What is the downside of moving to Netherlands?
The Netherlands has a high cost of living, which includes everything from accommodation, groceries, and services. On average, the cost of living in the Netherlands is 10.7% higher than in the UK. Owning a car is particularly expensive, with high road tax and expensive repair costs.
- You'll pay high Dutch taxes. High taxes are a challenge in the Netherlands. ...
- It's expensive to own a car in the Netherlands. ...
- There's a housing shortage in the Netherlands. ...
- The Dutch service industry may not be what you're used to.
Another downside is the fact that Dutch people pay a very high tax. The taxing system in the Netherlands is very rigorous, and you are required to pay taxes consistently. You are advised to plan your finances as moving to Amsterdam is not cheap.
Before you think if you can, you should question if you should. And, the short answer is that moving to the Netherlands is worth it. The Netherlands can offer you a high quality of life that is less expensive than that in the USA. The cost of living in the Netherlands is said to be about 20% lower than that of the US.
Happy and High Quality Living
According to the World Happiness Report, the Netherlands ranks as the #5 happiest country in the world. From very friendly people to an extremely good work life balance, it's no wonder the people living in the Netherlands are so happy.
The Netherlands has universal healthcare, but the government requires all adults living or working in the Netherlands to have basic insurance. The basic plan will cost € 100-120 out of pocket. If you're employed, your employer will pay a small percentage towards medical coverage as well.
Average Salary in the Netherlands 2023
According to the Netherlands Bureau for Economic Policy Analysis, the average gross income for a person working in the Netherlands in 2023 is €34,260 euros per year or €2,855 per month.
People in the Netherlands appear to be slightly more satisfied with their lives, as when they were asked to rate their satisfaction they gave it an average of 7,4 out of 10 - slightly higher than in Germany, where people scored their lives a 7.
Populations are declining in several parts of the Netherlands, especially northern and eastern Groningen and southern Limburg. This could mean more unoccupied homes and more schools having to close down.
52 percent of expats in the Netherlands find it difficult to make friends with the locals, compared to the global average of 38 percent. InterNations discovered that 51 percent of expats in the Netherlands belong to a friendship group made up of other expats, compared to 35 percent of expats globally.
What is the quality of life in the Netherlands?
The Netherlands ranked #1 for overall quality of life globally, scoring High to Very High in all the above categories with the exception of pollution levels (Low), traffic commute time (Very Low), and cost of living (Moderate). Denmark and Switzerland took the remaining top spots.
- Find out whether you need a visa and/or a residence permit. ...
- Find out whether your partner or child needs a visa and/or a residence permit. ...
- Find out whether you are allowed to work in the Netherlands. ...
- Begin civic integration. ...
- Find out whether your passport or ID card is still valid.
- Amsterdam: The roaring capital of the Netherlands. ...
- Rotterdam: Start your Dutch life in the vibrant port city. ...
- Utrecht: Living among the peaceful canals. ...
- Maastricht: Living the expat life in the sunny south. ...
- Delft: The best tech hub for expats.
The Dutch government's notoriously tolerant drug policies almost certainly help to keep crime rates down as well. Cannabis, for example, has been effectively decriminalised since the 1970s which means that convictions related to possession or use are exceptionally uncommon.
How hard is it to learn? Dutch is probably the easiest language to learn for English speakers as it positions itself somewhere between German and English.
The health system is better in Denmark (and almost everywhere in Western Europe), than in the Netherlands. Work / life balance is better in Denmark. Netherlands is better in terms of connections to other European cities.
Higher education in the Netherlands is not free, however, it is subsidized by the Dutch government, making it affordable for Dutch students and also fairly accessible for international students.
How much does a basic appointment with a general practitioner (GP, or huisart) cost? A GP visit in the Netherlands costs around €30. Your GP is the only person who can refer you for specialised care, for example to go to the hospital. They can also give you basic pharmacy prescriptions.
In general, there are no tuition-free options. The best way to study in the Netherlands for free is to obtain a scholarship. There are various scholarship options for international students, with some excellent opportunities for non-EEA students.
Full-time work in the Netherlands
The majority of fulltime (voltijd) jobs in the Netherlands are between 36-40 hours a week, or seven to eight hours a day, five days a week. Some companies have a 40 hour working week instead of the standard 38 hours, in which case employees receive more salary for more hours worked.
How much is rent in Netherlands?
Prices for a one-room apartment in the city center range from 900 to 1,750 euros per month. In Delft or Utrecht - from 650 to 900 euros. Also, when planning a moving estimate, you should take into account preliminary expenses - a deposit, rent for one or two months, and current expenses.
Although cost of living varies considerably due to each individual's personal preferences and situation, according to our estimations a single person would need a net salary of €1,900 to live comfortably in most Dutch cities while a family of four would typically require a net salary of at least €4,800 per month.
Like Sweden, there is a significant wealth gap, and money plays a large role in achieving a higher standard of living. When asked to rate their satisfaction with their lives, people in the Netherlands ranked it an average of 7,4 out of 10 - only very slightly higher than in Sweden.
The Dutch people prefer you use “The Netherlands” as Holland is a Western region of the country and consists of two provinces: North Holland and South Holland [it used to be a single Province].
Both Germany and the Netherlands are safe countries to live and study in. Our advice is to find accommodations where it's away from clubs or bars (we know it can be tempting, but trust us on this one). Of course, there are unsafe areas in both countries depending on the city, so it's always best to do your research.
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