Want to make the move to the Netherlands without having to splash all your cash? Here’s how to do that in true Dutch fashion (A.K.A. saving money like a pro). 

Not only is your to-do list for moving a mile long (finding a new place to live, setting up bank accounts, getting health insurance, and more) — but moving can also be ridiculously expensive. 

So how can you save money when moving to the Netherlands? Here are eight expert tips!

1. Negotiate a relocation package with your new employer

If you’re moving to the Netherlands for a sparkling new job, why not ask your employer for a relocation package? 

Many employers will happily pay for your moving fees and occasionally even arrange temporary accommodation while you look for a permanent residence. Wat leuk! (How nice!)

READ MORE | 10 things to know before finding work in the Netherlands as an international

Often, this comes in the form of up to €7,750 your employer can reimburse tax-free for your moving costs. 

Tips to negotiate a relocation package: 

• Check in with your HR department first: they might have a standard package that they offer to save you the hassle. 
• Get a good idea of your costs and present them to your HR representative. 
• Make a list of your “must-haves” and your “would-like-to-haves.”
• Explain to your new company the benefits: perhaps you can work sooner if they’re willing to help out with the move. 

2. Ask your movers for a fixed rate instead of an estimate

Movers love to estimate costs, however, some shady ones may end up blowing your budget on the final invoice. This number can run upwards of thousands above the initially estimated price.

Instead, press your movers to give you a fixed rate. This way you’ll be able to avoid any hidden fees and charges and keep your Excel budget sheet happy! (And have more money to spend on delicious stroopwafels and biertjes (beer) when you arrive in the Netherlands. )

3. Set up your health insurance ASAP

You’ve just touched down in the Netherlands, excited and ready to start your new life. You step out into the world, and the next thing you know, BAM! You walk onto the bike lane and collide with a cycling Dutchie.

Yet, as you lay in your hospital bed, you breathe a sigh of relief: you’ve already taken care of your health insurance, so your medical costs are covered. 

READ MORE | Dutch health insurance in 2023: what’s new and how to switch

When coming to the Netherlands to live or work, you are required to take out health insurance. You have up to four months to get health insurance from when you register at a municipality or start working. However, your premiums are backdated to the date of your arrival in the Netherlands, so you don’t save any money by waiting the full four months. 

By taking out health insurance zo snel mogelijk (as soon as possible), you can avoid any shocks when it comes to payments and treatment.

4. Move and exchange your money smartly 

Imagine you have $1,000 USD that you want to convert to euros to use in. How many euros you’ll get heavily depends on who converts it. Here’s an example:

• At the airport: €820-€850 (depending on the exchange office)
• In Amsterdam city centre: €845-€860
• Through your bank: €828.50
• Online: €868.56

Banks and money exchange places can take a huge chunk of your hard-earned coin, especially the ones at the airport. Instead, transferring your money online gives you some of the best rates and can save you up to €20-€50 — and it can go directly into your Dutch bank account!

This is one of the easiest ways to save money when moving to the Netherlands — go you! 

5. Buy your furniture in the Netherlands (and let go of the rest)

Forget the old couch that you’ve had since uni or the rugs that you got from your relative. 

Shipping your belongings overseas is ridiculously expensive — and you can buy everything you need in the Netherlands. 

You’ll save a stack of money on a moving company since most companies charge you by weight and space, and save yourself a bunch of stress waiting for it to get to your new house. Win-win!

READ MORE | Furnishing your house in the Netherlands: the ultimate guide

You don’t have to shop new either: you can find great quality bargains on Facebook Marketplace, Marktplaats, or at second-hand stores (kringlopen).

6. Scoop out the best deals for your utilities

To truly enjoy life in your new Dutch home, you’ll need things such as electricity, gas, internet, and a phone and TV provider.

To save you some stress (and money!), it might be worth scouring the web for some of the best utility deals and providers before you arrive in the Netherlands.

You’ll find that you’re often able to get package deals from certain providers, grouping, for example, internet and TV, or gas and electricity. Sometimes, going for these deals is your cheapest option. Other times, however, purchasing services separately works out cheaper. Your best bet here is a good price comparison tool!

7. Make use of kortingen (discounts) where you can

Thought looking for discounts and offers was for grannies on their way to a bingo game? Think again! The Dutch are all about spending as little money as possible, even if it means elbowing that same granny in Kruidvat for a 1+1 (buy one, get one free) deal.

Here are some ways you can find discounts to make your wallet happy: 

• Get store cards for shops you visit often for discounts and free gifts.
• Download discount apps to help you stay on top of all the hot sales.
• Make use of corporate discounts on health insurance, gyms, travel, etc. 

You can also apply for government benefits if you meet certain criteria. For example, if you live in rented accommodation, have Dutch health insurance, or have a child who attends daycare or is under 18, you may be entitled to benefits from the Dutch Tax and Customs Administration.

8. Don’t buy a car (right away)

We know that cars are really convenient and it can be nice to drive to work or school on your own and avoid sitting next to (gasp!) other people. 

However, the costs of owning a car in the Netherlands can be substantially more than in other countries.

Here are some costs that can really add up:

• Petrol (the Netherlands is home to some of the most expensive petrol in Europe)
• Monthly car insurance and yearly maintenance
• Motor vehicle tax (AKA road tax) every three months
• Parking fees (Amsterdam has some of the highest parking costs in the world)

READ MORE | 7 things to know before owning a car in the Netherlands

Instead, make use of public transport, shared car networks, and hire cars for your first few weeks at least. And remember: biking is king in the Netherlands. 

Now that you’re so well-versed in these money-saving tips, you’ll blend right in with your new country’s compatriots.

