Author: Bert van Essen

Student Housing in the Netherlands

The Netherlands is a fantastic place to study as an international student, in so many ways. One of it’s few downfalls, is that there is a shortage of student housing. On this page, we offer a little advice on how to make sure you have a roof over your head, during your time at Dutch University. It is best not to expect to live in luxury during your time as a student in NL, but try not to be put off by this! What you may lack in terms floor space will be more than made up for in terms of thriving student life and Dutch culture!

The Student Housing Shortage in NL

In Holland, most student towns have one problem in common: a shortage of student housing!

  • It is hard enough for Dutch students to find a good place to live in the Netherlands
  • Unfortunately, as a foreign student, this means that it may well be even harder for you
  • It is unlikely that you will be coming to the Netherlands with a ready-built network, from which you can receive help
  • What’s more, short-term accommodation is tougher to come by in NL. Since you may well not be staying in the Netherlands for long, this could put you at more of a disadvantage

How to Find Student Accommodation in NL

Here is our advice:

  • Your education institution may have arranged housing for you. This will usually be the case if you are participating in an exchange program, or you are enrolled in an international course
  • If you do have pre-arranged housing, we recommend that you accept it immediately! It can be tempting to try and find something for yourself. However, this will be a challenge, and the room you are offered could be give to someone else if you wait too long to accept it
  • If your University has not arranged housing for you, they will probably still be able to offer some help
  • Many higher education institutions in NL have special departments for foreign students. These departments are equipped to help students find a suitable place to live
  • Visit your University’s website, to see whether they have a section on housing for international students
  • If they have no such section, contact your institution directly 

Tip

Dutch Housing Websites

If you are undertaking the search yourself, you will probably have to navigate some housing websites, which will be written in Dutch. Try not to be too put off by this:

  • The sites are quite simple to navigate once you get the hang of them
  • In Dutch, ‘housing’ translates as ‘huisvesting‘
  • ‘Huur‘ means ‘rent’
  • ‘Kamers‘  means ‘rooms’. Anything that includes this word is usually related to housing
  • Find a list of housing websites at the bottom of this page

What is Student Housing like in NL?

Once you have found a place to live, what can you expect from it?

  • In Holland, students usually have their own room
  • A student house will typically have a shared shower, toilet, kitchen and living room
  • Students tend to live with other students. So, your roommates will probably be in the same boat as you
  • It is common for men and women to live together in a shared house in Holland
  • If you would rather live with people of the same sex, let your University know as soon as possible
  • Due to the shortage of good accommodation in NL, you may find the room you are offered a bit small and dingy
  • We’re afraid that there is not usually a lot you can do about this
  • Most institutions will simply be glad to offer you shelter!
  • Remember that what really makes student life great is the course, the friends and the city. Once you are happy with these areas, you will forget that your room is not too luxurious!

Useful links

Find a room in Holland through:

For further information on accommodation in the Netherlands, take a look at our pages:

If you plan to stay in your hosing outside of term-time, there are so many productive ways to use your time. Finding an internship, a work placement, a temporary job, or just an activity you love is a great way to gain career experience and to integrate deeper into life in NL. The following organisations can help you with this:

Financial Matters for Students

All students need to keep on top of their financial matters. Tuition fees, accommodation, living expenses and student life all require funding. Throw in another currency and another culture, and you have quite a task on your hands! Luckily there are many forms of financial aid available to you, as an international student in NL. Which type of loan you are eligible for will depend on your personal situation. On this page we will discuss all the various forms of financial support on offer to expat students. Read on to learn about which ones apply to you, and how you can arrange them, in order to make the most of your time studying in Holland!

Tuition Fees in NL

How much you will have to pay to study at a government-funded higher ed institution in NL, as an international student, will depend on where you are from:

  • Expat students from the EU, the EEA, Switzerland and Surinam should expect to pay anything upwards of €2,006 per year
  • Thats is, for 2017/2018. Prices could rise in the future
  • Unfortunately, students of all other nationalities generally have to pay higher fees
  • The average tuition fee for a bachelor’s program is between € 6,000 and € 17,000
  • For a master’s program it is between € 9,400 and € 20,000
  • Tuition for theology studies, however, is lower

Affordable Education

This might seem expensive. However, tuition fees in the Netherlands are generally considered to be very reasonable:

  • Compared to many other countries, international higher education fees in NL are relatively low
  • The level of education in Holland is also of an excellent standard
  • Plenty of grants are available
  • EU, EEA and Swiss students can still apply for ‘studiefinanciering‘. This is the a study loan from the Dutch government, which we will explain in more detail in the paragraphs below

Student Finance in NL

In Dutch, student finance is referred to as ‘studiefinanciering‘. Unfortunately, it will not automatically be available to all international students who come to the Netherlands. We will cover what makes you eligible for this loan a little later on, so keep reading!  

