issued a code orange warning from early this morning until noon for North Brabant and Limburg.
We have our Belgian neighbours to thank for the oncoming frostiness. Buienradar meteorologist, Maurice Middendorp, explains to RTL Nieuws that “the entire snow area is moving north from the Belgian-Dutch border.” Time to get cosy inside, get that hot chocolate, and enjoy watching the snowfall today. ❄️
Watch out for icy patches
When it comes to snowfall, it’s not all fun and games, and it’s not just the Netherlands’ nether regions that can expect some icy weather.
While Middendorp warns people in the south of the country to watch out for ice during the day due to snow residue. Middendorp, also warns of icy patches throughout the centre of the country.
In fact, Middendorp also expects about 1 to 2 centimetres of snow to fall in the middle of the Netherlands.
And then — poof — it’s gone
Will the snowfall continue? Not exactly. After today, the weather will be changeable and unpredictable in true Dutch style — of course, with regular rain showers.
On the bright side, the Netherlands is supposed to get a bit warmer starting tomorrow, as local weather will go from 5 degrees to 10 degrees by Sunday.
Is it snowing where you’re living in the Netherlands? Tell us in the comments below!
Ah, the politie (police), our friends and helpers! 👮🏼♂️ They didn’t hesitate when called about a shady-looking man, wandering the dark streets of Aerdenhout — armed with nothing but a garbage collection stick.
Immediately jumping to action in the little village near Haarlem, the police closed all neighbourhood roads to ensure the lawbreaker couldn’t make a run for it, writes RTL Nieuws. 🚔
The criminal in question? Mayor Roest, on his nightly #hotgirlwalk.
A 45-minute chase
Okay, let’s be real for a second: In a small village like Aerdenhout, where the nightlife is not exactly as buzzing as in Amsterdam, it’s rather unusual to see people out on the street at night.
And that’s exactly what one observant local, who reported the heinous crime to the police, thought. In a way of looking out for the community, the man refused to turn a blind eye to the shady-looking burglar who was wandering the village streets at night.
“Contemporary inequality” in Dutch society is a real and persistent issue — according to a large study by the Dutch Social and Cultural Planning Bureau (SCP).
Research has shown that a person’s standing on the social ladder in the Netherlands depends on much more than just education, profession and income (economic capital).
Instead, many other factors play a role, including factors such as physical appearance and health, “who you know”, and cultural interests.
Entangled inequalities
As the SCP’s study shows, social inequality in the Netherlands is caused by an array of different aspects — all of which are entangled with each other.
Economic factors (such as income, education, and profession) are linked to personal (health, appearance), social (network) and cultural (literary and musical taste, marketable skills) factors.
After surveying 6,800 Dutchies on the factors mentioned, the SCP linked their answers to CBS‘s statistical data on their economic status. This resulted in the publication of the “Contemporary Inequality Report” — as RTL Nieuws writes.
Four social classes? Nee, seven!
The results of the research divide Dutch society into seven social classes. These include:
The working upper class (19.9%)
The younger promising (young people with opportunities) (8.6%)
The interest-ranking upper class (12.2%)
The working middle class (24.9%)
The low-skilled pensioners (18.1%)
The precarious workers (10.0%)
The precariat (people whose employment and income are insecure) (6.3%)
How do the social groups differ? Well, while the “working upper class” scores high in all aspects, the classes below them are lacking in one or more factors.
The younger promising for example, although high-scoring on health, social network, and marketable skills, find themselves in an economic middle ground. Meanwhile, the precariat struggles not just economically, but also in factors such as health and trust in fellow citizens.
Issues that need fixing
The clear distinctions between the Dutch social classes are worrying, say the experts from the SCP. This is especially because “the groups at the ‘bottom’ have fewer opportunities in society, and also less trust in each other, politics and government.”
While some policies are currently in place to combat structural inequality, these tend to be most focused on economic factors. In turn, differences in other forms of capital, such as having a social network, digital skills and health, remain largely ignored.
To combat the “large and persistent” differences and create a more equal society, the SCP recommends that significant measures beyond economic factors be implemented.
These could include policies to fight loneliness in retired people, for instance, or changes to restore the low government trust of the bottom classes.
What do you think of these findings on the Dutch class system? Tell us in the comments!
