Ons oranje! Congratulations to the Dutch mens team for qualifying for the European Football Championship (EC) on Saturday. Despite not being able to find the back of the net during the match leading to an unfulfilling-draw, the Dutch have secured their place in the EC.
Even better? Some of the games will be played right here in the Netherlands! We’ve got everything we know so far about the European Championship and how you can get along to a match.
It’s the first EC or World Cup that the Dutch men will compete in since 2014, so the pressure will be on – particularly after the Dutch women’s team blasted all the way to grand final in the FIFA Women’s World Cup earlier this year.
(Did we mention that all-star goalkeeper Sari Van Veenendaal also won best goalie in the worldafter her Women’s World Cup performance? We’re more than a little proud).
Who will the Dutch face?
The good news: we know that they won’t be playing against football powerhouses like Italy, England, Spain and Germany in the group stage. That’s a relief!
However, we don’t know exactly who they’ll be coming up against until the draw on November 30th in Bucharest. We do know that they’ll be part of Group C.
When and where will the matches be?
The Euros will work a little differently this year because it’s the sixtieth anniversary of the tournament (the Euros are getting some grey hairs!) In honour of the anniversary, the organisers are making twelve countries hosts of matches, instead of just one or two. That’s what we call sharing the love.
Because of that, we know that the Dutch men will grace the Johan Cruijff Arena in Amsterdam three times in the group stage – that’s the perfect chance to experience a Dutch football match!
According to the group match schedule, the Netherlands will be playing in Amsterdam on June 14, 18 and 22. Mark those dates in your agenda.
Who else will be in the Euros?
NOS has kindly compiled a breakdown for the hosting countries during the group stage of the 2020 European Championship. Countries in bold have already qualified, the rest need to make it a tad further.
A
Italy
Azerbaijan
B
Russia
Denmark
C
The Netherlands
Romania
D
England
Scotland
E
Spain
Ireland
F
Germany
Hungary
There will be 24 countries competing in the competition, with four slots still to be decided after Saturday when the regular qualifying series is over. After that, the remaining countries will compete for four more remaining tickets in the play-offs.
The sixteen countries that can already start preparing after securing their tickets are the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, England, Finland, France, Italy, Croatia, Ukraine, Austria, Poland, Russia, Spain, the Czech Republic, Turkey and Sweden.
Will you be watching the European Championships? Who will you be rooting for? Let us know in the comments below!
Last week, media personality and businesswoman, Kim Kardashian, spoke out against Zwarte Piet on Twitter. In the tweet, she links to an article by Al Jazeera entitled “Zwarte Piet: Black Pete is ‘Dutch racism in full display”.
1. “Zwarte Piet is a wonderful Dutch tradition we and our kids enjoyed while living there for 8 years. It is in no way a disrespectful act. He is the color he is as a nod to the Moors who were the helpers of St Nicholas and were often fire scorched from visiting chimneys.” – @svcltch
2. “I live in the Netherlands and I don’t have anything to do with this tradition. It’s full on racism.” – @xyseeeee
3.”How about a nice cup of shut the fuck up. Mind your own business” – @19dirky66
4. “Another ego talking about a culture she doesn’t know” – @NLSTWLK
5. “As someone who is dutch I can 100% say that you are right. It’s a very huge tradition in our country and when I was young I don’t know how bad it is but now I’m older i see how disturbing it is. Even though a lot of younger people are against it now,the tradition is still going.” – @debsimxo
More celebrities have spoken out as well
Kim Kardashian is not the only celebrity who has spoken out against the long-standing tradition. Last week, The Game and Trey Songz also called out the racism.
Waka Flaka has refused to visit the Netherlands as long as this tradition exists. On his Instagram he posted:
The first snow of the year fell in Heerlen on Sunday evening at around 8pm. It was just a little snow so did not blanket the streets and no more snow is expected anytime again soon. But what can we expect for the rest of the week?
Weather report for the next week
Monday
The week starts wet as a low-pressure in the north-east of our country produces extensive cloud cover. This means there will be rain in most of the country, according to Weerplaza online.
The warmest temperatures will be in the southwest of the Netherlands where around 8 degrees are expected.
Goedemorgen, een regenachtige dag vandaag met in de oostelijke helft van het land de meeste neerslag. Morgen ook nog wat regen, daarna een paar droge dagen. pic.twitter.com/VQS1GZW7j9
Rain will continue in the north of the Netherlands but will ease in the south of the country. Temperatures rises to between 6 and 9 degrees.
