Are you an American in the Netherlands? Time to consider stashing cash under your mattress. Reports are emerging that multiple Dutch banks are blocking the accounts of dozens of American account holders.
Customers of ABN AMRO, ING, and Rabobank say that they have been blocked from accessing their funds until they provide a US taxation number to the banks, De Telegraaf reports.
The latest move from the banks is an attempt to fall in line with the American rules of providing financial information for tax purposes. But, it’s leaving stacks of American-Dutchie’s without access to their hard-earned euros.
The information comes from Reporter Radio, where Daan Durlacher of the Americans Overseas interest group said he has received multiple reports of the extreme action.
“This is blackmail with your own money,” Durlacher said in the broadcast. “It is outrageous that a bank can, and must, do this to come into contact with customers.”
Why are the banks blocking funds?
A spokesperson for ABN Amro confirmed that in an attempt to receive US tax numbers from account holders, accounts have been frozen. It is a requirement of banks to comply with the US law of providing the numbers. However, many customers don’t give the banks the information.
American citizens really get the raw end of the stick when it comes to taxation. US tax rules say that they have to pay tax to Uncle Sam regardless of where they live and work. The only way around the rule is to give up their US citizenship.
Do you think this is fair action for the banks to take? Have you been affected? Let us know in the comments below!
For the first time, a majority has been achieved in the Lower House of the Dutch Parliament in favour of banning dangerous fireworks around New Year’s Eve.
The parties that came together to form this coalition did not include the Prime Minister’s party, VVD, but did include the two other coalition parties, D66 and ChristenUnie. Opposition parties such as GroenLinks, Partij voor de Dieren, SP, PvdA, 50 Plus, SGP, DENK, and lone MP Van Kooten-Arisse all gave their support to the ban as well.
Why is this ban suddenly being seriously discussed? Well, over New Year’s Eve this year, there were several deaths and 1300 injuries, an increase of 100 people since last year. Furthermore, a police officer was kicked in the face over a fireworks dispute, and an elderly man was beaten up for asking some teenagers to take their fireworks elsewhere. All in all, it was a chaotic night.
It is not yet fully clear what constitutes dangerous fireworks. The leader of the PvdA, Asscher, says the ban should include flares and bangers. He wants the police chief, Akerboom, to be involved in the discussion, after his calls for a firework ban after the holidays.
One concern is whether a ban will be possible to carry out: the police do not have enough manpower to be everywhere on New Year’s Eve, after all. Asscher hopes Akerboom will be able to suggest ways that carrying out the ban will be feasible for police.
Will this ban succeed? What do you think? Let us know in the comments below.
The Netherlands is in for a mild January, at least for the first half of the month. Temperatures from 11 to 14 degrees will be commonplace, so it’s safe to say that for now, winter is over, RTL Nieuws reports.
This does mean that we’re unlikely to get snow any time soon: after a disappointingly grey and wet Christmas, some of you might have been hoping for a white January. However, it’s going to be way too mild for that to happen. Temperatures between 13 and 14 degrees can be expected this week, and next week, you also won’t see temperatures drop close to zero.
Climate change is definitely partly to blame, but according to Buienradar meteorologist Marc de Jong, the warm temperatures are also down to chance. Over the last few weeks, warm, moist air has been coming in over the Netherlands from the sea. That’s not likely to change over the next two weeks.
As always with the Netherlands, warm does not necessarily mean ‘weather you want to be outside in’. There’ll be days with mist and light rain over the next couple of weeks, but some days will be dry: and this Friday there’ll even be sunny spells! (We take what we can get around here, ok.)
Given how the Netherlands’ unpredictable weather works, we can’t say for sure that this is the end of winter, but we certainly have a reprieve for a couple of weeks!
After another New Year’s Eve filled with injuries, deaths and general terror, Dutchies must what the future of fireworks in the Netherlands is, particularly with regard to its New Year’s celebrations.
So what happened this year during the New Year’s Eve firework bonanza?
It’s time for a run down of what happened this year in Dutch firework craziness. First of all, this year 1300 people made their way to either their GP’s office, or the hospital itself, with firework related injuries. That’s more than last year, by over 100. Most of the injured were men, and most of them were also under twenty years of age. More than half of these were injured by a firework thrown by someone else, NOS reports.
Tragedy in Arnhem
This year, more than the usual mayhem took place, resulting in tragedy in Arnhem, where a father (39) and a son (4) died as a result of a fire in their apartment building caused by fireworks. The mother and daughter of the same family were severely injured as well. They were in the elevator when the apartment building caught fire and the elevator stopped, leaving them trapped. Security cameras showed that two boys, twelve and thirteen years of age, were behind the fireworks which caused the fire.