Do you have any tips for saving money when moving to the Netherlands? Tell us in the comments below!

Editor’s note: This article was originally published in February 2022 and was fully updated in September 2023 for your reading pleasure.

Have you ever wondered what giving birth is like in the Netherlands? If you pictured your or your partner’s water breaking and being rushed in a stressful frenzy towards the hospital — you’d be sorely mistaken!

That is definitely not how it works here in the Netherlands because a lot of Dutch people don’t do giving birth in hospitals.

What is it?

We all know that the Dutch are pretty down-to-earth, especially when it comes to all things healthcare.

They avoid places like hospitals, GPs, and the dentist as much as humanly possible.

That being said, most Dutch women prefer to give birth at home with the guidance of a midwife (verloskundige) rather than giving birth at a hospital.

Why do they do it?

Giving birth at home is a more personal and natural experience, which is very appealing to Dutchies.

They don’t want to give birth in a scary, clinical environment when they can just do it in the comfort of their own homes.

READ MORE | 8 things you need to know about giving birth in the Netherlands

Also, if something goes wrong, there’s always a hospital not too far away in the Netherlands.

Why is it quirky? 

The Netherlands has the highest rate of home births in the west — up to 30% of women give birth at home! Wowza!

This is very different from how movies portray giving birth.

READ MORE | Everything you need to know about maternity leave in the Netherlands in 2023

The Dutch are such fans of homebirths that they’ve added “homebirth culture” to the list of intangible heritage.

Should you join in? 

That’s up to you! How a person gives birth is a very personal choice.

You can totally join the trend and give birth at home for a more personal experience.

READ MORE | The ultimate guide to gynaecology, birth control, and check-ups in the Netherlands

However, you can also choose to give birth at a birth centre or at the hospital where you have access to pain-relieving medicines — it’s mum’s choice!

What do you think of this Dutch quirk? Have you experienced it? Tell us in the comments below!

Most internationals in the Netherlands have gone through this experience. You’ve been practising your Dutch and gathering the courage to use it in a public setting.

You walk up to a stranger and finally use the sentences you’ve been practising over and over. The other person takes one look at you and…immediately switches to English.

What is it?

Dutch people are notorious for switching to English if they detect that you’re not a native Dutch speaker, even when you’re actually speaking the language with them at that moment.

An example of a Dutch person switching to English may look something like this:

International: Goedemiddag! Mag ik een cappuccino met havermelk? (Good afternoon! May I have a cappuccino with oat milk?)

Dutch person: Do you want whipped cream with that?

International:

Why do they do it?

The Netherlands boasts the highest non-native proficiency in English in the world, so it makes sense that they feel very comfortable using it.

READ MORE | Do I need to speak Dutch to work in the Netherlands?

However, we still don’t understand why they switch to English when someone is trying their best to practice and speak Dutch. It’s a bit gek (crazy) if you think about it.

Why is it quirky?

In a lot of other countries, people are delighted when one makes an effort to speak their language, and they try to help you out along the way.

Also, a lot of other countries may not know how to speak English as well so you are forced to learn the language anyway.

However, in the Netherlands, you can get by most of the time with only English and everything is fine.

But it’d still be nice if Dutch people tried to let us attempt to speak their language from time to time.

Should you join in? 

Uh…we think maybe not on this one! If you happen to speak Dutch very well and someone else is speaking to you in that language, stick to that!

Switching to English when someone is making an effort can be really disappointing for someone who’s trying to learn a new language.

READ MORE | The top 16 free ways to learn Dutch

If someone does appear to be struggling, you can always speak Dutch slower or use easier words.

Or if it’s really not working, then you can switch to English. But try to give us a chance, would ya?

What do you think of this Dutch quirk? Have you experienced it? Tell us in the comments below!

The Netherlands is known for a lot of amazing things like windmills, bicycles, and cheese! But the Netherlands is also notorious for its (let’s be honest) crappy weather.

If you’ve ever been to the lowlands, you know that it’s rainy, windy, and cold for most of the year.

There’s even an app — Buienradar — that the Dutch use just to check when exactly it will rain and how much.

Translation: All sails this week because according to buienradar it will rain on Friday. So manure, grass, sowing maize, preparing land.. everything “must” be done in 4 days. Hey ho, let’s go!!

What is it?

As human beings, it’s normal for us to be complaining about stuff.

But Dutchies really do love to complain about the weather specifically — and they even have a special vocabulary to do that.

Here are just a few of the words that they use to describe bad weather:

• motregen (drizzle)
• druppels/spatjes (drops)
• buitje (shower)
• wolkbreuk (cloud burst/break)
• stortbui (downpour)

Why do they do it?

Well, what else are you gonna do when you’re stuck inside with your co-workers or elderly neighbours? You’re gonna complain about the weather. Simple as that.

READ MORE | Why does it rain so much in the Netherlands?

Why is it quirky? 

To be fair, complaining about the weather constantly is not uniquely Dutch and a lot of other countries that suffer from a lack of sunshine do it as well.

It’s just that the Dutch have a very creative and quirky way of talking about it.

Should you join in? 

Sure! It’s part of the culture, so you may as well join in on the fun!

You probably won’t be able to help yourself from complaining about the weather anyway, as you get your pants soaked on the way to work or school.

What do you think of this Dutch quirk? Have you experienced it? Tell us in the comments below!

Have you ever noticed that almost all Dutch people refuse to go into debt and are terrified of credit cards? And missing a Tikkie payment is just unheard of.

In many countries — such as the U.S., Canada, and the U.K. — credit card or student debt is extremely normal and you’d be hard-pressed to find someone who hasn’t borrowed money or paid with credit.