If you do meet the requirements to receive studiefinanciering, we advise you to accept it! It is a huge asset when it comes to financial matters for students in NL. The Dutch student finance system works as follows:

  • Students no longer receive a grant from the government, with which they pay for their studies
  • Instead, students can take out a maximum loan of € 1042
  • This loan includes a tuition fee loan
  • It is up to students themselves to decide how large a loan they would like
  • There are no longer any limits to the amount of money a student is permitted to earn whilst he or she is receiving studiefinanciering
  • If their parents are of limited financial means, students can apply for an additional grant of € 391 a month

Once the Studying is Over

  • This grant will be converted into a gift, if the student achieves his or her diploma within ten years
  • Students in the Netherlands have 15 years to pay off their student loan
  • Those who commence their studies in the academic year of 2018-2019 will have 35 years to pay off their loan 
  • If you entered a Dutch university as a student of applied sciences between 2015 and 2019 or between 2018 and 2019, you will be issued a € 2000-voucher for further studies. That is, on the condition that you obtain your diploma
  • It is important to note that the old student finance system will continue to apply to students following secondary vocational education, or ‘MBO‘

The Student Travel Card in NL

  • If you are eligible to receive a Dutch student finance loan, you will automatically be eligible for a ‘Studenten OV-chipkaart‘
  • This is a discount student travel card, which can be used on all forms of Dutch public transport
  • With your card, you can travel for free either during the weekend or on weekdays
  • You must choose which part of the week you would like to claim your free travel on, for yourself
  • You will still be able to travel at a reduced rate during the other days of the week
  • Using a student discount on public transport is also subject to whether or not you complete your studies within ten years
  • If you fail to meet this condition, you will have to make a retroactive monthly payment for having possessed your card
  • You can own and use a Studenten OV-chipkaart for a maximum of five years
  • You can still have a student travel pass, if you do not take out a Dutch student finance loan

Are you Eligible for Dutch Student Finance?

In order to receive Dutch student finance, you must possess ‘demonstrable’ ties with the Netherlands. Below we have outlined the requirements that constitute ‘demonstrable ties’. 

Student Finance for Non-Dutch Nationals

You can apply for Dutch student finance if you are a non-Dutch national, who legally resides in the Netherlands. You will be eligible for ‘studiefinanciering’ if you are either:

  • Enrolled in full-time higher education, or:
  • Enrolled in a dual course that will last at least one year

Eligibility for EU, EEA or Swiss Nationals

If you are an EU,EEA or Swiss national, you must meet the following requirements in order to qualify for Dutch student finance:

  • You must have lived in the Netherlands for five consecutive years
  • During this time, you must only have lived outside of the Netherlands for a maximum of six months
  • If you, or if your non-Dutch parent or partner, have lived away from Holland for a significant period of time contact DUO
  • DUO stands for ‘Dienst Uitvoering Onderwijs‘
  • It is the Dutch Ministry of Education. There could be some additional conditions to which you must adhere

Residence Permits for Non-Dutch Nationals

As well as meeting one of the above conditions, non-Dutch Nationals must hold one of the following residence permits:

  • Type I (temporary) residence permit. This permit must have been issued to you on particular grounds
  • Type II (permanent) residence permit
  • Type III (temporary) residence permit
  • Residence permit type V. This is an EU residence permit for long-term residents
  • Asylum seekers must have a type IV (permanent) residence permit

The DUO strongly advises non-Dutch EU students to do the following:

  • If they have not been living in the Netherlands for five consecutive years or more, contact one of the DUO support Offices
  • They can provide you with further information regarding Dutch student finance

If, according to the requirements above, you are not eligible to receive Dutch student finance, fear not! There are plenty of other forms of assistance available to you. Read on to learn about them.