General mayhem on New Year’s Eve: time to change how fireworks in the Netherlands are used
On New Year’s Eve, the usual mayhem ensued. A police officer was kicked in the face as a result of a fireworks dispute; pyrotechnics were thrown into people’s mailboxes, and an elderly man was beaten up after asking a group of teenagers to take their fireworks elsewhere.
Debate continues to rage about fireworks in the Netherlands
The debate over whether fireworks for public use ought to be banned has been raging for the last couple of decades in the Netherlands, but it seems that we’re no closer to a conclusion. In 2000, a firework factory and storage centre in Enschede caught fire and exploded, killing 23 people and injuring almost a thousand more. For most Dutch people, NPO says, this tragedy marks the beginning of a serious debate about the future of fireworks in the Netherlands.
Some government regulations in place
The government has tried to regulate the use of fireworks, banning certain types and forbidding the use of fireworks before 18:00 on New Year’s Eve. And in 2017, the importation of illegal fireworks was also banned, leading to the police confiscating tonnes of them each year. Some municipalities have experimented with firework free zones, and professional firework shows to compensate.
Not enough manpower to enforce ban on fireworks
But in truth, there is one big reason why fireworks haven’t been banned, according to NPO. The police do not have the manpower to enforce such a ban. And because the freedom to use fireworks is close to many Dutchies’ hearts, there is not a huge amount of public will to make the change. This is particularly the case among those who feel that other Dutch traditions, like Zwarte Piet, are also under fire.
Public supports a ban, the government does not: the future of fireworks in the Netherlands is unclear
There is growing evidence, however, that the public is beginning to support a ban. Research done by bureau Citisens shows that 69 percent of the public supports a fireworks ban after the holiday period. And 50,000 people signed an online petition over the first couple of days in the New Year. The petition has now reached a quarter of a million signatures.
Netherlands is not all about the big cities like Amsterdam, Leiden and Den Haag! If you have been in the country for a while and looking for new places to visit but don’t want to create a havoc in your budget, then you’re in luck! With a little bit of our help, you can not only discover a new city that is perfect for a day trip from Amsterdam (or anywhere really), but keep your money for yourself as well. Cause we have 7 things to do in Delft, for free!
7 (Free) Things to do in Delft
1- Markt and the City Hall
Grabbed your OV-Chipkaart and a short ride later, you’ve arrived at Delft Station, what’s next? Well, our first stop of things to do in Delft is right in the city center! After a 10 minute walk, you’ll find yourself in the biggest open square right between the New Church and the City Hall.
The striking red shutters and the front part of the City Hall building dates back to around 1618-1620 but the rest goes back even further. The old City Hall burned down in 1618 so the architect Hendrick de Keyser who was already working on the Nieuwe Kerk, designed the new one we see and visit today.
If you would like to see more of it, you can step inside! The entrance is free to roam around and see a glimpse of its stunning architecture. It is also commonly used for weddings (I got married there!) so you might come across a ceremony!
And since you are right at the heart of the city, look around! You can admire the classic Dutch houses, see the building that Johannes Vermeer was born, see the statue of Hugo de Groot and get to know new things. That huge Church? That’s the Nieuwe Kerk and unfortunately NOT free of charge but feel free to adore its charm!
2- Beestenmarkt
Only 5 minutes away from the Market, you can continue your day of sightseeing by stopping by at the Beestenmarkt. This little green square is surrounded by cafes and restaurants. If you don’t mind spending a little something, Kobus Kuch is welcoming you to taste their yummy apple pies! If you would like to keep your wallet closed that’s okay too because it is lovely enough to just walk around and relax on the benches while enjoying the lively atmosphere.
Are you there on a Saturday? Enjoy the free music with this little ‘draaiorgel’ traveling through the city!
3- Oostport
You can see the old city walls
On the 3rd place for things to do in Delft, we have the Oostpoort. Back in the day, the city of Delft was (understandably) protected against outside intruders by the surrounding city walls and had several gates for passage. The Oostpoort is unfortunately the last one that is still standing. This little charming spot is a great walk through the canals and the picturesque houses as well!
4- Saturday Flea Market
Apart from the normal market on Thursday’s, Delft also has a bigger Flea Market spread through the city and the canals on Saturday’s. There are also fresh produce stands and street food galore. To summarise, it is not only good for your soul but good for your belly as well!
You can stroll around, look at antiques, trinkets, paintings, clothes, posters, even small KLM huisjes.
5- Maria van Jessekerk
The New and the Old Church might cost some money to take a walk on the inside but Maria van Jessekerk does not! Right on your way from the Market to the Beestenmarkt, this 19th century Neo-Gothic church is both authentic and majestic. High ceilings, great ornaments and bright colours!