Dutch people are not built like that: they will avoid debt like they avoid ketchup on their fries.

What is it?

If you’ve ever been to the Netherlands, or are currently living here, you’ll notice that credit cards aren’t accepted in most places.

Often, the only way to pay for stuff is by getting a Dutch debit card.

What’s the story here? Why don’t the Dutch do debt?

Why do they do it?

The Dutch word for debt is schuld, which literally translates to “guilt.” For the Dutch, being in debt is apparently equivalent to doing something bad or wrong.

So bedankt to semantics for the Dutch attitude towards debt.

Owning a credit card is not very common in the Netherlands. And for good reason: credit cards cost a bit of money to own.

With annual fees of around €18-€50 per year, it’s no wonder most Dutchies don’t have them.

On the other hand, debit cards have extremely low monthly fees of €0-€20. And if you’re a student, having a debit card is free! Mooi!

READ MORE | These are the best banks for expats in the Netherlands

Dutchies also have Calvinistic roots which have instilled an idea of moderation and frugality within the culture.

Buying stuff with money you don’t have just isn’t gezellig.

Should you join in?

Ja, natuurlijk! (Yes, of course!) — getting yourself into debt is not wise and simply not the Dutch way.

If you want to doe normaal, it’s best to just stick with the debit card while in the Netherlands and use credit cards just when travelling abroad (like most Dutchies do).

What do you think of this Dutch quirk? Have you experienced it? Tell us in the comments below!

What facts do you know about the Dutch language? It’s kind of close to English and people sound like they’re choking when they’re speaking, right? 

But there are a ton of other awesome and interesting things about the Dutch language, like

• the obsession with consonants,
• untranslatable words, and
• even using Hebrew slang.

Are you ready to impress your international and Dutch friends with some mind-blowing fun facts?

Laten we gaan! (Let’s go!)

1. Dutch is also spoken outside of the Netherlands

Because of *ahem* colonialism, the Dutch language has made its way to countries on the other side of the Atlantic Ocean, such as Suriname, Aruba, Curaçao, and Sint Maarten. 

The last three are actually still part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands and even name Dutch as one of their official languages. 

Dutch is also spoken in Flanders, in northern Belgium, however with a different dialect called Flemish or Vlaams. 

You’ll probably hear Dutch people either making fun of this accent or finding it super cute (because of their soft g’s and slight French accent) — there’s no in-between! 

You’ll also find some Dutch speakers in Germany, near the shared border with the Netherlands.

2. But the Netherlands is the only country where Dutch is the only official spoken language

That’s right, the Netherlands has only one official spoken language — and that’s Dutch (even though we could totally buy the country making English a second official language ). 

Other countries also have Dutch as an official language, but these countries also have other languages in the mix as well. But in the Netherlands, it’s only Dutch! 

You may be thinking “What about West Frisian?” which is a language you might hear in the northern parts of the lowlands.

However, it’s only recognised as an official language in the province of Friesland — but not in the rest of the country. 

As for non-spoken languages, Nederlandse Gebarentaal (Dutch Sign Language) was only recognised as an official language on July 1, 2021.

3. Dutch and English aren’t THAT similar but are still pretty close

A lot of people believe that Dutch and English are very similar, with plenty of shared vocabulary, for example, appel (apple), peer (pear), or glas (glass). 

Linguistically, the two languages are close to each other. But Dutch is, in fact, not the closest language to English! Wat?!

Believe it or not, West Frisian is actually closer to English than Nederlands. So if you’re ever in Friesland, listen carefully to what the locals are saying. You might find that you understand a whole lot more than in the rest of the lowlands.

4. The Dutch are the best non-native speakers of English IN THE WORLD

If you’ve ever visited the Netherlands, you’ll know that Dutch people are freakin’ good at speaking English. 

Some of them probably speak better English than you, a fact that you’re just going to have to live with.

READ MORE | Dutch Quirk #77: Switch to English even if you speak Dutch

Thanks to their education system and lack of Dutch dubbing in TV shows and movies, Dutchies have a super high non-native proficiency in English and rank the best out of 112 countries!

5. Dunglish (Dutch + English) is the funniest thing ever

While most Dutchies are basically fluent in English, you might sometimes catch the rare fish that is Dunglish. 

Known in Dutch as steenkolenengels, or “coal-English”, Dunglish is a combination of Dutch and English. The result of this combination is some of the funniest sentences you’ve ever heard. 

READ MORE | Dutch dying out? A quarter of people in the Netherlands don’t speak the language at home

Some beautiful nuggets of Dunglish:

• “I can speak only a little English, hoor.” (What, are you calling me a whore??)
• “Just go up the trap.” (Stairs) 
• “That is the car from Marieke.” (instead of Marieke’s car)

But let’s be clear: the Dutch speak amazing English — so it’s nice to know they’re human and make small errors sometimes.

6. A lot of Dutch slang comes from Hebrew

Yeah, we were shocked by this one too, but it’s true! A lot of Dutch slang comes from Hebrew words from the Jewish population living in the Netherlands. 

Much of it can be found especially in the Amsterdam dialect of Dutch. This makes sense because the majority of Dutch Jews lived in Amsterdam in 1940.

Here are just a few examples of Dutch slang with Yiddish origins:

7. Dutch has some rare and weird sounds 

There are some pretty funky sounds in the Dutch language and they are actually quite rare among the world’s languages. 

The most interesting and unique sounds that the Dutch make are their soft “g” which is written as ch, and the hard “g” which is written as g. 

You can hear the soft ch and hard g in these words:

• Acht (Eight)
• Zacht (Soft)
• Goedemiddag! (Good morning!)
• Groen (Green)

8. Despite the Dutch presence in Indonesia, Nederlands has no official status there (but does have a lot of loan words!) 

Remember when the Dutch were in Indonesia for almost 350 years? You’d think that with that kind of presence, the Dutch language would still have some kind of influence, right?

