How to relocate to the Netherlands

The Netherlands, a nation of windmills, tulips, and cheese hearts, welcomes everyone looking to start a new life there with a range of hues and pleasure. It is not surprising that 200,000 individuals relocate to the Netherlands each year given that this country is renowned for its friendliness and tolerance.

There are several prerequisites you must meet before moving to the Netherlands if you wish to embark on a new journey. Your nationality is a crucial issue to take into account before beginning the application procedure. You will go through a different application process depending on where you are from.

Can anyone relocate to the Netherlands?

Yes, almost anyone may migrate to the Netherlands if they have a good reason (like employment, school, etc.). However, inhabitants of the EU, EEA, and Switzerland have it considerably simpler.

If you're an EU, EEA, or Swiss national

Visa-free entry is available to citizens of the EU/EEA, as well as Switzerland, during stays in the Netherlands. You must register your stay at the local municipal personal records database where you will settle if you want to remain for a period longer than four months.

If you are a non-citizen of the EU, EEA, or Switzerland

You must have a compelling cause for moving to the Netherlands. Prior to becoming qualified for permanent residency, you must first get a temporary residence visa and stay in the Netherlands for five consecutive years.

How can I relocate?

The easiest way for a non-EU person to migrate to the Netherlands is by securing employment and submitting a work visa application. So, the procedure for relocating to the Netherlands is as follows:

• Obtain Employment in the Netherlands.
• Get a Dutch work visa by applying.

Find a Job in the Netherlands

Finding a job in the Netherlands as an expat might be hard, but it is still possible. The easiest city to find a job in as an expat is Amsterdam. Amsterdam is booming with international companies and businesses and they are always looking to hire foreigners. As of 2022, the jobs that are currently in demand in the Netherlands are:

• Electrical Engineering.
• Medical Health Care.
• IT and Data.
• Finance.
• Hospitality.
• Communicators.
• Manufacturers.

If you are part of any of the listed professionals, you can then look up job opportunities in the Netherlands. The easiest way to find a job in the Netherlands is through:

• The EURES (European Employment Services) website. EURES is a network provided by the European Commission which helps foreigners to move freely inside EU/EEA territory.
• The UWW (Werkzoekenden) website. The UWW is an employment service that is partnered with numerous employment agencies.

Apply for a Dutch Work Visa

To apply for a Dutch work visa you must:

• Make an appointment with the IND (the Immigration and Naturalization Service). All applications for the temporary residence permit must be submitted to the IND. If you are applying for an MVV (a Dutch long-stay visa), you must do so at the embassy.
• Collect all the required documents. You can find more information on the requirements listed below under “Checklist for Moving to The Netherlands”.
• Apply for a temporary residence permit. You might be asked to apply for an applying for an MVV (a Dutch long-stay visa)
• Obtain a work permit. A Dutch employer must apply for the permit on your behalf so you do not have to prove that you are a highly skilled worker.
• Manage your finances. Before moving to the Netherlands, do some research on the living costs in the Netherlands and be prepared for high prices.

Work visas for foreigners are only issued if there is no Dutch citizen who can fulfill the job requirements.

In order to purchase a health insurance plan, you must also register. It is advisable to get health insurance as soon as you get to the Netherlands because of the country's reputation for having a high-quality healthcare system and highly qualified medical staff. You won't be qualified for government health insurance as an expat from outside the EU unless you submit an application for a permanent residency visa. Therefore, in order to pay your medical expenses, you will be required to get private health insurance in advance.

Who is a Highly Skilled Migrant according to the Dutch authorities?

According to the Dutch Immigration Service, a foreign worker qualifies as a highly-skilled migrant worker if they meet the requirements listed below:

• Your employment with a Dutch employer is legally binding. The organization or company must be acknowledged by the IND.
• You have the ability to make the required amount of money.
• Your pay is competitive given the state of the market.

Can I Move to the Netherlands Without a Job?

As a non-EU/EEA/Swiss citizen, in most cases, you must have a job offer in order to move to the Netherlands. You can move to the Netherlands without a job offer only in the following instances:

• You apply for a Dutch student visa. International students must leave the Netherlands after their study course finishes, however, so this is not a solution to long-term relocation.
• You apply for a Dutch family reunification visa. If you are married to a Dutch citizen or resident, you can move to the Netherlands as part of the family reunification process. In this case, your partner would have to support you financially.
• You apply for the Dutch startup and self-employment visa. Technically, even as a self-employed person or business owner, you need a “job”, but it is not tied down to any particular employer.
• You apply for the Dutch working holiday visa. This visa is issued to young people (aged 18-30) from Argentina, Australia, Canada, Hong Kong, New Zealand, and South Korea, allowing them to explore the Netherlands and live there for up to one year.
• You apply for a DAFT visa. The Dutch American Friendship Treaty, is an agreement between the US and the Netherlands that allows American entrepreneurs and investors to obtain a Dutch residence permit.

Checklist for Moving to The Netherlands

To move to the Netherlands, you must have the following:

• Valid work contract. You are required to find a job before moving to the Netherlands.
• Stable income. Usually a monthly income of at least €1,200 is required.
• Accommodation. Registering your stay is an important step of your immigration process and you must therefore have a rental agreement beforehand.
• Valid health insurance. Obtain a private health insurance policy to cover your medical costs in the Netherlands.

If you apply for an MMV (a Dutch long stay visa) as the spouse of a Dutch citizen or a cleric, you must also have a civic integration certification. This certificate shows your Dutch language proficiency level.

As a non-EU/EEA citizen, you can not move to the Netherlands without proving that you have a valid reason to do so, such as for studies or work.

You apply for a Dutch student visa must either be written or translated into Dutch before submission.