Hurry up it’s almost here! You can celebrate the arrival of the new year with the mayor of Delft, Marja van Bijsterveldt and meet the people and entrepreneurs of Delft on 7th january from 17:30 to 19:30. The entrance is for free but there are limited space so make sure to order your ticket here.
It’s free, it’s fun and right at the Market; so what’s keeping you?
7- WOLPOP- Ska Concerts -12th Jan 2018
In town on the 12th? Wolpop is starting 2018 with plenty of SKA! They are opening this year with the brand new band Stennis. Then you’ll be rocking out with the 2nd band of the night Andere Koek! The entrance fee? None, even though this is a free event, they accept donations in form of drinks and cash 🙂
That’s it folks! We hope that you’ll have a great time exploring this cute little city and maybe come back again in the future!
Don’t know how to swim? Want to learn how? Here is all you need to know about swimming lessons in the Netherlands, including where you can find the best teachers, lessons for adults, expats and everybody as a whole. And if that isn’t enough we’ll also answer a few other key questions about swimming in the Netherlands in general!
We bring you this article together with Your Personal Swim Coach (YPSC). If you’re still up for learning to swim as an adult in the Netherlands, then YPSC is definitely the go-to-party. They’ve got tons of experience in loads of towns teaching (adult) internationals and expats how to swim in the Netherlands.
First off, let’s talk about something that might seem normal for the Dutch, but pretty impressive for internationals – namely that the Dutch can swim pretty well! What’s up with that?
How do Dutchies learn to swim?
Well, besides dealing with water their entire lives, most Dutch people learn to swim at school. Most Dutch schools provide swimming lessons as part of the curriculum. This way children are already set up to learn to swim at a young age and it makes the learning process faster. It used to be that all Dutch schools had swimming lessons, nowadays it differs per municipality: some do, some don’t. It’s also pretty customary that the Dutch send their little ones to private swimming lessons, even if there are school swimming lessons.
Not only is it important to know how to swim when you live in the Netherlands (below sea level and all that), but it’s an important life skill if you want to travel too. The goods news is, if you can’t swim, it’s never too late to start!
Who can receive swimming lessons in the Netherlands?
Nearly a third of the Netherlands lies below sea level, within a multitude of waterways, canals, lakes and rivers. In this ‘land of water’, swimming lessons are seen as a necessity. I suppose if the country were to flood, it would be pretty handy to know how to swim for your life!
In the UK it is very mixed. I was raised in England, and in some parts of the country swimming lessons were part of the curriculum, and most children only had lessons when they were young if their parents paid for it. For me, swimming was never something my school mentioned or even provided, so I never did them (my parents took me to lessons). That’s probably because my school was nowhere near a swimming pool though, so that could be why.
Many other expats struggle with swimming as well
And that’s just my experience with swimming. With DutchReview we opened up a thread about swimming in our Facebookgroup and there were tons of other opinions about learning to swim, situations differ a lot! Either people enjoyed some school swimming when they were as young as 5 years old (Ireland). Other times people never learned how to swim because there was simply no water around, no regretting that they never picked up these skills as a child.
Fear of water also is a thing with some people. Really hindering them to enjoy life to the fullest, just imagine all your family having a fun time at a beach in the Netherlands and you’re that one person that just can’t enjoy the whole thing. There’s way more to say about fear of water and how to overcome it as well.
Swimming lessons in the Netherlands: Where should I send my kids?
Okay, so whether your child learns with school or not, you may want to take them for lessons anyway. Your Personal Swimming Coach work on a similar learning basis. Their lessons are tailored around ABC guidelines, so you can rest assured that your child is learning the correct and safest way (we’ll speak more on that in a moment).
YPSC differs than regular swimming lessons though in a good way. They’ve got more teachers for fewer students, so there’s lots of personal attention for anyone participating. Their teachers also speak proper English, and furthermore and equally important, their whole service is in English as well. So no more translating weird Dutch texts as you’re trying to figure out at what time your swimming lessons begin.
You’re never too old to learn how to swim!
This might be the way to go as an expat in the Netherlands since the regular options have way bigger groups, sometimes a bit shabby pools and no-proper-English-speaking instructors.
As I’ve said before, if you never got lessons at school, then it’s still not too late to start with learning how to swim. It’s for all ages. Also, don’t worry if you’re not Dutch or a child – this is perfect for internationals too (no matter the age)!
If this one can learn to swim:
How are the swimming lessons structured?
Swimming lessons in the Netherlands are usually structured to cater to ABC guidelines. This way, everyone can be sure that you’ve got the skills you need to be safe in the water. So what are ABC swimming diplomas I hear you ask?
Swimming lessons in the Netherlands: What are the ABC Swimming Diplomas?