Well, not really. Dutch has no official status in Indonesia and is only spoken fluently by a small minority of people, such as educated members of the oldest generation, students who go to Dutch language schools, and legal professionals (who need it because some law codes are still in Dutch ). 

But the Indonesian language does have a lot of loan words from Dutch. One example is the Indonesian afspraak (verbal promise) which is the same as the Dutch afspraak (agreement, understanding). 

9. “Dutch” and “Deutsch” are similar for a reason

Have you wondered why the Dutch are called the Dutch? Sound pretty close to German “Deutsch” right?

Well, we can blame the British for that. You see, they thought that anyone who spoke “a Germanic language” must have been German. So to the Brits, the Netherlands and Germany were basically the same thing.

They called the Netherlanders the “Deutsch” and the name just kinda stuck.

But in the Dutch language? The Dutch people are Nederlanders and the language they speak is Nederlands. Makes sense, right?

10. Dutch and Afrikaans are sisters, not twins

Dutch and Afrikaans (spoken in South Africa) are very similar languages, but they are not the same thing. Afrikaans is a vernacular of the Dutch language that was spoken and brought to South Africa in the 17th century.

Although Afrikaans is derived from Dutch, it’s had language contact with other languages in South Africa and has developed into its own fully-fledged language. 

So Dutch and Afrikaans speakers understand each other — kinda. There is a lot of shared vocabulary, but both languages have diverged and changed significantly over centuries.

11. There are lots of Dutch words that are untranslatable

Lekker? Gezellig? Hoor? You hear these words all the time in the Netherlands, but what the heck do they mean? Well, unfortunately, these words are untranslatable. But you can get a good idea based on the context.

READ MORE | 5 Dutch idioms that are just too bizarre when translated

The weather can be lekker, an evening can be gezellig, and you can drop hoor on the end of many sentences! 

You might not know the true meaning, but that won’t stop you from trying to use these addictive words, albeit possibly in the slightly wrong context. But hey, that’s Dutch for you!

12. Dutch words are long AF because of compounds

Dutch words can be loooooong. Why? It’s because of this little thing that Dutchies love to do with their words called compounding. 

Compounding is when two or more individual words are combined to create a new word with its own meaning.

For example, the longest Dutch word is aansprakelijkheidswaardevaststellingsveranderingen (liability valuation changes), with a whopping 50 letters! 

Notice how in English we space out each word?

Well, Dutch doesn’t appear to see the need for spaces and just bunches up the four words (aansprakelijkheid(s) + waarde + vaststelling(s) + veranderingen) together, creating a long AF compound word.

13. Dutch words have a LOT of consonants

If you think super long Dutch words are already hard enough — it can get worse. 

Dutch words can also be pretty consonant-heavy. Some of them love to line up consonants in a row without a vowel in between to get your tongue twisting in all sorts of crazy ways.

READ MORE | 11 myths about taking Dutch lessons, busted

Here are a few examples:

• Angstschreeuw (crying of fear)
• Oegstgeest (town in South Holland, near Leiden)
• Verschrikkelijk (terrible)

Yikes, what a mouthful!

14. The Dutch love to swear with diseases

In many Western and non-Western languages, swearing tends to involve sex, one’s parents, or some foul combination of both.

However, the Dutch like to keep those “filthy” topics out of their mouths and instead fill it with diseases.

READ MORE | Want to seriously level up your Dutch? This course is for you

If you’ve ever accidentally walked onto a bike path, you might have gotten a little kanker (cancer) thrown your way by an irate biking Dutchie:

Other popular illness hits include:

• Krijg de tyfus/klere/pest! (Get tuberculosis/cholera/plague)
• Optyfen (Typhus off)
• Klerelijer (Cholera-sufferer)

15. Dutch has two ways of saying “the” (de and het), and a lot of people confuse the two

In English, we only have one word for “the”, but the Dutch have two: de and het. A lot of native Dutch speakers aren’t sure why this distinction exists — they just know it by heart.

De is mainly used for plural nouns, people, professions, letters and numbers, etc. On the other hand, het is used for diminutive nouns (-je/-tje ending), nouns for languages, nouns from infinitive verbs, etc. 

If you wanna go deeper, de and het is used based on the grammatical gender (not necessarily the same as traditional gender) of the nouns they’re attached to.  

READ MORE | 21 YouTubers that’ll help you learn Dutch super fast

Basically, de words are used for masculine/feminine nouns and het words are used for neuter nouns, but there are a lot of exceptions to this rule. So keep it simple and just memorise the definite articles as you go!

16. Dutch uses diminutives -je and -tje to make things cuter

In Dutch, it’s common to hear people adding -je or -tje to the end of words to make things cuter, smaller, or friendlier. For example, it’s common to say “Mag ik een biertje?” (May I have a beer?) instead of “Mag ik een bier”. 

You’ll also hear people calling their partner vriendje, which shows that the relationship is intimate. Cute, right?!

READ MORE | 15 weirdly cute things Dutch people do 

It’s the equivalent to saying “Can I have a beerie?” or “This is my friendie” in English. It might sound a bit odd to us to use it as an adult and all the time — but that’s totally normal and even expected in Dutch! 

17. Even the Dutch struggle with Dutch (seriously)

Native speakers aren’t perfect either! It’s very common to make mistakes even in your own language, and the Dutch are no exception to this. 

