FAQ: Coming to Work in the Netherlands
Global mobility has become one of the essential components of the modern workplace. Not only does it allow businesses to tap into new markets abroad, but it also guarantees greater access to untapped talent. Empower your global workforce with knowledge and help them find answers to their most pressing moving questions.
Conquering the Bureaucracy
With a strict timeline, a pile of paperwork, and the involvement of multiple third parties, your goal is to embark your workforce on their journey to the Netherlands. Are you up for the challenge?
Q1: How long will it take to process a visa/residence permit application?
Waiting is a game of patience. Although it can be nerve-wracking to let others control our decisions, when it comes to dealing with the Public Administration in the Netherlands, you can’t do anything but wait. Contrary to expectations, not very long.
Most of the time after employers submit an entry and residence procedure at the Immigration and Naturalization Service (IND) on behalf of prospective employees, it takes an average of 2-3 weeks for the IND to decide. Once the IND has approved the application, prospective employees have to make an appointment at the embassy/consulate to collect their provisional residence permit (MVV). Prepare for an additional waiting period of approximately 5-10 working days.
Q2: Is my partner/spouse allowed to work with a residence permit card based on “a stay with family”?
In certain situations, prospective employees may ask their partners to join them on this new journey. As employers extend contract offers to only one of them, many thoughts and concerns may fill their minds due to an uncertain future. Good news awaits, as spouses/partners can join family members on a long-stay visa or residence permit in the Netherlands and start building their own career path.
Q3: Am I allowed to bring my parents or relatives from outside the EU to the Netherlands?
We usually aim to secure the best outcomes not just for ourselves, but also for close family members. Yet, when moving abroad, we may only be able to bring along a small fraction of our old life. Unfortunately, cherished connections and relationships must be left behind as only members of the core family (i.e., a spouse or registered partner and children under the age of 18) are allowed to join you on a Dutch residence permit.
Q4: Which documents do I need to bring with me to the Netherlands?
By the time you complete all the necessary paperwork, you will likely discover that you are just one step away from relocating to the Netherlands. On the last couple hundred meters of your race, remember to pack your passport, and original copy of your birth and marriage certificate issued within the last 6 months. It’s important to have all your documents translated. Depending on your country of origin, you might want to find out whether your documentation might need to be apostilled or legalized.
Welcome to the Land of Tulips, Windmills, and Canals
After successfully securing your visa, packing up your belongings, and taking the flight, the next challenge lies in assisting your employees in adapting to their new life.
Q5: What is a citizen service number (BSN)?
You can never get out of sight. As one of the first issues that need to be organized, ‘BSN’ is the Dutch equivalent of a personal number code. Serving as the binder between citizens and the government, the official national identification in the Netherland is necessary for pay slips, taxes, or health insurance. You can only receive a BSN once you have registered in person at the municipality.
Q6: Is it mandatory to do a TB test in the Netherlands?
Most TB cases are high in sub-Saharan Africa, Eastern Europe, and Asia. For your own health and that of the people around you, you will be tested for this serious disease when you arrive in the Netherlands. TB tests are a mandatory part of the immigration process and one of the conditions for collecting your Dutch residence permit at an IND office. However, not every highly skilled migrant is required to undergo testing. For further information, please refer to the list of nationalities that are exempt from testing.
Q7: How much cash should I bring with me to the Netherlands?
As payment systems go digital, the Netherlands is becoming more and more cashless. You can pay with a card almost everywhere, including remote small towns. Hang on a second. Despite the developments in payment methods, credit cards are rarely accepted in the retail space. Most of the Dutch use Debit Mastercard so make sure to bring enough money to live for a couple of weeks until your bank account is settled.
Q8: Can I open a bank account without a BSN number?
Like many expats, you’ll likely want to have everything planned and settled the moment you set foot on Dutch land. Some online banks, such as N26 and Bunq, will accept your bank account application immediately and allow you to provide your BSN number later. Convenience at your fingertips.
Q9: What insurances are mandatory in the Netherlands?
The government doesn’t ask for much, it only wants you to apply for a basic health insurance plan. The arrangement covers essential medical care, from GP visits and hospital treatments to prescribed medication. Be aware of the vigilant eyes of the government. Once your BSN is sent to you by the Dutch Tax Office, you have 4 months to get everything to line up. If after this period you didn’t apply for health insurance, the government will chase you and fine you. That €472,25 could have been put to better use.
Q10: Can I use international health insurance in the Netherlands?
Some costs are unavoidable and cannot be escaped. The Dutch health insurance is one of the set-in-stone cases. Regardless of all the measures you took to protect yourself from risks while traveling abroad, international health insurances serve as a supplement to Dutch health insurance, not as replacements. It’s up to you to decide if you keep it or not.
Q11: Do I need personal liability insurance in the Netherlands?
Unexpected, undesirable, and uncontrollable things might happen. 92% of Dutch citizens have personal liability insurance. Although it’s not mandatory to take out this type of insurance, prevention is always better than cure. For a monthly fee as low as €2.71, this arrangement covers claims from third parties for injuries or damages up to a certain amount of money.
Relocation Made Easy
At Your Talent Agency, we establish a detailed global staffing framework to help you scale at speed and attract the right talent.
We not only assist organizations in the recruitment process but also provide the necessary pre-and post-arrival guidance for employees who relocate.
Let our expert consultants help you.