Wednesday onwards
On Wednesday we can hang our rain jackets up and pop those umbrellas away as it will be dry in most of the country. But it is unlikely to be those glorious and crisp winter days and clouds will prevail and block out any chance of sun.
Are you amped for the snowy season? And a potential snowy Christmas? What’s the best place you’ve experienced snow? Let us know in the comments below!
On Sunday, the game between Den Bosch and Excelsior in the First Division was stopped for thirty minutes after racist slurs were heard in the crowd.
We saw it in Italy and we saw it in Bulgaria, and now it’s here as well. Well, it actually never has been away since this wasn’t the first time in Den Bosch, it happened in 2013 as well.
What happened at the FC Den Bosch – Excelsior match?
After Moreira indicated that he was being called all kinds of things, referee Gerrets then stopped the game and the entire selection of Excelsior walked off the pitch. The Den Bosch players followed suit shortly after.
Ahmad Mendes Moreira leaving the pitch in tears just minutes earlier as cowards hurl abuse at him from the stands.
Thankfully he got his revenge ?
?: @FOXSportsnlpic.twitter.com/hluVbXeHns
According to Gerrets, Mendes Moreira became more and more emotional because of the disgusting chants, after which he decided to stop the match, as he said to Fox Sports. After some discussion with the clubs it was
decided the match could continue.
In case you’re wondering what he was being called, he said he heard racist slurs such as (apologies beforehand): k-negro, k-cottonpicker, k-blackie and yes – Zwarte Piet. And yes, the ‘k’ stands for cancer.
There was also ‘Zwarte Piet’ songs sang in the stadium, earlier in the day a group of supporters of FC Den Bosch also participated in pro-Zwarte Piet protests.
Mendes Moreira scores
Not long after the game resumed, Mendes Moreira scored for Excelsior. He made scored the last minute of the first half in what was a moment of sweet sweet poetic justice.
The match between FC Den Bosch and Excelsior was stopped in the 28' due to racist chanting from Den Bosch supporters towards Ahmad Mendes Moreira, the match was resumed shortly after that and Moreira scored. You love to see it ??pic.twitter.com/7vJa5Epmsk
Shit reaction by FC Den Bosch and Den Bosch coach calls Moreira a ‘weak guy’
Just after the match a shook up Moreira was about to give an interview, but was called a ‘weak guy’ (zielig mannetje) by FC Den Bosch coach Van der Ven. Here’s the interview with Moreira, you can see him shaking, people who’ve just been racially abused might recognise this.
? | Ahmad Mendes Moreira is boos en teleurgesteld dat dit nog steeds moet gebeuren…
Besides this, the coach added that he was fully behind the statement of the club FC Den Bosch issued after the match. Which was some stuff about a crow song they sang since the 90’s and that they felt sorry for Moreira that he felt this way.
En dan kijkt de club volledig de andere kant op in een laf statement. https://t.co/GsyqoiYWbb
Of course, when everybody and their dog fell over this weak behaviour from FC Den Bosch and their coach they peddled back on it late Sunday night.
An investigation by the KNVB is forthcoming
The Dutch football association has announced an investigation into the events and has called the proceedings ‘clearly disgusting’.
It was a dark day for football in the Netherlands. Here at DutchReview we can’t overstate how much we need to say no to racism in football or anywhere else.
feat pic: Source: Wikipedia/CC 3.0/By LeeGer found at https://nl.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bestand:De_Vliert_stadium.jpg
Nothing screams Christmas holidays like the Winter Wonder Weeks in Leiden. Get ready for weeks and weeks of joy and festivities!
The Winter Wonder Weeks in Leiden combine Holland’s best holiday events. Every year, Leiden transforms into a magical Christmas town with a ton of festive decorations to help get you into the holiday spirit. The entire town is beautifully illuminated with Christmas lights on trees, small lights alongside bridges and garlands in the streets. And of course, no fairy tale town is complete without a large Christmas tree in the city centre.
But what makes the Winter Wonder Weeks in Leiden even more special are the numerous events starting in November, and lasting until all the way in January. Here are 7 of the best events during Winter Wonder Weeks in Leiden 2019. For the full list, you can just simply check out their official page.
