Moving to Amsterdam as an international

Our experts

• Charlotte Buskens, owner of relocation agency Expat 2 Holland
• Robin Pascoe, founder and editor-in-chief of Dutch News, which provides English-language news and background for current affairs in the Netherlands
• Sophie Roche, founder of Arrive Amsterdam, an advisory service for expat families
• Lisa Trapman, managing director at global work solutions company Aquent
• Deborah Valentine, the executive director of ACCESS, a not-for-profit organisation that has been helping internationals arrive and settle in the Netherlands since 1986

Will I find a place to live?

“Housing has increasingly been a topic,” says Deborah Valentine. “Where to find a home, how to find it, how to avoid scams – this is a growing area of attention.” Charlotte Buskens agrees. “Housing is a massive issue, especially in the Noord Holland area.”

The first step is to get up to speed with what the housing market is like and what your options are. Read up on the property and the rental market in the Amsterdam Area and figure out your priorities and, if you’re planning to rent, your rights.

Of course, your options and priorities will differ according to your personal circumstances, your budget and whether you’re looking to rent or to buy, but in almost all cases, it’s worth looking beyond central Amsterdam and exploring the wider region for housing.

Am I still entitled to the 30% ruling?

In addition to housing, “we have had lots of questions about changes to the 30% ruling,” says Buskens. Valentine also names this tax advantage for highly skilled migrants as one of the most common subjects. It is staying in place, but as of 1 January 2024, the 30% allowance will decrease to 27% in 2027. Those already benefiting from the 30% ruling are unaffected by the change: they will continue to receive 30% of their gross salary tax free for the full five years. For those eligible for the ruling on or after 1 January 2024, the tax-free allowance will be reduced from January 2027.

How hard is it to settle in?

“Beyond the logistics issues of getting here, the largest issue is integration and stepping out of the expat bubble to have a broader international experience,” says Lisa Trapman. “Most people find their feet through their work, sporting, social or school groups, and eventually create their community. And there are others who gave it a good go but left because the day-to-day life wasn’t what they had hoped it would be.”

Valentine says that internationals often approach ACCESS with a general sense of being overwhelmed by all the unfamiliar aspects of their new life. Talking to others, whether they’re relocation experts or simply people in a similar situation, can help. “Speaking to someone who understands the sense of being overwhelmed is often half the solution.”

Making an effort to broaden your social circle, for example through volunteering or by joining clubs, is also crucial for feeling more settled. Amsterdam is an incredibly international city, and the opportunity to make friends with people from all over the world is a big draw. But it’s also a good idea to try to meet some locals. “Many of us are guilty of living in our ‘expat bubbles’,” says Sophie Roche. “That said, Dutch communities and social circles can be a little difficult to integrate into. In some areas, there’s a divide between local Dutch communities and ‘expat’ communities. Not to say there isn’t a cross-over, but as an international, sometimes it’s easier to form your network with fellow internationals. There’s probably room for both communities to make more effort and to foster more cohesion.”

As a starting point, you could explore how to socialise the Dutch way. Sometimes, it can be as easy as saying hi to your neighbours. “We had a hysterical time down our street a couple of weeks ago,” says Pascoe. “An Italian-American couple organised a clean-up of the street and there were 25 people: three Dutch and the rest all from abroad. We cleaned up the entire street and everybody got to know each other. Those things are good. But somebody’s got to have the guts to do it.” Of course, there are more straightforward ways. “Go introduce yourself to your neighbours when you move there,” says Pascoe. “And if you’re embarrassed about that, ask them how the garbage collection works in your street.”

Will I feel welcome?

Being isolated or even discriminated against can be a worry for anyone moving to a new country. In Amsterdam, Roche says, high numbers of international residents in certain areas may lead to tensions. But, she adds, “these are underlying tensions and it’s unlikely you will face any open hostility. There is a reason that so many internationals choose to come and live and work in Amsterdam, and stay for long periods of time.” Amsterdam is and remains an incredibly diverse city, with inclusion and participation high on the City’s official agenda.

Discrimination is taken seriously in the Netherlands, and there are several ways of addressing it. If you are a victim of discrimination at work, Pascoe advises to talk to your counsellor. “They have to talk in confidentiality about your problems.” When being confronted with discrimination outside of work, you can report this at Discriminatie.nl, a central point that connects all information about discrimination. Depending on what happened, there are several other ways of reporting discrimination, too, including, of course, going directly to the police.

A survey by Dutch News explored the topic within international residents. The responses were dominated by one topic: speaking, or not speaking, Dutch. “I was surprised how many of the issues were to do with language,” says Pascoe. “While two or three people raised disability or sexual orientation as having been an issue, language was the big thing that people came up with – and you can ask yourself how much of that was actual discrimination. Being told to go back to your country because you don’t speak Dutch is one thing” – and something that will certainly be taken seriously if reported – “but being excluded at work because the work floor speaks Dutch is perhaps not discrimination, depending on how you define it.” It’s important to recognise nuances: “Recognise the fact that if you walk into the canteen and you sit down next to your Dutch colleagues and they’re all talking Dutch, they’re not necessarily going to start speaking English.”

Which leads directly to the next concern…

Is it really that easy to get along without knowing Dutch?