READ MORE | An expat’s guide to learning the Dutch language

Even if their English/German/French skills may knock you out of the water, some of them have similar struggles to us, internationals, and might make these mistakes:

• Mixing up die (this) and dat (that), dat (that) and wat (what), als (if/when) and dan (than)
• Not sure whether to use t or d for the end of a past tense verb
• Confusing the references to de and het (the)

So don’t feel bad if you mess up now and again, the Dutchies do it too.

We hope this list helped you build on your Dutch knowledge and that you now have a bunch of fun language facts to share with people at parties (hopefully they’re as obsessed with languages as we are ). 

We also hope this motivates you on your journey to learning Dutch or encouraged you to find a Dutch language school! Succes!

Which fact surprised you the most? Do you have any fun facts about Dutch? Tell us your thoughts in the comments below!

Okay, so we’re all aware of how Dutchies use the word lekker for everything, but there’s another candidate for most used, untranslatable word: gezellig.

Gezelligheid is an essential part of Dutch culture, and you’ll find that Dutchies love using this word to describe everything under the sun.

What is it?

The word gezellig has no direct translation. It can mean anything from cosy to friendly, comfortable, or even relaxing. How abstract!

You’ll hear it everywhere. Weather can be gezellig (though not likely in NL ), someone’s room can be gezellig, and talking a walk can also be gezellig. There is no limit to what can be considered gezellig in Dutch.

Why do they do it?

The word is derived from the word gezel which means “companion” or “friend.” Back in the Middle Ages, a gezel was also the Dutch word for a “journeyman.”

From there, the word could have developed from a noun into an adjective or adverb to describe something friendly and cosy, like a good friend. Aww!

Why is it quirky? 

It’s used EXCESSIVELY in the Dutch language and it sounds pretty crazy to someone who isn’t familiar with the tongue.

GEE-ZEL-LEG. You have to say the difficult Dutch “g” twice.

Should you join in? 

Ja, zeker! (Yes, of course!) It’s quite an important and frequent word in Dutch, so it will only help you to better integrate if you know what this means.

READ MORE | We got it ‘gesaved’ – English words in the Dutch language

Plus, the Dutchies can’t get away with switching to English with this word so you might as well know it yourself.

What do you think of this Dutch quirk? Have you experienced it? Tell us in the comments below!

Editor’s Note: This article was originally published in December 2021, and was fully updated in December 2023 for your reading pleasure.

So, you’re thinking about getting a pet in the Netherlands? Wat leuk! Adopting or buying a pet doesn’t need to be “ruff” — as long as you follow our guide, of course.

But how the heck do you get a furry (or scaly?) companion in the Netherlands? Where do you start looking, and what do you need to know before adopting a pet? 

Don’t stress — we’ve got everything you need to know about getting a pet in the Netherlands.

^{This post might have affiliate links that help us write the articles you love, at no extra cost to you. Read our statement.}

Getting a pet in the Netherlands: things to know

Getting a pet is a big responsibility, so you need to make sure that you’re ready to put in the effort.

First, before you start brainstorming pet names and buying accessories, ask yourself the following questions:

• Are you renting in the Netherlands? If so, does your landlord allow pets?
• Do you or your family members/roommates have allergies? 
• Do you have the space in your home for a pet? If you’re thinking of adopting a dog, do they have space to run around and play? Or if you’re adopting fish, is there room for a tank?
• Can you afford it? Do you have the budget for animal food, cleaning supplies, a pet sitter, etc.?
• Do you have time to take care of your pet?
• Are you willing to clean up after your pet?
• Are you planning on going back to your home country after adopting a pet? If so, can you take your pet with you?

Furthermore, it’s important to know that the Dutch government has certain rules when it comes to animal welfare, specifically about the care, breeding, and selling of animals. 

What pets are allowed in the Netherlands?

Pets in the Netherlands are pretty stock standard. Here are some of the most common pet choices:

• Dogs
• Cats
• Rabbits
• Guinea pigs, hamsters, ferrets
• Turtles
• Fish
• Birds (e.g. parrots, parakeets, cockatiels)
• Brown rats

So which of the above is the preferred pet in the Netherlands? If you guessed cats, you are correct! This makes a lot of sense due to the lack of space in the Netherlands.

Cats can also take care of themselves pretty well. You’ll even see a lot of house cats wandering around outside, as most Dutch households allow them to go outside and explore (especially if they live on the ground floor). 

Dogs are also a common pet to have. If you get one, you’ll have to be ready to take them on walks several times a day, especially if you’re living in the city where they don’t have a lot of space to run around on their own.

Bans on certain dog and cat breeds in the Netherlands

The Netherlands is currently working on laws to ban animals with external characteristics that can be harmful to their well-being.

More specifically, these laws are set to apply to dogs with short snouts and cats with folding ears, and will prevent owners from keeping, trading, or importing animals that fall into these categories.

Where to adopt a pet in the Netherlands

Your best bet to adopt a pet is to go to a pet adoption agency or a dierenasiel (shelter). Most cities in the Netherlands have a local agency or shelter you can visit.

Most shelters in the Netherlands have a selection procedure, and they don’t always have a lot of animals (especially cats) easily available for adoption. Make sure to check their sites and social media accounts frequently!

Major pet adoption agencies in the Netherlands

You can also find animals on Marktplaats or adoption groups on Facebook. Just try to be careful on the internet and make sure the giver seems credible before taking the plunge.

Where to buy a pet in the Netherlands

Always try to adopt, not shop. However, while adopting a pet is a great choice, it’s not always for everyone. For example, you might be looking for a specific breed or a pet that can’t be easily adopted from a shelter. 

READ MORE | Having a pet in the Netherlands: all you need to know

If you truly think the decision to buy is the right choice for you, you can purchase animals: 

• at a local pet store (best for hamsters, birds, fish, turtles, etc.)
• through a responsible local breeder (for cats, dogs, ferrets, etc.)