Floating Ice Rink (7th of December – 5th of January)
You thought an ice rink was fun? But how would you feel about a floating ice rink? That’s right, this year once again Leiden will have a floating ice rink right in the heart of its city center. It will be open to the public from the 7th of December until the 5th of January from 9:00 to 21:00. For € 8.50 everyone can skate in the ice rink during the whole day! The price also includes the skates! Not to mention that the ice rink is located near shops, restaurants and cafes, so you can always jump out for a cup of hot chocolate. So grab your friends and family, put some extra padding on your butt, and head on over to Leiden’s floating ice rink. Because no winter fairy tale is complete without a bit of ice skating.
There is no Christmassier activity than iceskating. Image: Leiden Marketing/Supplied.
Lighting the Christmas Tree (14th December)
Ah, the most atmospheric and Christmassy event of all time: lighting the fairy lights on the Leiden city Christmas tree. It’s exciting enough to be putting up your own Christmas tree in your own living room- we’re getting nostalgic imagining the smell of pine needles and the rattle of Christmas baubles as we write this. Leiden’s Christmas tree will be located outside the Hooglandse Kerk- it’s the perfect event to end your Saturday on the 14th.
Floating Christmas Market (13th of December – 24th of December)
If a floating skating rink wasn’t impressive enough, how about a floating Christmas market? Every year, as part of the Winter Wonder Weeks in Leiden, there is a magical Christmas market. Featuring cozy chalets where you can buy gifts, as well as hot chocolate and Dutch green pea soup just to get you into the Christmas spirit of the Netherlands. It is not only located right in the city centre of Leiden, but it is also next to floating ice rink!
Oh, wow. We’re so excited for the Christmassy Leiden atmosphere here. Image: Leiden Marketing/Supplied.
Big Christmas Circus (21st of December – 29th of December)
This year, Leiden will play host to an incredible Christmas circus from the 21st to the 29th of December. It will be located at the Lammermarkt, right in the middle of this historic city. Two performances of about 2.5 hours each will be held over the course of the week-and-a-bit that the circus is here. It’s perfect for adults and children alike: the performers will provide spectacular, daring acts, so prepare to have your heart in your mouth.
Choir Weekends (14th of December – 22nd of December)
Want to really get into the Christmas spirit? After a successful year last year, the ‘Korenweekenden music festival’ returns for 2 weekends this time. Around 30 different choirs will be singing over the chorus (sorry, bad pun, course) of the 2 weekends. So if you want to enjoy the festivities in Leiden, then this is definitely one way to do it.
For the complete programme and locations of this, check out their Facebook page – they’ll keep you updated.
Christmas makes everyone want to burst into song, but these people are professionals. Image: Leiden Marketing/Supplied.
Santa Run (20th of December)
If you haven’t heard already, then you should definitely know that the Santa Run is one of Holland’s best charity events. It takes place every year in 60 different cities, and the participants raise money for the Kidney Foundation, as well as other local charities. There are two ways to enjoy the Santa run: you either participate in it, or your cheer from the sides! Either way, it’s a ton of fun.
If you wish to take part in Leiden’s Santa Run with 999 other participants in Santa outfits, you can sign up now! You will be able to pick up your number and Santa suit in mid December, and then on the 20th it’s time to run, run, run! The Santa run will officially begin at 17:00 after a start shot by Leiden’s mayor Lenferink. So make sure to join in on the fun, and have your kid’s mind blown by all the Santas running around the city.
Want to see more of Leiden?
If this article has inspired you to want to see more of Leiden, then we have the place for you to go! Leiden’s tourism office, Stad van Ontdekkingen, can help you find out about everything from museums to shopping in Leiden.
Will you be joining the Winter Wonder Weeks in Leiden? Let us know which events you’re most excited about in the comments below!
You can take a Dutchie out of the Netherlands, but you can’t take the Netherlands out of a Dutchie. A brand spankin’ new study has found that the Dutch identity continues to be strong in Dutch emigrants, despite years and decades away.
Let’s be honest, the study confirms what we already know: the Dutch are thrifty buggers. Despite wandering to all corners of the earth, emigrants connection to Dutch culture is still alive and well – if not for a few spelling errors along the way. Olibol or speculates anyone?
The research, conducted by the Meertens Institute on behalf of the Taalunie, wanted to understand the preservation or loss of the Dutch language, culture and identity. An earlier study found that most Dutch and Flemish people who emigrated to Canada or Australia in the last century often gave up their language quickly.
However, the most recent research surprised everyone. A major finding was that of 7000 emigrants, 97 per cent still speak Dutch on a weekly basis – that’s huge! Of that, almost 65 per cent converse in their guttural g’s for more than eight hours a week. Gek!