Usually, children in Holland are taught the A, B, C – A being the basic level (not drowning) and C being pretty advanced (Baywatch! Well, getting there). These 3 swimming diplomas will demonstrate your skill and also your strength level in the water. Most of the Dutchies have an A and B diploma. Let’s have a closer look at what each diploma means:
A diploma: These are the basics. When you have this diploma it means that you can swim a bit and won’t drown instantly. Best see it as an introduction to the swimming life.
B diploma: This shows your endurance. This diploma shows that you are becoming independent with your swimming.
C diploma: You’re a pro now! This shows that you are a completely confident and independent swimmer, who is prepared for any situation. You will be able to assist others in an emergency.
These will help you to know what stage your child (or you) are at and whether they (or you) need to improve. Once they reach C diploma, you can rest assured that your child is equipped with the skills they need to swim confidently. Now all that’s left to do is to take them swimming for fun once in a while.
They’ll be swimming like fish in no time!
Swimming lessons in the Netherlands as an adult: Can I get a personal swimming coach?
Yes! If you feel like you need a one-to-one, then this is completely possible. You can have swimming lessons that are completely tailored to you and taught by swimming experts. They are also provided in English, so there is no need to worry if your Dutch is not up to scratch. Nobody is going to judge – it’ll be a calm environment where you’ll learn step by step how to be that confident swimmer. YPSC will take care of your adult swimming lesson without hassles.
If you want to give it a try and see if it will work for you, you are welcome to try it out first. You can book a trial lesson with YPSC before you commit, so you have the freedom to change your mind if it’s really not for you. There’s no pressure at all; you can meet your coach and see if the lessons float yo boat (and by the end float all by yourself).
“Your Personal Swim Coach structures our lessons around the ABC Diploma curriculum. We would like our students to know what skills are needed to obtain their respective diplomas and move on to the next level. Through personalized classes and following the curriculum established by the Netherlands, we will make sure that you are prepared to pass your diploma tests!”
Want to still keep going, but not sure on the structure of the lessons? Don’t be afraid to tell them if these lesson structures don’t work for you. They’re your personal coach! They’ll accommodate to whatever’s best for you.
How much are swimming lessons in the Netherlands?
Swimming lessons in the Netherlands can vary in price A LOT. It all depends on many factors: the number of lessons people require, the standard of teaching, group size, the time of day, the quality of the place you’re learning at, whether you’re learning alone or a small group, wherein the country you are. Once again, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that smaller groups with more personal attention and proper English speaking instructors yield better results.
It’s best to always take all of this into consideration and shop around and see what works out best for you. Learning to swim is probably one of the best investments you can do.
For when you can swim already; what you need to know about swimming in the Netherlands:
Ah, keen are we? Luckily you won’t need this information for a few months yet (unless you like to swim in the freezing cold, which some of you crazy people do). So, for future reference, here are your burning questions about swimming in the Netherlands.
Can I swim in the canals in the Netherlands?
Unfortunately (for some), swimming in canals in the Netherlands is not allowed. It’s not illegal, it’s just strongly advised more for your safety, rather than to dampen your fun. The canal water, let’s just say… isn’t exactly clean. It’s certainly better than ever before, but not suited for the casual swimmer. Amsterdam’s canals are also full of rusting bikes and drunken tourists.
In short, it might not be your best option for casual swimming. The only exception is when special events are held and then special exceptions will be made providing the water is clean enough.
Speaking of these special swimming events, there are plenty going on nowadays. Just think about the Amsterdam City Swim, Open Water Swimming Amsterdam, the Amsterdam Night Swim. And this is just Amsterdam, swimming in the open is getting more popular throughout the Netherlands. It’s also part of the trend of having an active and healthy lifestyle, with more people signing up to swim parts of the triathlon. So again, learning to swim as an adult in the Netherlands is not just an investment in fun times but also opens options for pursuing a fit and active lifestyle.
And if you just want to swim for fun and not for fitness, that’s fine too:
Where can I go freshwater swimming in the Netherlands?
Don’t fret, I may have scared you with the thought that the whole of the Netherlands has polluted water, but it doesn’t. This website lists all of the freshwater spots that are safe to swim in. We won’t list them here are they are subject to change for safety – so make sure you refer back to it often.
Where can’t I swim in the Netherlands?
There are a few places that you are forbidden to swim in the Netherlands. One I these I just mentioned: Amsterdam’s canals. Most places you’re technically allowed, but it’s strongly advised against, as the water quality is really bad. This also includes some rivers.
Dangerous places such as in high-speed water areas, ferry routes, locks, near bridges and around ports are not allowed. If you are caught you can risk a hefty fine. It’s not worth it if it’s unsafe anyway – it’s there for a reason!
Where can I sign up for swimming lessons with YPSC?
So there you have it, all you need to know about learning to swim in the Netherlands (no matter your age!) and don’t forget to take a look at Your Personal Swim Coach if you’re serious about learning to swim in the Netherlands.