If you’re thinking of buying a pet from a breeder, make sure to do your research and look out for poor animal practices like excessive forced breeding of an animal.

Sometimes breeders also don’t spay/neuter their animals before giving them to you, so be wary of that too. 

Important matters when owning a pet in the Netherlands

Now, you’ve got your pet, what’s next? Well, there are a few important (and sometimes administrative) matters that you have to take care of as soon as possible when you get your new animal. 

Dog registration in the Netherlands

If you have a dog, it’s mandatory to register them at your city’s town hall (gemeente) and the Municipal Tax Office (Gemeentelijke Belastingdienst) upon arrival. On top of that, you have to declare your dog to the municipality in the first 14 days.

READ MORE | The ultimate guide to owning a dog in Amsterdam

Only dogs have to be registered at the gemeente, so don’t worry about town hall registration if you have a different kind of pet.

Furthermore, the following animals must be registered and chipped with The Netherlands Enterprise Agency or Rijksdienst voor Ondernemend (RVO). 

• Dogs
• Cattle
• Pigs
• Sheep
• Goats
• Horses
• Poultry (if they are kept for commercial use)

You can register your pet with the agency online. 

Microchipping your Dutch pet

Most pets in the Netherlands must have a microchip implanted in their neck or sometimes as an ear tag, so they can be identified. Some animals, like fish, turtles, etc., don’t need to be chipped. It’s wise to ask your veterinarian whether they need one.

Each chip has a unique 15-digit number which is stored in a European database, so if Buddy gets loose and runs over to Belgium, they can still be identified. Handig!

Thankfully chipping your Dutch pet is not too expensive. Your dog or cat can get their chip at the vet clinic for around €25-50, depending on the practice. For microchipping prices of other animals, ask your vet for pricing.

Pet passports in the Netherlands

If you’re bringing your pet from another EU country, they must have their own EU dierenpaspoort (animal passport) issued by a veterinarian.

A pet passport is mandatory for dogs, cats, and ferrets that are travelling in and out of the Netherlands to EU member states.

The passport lasts for the pet’s lifetime and has information about the owner’s name, the pet’s microchip number, age, sex, breed, etc. 

If you want to bring your pet from a country outside of the EU, then you’ll first need to contact the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA).

Paying the Dutch dog tax

The Dutch take their dogs very seriously. The dog tax, or hondenbelasting, is an annual tax charged in most Dutch cities. 

The amount is decided by your local municipality and is calculated based on the number of dogs in a household. 

Typically you’ll pay anywhere between €20 and a few hundred euros.

READ MORE | How did the Netherlands become the first country in the world with no stray dogs?

Taking your pet to the vet in the Netherlands

The Netherlands is full of qualified veterinarians and animal clinics. Just search dierenarts (veterinarian) or dierenartspraktijk (veterinary practice) on the internet to find one close to you!

You can also call a qualified veterinarian directly to your house through services like Home Vet.

Some veterinary clinics also offer “health plans”, which provide comprehensive care packages for your pet in the Netherlands. Ask your local clinic what plans are on offer for your furry friend.

If your pet requires emergency care, it’s best to call an emergency veterinarian at a Dieren Spoedkliniek. 

Otherwise, you can call the dierenambulance (animal ambulance) in your area:

Pet insurance in the Netherlands

If you’re getting a pet in the Netherlands, it’s worth thinking about pet insurance. Many insurance plans will reimburse your costs for treatments, putting your beloved friend down (we know, you don’t want to think about), or even cover you if your pet is stolen or lost.

Some insurance companies, like Univé, will cover additional services for just a few extra euros per month — think of things such as physiotherapy, dental care, and travel insurance.

Naturally, the cost of the premium for your pet’s insurance will depend on factors such as the type of pet you have, its age, and the level of coverage you want. Curious to learn more? Here are a few major pet insurance companies in the Netherlands:

• Univé
• HEMA
• OHRA

What vaccinations does my pet need?

What vaccination your pet needs depends on the type of animal you have and the veterinary clinic you take them to. 

However, the most important vaccination for most animals is the anti-rabies shot. All animals coming from outside of the EU need to complete anti-rabies treatment before they are allowed to enter the Netherlands. 

If you’re taking your pet abroad, you should also make sure to get them their anti-rabies shot.

Dog and cat vaccinations

Typically, dogs need seven types of vaccinations throughout their life against diseases like parvo and Hepatitis.

Cats also require vaccinations, mainly for sneezing disease.

The cost of vaccinations can range from €60-70 per treatment for dogs and cats. 

For other animals, ask your veterinarian what vaccines they need. 

And, most importantly, make sure you keep your pet’s vaccines up-to-date!

Where can I keep my pet when I go on holiday?

You can keep your pet at a dierenhotel/dierenpension (animal boarding house) during your holidays. 

Or, if you’re lucky, you might have a super sweet friend or relative who can do it for you.

On top of that, you can also find pet sitters easily online in Facebook groups or through petsitting services:

• Trusted Housesitters
• Cat in a Flat
• Petbacker
• Petbnb
• Pawshake

Useful Dutch pet terms to know

Pros and cons of adopting vs. buying a pet in the Netherlands

Getting a pet in the Netherlands: frequently asked questions

That was our pawsome guide on adopting or buying a pet in the Netherlands! So are you sold on getting a pet yet? 

Next up: finding your new furry friend!

What kind of pet are you thinking of getting? Tell us in the comments below!

Editor’s note: This article was originally published in January 2022 but was fully updated in November 2023 for your reading pleasure.