Side Note

In order to receive student finance in the Netherlands, you must arrange to have a ‘DigiD’. This is your Dutch Digital Identity

Tuition Fees Loan in NL

If You Do not Qualify for Student Finance 

EU, EEA and Swiss nationals who do not qualify for full studiefinanciering, can still apply for a tuition fee loan. This loan can be repaid once they have completed their studies.

How large a loan a student can receive, depends on the type of institution they are attending. If you are:

1. Legally receiving tuition fees, that are being put towards a higher education from a government-funded Dutch University:

  • You can receive a total annual amount of € 2,060
  • That is, for the academic year of 2018-19

2. If your loan money is being used to pay tuition fees to a non-government-funded institute of higher education in NL:

  • You can apply for a loan for whatever the sum of the fees for your institution comes to
  • This means that you can receive up to a maximum of five times the ‘legal’ tuition fee quantity, charged by a government-funded education institution

Nationality and Eligibility

To qualify for a tuition fee loan, you must be between the ages of 18 and 30, and come from one of the countries listed below:

  • Austria
  • Belgium
  • Bulgaria
  • Croatia
  • Cyprus
  • The Czech Republic
  • Denmark
  • Estonia
  • Finland
  • France
  • Germany
  • Great Britain
  • Greece
  • Hungary
  • Iceland
  • Ireland
  • Italy
  • Latvia
  • Liechtenstein
  • Lithuania
  • Luxembourg
  • Malta
  • Norway
  • Poland
  • Portugal
  • Rumania
  • Slovakia
  • Slovenia
  • Spain
  • Sweden
  • Switzerland

Accepted Types of Institution

In addition, you must be enrolled as a full-time student in an accredited course at one of the following institutions:

Further Requirements

You must also have:

Lifelong Learning Credit in NL

If you qualify for neither studiefinanciering nor a tuition fees loan, you can apply for something called ‘lifelong learning credit‘. You can receive this loan, upon the following conditions:

  • You are a full-time, dual or part-time student at a university of applied sciences, or a research university, in the Netherlands
  • You are a full-time student in an MBO learning program
  • Your study program is officially recognized in the Netherlands
  • You are an EU, an EEA or a Swiss National
  • You have a residence permit. Said permit bust be of type II, III, IV or V
  • If you have a type I permit, refer to the DUO, to see whether you qualify for lifelong learning credit
  • You are older than 30 and younger than 55

Side Note

Under certain conditions, you can apply for lifelong learning credit if you are under the age of 30. To qualify, you must:

  • Already have a bachelor’s or a master’s degree
  • Be following a second full-time, or part-time, study at a university of applied sciences
  • Not be in receipt of full reimbursement for your tuition fees. This means that neither an employer, nor a parent, can be helping you to fund your higher eductaion
  • If, however, another party is only partially reimbursing you for your study fees, you can request credit for the remaining amount

Grants in the Netherlands

Scholarships for EU Students

EU students have many of their financial matters taken care of for them, if they come to the Netherlands to study as part of an exchange program. For example, the following affairs will be organized on their behalf:

Scholarships for Non-EU Students

If you are coming to the Netherlands from outside of the EU, we recommend that you take a look into which grants or scholarships are available to you. They could really help cover the costs of your higher education in NL.

If there are scholarships available for international students, they tend to be for students:

  • In a particular field of study
  • From a particular country or region

As well as looking for scholarships online, we recommend that you contact your University and ask what is available. Some institutions have special grant programs for international students.

Refugee and Asylum Seeking Students in NL

Approach the ‘Stichting UAF Steunpunt‘ if you are about to begin your higher education in NL, and you have refugee status, or you are seeking asylum in Holland.