So you’re thinking about moving to The Hague? Literally the best decision of your life. But, as with any big upheaval in life, there’s a lot you’re probably wondering about before actually taking the leap, packing your bags, and moving to The Hague.
From registering at the municipality, to deciding which museums and cafes to visit on the weekend, this article will walk you through the entire process of moving to The Hague.
Coronavirus update: Cafés and restaurants in The Hague are currently closed for inside dining under the latest coronavirus restrictions.
Moving to The Hague: why should I do it?
As the political capital of The Netherlands, but not the capital city, The Hague’s main claim to fame is its ability to confuse foreigners. Apart from that, it’s the international city of peace and justice, is famed for its seaside location and green spaces, has a vibrant mix of internationals and Dutchies, and most importantly, living in The Hague is a tiny bit cheaper than Utrecht or Amsterdam.
The Hague is the political centre of the Netherlands. Image: Alireza Parpaei/ Unsplash
Taking a train from The Hague to Amsterdam takes under an hour. Rotterdam, Delft, Leiden, and Gouda can all be reached in under a half hour. In short, The Hague is a super convenient location to live in, even if you work in another city in the Randstad.
This section will break everything down for you — in reality, settling in to The Hague was not nearly as difficult as I had imagined it to be.
Moving to The Hague: registering at the municipality
The first thing you need to do when you arrive in The Hague, and have found a legal place to live, is to register at the municipality. For this, you need to make an appointment at the municipality building and show them some documents, such as your passport and housing contract. It often takes a couple of weeks to get an appointment, particularly in August and September, when lots of new students are arriving in the city.
Registering at the municipality is really important, especially if you’re coming from outside the Netherlands, because you’ll need a BSN (Burgerservicenummer) to do almost anything else in the country, including getting a phone contract, health insurance, and utilities for your home.
There are lots of different providers to compare, but most will provide basic insurance for about 100 euros a month. If you’re a student, or you have a low income, you can get almost all of this money back from the government each month as zorgtoeslag, or health insurance benefit.
Moving to The Hague: choosing a GP
You can choose your GP, or huisarts, freely. In The Hague, there are some practices set up specifically to serve internationals, such as the International Health Centre The Hague (IHCH). Your health insurance will always cover GP visits.
It’s definitely worth setting this up as soon as possible, because it is hard to get an appointment at short notice if you’re not already registered.
When moving to the Hague you’ll find that Dutch healthcare is, uh, minimalist. Image:DutchReview/Supplied.
Moving to The Hague: how do I find a place to live?
As in most cities in the Randstad, The Hague is currently experiencing a housing shortage. This means that whether you want to buy or rent, prices are going to be high, and properties are going to be in high demand. Below you’ll find tips for both renting and buying in The Hague.
Moving to the Hague will show you fast cars and bright lights. Image: Kevin Coellner
Moving to The Hague: finding a rental property
There are three main ways you can find an apartment or house in The Hague: rental agents, Facebook groups, or friends. Each have their advantages and disadvantages, of course.
Rental agencies
As far as rental agents, you can sign up with individual ones, to whom you will need to pay a one-time fee (which can be quite high, but they tend to be very effective in finding a nice place for you), or you can pay a monthly subscription to a website like huurwoningen.nl or funda.nl. These sites have a huge range of places — but of course, you’ll be competing with lots of other people for them.
Facebook groups
Facebook groups are really useful— often individual landlords will post properties here, or people looking for new roommates will also use them a lot. Most of my friends found their places through Facebook pages like Appartement Huren in Den Haag, Den Haag Housing, or Student Housing Den Haag. There is one problem, though— these pages are completely unregulated. This means that you’ll often find scammers here. Accordingly, you should never pay a deposit unless you’ve physically seen the apartment and received a rental contract.
Friends
Finally, your Dutch or already-living-in-The-Hague friends are an amazing resource when apartment hunting. They’ll often know someone who is looking for a new flatmate or tenant, or they’ll be able to share that you’re looking for a place on their Facebook page. Of course, you’ll need actual friends for this to work.
Moving to The Hague: things to bear in mind while renting
You can expect to pay between 600 and 1500 euros a month for a one bedroom apartment in The Hague, depending on location, whether it’s furnished or unfurnished, and what the dimensions are. It’s much cheaper to rent a multiple room apartment with other people— I pay 400 euros a month for a big room in a really nice apartment that I share with two other people.
It can be really handy to rent with a Dutch person if you’re a student. Often, landlords will ask for your income to be two or three times the monthly rent, or for a Dutch guarantor. That’s where your completely-innocent friendship will come in handy.
Finally, and tragically, it’s pretty unlikely that your landlord will allow you to have a pet— fish are probably ok, but that’s about it usually.