Browsing for a Netflix show or film to watch on a gloomy day in the Netherlands? Maybe you’re about to visit your Dutch partner’s parents or simply want to brush up on your Dutch skills. Well, we’ve got a treat for you!

Watching films and series in Nederlands is a great way to develop comprehension skills. This is the strategy the Dutch have used to speak near-perfect English (they don’t dub English movies or series) — so they must be onto something!

Grab some popcorn, and let’s take a look at some Dutch films and series available on Netflix now!

1. Anne+

Anne+ follows the life of a 24-year-old lesbian living in Amsterdam. After breaking up with her girlfriend, she reflects on her love life over the years and reminisces about how they led her to become the person she is. 

READ MORE | The best tips to learn Dutch: my experience of grasping the language

This show is a lovely but realistic exploration of sexuality, relationships, and love! It’s also great if you’re looking to add a dash of Dutch to your day. 

2. Bankier van het Verzet (The Resistance Banker)

The Resistance Banker takes place during World War II in Nazi-occupied Amsterdam. This film tells the story of a Dutch banker who risked it all to build a secret underground bank to fund the Dutch resistance against the Nazis. How heroic!

READ MORE  | 7 unmissable movies about the Netherlands in WWII

The film is suspenseful, thrilling, and absolutely heart-wrenching. It hits even harder when you find out it’s based on true events.

3. Keizersvrouwen (Women of the Night)

In the mood for a thrilling Dutch crime series with a female protagonist? Look no further! Keizersvrouwen is available to stream on Netflix. 

The show follows Xandra, a woman with a stable, happy life with her husband and daughter. However, she longs for something more out of her life. 

When she gets an opportunity to organise an event for her friend’s escort agency, she is drawn back into the dark underbelly of a world she thought she escaped forever. 

4. Poeslief: Een Ode Aan De Kat (Kitty Love: A Homage To Cats)

Fed up with films about people and their problems? We totally get it. How about a super cute and gezellig film about cats instead?

Introducing Poeslief: Een Ode Aan De Kat! A film based on the life of the most famous cat in the Netherlands, Abatutu (A.K.A the George Clooney of the cat world.)

Follow Abatutu as he narrates his journey of starting his own cat-sting agency in search of other talented superstars! The film is part documentary, part cat video compilations — what more could you want? Purrfect for a night in. Miauw!

5. Undercover

Okay, so maybe you’ve already binged on tons of drug-related crime series like Breaking Bad or Narcos. Good news! There’s a Flemish/Dutch drama that is worth just as much hype — AND it’s based on a true story.

Undercover follows secret agents Bob Lemmens (Belgian) and Kim de Rooij (Dutch), who are investigating a drug kingpin, Ferry Bouman. They track him down to Limburg, the ecstasy capital of the world, and pose as friendly neighbours at a campground where Ferry spends his weekends.

The series was very well-received, with IMDB giving the show a 7.8/10! And they say that there aren’t any good Dutch shows out there!

6. Ares

In the mood for something scary? This Dutch horror series will definitely give you goosebumps!

Ares follows the story of a first-year medical student in Amsterdam, Rosa Steenwijk. She joins a secretive Dutch student society and uncovers dark secrets and nightmarish experiences that will leave you gasping — and perhaps a little wary of your local student groups.

The series also has subtitles in TONS of languages, such as English, Arabic, Korean, etc. 

7. Pietje Bell (Peter Bell)

If your childhood was shaped by classics like Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and Matilda, then this is the Dutch film for you! 

Based on the book series, the story follows Pietje Bell, the son of a shoemaker in Rotterdam. Pietje is known to get into all kinds of antics and trouble at school and in the town, much to the dismay of the townsfolk. However, his pranks and adventures have become so famous that they end up in the newspaper. 

But when he tries to stop a criminal, nobody believes him! So it’s up to Pietje to find a way to save the day!

Ready to leer Nederlands while sitting on the couch? With this list, you’re well on your way — succes!

Which Dutch series or films would you add to this list? Tell us in the comments below! 

Editor’s note: This article was originally published in October 2021 and was fully updated in October 2023 for your reading pleasure.

How did an 18-year-old boy from the Dutch city of Arnhem become the number one criminal on the Times Top 10 Crime Stories of 2010?

From an infamous disappearance that made international headlines to the murder of a former presidential candidate’s daughter, Joran van der Sloot has quite the criminal record.

The Dutch criminal was extradited in June 2023 to the US to potentially extend his current 28-year-long Peruvian prison sentence by an additional 25 years.

Van der Sloot is being taken to court for his alleged extortion after demanding $25,000 from suspected victim Natalee Holloway’s family in 2010 in exchange for details about the whereabouts of their daughter’s body — and as of October 2023, he’s allegedly confessed to her murder.

READ MORE | Notorious Dutch criminal Joran van der Sloot confesses to the murder of Natalee Holloway

But what compelled this notorious criminal to commit all these gruesome, heartless acts? His crimes are shocking and disturbing and have had deeply negative effects on so many people — and it all started when he was only a teenager.

Golden child turned cold-blooded killer

On the outside, it looked like Joran had a pretty decent and privileged childhood. He was born in Arnhem to his dad, a lawyer, and his mom, an art teacher. At the age of 10, he moved with his family to Aruba, where he was an honours student at the International School of Aruba. 

Joran was also known for his athletic ability, even competing in doubles tennis with his father at Moët et Chandon Anniversary Cup in 2005.

Hoe is het toch met …….. Joran van der Sloot ? pic.twitter.com/Cw0DbXcefo

— Michel (@Michel1401) June 19, 2019

However, not everything was sunshine and rainbows for this golden boy. After breaking up with his girlfriend at the age of 16, Joran sought comfort in the scene of Aruban nightlife.  