However, since then, Europe’s dependence on Russian gas has been dramatically reduced thanks to the importing of more gas from the United States and Qatar.
As a result of both consumers and companies becoming more economical and this year’s relatively mild winter, gas stocks have remained thankfully stable in various European countries.
What are your thoughts on the falling gas prices? Tell us in the comments below!
Moving to the Netherlands as an international is challenging in lots of different ways; from learning a new language to dealing with a new culture, there is much to adjust to.
Over our time in the Netherlands, we’ve come across 12 expat services that have made our lives here so much easier, so we’re sharing the love.
Expat services in the Netherlands: FixThatNow
Handyman to roofer. There’s always someone up to the job! Image: Depositphotos
One of the trickiest parts of being an expat is not knowing where to find reliable people for odd jobs around the house. Plenty of companies exploit this — they know you don’t know local rates, so they charge you absurd amounts for simple repairs.
It’s a platform that connects you with professionals across the Netherlands. Handymen, cleaners, roofers, tilers, window cleaners, plumbers, painters — you name it. The whole point is to let you compare rates and find someone you actually trust.
Here’s how it works: posting a job with your budget is completely free. Professionals can send you up to five quotes. Whether they’re freelancers or full companies, you get to check out their reviews and decide for yourself who you want to hire.
Expat services in the Netherlands: bunq
This is the type of card that makes you happy. Image: Vedika Luthra
bunq is a Dutch bank that’s breaking all sorts of boundaries. It’s fully digital, with a customer service team ready for all your questions in your language.
That’s really handy — if you’ve gone through the process of setting up your life in the Netherlands, you know just how easy it is to get wrapped up in a bureaucratic circle of doom.
bunq breaks that vicious circle, and in the process, provides you with an account at a bank that only invests ethically, and doesn’t pay its staff massive bonuses (like most other banks).
Expat services in the Netherlands: Helpling
Squeaky clean. Image: Freepik
When you’re trying to adjust to a new life, make friends, and find a job or a house, the last thing you want to be worrying about is how clean your house is.
When you’re busy, it’s so easy to let scrubbing the bathroom slip (let’s be honest, it’s already easy for it to slip when you’re not busy). That’s where Helpling comes in.
Helpling is an online marketplace, which links cleaners and people who need one for their homes. In this internet era, scouring local noticeboards in search of a cleaner is truly passé, especially when Helpling is so convenient.
You can select a time and date, and a list of cleaners who are available and ready to do the job will automatically come up. SO handy, and you don’t have to clean. What a win!
Expat services in the Netherlands: Partner Pete
The perfect expat service for sorting out your utilities in the Netherlands. Image: Depositphotos
Another thing no one wants to deal with, nor truly knows how to deal with, is setting up utilities in a new country. In the Netherlands, most utility websites are only in Dutch, so having someone to walk you through the process, or even better, to do it for you, is helpful.
We loved working with Partner Pete, a utility provider in the Netherlands that offers electricity, internet, phone connections and insurance to expats — yes, all in one go. That’s much better than hunting down individual providers of each.
Partner Pete’s customer service is in English, and it also offers flexible contracts, which is really nice if you’re not sure how long you’ll be staying in the Netherlands.
Expat services in the Netherlands: Undutchables
Trying to land a Dutch job? This one’s for you. Image: Freepik
While most people will move to the Netherlands with a job already set up, there are plenty who take the plunge and arrive jobless. Finding work as an expat, especially if you don’t yet speak Dutch (more on that later), can be really difficult.
That’s why we love Undutchables: they’re an employment agency for expats in the Netherlands, and they can help you with finding your new Dutch career in the Netherlands.
Even if you haven’t arrived yet in the Netherlands, get in touch with them, and they can show you their list of current vacancies, and maybe you’ll be able to arrive in the Netherlands with a job already set up and ready to go.
Expat services in the Netherlands: N26
N26 is another great, expat-friendly bank — particularly if you travel a lot, or come from a country that doesn’t use euros.
N26 has a variety of tiers, the swishest of which is N26 Metal, which is €16.90 a month. With this tier, you can make free cash withdrawals anywhere in the world, pay without bank fees anywhere in the world, and you get an insurance package.