When moving to The Hague you’ll find it’s totally gorgeous in the evening. Image: Kevin Coellner
Moving to The Hague: finding a place to buy
Speaking of pets— that is, the main reason you would ever buy a property— how does it work if you want to buy a house in The Hague? Luckily, we have an article all about purchasing a home in the Netherlands. In short, even if you’re an expat, navigating the Dutch housing market is definitely possible- but, as with renting, you’ll need to be able to move fast.
Moving to The Hague: where should I live?
The Hague has a wonderful variety of places to live, ranging from the very posh to the nice and cheap. You can find yourself beside a market, a park, a forest, a canal — or beside a HMC Westeinde, a hospital that practices emergency helicopter landings in the middle of the night. So, choosing the right neighbourhood to live in is really important. How do you do that? By reading our The Hague Neighbourhood Guide.
Love this long exposure effect. Image: Kevin Coellner
Moving to The Hague: setting up your utilities
Whether you’re buying or renting a house, you’ll need to set up your own utilities- gas, water, electricity and internet.
The simplest is water: there’s only one provider, Dunea. They filter their water through the dunes at Scheveningen. There are lots of choices for gas and electricity, so check out our guide to setting up your utilities in the Netherlands. Internet is equally well catered for — you can get internet and TV for about 40 euros a month.
Apart from all that, you can expect to pay taxes for waste removal and waste water each year, coming to about 200 euros per person per year.
Moving to The Hague means lots of renewable energy. Image: Epicantus/ Pixabay.
Moving to The Hague: how can I find work?
Ah, the question to top all questions — the one that makes moving to a new city seem like the most stressful thing on earth. Finding a job is always a bit of a struggle, but this section will let you know what the main opportunities for employment in The Hague are, whether you’re a student or an experienced professional. DutchReview also has a Facebook group that’s really useful for job hunting!
Moving to The Hague: part-time work and internships for students
As a student myself, this is an area I have quite a bit of experience with. The first thing to know is that if you want a part time job as a waitress, or in a store, those are super easy to find in The Hague. Although most places will advertise their vacancies in Dutch, they will often hire non-Dutch speakers as well. Generally, you’ll only earn the minimum wage in these jobs, but tips can add up.
Internships are often available at the many international organisations in The Hague, along with more local ones. Mostly, you will be working for these pretty much for free, but they’re one of the best ways to break into the industry you want to work in. Facebook pages such as Internships in the Netherlands and Students in The Hague are some of the best places to search for these, but your university should also be able to point you in the right direction. You can also check out our guide to internships in the Netherlands!
Moving to The Hague: main industries for jobs
The largest industries in The Hague are international organisations and the government, who employ 26 percent of the population. Business services employ another 19 percent, healthcare 14 percent, and leisure activities about 10 percent. Other industries include technology, wholesalers, and small businesses.
Because of its large expat community, there are plenty of international schools in The Hague — such as the British School. If you want your children to attend a regular Dutch school, that’s also possible— depending on their age they may need to spend a year doing the international schakelklas, or linking class, which brings them up to speed in Dutch, English and maths, before they enter the Dutch education system.
As for childcare, there are a variety of options, depending on how much you want to work and how much your budget is. But in urban areas like The Hague, they’re all going to have waiting lists, so make sure to register your child early.
Moving to The Hague: cost of living
Like all of the Netherlands, The Hague can be expensive — though just by virtue of its rental prices, it’s a cheaper alternative to Amsterdam or Utrecht. There are lots of ways you can make it more affordable — avoiding Albert Heijn and the other major supermarkets, for one thing.
The Hague Market is the number one place to find cheap produce, meat, fish, cheese, nuts and bread. Besides that, Asian supermarkets are always good for cheap food, along with the usual suspects — Aldi and Lidl. And, of course, make sure you bike everywhere you can.
Moving to The Hague: getting around
Moving to a new city is always a bit disorientating, especially if you have trouble telling left from right (please tell me I’m not alone in this). The Hague is a really accessible city, whether you move around by foot, bike or public transport. Read on for detailed instructions on everything from OV Chipcards to where to find a cheap fiets.
Moving to The Hague: public transportation
As far as public transport goes, it’s super easy to make your way around The Hague. At any point in the city, you’ll be less than 10 minutes’ walk from either a tram or a bus stop, with most taking you to either Den Haag Centraal or Holland Spoor at some point in their route. They’re almost always on time, and only really crowded at rush hour or on rainy days. As with all public transport in The Netherlands, you can pay with your OV Chipcard.
From Den Haag Centraal, you can get the metro to Rotterdam, and you can get NS trains from Den Haag Centraal or Hollands Spoor to all major cities. It is important to note that public transport can get pretty pricey if you’re using it every day — which brings us to bikes!