He even moved from his bedroom to his parents’ guest house in the garden so that no one could see what he was up to. Joran’s mother had said that Joran had a problem with compulsive lying and often snuck out of the house to go to casinos. 

No one knew that this seemingly normal young boy would grow up to find himself as one of the most notorious Dutch criminals of all time.

The disappearance of Natalee Holloway

Natalee Holloway was an 18-year-old American woman who went on vacation with her friends, along with chaperones, to Aruba in celebration of their high school graduation.

She graduated with honours from Mountain Brook High School in Alabama and received a full scholarship to the University of Alabama, where she planned to study medicine.

However, Natalee would never board her return flight to the United States, devastating both her family and the world. 

Anyone remember the Natalee Holloway case? I still find this to be one of the saddest stories ever. She was never found and her family never really got closure. pic.twitter.com/x4hmw6GSnJ

— KB. (@KevinBobby) December 28, 2019

It all began on the night of May 30, 2005, the last day of their trip. Natalee and her friends went out for a night on the town and visited Aruba’s Oranjestad bar and Carlos’n’Charlie’s nightclub. 

Natalee was last seen at around 1:30 AM by her classmates, who noticed her getting into a car with 17-year-old Joran and two other men. 

When Natalee failed to show up for her flight later that same day, the Aruban authorities were notified, and an investigation began. 

Thanks to eyewitnesses and surveillance cameras, the police were able to identify Joran van der Sloot as potentially the last person to see her alive. 

Hundreds of volunteers from Aruba, the U.S., and even 50 Dutch marines joined the search-and-rescue efforts, but Natalee’s body was never found.

While much of the case thus far pointed to Joran van der Sloot as being responsible for her disappearance, he was never formally charged due to a lack of evidence. 

The case officially remains unsolved, and Natalee Holloway was declared legally dead on January 12, 2012, at the request of her father. However, after 18 years, Van der Sloot confessed to her murder, claiming to have kicked and hit her on the head with a large stone. He then allegedly disposed of her body in the nearby ocean.

International attention

Natalee Holloway’s case is one of the most famous disappearances in the world. The case garnered media attention from many U.S. and Dutch television networks.

It was so big that even the famous late crime journalist, Peter R. de Vries, set up an undercover sting operation and recorded a taped confession from Van der Sloot.

In the recordings, he admitted — under the influence of marijuana — to a man he believed to be a drug dealer (actually a petty criminal hired by the TV program for this undercover stint) that Natalee died on the morning that she disappeared.

Natalee Holloway would have turned 33 today. She was born #OTD 1986. https://t.co/vQAd07ZLBn pic.twitter.com/fHJAL64SDf

— Jeremy Gray (@jgray78) October 21, 2019

He claimed that Natalee had a seizure and that he tried to revive her but was unsuccessful. Then, he called a friend to help dispose of her body in the ocean.

However, Van der Sloot later argued that he lied in the confessions in order to impress the man he believed to be a drug dealer. While the recordings were damning, they could not be used to get an arrest warrant for him or anyone else who could have been involved. 

Furthermore, despite the evidence and retracted confessions, van der Sloot was never charged with Natalee’s disappearance.

The murder of Stephany Flores Ramírez 

Stephany Flores Ramírez was the daughter of a highly influential businessman and former presidential candidate, Ricardo Flores, in Peru. She was a 21-year-old business administration student at the University of Peru.

On May 30, 2010, exactly five years to the day after Natalee’s disappearance, Stephany attended a poker tournament in Lima at the Atlanta City Casino. When she failed to return home, her family reported her missing to the police. 

Meanwhile, hotel security footage showed Van der Sloot and Flores Ramírez entering a hotel room booked under his name. 

Later, van der Sloot was seen leaving the room — but Flores Ramírez never emerged. He even told hotel staff “not to bother the girl in the room.” 

But when the hotel staff opened the door to the room, they discovered the young woman’s lifeless body. Her cause of death was ruled to be blunt force trauma to the head, and police found a tennis racquet believed to be the murder weapon.

Motive

Peruvian authorities determined that Stephany Flores Ramírez was murdered because she had been looking at Van der Sloot’s laptop and asking questions about Natalee Holloway’s disappearance. Apparently, he grew enraged and killed the woman.

After the murder, Van der Sloot fled to Chile but was caught by police and was extradited back to Peru for questioning. A week later, he confessed to murdering Stephany but later tried to retract his confession. 

RIP to Stephany Tatiana Flores Ramírez, the Peruvian woman he confessed to murdering on the ANNIVERSARY of Natalee’s disappearance all because she Googled him on his laptop and saw what he did to Natalee Holloway

His best friend got on Nancy Grace and said both women deserved it https://t.co/hgzy4JOf9X

— Gabrielle A. Perry, MPH (@GeauxGabrielle) October 19, 2023

Two weeks later, justice finally came for Joran van der Sloot when a Peruvian judge ruled his confession valid and sentenced him to 28 years in prison for her murder.

He is now rotting away in a Peruvian prison cell, where he has received a lot of media attention over the years. He also married a Peruvian woman who was working and selling goods in the prison and had a child with her. 

Van der Sloot left behind a trail of pain and devastation for two innocent families who still are still from their losses. Natalee Holloway and Stephany Flores Ramírez were both young, bright women who had their futures taken away from them — and they will never be forgotten.

Have you heard about Joran van der Sloot’s crimes before? Tell us your thoughts in the comments below!

Feature Image: Aruba Police Force/Wikimedia Commons/Public Domain/Modified.

Editor’s note: This article was originally published in November 2022, and was originally updated in June 2023 for your reading pleasure.