So why the sudden shift back to Nederlander-life? Technology, of course (is there any other answer in this day and age?). By using Facebook groups, social media, reading Dutch news and books, or watching Dutch television and movies, these renewed Dutchies have been able to keep ahold of their language more than ever before.
And, according to the participants, that’s very important. Over 85 per cent rated the Dutch language as a core value of their own identity. Being Dutch has influence over all parts of their lives, leading to celebrating Dutch and Flemish holidays overseas (Sinterklaas has to travel pretty far from Spain!), eating typically Dutch food (like gingerbread, liquorice, or croquettes) and participating in cultural exchanges, like Dutch schools or associations. A Dutch Club definitely sounds like something we would want to be part of).
But it’s not all pindakaas and stroopwafels. Trying to keep Dutch traditions intact can be a lonely process. “It’s singing songs by the chimney on your own, with your children looking at you with wide eyes,” one study participant said.
What is the most missed about the Netherlands? The food (no, we’re not kidding)
While the Dutch aren’t known for their culinary habits, participants were most enthusiastic about questions regarding food. Almost 11,000 answers (out of 7000 participants!) were given over a question about which foods they normally buy or make.
The top answer? Stroopwafels (why are we not surprised?!). However, kale with sausage, rye bread, Limburg pie and Frisian gingerbread also made the list of top ten foods Dutchies were homesick for.
What food do Dutchies miss the most?
1. Stroopwafel
2. Liquorice
3. Sprinkles
4. Croquette
5. Cheese
6. Speculaas
7. French fries
8. Mayonnaise
9. Peanut butter
10. Apple pie
Where are all the Dutchies?
The 7000 participants in the study live in 130 countries, but over half of those live in Australia, the United States or France. Over one-million Dutch people are estimated to live abroad, and almost half a million Flemish people. That’s a good spread!
Are you a Dutchie living in another country? What do you think of the results? Let us know in the comments below!
According to recent research carried out at Tilburg University, young people are more conservation than their parents on divisive issues such as abortion and euthanasia. This news severs the trend that the Netherlands is becoming increasingly progressive.
The study
Research was taken from a 40-year long European study that involved over seven thousand Dutch people. Participants were asked about their beliefs on issues like abortion, euthanasia, suicide and homosexuality over the years.
The findings
On the whole, Dutch people are still considered progressive but for the first time this research shows that the younger generation is less progressive than older generations.
8.1 percent of people in their twenties and 11.5 percent of people in their thirties think that abortion is rarely, if ever, justified. But for those in their 50s and 60s that percentage is just above 7 percent.
“New conservatism”
Sociologist Quita Muis said “Younger generations seem to be looking for a new structure to hang their identity on. In that they end up with absorbing narratives from the past.”
Muis tells AD news that it is too early to fully understand this new wave of conservatism “But the trend that the Netherlands is becoming increasingly progressive has clearly stopped.”
Christa Compas, the director of the Humanist Association, is worried the younger generation is getting too complacent with hard fought rights. She explains “Young people are used to having everything arranged. They do not realise that it is an achievement that we must cherish.”
Source: Peters, Hans / Anefo
Conservative beliefs dominate the abortion debate
Compas says to AD that conservative opinions dominate abortion debates. “You hardly hear proponents of free choice”. Maybe (young people) have a firm faith in contraception and they think you are responsible for it. While their mother or aunt might have had an abortion sometime.”
This change is felt strongly by girls who have had an abortion. Ineke van der Vlugt from Rutgers, knowledge centre for sexuality, says “About 60 percent of the girls who have undergone an abortion say they don’t talk about it easily, 47 percent feel embarrassed. They may be afraid of the judgment of others” AD reports.
Have you noticed a rise in conservatism in the Netherlands? Let us know in the comments below
Maybe you are a Dutchie who lives abroad or someone who is an expat in the Netherlands. Whatever the reason might be, we all miss some of the local cuisine we’ve been enjoying while we’re here in the Netherlands. From jenever to pindakaas, why shouldn’t you be able to enjoy them wherever you are?
Plus, who wants to think of all the weight and the hassle of carrying them all by yourself at the airport? So, next time you find yourself craving some cheese and cursing at the low-quality rental bikes wherever you are, remember: You can ship them! Liked the idea? Good! Here are 5 typical Dutch things you can ship around the world.
We’ve teamed up with Eurosender to bring you a sweet discount on all those amazing things you need to ship to and fro. Enter DUTCHREVIEW at checkout for 10% off – what a korting!