Moving to The Hague: bikes, and where to find them
If The Hague is your first stop in The Netherlands, you probably don’t own a bike yet. Get one as soon as possible! The Hague is really bike-friendly, as with most Dutch cities. Biking for the first time in a big city is definitely nerve-wracking, but you get used to it super quickly. And it’s by far the most efficient way to get around— you’ll get places much faster by bike than by car or public transport.
Your friends can also be a great resource— I got my bike completely for free from a friend’s relative, who was replacing her bike with a new one.
Battling for a spot to park your bike is a unique Dutch experience. Image: SofiaPapaGeorge/ Pixabay
Moving to The Hague: walking around the city
If you live and work close to the centre, you might not even need a bike to get around (though you will miss out on the lovelier parts further from the centre). During my first year here, I didn’t own a bike- and luckily The Hague is really walkable.
On sunny days there’s nothing better than strolling by the magical Hofvijver, watching the ducks and imagining pushing Geert Wilders into the lake. But murderous thoughts aside, walking around The Hague is a really relaxing way to get to know the city.
The Hofvijver in winter is glorious when moving to The Hague. Image: Ailish Lalor
Moving to The Hague: owning a car
As with most cities, car parking is hard to find and really expensive in The Hague, unless you live in the outskirts and have a detached house with space for a car. And given the public transport options, in my experience cars are totally unnecessary. But, because of rising public transport costs, you might find it to be the financially friendlier option, if not the most sustainable one.
Moving to The Hague: things to make you think and places to make you hungry
You can’t really say you’ve lived somewhere if you haven’t experienced its museums, cafes and nightlife. But how do you know which places are worth your time and money, and which you’d be better off avoiding?
Boating around the canals is an awesome way to spend a day. Image: Abuzer van Leeuwen/Supplied.
Moving to The Hague: culture
There are loads of art galleries and museums in The Hague, so you’ll never be lost for something to do. For classical art, check out the Mauritshuis; for modern art, the Gemeentemuseum. If you fancy a trip outside of the city, Voorlinden is an awesome contemporary art museum. For the history nerds, there’s The Hague Historical Museum, the Migration Museum, COMM (the Communications Museum), Panorama Mesdag and lots of other small museums.
If you have kids, or if you haven’t successfully grown up, Museon is really fun — it’s an interactive museum about culture and science. Also, there are lots of awesome events in The Hague — from Beethoven string quartet evenings at Bookstor, to interviews with authors and activists at Humanity House. You’ll find all of these in the events page on Facebook.
Moving to The Hague: food
After all that culture, you’re bound to be hungry. Luckily, The Hague has lots of delicious places to eat, whether you’re in search of breakfast, brunch, lunch, dinner, or a snack. Themed cafes like Bookstor (you guessed it, a cafe in a bookstore) and Mugs & Mermaids (who make blue superfood lattes among other things) are always fun. And for brunch, Teds Place cannot be missed! The bars at Grote Markt are gezellig to the max, and The Hague definitely doesn’t lack fine dining with establishments like Cencalli, either.
Mugs and Mermaids in The Hague. Image: Ailish Lalor/ Supplied.
Moving to The Hague: green spaces
The Hague is famous for its many green spaces. Some of the loveliest are the Haagse Bos, a mature woodland in the centre of the city; Zuiderpark, a massive green area with farm animals, deer, and a rose garden; and the dunes at the beach, of course.
Zuiderpark in summer. Image: Ailish Lalor/ Supplied.
Moving to The Hague: nightlife
The nightlife in The Hague is notoriously poor, but with the influx of students the city has experienced in recent years, things are slowly getting better! Nightclubs like PIP, Paard and Havana will often do themed nights, and recently there was a Club Hopping night with golf carts to bring your drunken corpse from club to club.
This isn’t CGI, in case you were wondering. Image: Kevin Coellner
Moving to The Hague: do I need to speak Dutch?
As in the rest of the Randstad, most people in The Hague are able to speak English really well — so you don’t have to worry about arriving and not being able to communicate with anyone. Most letters and communications from the municipality are available in Dutch and English as well.
Having said that, there are lots of benefits of speaking Dutch when living in The Hague. Unlike Amsterdam, most cafes and shops will hire you much faster if you speak even a little bit of Dutch. And if you want to successfully venture outside of the city centre into districts with local businesses, Dutch will be super useful.
In the neighbourhood I live in, Transvaalkwartier, most shops are run by people who don’t speak English. Turkish bakeries, Polish supermarkets, South American speciality stores — you’ll need Dutch to make the most of these. Also, at the famous Hague Market, Dutch is also useful if you don’t want to constantly mime how many peppers you want.
You can easily pick up a little bit of Dutch for free from friends, or learn it from Duolingo, but there are also plenty of formal opportunities — libraries offer free resources, and private classes are plentiful. If you’re a student, your university will more than likely offer free classes as well.