The Stichting UAF Steunpunt is the foundation for refugee students in the Netherlands:

  • They will be able to tell you whether there is a grant available to you
  • There is a small British flag in the top, right-hand corner of their website
  • Click on this flag to access an English-language leaflet. It lists the conditions you must meet, in order to receive financial assistance during your studies in NL

Banking as a Student in NL

All international students will need to open a Dutch bank account, in order to manage their financial matters. Most Dutch banks will be very accommodating:

  • Many banks respect and understand that because foreign students have come to gain a good quality higher education in a completely new and unfamiliar country all by themselves, they need financial advice and support
  • Therefore, you should find the staff friendly and flexible
  • If you ask about their loans, they will endeavour to advise you, and find one that suits you personally
  • They will be open to working out an arrangement that will help you cover your fees
  • They should only expect you to pay back your loan once you have completed your studies and found a job
  • In Dutch cities that have large international student populations, banks should be especially helpful
  • Staff will be happy to answer any questions related to financial matters you may have
  • They will, however, certainly ask to see your student registration
  • You will probably need to provide a guarantor too

Special Banking Programs for Students in NL

The following Dutch banks have special programs for students. We recommend that you contact one of them to set up your banking, whilst you are studying in the Netherlands:

These student banking programs will include features such as:

  • Special interest rates
  • A maximum loan
  • The use of a credit card
  • Special repayment programs
  • Health insurance, for those who cannot take out a health insurance in the Netherlands
  • Other insurances

Student Insurance in NL

If you are a student, under 30 years of age, who has come to NL solely for the purpose of studying, you will be exempt from the general requirement to take out Dutch public health care insurance. In order to be immune to this requirement you cannot hold a part-time job, or a paid internship, during your studies. In addition, you are obligated to make alternative arrangements:

Insurance for European Students

If you are from an EU-country:

Insurance for Non-European Students

If you are from a non-EU country, this financial matter requires further attention. Here’s what we suggest:

  • You can take out a private insurance policy in Holland
  • There are private packages on the market, created specially for international students
  • Visit AON for more information
  • This company has packages that include liability insurance, household content insurance and legal advice
  • We advise you to read up on the different kinds of Dutch insurance that exist in NL. This way, you will know which forms on insurance you are, and are not, obligated to have
  • If you are covered by a public health care insurance plan in your home country, check whether it will cover you during your studies abroad too

Student Jobs in NL

There is nothing to prevent you from taking on a paid job alongside your studies in the Netherlands. In fact, it is a great way to gain work experience and to give your finances a boost! However, there are a few things to bear in mind:

  • You will only be allowed to work in Holland if you have a residence permit and a ‘burgerservicenummer’. This is a Dutch Citizen Service Number
  • Depending on your nationality, you can only work for a limited number of hours per week in NL
  • Your employer must also apply for a work permit on your behalf 
  • Make sure that you check which regulations apply to you before you apply for, or accept, a job. Your University should be able to help you with this

Types of Student Job in NL

What kind of work can you do as a student in NL?

The Perks of Work

  • The process of asking your boss to apply for your work permit should be relatively uncomplicated, if you are from the EU. So do not be put off by having to do this
  • EU, EEA and Swiss nationals are free to work as many hours as they like in the Netherlands, alongside their studies
  • Do not forget that you will have to take out Dutch healthcare insurance if you take on a job. You risk receiving a hefty fine if you fail to do this
  • There is no limit to how much you are allowed to earn, whilst you are receiving the ‘studiefinanciering’ loan. We will discuss this in more detail further on

A Career in Holland After Graduation

Are you considering forging a career in the Netherlands, after graduating from your Dutch institution?

Most expatriates have three years to request a Dutch residence permit, following the conclusion of their studies. They must dedicate one of these three years to finding work as a highly skilled migrant in the Netherlands. This rule applies to the following graduates:

  • Foreign students who have obtained a bachelor’s or a master’s degree in the Netherlands
  • Students that have obtained a master’s degree, or a Ph.D., at a qualifying university abroad
  • Scientific researchers
  • Post-doctoral students

Said expats can also use this time to start up an ‘innovative company’, or to work without a work permit. Until they find work, however, they will not be eligible for benefits in NL. This makes it unlikely that they will be able to cover the basic costs of living in Holland.