N26, like bunq, is purely digital, so there are no physical branches, but customer service is there to help you at any time. Plus, their cards are transparent, so: aesthetics.
Expat services in the Netherlands: Learn Dutch
Learn Dutch is the perfect expat service if you want to finally learn to say Scheveningen correctly. Or anything, for that matter. Image: Pixabay
You’ve almost certainly seen videos from Bart de Pau’s Learn Dutch: you can check our favourites out here. But there’s more to learning Dutch than videos of expats being confused by Dutch culture, though admittedly, that is extremely relatable.
The Learn Dutch website has lots of different Dutch courses for you to choose from, as well as a blog filled with handy tips about the whole process of learning this strange language.
Learn Dutch also offers a summer school and a winter school, if you’re up for intensive classes for a shorter period of time.
Even though pretty much all Dutchies speak amazing English, learning Dutch is really important for your career and your social life as an expat.
Expat services in the Netherlands: TransferWise
Sending home some money? Why pay higher exchange rates? Image: Freepik
This is another important financial expat service: it’s almost certain that at some point, you’re going to need to either transfer money to the Netherlands from another country or the other way around.
When you’re dealing with non-euro currencies, that can VERY quickly get expensive.
A lot of banks will tell you that transferring money costs a certain amount, but what you’ll end up paying is still higher than it should be, because your bank uses an exchange rate that’s higher than the true one.
TransferWise cuts this out: it tells you what the fee is, and that’s what you pay. No sneaky money-grabbing here.
And when you’re sending money out of the Netherlands to somewhere else, TransferWise is particularly great, because usually you’ll get charged extra by the banks on both sides of the transfer. Again, TransferWise cuts that out: you pay exactly what it says on the tin.
Expat services in the Netherlands: Mortgages
ExpatMortgages helps you navigate the complicated Dutch housing market. Image: Freepik
It’s fully understandable that you want to settle down in the Netherlands: from the bikes to the canals, it’s a beautiful country with a high quality of life.
Buying a house here can be complicated, especially given the current property market. Still, mortgage agencies, such as Expat Mortgages, specifically work with expats to give the best information on the process possible — in English!
They can help you figure out how big of a mortgage you can get, where to get one, how to make an offer on a house, and all the delicious paperwork that follows.
Financially, buying a house in the Netherlands makes a lot more sense than renting when you’re staying here for an extended period of time — but it’s a complicated process, so having a mortgage broker on board can be helpful.
Expat services in the Netherlands: Expat centres
Sometimes, you just want to go somewhere where you can find all the answers to your questions — and for expats, expat centres are just that.
At DutchReview, we have experience with the ones in Leiden and Tilburg, so we’re recommending those specifically, but there is an expat centre in most major cities in the Netherlands.
They can let you know what’s going on in a city, from cultural events to sports, and they can also give you some tips on the nicest spots in each city.
Plus, if you’re having trouble with any of the bureaucracy that comes with moving to the Netherlands, they can also help you out. So really, expat centres are a one-stop-shop for almost anything you’ll need as an international here.
Expat services in the Netherlands: Animal shelters
The Netherlands is super pet-friendly! Image: Depositphotos
Whether you’re a dog or a cat person (or a rabbit person, or a bird person, or a snake person, we accept everyone here), an animal shelter is a much better place to get your new best friend than from a pet store.
There is a dierenopvang or a dierencentrum in most major cities (find yours by googling these two words in combination with your city), and they can help you get started with your pet search.
Most have a procedure whereby your needs are matched with an animal’s, so you have some assurance you’re going to be able to provide a happy home for your new child.
Expat services in the Netherlands: DutchReview Instagram
Here’s an expat laughing at our content. Image: Depositphotos
Listen, we have to promote ourselves a little bit, okay? But seriously, we have an Instagram account that is super helpful (and fun) for the international community.
It’s a friendly, cosy space where you can ask questions, get information on current events, and best of all, feature in our articles if you respond to our questions about your experiences of life in the Netherlands.
We post awesome photos of different parts of the Netherlands, so if you’re looking for exploration inspiration, it’s the place to be. Also, if you’re considering moving to the Netherlands, it is a great account to follow, because you’ll get a real sense of what life here is like.
Which expat services have helped you the most while settling down in the Netherlands? Let us know in the comments below.
