The Netherlands has a strong international tech community, especially in Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Utrecht and Eindhoven. Official information for people moving there is on Netherlands Worldwide and Government.nl.
When you arrive
- Municipal registration and BSN: if you stay more than four months you register with the municipality (gemeente) where you live and get a citizen service number (BSN), needed to work, open a bank account and see a doctor.
- Basic health insurance: mandatory for people who live or work in the country. You buy it from an insurer; there is a yearly deductible (eigen risico).
- DigiD: the digital ID for dealing with the government online.
Tax
- There is a tax regime for skilled workers recruited abroad (known as the 30% ruling) that exempts part of the salary for some years. Its conditions and percentages have been changing: check with the Belastingdienst and ask your employer whether they apply for it for you.
Housing and daily life
- Housing is very scarce in the main cities: temporary accommodation paid by the employer for the first months is a good point to negotiate.
- Bikes are everyday transport; English is widely spoken.