Useful links

  • Educaide: Advise on all forms of higher education in Holland
  • Study in NL: Everything you need to know about higher education in NL
  • Career Professor: The network that bridges the gap between graduates and employers
  • Millian: find masters programs and business courses in NL

Information Centers & Business Clubs

Information centers and business clubs can be a huge asset to expats living in the Netherlands. Starting work in a new country is a big challenge! If you have come to Holland to pursue your career, you may well have very minimal resources. You are likely to have few contacts, limited knowledge about the Dutch employment market and perhaps even less about Dutch culture. Luckily there are numerous sources of help and support on offer to you in NL. The information centers listed below can provide you with priceless, practical advice on doing business here. Be sure to take a look at the international clubs we have mentioned too. Being part of a group of like minded people is an invaluable means of learning, networking and amassing colleagues. You can be supported further by the Dutch chambers of commerce, as well as those of your national  country, in the Netherlands. Find details about these at the bottom of this page.

International Information Desks in NL

IN Amsterdam
WTC Amsterdam, I-tower first Floor
Strawinskylaan 1767, 1077 XW Amsterdam
Tel: 020 254 79 99
www.iamsterdam.com/en/in-amsterdam

Amsterdam Airport Area
P.O. Box 75700, 1118 ZT Schiphol Airport
Tel.: 020 405 47 77
www.aaarea.nl

The Hague Business Agency
Prinses Margrietplantsoen 25, 2595 AM The Hague
Tel.: 070 311 55 55
www.businessagency.thehague.com

The Hague International Centre
The Hague City Hall, Atrium
Spui 70, 2511 BT The Hague
Tel.: 070 353 50 43
Open Monday to Friday from 9.00 to 17.00 hours.
www.thehague.com

Rotterdam Info Expatdesk
Korte Hoogstraat 31, 3011 GK Rotterdam
Tel.: 010 790 01 40
https://rotterdamexpatcentre.nl

Expat Center Leiden
Stationsweg 41, 2312 AT Leiden
Tel.: 071 516 60 05
www.expatcentreleiden.nl

Leiden Bio Science Park
Poortgebouw Noord
Rijnsburgerweg 10, 2333 AA Leiden
Tel.: 071 524 75 53
www.leidenbiosciencepark.nl

Province of Utrecht – Foreign Investment Office
P.O. Box 80300, 3508 TH Utrecht
Tel.: 030 258 23 96
www.investinutrecht.com

Expat Center Utrecht
Utrecht City Hall
Stadsplateau 1, 3521 AZ Utrecht
Tel.: 030 286 58 20
www.utrecht.nl/english/expatcenter

BOM Foreign Investments
Goirleseweg 15, 5026 PB Tilburg
Tel.: 088 831 11 20
www.foreigninvestments.eu

Brainport Development
Emmasingel 11, 5611 AZ Eindhoven
Tel.: 040 751 24 24
www.brainport.nl

High Tech Campus Eindhoven
www.hightechcampus.com

Ontwikkelings Maatschappij Oost Nederland NV
Meander 601, 8625 ME Arnhem
Tel.: 026 384 42 22
Hengelosestraat 585, 7521 AG Enschede
Tel.: 053 851 68 51

Limburgse Ontwikkelings Maatschappij (LIOF)
Boschstraat 766211 AX Maastricht
Tel.: 043 328 02 80
www.liof.com

Invest in Holland
Prinses Beatrixlaan 2, 2595 AL The Hague
Tel.: 088 602 80 60
https://investinholland.com

International Business Clubs in NL

THE AMSTERDAM AMERICAN BUSINESS CLUB
A professional networking organization for Dutch and American companies around Amsterdam
Keizersgracht 62-64, 1015 CS Amsterdam
Tel.: 020 520 75 34
www.aabc.nl

CLUB OF AMSTERDAM
An independent, international, future-­oriented think tank involved in channeling preferred futures
www.clubofamsterdam.com

COMMERCIAL ANGLO DUTCH SOCIETY
Provides an informal meeting point for Dutch and British professionals
http://cads-amsterdam.org

WTC The Hague International ­Business Club
Prinses Margrietplantsoen 33, 2595 AM The Hague
Tel.: 070 304 36 65
www.wtcthehague.com

CONNECTING WOMEN (THE HAGUE)
A network of professional internationally aware women.
Juliana van Stolberglaan 154, 2595 CL The Hague.
www.connectingwomen.nl

WOMEN’S BUSINESS INITIATIVE INTERNATIONAL
A community of entrepeneurial women.
Laan Copus van Cattenburch 86, 2585 GE The Hague
Tel.: 070 358 85 57
www.womensbusinessinitiative.net