Dutch things you can ship and send across the world: Cheese
Addicted to Dutch cheese? Us too. Image: Pixabay/Pexels
What’s the number one item to get your Dutch fix? Well, the answer is Dutch Cheese. It is one of those typical Dutch foods that everybody loves. Apart from being tasty and pretty addictive, it is also one of the suspected reasons why the Dutch are so tall. It turns out it’s not only good for your soul but your height too! Long story short, it’s a win-win situation.
That is exactly why cheese is one of the things you miss the most when you are outside the Netherlands (you can blame the limited Dutch cuisine with this one). If you find yourself craving a slice of Gouda cheese outside the Netherlands, remember that you can send it with a little help from Eurosender.
Apart from using this idea to send stuff for yourself; you can also use their service to send it to your loved ones who don’t live in the Netherlands and has to live without the goodness called Dutch cheese. Next Christmas, treat your nana with a block of Oude Kaas.
There are some things to take into consideration though: In order to make sure everything arrives safe and sound (we want that cheese to make it after all), buy the cheese vacuumed and labelled. If you happen to buy your cheese from the city markets, just tell them it is for travelling. That’s it, now you can enjoy a slice (or 10) any time, anywhere.
Dutch things you can ship: Shipping a bicycle
Can’t bear to leave your trusy steed behind? You don’t have to. Image: Free-photos/Pixabay
A Dutchie and their bike: a love story. If you are going abroad for a while, going on a holiday or moving abroad for good; you might want to take your bike with you. After all, it has been your best companion through the typical Dutch weather too many times. If you thought that shipping your bike would be too much of a hassle until now, think again: you can easily send your bike abroad as well. The secret? Good prep.
Here is how you can get your bike ready for shipment:
Just find a box that fits your bike and secure it like a Dutchie secures a discount on cheese! You can even opt for a special case that allows you to put all the accessories in a more secure and sturdy way. If you fail to find a fit, then you might have to dismantle it bit by bit before sending.
There’s nothing like fancy Dutch gin – except having fancy Dutch gin in another country. Image: Damrak Gin/Supplied
Oh yes, Jenever (aka Dutch gin) is another typical Dutch thing that you just want to have sometimes. Plus, everyone knows that gin doesn’t always cut it when you want to get your drink on with this local Dutch spirit.
So next time you want to treat your family or friends with a bottle, or simply take it for yourself; go ahead and do it!
As with any kind of transportation with alcohol, there are some things to keep in mind:
For shipping alcohol within the EU, you can send 10 litres of spirits, 90 litres for wines and 110 litres of beers. Not bad! This means you don’t even have to leave those crates of Heineken behind!
Alcohol is within the non-recommended items for shipping list, which means you ship it at your own responsibility. So it is wise to pay extra attention to packing and securing to avoid any kind of damages.
Sending Pindakaas and Hagelslag from the Netherlands
Dutch peanut butter (aka pindakaas) is one of those things that it’s just not the same anywhere else. If you’ve been eating Jiff all your life, then you have been doing it wrong, trust us.
And of course there is hagelslag, a potential reason why the Dutch kids are the happiest in the world, these chocolate sprinkles are not just for kids but for everyone! Don’t be surprised if you see adults enjoying some on a buttered slice of bread as breakfast, lunch or a snack.
Plus, hagelslag is what the Dutchies eat when a baby is born. And we haven’t even talked about the ”Muisjes” served when you to come to visit a newborn in the Netherlands (either blue or pink depends on the gender of the baby). So is there a baby on the way? These are the nicest presents to send abroad from the Netherlands!
To bring that Dutch feeling to wherever you are, pindakaas and hagelslag are the two best things that come right after cheese. For a full effect, buy the biggest Calve jar they have and throw in some boxes of hagelslag in too.
Your home! a.k.a how to ship your stuff abroad from the Netherlands
We don’t recommend shipping your dogs, but all other parts of your home? For sure. Image: Erda Estremera/Unsplash
Now our number 5 might not be the most typical Dutch thing out there, but it is one of the most important if you are thinking about moving to the Netherlands (or leaving the Netherlands for that matter)
With Eurosender, you can book their Freight Transport service and schedule to send shipments from 2 kilos to 4000. To start with, you can calculate the estimated size of your shipment via their website, and see if your load can be qualified for freight transport. Next, you can calculate the costs. If everything looks good; their freight department will organize the shipping together with the logistics service provider. Easy peasy!