It’s always recommended to learn Dutch when moving to the Amsterdam Area. It will make it easier to navigate your new life, meet people, understand the culture and immerse yourself in the local community. However, for many internationals, “learning Dutch isn’t generally a top priority,” says Roche. “The reality is, there is less urgency to learn the local language than, say, if you were moving to Paris or Madrid.” As ever, it depends on personal circumstances. “You may only be here for a temporary period and English proficiency in Amsterdam is exceptionally high, so there is little to no risk of being unable to communicate.”

However, even if you may not be able to hold an extended conversation in Dutch, it’s still polite to know basic phrases and check if it’s OK to speak English when addressing someone new. “No matter how long you are here for, you should learn to use the basics, like greetings and ‘please’ and ‘thank you’, how to order coffee…” says Roche. Pascoe agrees that it’s common courtesy to learn basic Dutch.

In addition, don’t assume that just because most people speak English well, everyone is at native level. “I think a lot of it’s about managing expectations,” says Pascoe. Because of the high level of English proficiency in Amsterdam, “people think they don’t need to bother to learn Dutch. But if you’re going to be here for a while and if you’ve got kids, you really need to.”

There is plenty of advice about learning Dutch available online. One familiar problem is that people switch over to English as soon as they hear that someone is not a native Dutch speaker. “Let people know you’re learning,” says Valentine, “so that they don’t automatically ‘help’ by switching to English.” ACCESS also refers budding Dutch learners to events such as ‘taalcafés’ (language cafes), where they can practise their speaking skills.

Will I or my partner find work?

Finding a job at a comparable, if not higher, level, to the one held in one’s previous country, is a key concern, says Trapman. This is especially pertinent for partners or spouses of highly skilled migrants who are moving to the Netherlands for their partner’s work. “Finding a job can be very difficult for internationals if they don’t speak Dutch and weren’t recruited to come to the Netherlands,” says Valentine.

To support them, ACCESS points them to non-Dutch language companies, encourages people to network and suggests volunteering to meet others. “It’s said that 70% of the labour market is actually ‘hidden’ in networks,” says Valentine, “so getting out, letting people know what you’re looking for is also part of a job search.”

Another aspect is that many are looking for part-time roles, but, according to Valentine, “part-time jobs are often positions that have been negotiated from a full-time role. ‘Full-time’ work could also be different hours than expected – the best thing to do is to apply and discuss hours at the interview stage.”

IN Amsterdam also puts a strong focus on supporting partners of highly skilled migrants, and organises regular career events and workshops to help them navigate the Dutch labour market, often working in partnership with EURES. In addition, there are many recruitment agencies focussing specifically on non-Dutch speakers, and other online resources.

Will I find an appropriate school or childcare place for my children?

“Another prominent concern is access to childcare and schools due to extensive waiting lists,” says Trapman. Roche agrees: “On a day-to-day basis, there are concerns about waiting lists for daycares, pre-schools, swimming lessons, playgroup classes…” To those still in the planning stages of relocation, she suggests doing as much research as you can before you arrive and, if possible, signing up to waiting lists ahead of your move.

When it comes to schools, Buskens says that “choosing between an international or a local school is another big topic. If an expat is not sure of their anticipated length of stay, it can be quite confusing which choice is best for your child.” Take your time to read up on the options and note that Dutch state schools offer strong support for children that don’t yet speak Dutch: there are newcomers’ classes at primary schools and international bridging classes at secondaries, and Buskens says facilities for non-Dutch-speaking children have improved significantly over the past years. “It has been nice to see,” she says. “In my own child’s class at basisschool (primary school), there are many different nationalities, all learning Dutch together.”

As for primary schools, if you haven’t moved yet, it might be worth looking into school catchment areas before you decide which area you would like to live in, says Roche. “There are so many options, international school or local school, Montessori, Waldorf, you name it.” Do note that in Amsterdam and Haarlem, catchment areas only apply to primary schools, as a lottery system is operated for secondary school places.

I’m worried about the Dutch healthcare system

Healthcare in the Netherlands, says Roche, is “the one thing you don’t need to worry about. The Netherlands has one of the best healthcare systems in the world. Having gone through two pregnancies here and having experienced a number of late-night hospital visits and last-minute urgent appointments with children, I’ve never been disappointed. It’s such a privilege and security, especially when you have children, to have access to such good and efficient healthcare.”

However, it’s important to note that the system in the Netherlands, which revolves around a family doctor and doesn’t usually offer direct or immediate access to specialists, might be different from what you’re used to. Management of expectations is important, says Pascoe. “You can’t just go and tell your doctor what you want. They’re not going to do it. It’s not how the health service works.”

Make sure you read up on how the Dutch healthcare system works and learn how to take out health insurance. Again, the best thing is to be prepared.

And this applies to the entire process. When it comes to international relocation, preparation is key. From learning Dutch to choosing schools, getting your head around a new healthcare system and finding a place to live – try to find out as much as you can about what to expect. And once you’ve finally arrived, it’s time to enjoy your new home.

The IN Amsterdam team is there to help you: get in touch at welcome@amsterdam.nl. Additionally, you can reach ACCESS through their helpdesk, by phone or online.