Moving to The Hague: how to make new friends
When you move to a new city, the most daunting part can often be making new friends. For me, as a student, this was a lot easier — I literally lived in a building with 400 other students for two years. But for people who come to The Hague to work, or as freelancers, meeting new people requires a bit more work.
The most obvious thing to do is to join some clubs or do some group activities that you enjoy. For my fellow introverts, there are book clubs! ABC The Hague has an awesome Feminist Book Club that meets every month or so, for example. Organisations such as Humanity House and Leiden University often host talks or other cultural events. For the sporty among us, clubs of all sorts abound — you can hike, play football, volleyball or tennis for example.
It can also be really nice to volunteer as a way of making friends— and also to get to know your new city in a different way. Volunteer The Hague is a platform where lots of organisations can post for volunteers, and it’s completely free.
The best thing about these options is that as soon as you make one friend, you can get them to introduce you to all of their friends. So even though it’s difficult at first, push through — soon you’ll have enough friends to fill a boat with: and then you can go boating around The Hague!
If you enjoyed our beautiful city pictures, you can see more in our best photos of The Hague. And if you liked reading this guide to relocating to The Hague, you’ll probably also like our Instagram, Twitter and Facebook pages.
Are you planning on moving to The Hague soon? Or have you settled down in The Hague recently? Have we missed any important tips or tricks? Let us know in the comments below!
Feature Image: Kevin Coellner Editor’s Note: This article was originally published in January 2020, and was fully updated in January 2021 for your reading pleasure.
A derailed yesterday caused grave damage to the track between The Hague Central and The Hague Ypenburg. Repair work is taking longer than expected which means no direct trains will run between The Hague and Utrecht until 5.30am on Monday.
Repair work results in additional travel time
After the derailed train was removed from the tracks, a spokesperson for ProRail told Omroep West “Now that the train is no longer there, we see that the damage is very disappointing. We really need time to repair everything”, NOS reports. It is still unknown how the train unlatched from the tracks but thankfully, no one was hurt in the incident.
Vannacht werkte ProRail ICB keihard door bij Den Haag. Resultaat: de trein is sinds 5u vanmorgen weg. Maar de schade aan het spoor blijkt groot en complex. Het weekend nodig om alles te herstellen. Lees onze update >> https://t.co/p2GC9WNGiXpic.twitter.com/q1eLtZkdAd
Passengers travelling between The Hague and Utrecht are advised to account for an additional travel time of 45 minutes as they must travel via Schiphol. People who need to get between The Hague Central and Gouda are also affected and must go via Rotterdam Central.
Plan your route accordingly and hopefully everything will be back on track for Monday!
Everyone loves receiving mail, with the exception of bills and, oh yeah, bombs. Yet, five different businesses across the Randstad have received bomb letters in the past week. In all cases, no explosives were fired, however, police warn more explosive mail could be in circulation.
Police say the letters could cause serious physical injury. The bombs were delivered to a gas station and car dealership in Rotterdam, a hotel and gas station in Amsterdam, and a real estate office in Utrecht.
Director of the Rotterdam car dealership, Jan-Bas Veltman, told NOS a secretary began to open the letter today, then saw something that “looked like a battery.” The dealership then called the police.
Authorities are investigating as to whether there is any connection between the different businesses. They say the letters could be aiming to extort the business owners. “That is a plausible scenario,” says a spokesperson. “But we also do not exclude other options.”
Warning to be alert
Each bomb letter appears as though it comes from the Central Collection Office (CIB) in Rotterdam. However, police say the collections agency is not responsible. Despite this, a sixth suspicious letter was found today at the headquarters of the collections agency. It is currently being investigated.
Police are warning people and authorities who receive a letter appearing to be from the CIB that appears oddly thick to remain on alert. A tell-tale sign is a CIB logo sticker on the envelope, instead of being printed
Director Niels de Peuter of the CIB says in a reaction that he is enormously shocked. “This is, of course, terrible for all involved.”
A man has shown up to his local police station in Arnhem dressed in an old-fashioned black and white striped prison suit, in a scene right out of a cartoon.
Disappointingly, the man had not escaped prison while leaving a perfectly sculpted hole of himself in the cinderblock wall. But, he was voluntarily turning himself in at the police station because he needed to serve 1429 days in prison.
A Spijkerkwartier neighbourhood police officer posted a picture of the man on Instagram, calling the move ‘genius’.
“See you in almost 4 years! He will probably be able to celebrate Christmas 2023 at home again,” the police officer captioned the image.
While it is unknown what offence the man committed to earn himself the next four years in prison, we think this move was criminally hilarious. The police agreed, saying the ‘playful action’ came from a man with probably good intentions.