Now, let’s talk about the preparation:
Palettes
In order to ship your furniture, you need to get some pallets for transportation. If you wish to purchase one, first submit your request for freight shipping and then send them an email. Eurosender will help you with sorting it all out. Once that’s done make sure that your palettes are properly packaged and secured.
Labeling
For all cargo transport in Europe through Eurosender, the courier in charge of transportation will bring you the appropriate labels or they will collect your shipment and label it in the terminal. Make sure to remove old labels (if any) and make sure your label is readable.
Pick Up
For freight shipping, it is required that a forklift or some other vehicle similar be made available by you. If this can’t be done, you should contact Eurosender or the courier company directly before the courier arrives at the address. Their team is there to help you out!
Insurance
Your shipment with Eurosender is automatically insured according to the CMR Convention but you are free to get additional insurance. For shipment of high value such as your furniture, they strongly recommend the purchase of additional insurance, you know, just in case.
For more information about sending your furniture with Eurosender, you can visit their own page.
Since loads of you DutchReview-readers are huge cheese lovers (it’s meant as a compliment) we’ve got a nice discount code for you to use at Eurosender. Type in DUTCHREVIEW and voilá – you will receive a 10% discount!
* We worked together with Eurosender on bringing you this article (but also because we like to send our luggage cheap and easy as they do)!
Doing your taxes in the Netherlands as an expat is complicated: you’re getting used to a whole new country, the system is probably different from what you’re used to, and different rules apply to you than to the average Dutch citizen.
It’s really important to get your tax affairs in order: you might save money, or at the very least, avoid a series of unpleasant blue letters from the Belastingdienst. So how do you file your taxes in the Netherlands as an expat? What situations and life changes affect what? And what on earth is an m-form?
With the help of expert tax consultants J. C. Suurmond and Sons, we’ve put together a comprehensive guide to the ten main things you need to know about taxes as an expat in the Netherlands. So fasten your seatbelts, and take out that folder of crumpled receipts, because we’re about to sort your life out in one single article.
1. The Tax Return in the Netherlands for expats
No-one likes realising they could have got money back from their taxes, but didn’t, so first things first, let’s talk about tax returns. Basically, when it comes to tax returns, you’re always filing for the year before in the current year. So, the next time you file your tax return will be in May 2020, but that tax return will be for 2019. Fun. Wonderful. We love how everything is so clear.
Most of the time you will receive an invitation from the government to file your tax return, but even if you don’t get one of these, that doesn’t mean you’re ineligible. If you’re not sure if you should bother filing a tax return, talk to a tax consultant like J. C. Suurmond and Sons. They can advise you of the possibilities for getting money back. And if the company you work for is already filing your tax return for you, there’s no harm in getting a second opinion.
This is all basic stuff that applies to all people in the Netherlands, expat or not. But if you are an expat, then there is a bunch of extra stuff to take into consideration. People entering the Netherlands need to file an m-form, which is a longer, more complicated version of the regular p-form for tax returns. An m-form has to be submitted on paper, it’s only available in Dutch, and it’s complicated. It’s basically the number one reason to get a tax consultant involved: they can fill out and file your m-form for you, and make sure you’re not missing any opportunities to lower your tax burden.
2. What is a tax consultant and do I need one as an expat in the Netherlands?
We wanted to explain what a tax consultant is, and why hiring one would be totally worth it. Honestly, when you’re dealing with something as serious and financially impactful as taxes, there’s no reason to hesitate about getting an expert on board to advise you. If you’re wondering what exactly a tax consultant can do for you, we’re going to give you a quick run-down here: but also, throughout the article, we’ll be hinting at different situations where having one on your side would be very helpful.
Basically, a tax consultant is there to put your mind at ease when it comes to doing your taxes in the Netherlands. Image: stevebp/Pixabay.
A tax consultant‘s job is to advise you on your tax situation: to make you aware of your obligations, but also the possibilities to lessen your tax burden, if that’s applicable to you. They also deal with your administrative affairs if you want them to: they can fill in complicated tax documents like the m-form for you, for example. Finally, something the best tax consultants will do is be pro-active in how they advise you: they’ll let you know about ways you can minimise your tax liability before you ask; they’ll cultivate a personal relationship with you; and they’ll quickly be able to provide you with in-depth knowledge of your tax situation.
3. If I’m leaving the Netherlands, or arriving here, what do I have to do as an expat?
When you arrive in the Netherlands as an expat, or when you leave, you’ll need to fill in an m-form. This form comes in two sections, needs to be completed in hard copy, and best of all, is only available in Dutch. Why, you ask? We don’t know. We really don’t. Now, this form is very important, because it decides how much tax you’ll pay on your income of that year in the Netherlands.
The first part of the form is about your situation before you resided in the Netherlands and the next part is all about your situation while in the Netherlands. If you want to avoid double taxation (see below) then you need to be very careful when filling in this form. Just because you were only earning money in the Netherlands for half a year, doesn’t mean that you’ll be only taxed on what you earned in the Netherlands. It gets even more complicated by the fact that some countries or regions are exempt, and others are not. So, uh, take our advice: get a tax consultant like J. C. Suurmond and Sons involved early: it’ll save you a bunch of tears.
4. How do I avoid being taxed twice as an expat in the Netherlands?
As is the case with a lot of expats, you might have income coming from two or more countries, or you might have assets in two or more countries. This means you could get taxed twice, which isn’t fun. If you want to stop this from happening, get a tax consultant on board early in the process. Usually, relief from double taxation comes in the form of a tax credit- but this varies. So does your liability: some assets might not be taxable at all, and others might have to be taxed in both countries, in some situations.
It’s important to take your individual situation into account if there’s a possibility you’ll be taxed twice. Image: silviarita/Pixabay.
As though that wasn’t complicated enough, different countries have different arrangements for this. For example, if you’re from the US, you’ll remain taxable over there regardless, so a different process will apply. And if you’re here working for an international organisation, there might also be reasons for your tax situation to need further examination. Some international organisations will have special policies on taxation- for example, your pension might not be taxed.
5. I’m self employed/freelance in the Netherlands: what taxes do I have to pay as an expat?
Are you an entrepreneur or self employed in some way? Then your tax situation requires attention. Being self employed usually means you have to file your own taxes, but a tax consultant can take that burden away from you if you decide to enlist one. Even if you’re self employed on the side- you have a side hustle, or something like that- you’ll need to be aware of your tax obligations as a person earning money outside of your regular job.
You might also have decided to move to the Netherlands to give your own business the best possible chance of success: the Netherlands, after all, was voted the most competitive economy in the world recently. Moving to a new country and setting up a new business is a lot. It might be a good time to get an expert on board and get both your personal and professional tax lives sorted out in the bargain.
Figuring out your tax situation as an entrepreneur while moving to a new country is a lot of work. Image: Free-Photos/Pixabay.
6. If I’m a student in the Netherlands, do I need to think about taxes?
Now, you might be thinking, I’m a student, I have a negative bank balance, I have never seen a single euro in my life. Surprisingly, you might still need to pay attention to taxes- and not just those pesky little (huge) water taxes. You don’t need to be frightened by this, though: it might actually be possible for you to get money rather than lose it.
Technically, the tuition fees you pay while studying are tax deductible up until 2020. However, because most of us earn next to nothing while studying, the deduction has no effect. If you’re feeling disgruntled, don’t! It might be possible for your tuition fees to be deducted from your taxes once you start earning. However, you need to get the timing right on this one, so ask for help from a tax consultant even during your studies: it’ll put you in a much better position when you graduate and start earning.
And, if you’re a graduate student or pursuing a PhD, there’s even more to think about. After 2012, it’s become easier for you to access the 30% ruling after graduation. To be eligible for this you would need to have come from abroad for your study programme in the Netherlands. As with everything concerning taxes, the earlier you start working on this stuff, the higher the chances you’ll actually get that 30% ruling.
7. What is the 30% tax ruling, and when does it end in the Netherlands?
30 Percent Ruling means that 30% of your salary is paid out tax-free. It generally applies to someone who is recruited from abroad by a Dutch employer, and who has a skill that is scarce in the Netherlands. It’s supposed to compensate for the costs expats will incur if they move to the Netherlands- like travelling back to their home country to see family, relocation costs, and an international school for their children if they should want that.
There are a bunch of conditions for eligibility for this tax break, including making a minimum salary, having lived a minimum distance from the Netherlands before moving here, and remaining employed throughout the five years you’re eligible for this deduction. Also, if you’ve lived in the Netherlands before now, that time will be deducted from the five years you get the tax break. And if you’re noticing we’re emphasising five years, that’s because the Dutch government recently shortened the eligibility period for this tax break from eight years to five.
As you can tell, applying for the ruling can be quite complicated, and needs to be done on-time, so a tax consultant could be very useful (especially given all the other tax things you’ll need to sort out when you move to the Netherlands).
If you start your own BV or work through a payroll agency in the Netherlands, there is a possibility this ruling could apply to you, so it’s worth checking if you’re eligible with someone who knows their stuff.
8. What taxes do I have to pay if I’m buying or selling my home in the Netherlands?
You’ve just moved to the Netherlands, and you’re looking to buy a house. Good decision! If you’re staying a while and can afford it, buying a house will save you quite a bit of money- mainly because all the interest you pay on your mortgage is tax deductible, as well as any mortgage related expenses. The interest rate for mortgages is pretty low at the moment in the Netherlands, so basically, what we’re saying is to avoid renting if you can.
Because of the current low interest rate on mortgages, buying a house in the Netherlands might be a good idea tax wise. Image: skeeze/Pixabay.
But maybe you’re leaving the Netherlands and you want to know what your options are with regard to selling or renting your property. If you decide to keep the property and not rent it out, sometimes that means you can keep the mortgage interest tax deduction. If you want to sell it, that’s also not a bad idea, because in the Netherlands, there’s no capital gains tax.
All of this is complicated by itself, and only gets more so when you own properties in multiple countries, which is often the case if you’re an expat. So talk to someone who knows what the deal is, whether you’re entering the Netherlands or leaving it.
9. I’m moving in with my partner, what does that mean for tax in the Netherlands?
Maybe you’ve met a Dutchie and you’re planning to move in with them. Or maybe you’re getting married and you’re wondering how your tax situation will change. It’s an exciting time! But also one full of changes. We’re not going to tell you how to get your partner to downsize their book collection (because we think they shouldn’t) but there are a couple of tax issues you should be aware of.
First of all, in the Netherlands, there are a couple of different arrangements you might come to with your partner when you know they’re the one: you might marry them, sign a cohabitation agreement with them, or register your partnership. Each of these carry different tax arrangements, and there is even variety within each of these three agreements. Although it’s not exactly romantic, it’s so important to have your tax affairs in order when you’re combining your life with someone else’s: so before you celebrate with friends and family, get your tax situation checked out by a tax consultant.
10. Basically, a tax consultant will make your life easier
If you’re an expat and you’ve recently moved to the Netherlands, you have enough on your plate without stressing out about whether you’ve filed an m-form correctly. And unfortunately, your taxes aren’t something you can simply reassure yourself about blindly: they’re really important.You could be getting money back each year from your tax return, or getting 30% of your income tax free if you have your affairs in order and know your options. That’s why it’s a really great idea to get a tax consultant, if you think it might be helpful for you to no longer have the stress of taxes on your mind. J. C. Suurmond and Sons are a fantastic option if you’re in the market for a tax consultant: they’re able to offer you personalised, proactive tax advice whenever you need it. They’re also a family-run business, run by a father and three sons, so you can expect a personal touch from people who really know what they’re doing.
J. C. Suurmond and Sons is a family business. Image: Rogier Bos
And if anything, they need to be credited with explaining Dutch tax matters to us for this article, which is quite an achievement by itself!
How has your experience of doing your taxes in the Netherlands been? Let us know in the comments below.
Dutch police will soon be armed with “surge weapons” similar to tasers. This decision was long-awaited by the the Chief of Police, Akerboom.
NOS reports that according to de Telegraaf, sources in The Hague have made it known that the cabinet has decided to arm 17,000 police officers with the tasers. This decision comes after years of experiments. In September, Minister Grappenhuis said that the introduction of the taser would be a good thing, but that the decision needed to be made with care. It seems that this has now been done.
Cabinet allocates 30 million euros to introduction of tasers
The cabinet will allocate funding of 30 million euros to the introduction of the tasers, which will include the training of police officers, the production of the tasers, and the tendering procedure to decide which company will be allowed to produce the weapons. It will take about five years for all 17,000 officers to be trained and armed with the tasers.
Police experiencing more violence from the public
Akerboom argued that the tasers would be very useful for police officers, who experience increasing levels of violence from the public. Being able to use these weapons to defend themselves would be very useful. Akerboom has complained that the decision process was taking far too long in general.
Health risks of tasers as yet unclear
However, there are good reasons to be concerned. Amnesty International, the human rights protection organisation, has questioned the use of the weapons as their health risks are as yet unclear. Furthermore, the use of these shock weapons on psychiatric patients has yet to be decided. According to Akerboom, the potential health risks of the weapons are “manageable”.
What do you think about the introduction of these weapons? Let us know in the comments below!