WOMEN’S INTERNATIONAL NETWORK (WIN)
The international networking association for professional women in the Netherlands
www.winconference.net

Chambers of Commerce in NL

DUTCH CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE: www.kvk.nl

KAMER VAN KOOPHANDEL AMSTERDAM
Amsterdam Chamber of Commerce
De Ruyterkade 5, 1013 AA Amsterdam
Tel.: 020 531 40 00
Team International Trade Information
Tel.: 020 531 44 39
www.kvk.nl

KAMER VAN KOOPHANDEL ROTTERDAM
Rotterdam Chamber of Commerce
Blaak 40, 3000 AL Rotterdam
Tel.: 010 402 77 77
www.rotterdam.kvk.nl
International Business Department
Blaak 40, 3000 AL Rotterdam
Tel.: 010 402 78 90
www.kvk.nl

KAMER VAN KOOPHANDEL DEN HAAG
The Hague Chamber of Commerce
Koninginnegracht 13, 2514 AA The Hague
Tel.: 088 585 15 85
www.kvk.nl

KAMER VAN KOOPHANDEL UTRECHT
Utrecht Chamber of Commerce
Kroonstraat 50, 3511 RC Utrecht
Tel.: 030 236 32 11
www.kvk.nl

INT. CHAMBER OF COMMERCE (ICC)
www.iccwbo.org

AMERICAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
Scheveningseweg 58, 2517 KW The Hague
Tel.: 070 365 98 08
www.amcham.nl

BELGISCH-LUXEMBURGSE KAMER VAN KOOPHANDEL
Groenmarkt 17, 3311 BD Dordrecht
Tel.: 078 635 19 90
www.nkvk.be

ITALIAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
De Ruyterkade 5, 1013 AA Amsterdam
Tel.: 020 751 33 63
www.italianchamber.nl

JAPANESE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
World Trade Center 8-9, Strawinskylaan 935, 1077 XX Amsterdam
Tel.: 020 662 14 57
www.jcc-holland.nl

NETHERLANDS BRITISH CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
Nieuwezijds Voorburgwal 328, 1012 RW Amsterdam
Tel.: 020 421 70 40
www.nbcc.co.uk

Fun Things to Do for Kids in NL

Almost every municipality in the Netherlands will have a few ‘fun things’ for kids to do. This can come as a blessing to some parents, since most Dutch schools do not have extra curricular programs for their pupils. Luckily, your child will not have to twiddle his or her thumbs during the school holidays. This page contains tons of fun ideas and resources for keeping your offspring occupied and engaged, outside of the classroom.

Find out what’s on Offer

The best way to seek out fun kids activities is to:

  • Just ask around. Fellow parents and colleagues are bound to have recommendations
  • Check your local online ‘gemeentegids‘
  • Give your municipality a call, and ask about your options

Fun Opportunities

Here are just a few examples of what you might find:

  • Carpentry
  • Painting
  • Music
  • Dancing
  • Art
  • Cooking
  • You name it!

Playing in your Dutch Neighborhood

If your kids are getting bored and restless, why not simply take them out to play in your local neighborhood? The Netherlands is generally a very safe country, and this is still a common and popular practice.

Dutch Sports Organizations

The Netherlands is a very sporting nation. Encouraging your kids to join one of the many sports organizations can be a great way for them to get regular exercise, meet friends and experience being part of a tight team. The most popular organizations are:

Alternative Sports

If these do not interest your kids, there are many less main stream options for them to try, such as:

  • Judo
  • Basketball
  • Baseball
  • Soccer
  • Dancing
  • Horseback-riding
  • Cycling (of course)
  • And many more!

CAMPS IN THE NETHERLANDS

Scouting clubs, for both girls ad boys, are very popular in the Netherlands. Here’s how they work:

  • The scouts get together almost every Saturday afternoon
  • Fun and educational activities will have been arranged for them to participate in
  • Occasionally, the groups will go camping for an entire weekend
  • Week-long summer camps are often organized during summer vacations too

Other Camps in NL

If you do not have a scouting camp nearby, there may be another kind of out-of-school camp for you kids to get involved with, such as:

  • Horseback-riding camp
  • Sailing camp
  • International schools sometimes arrange camp-like activities for their pupils during the summer months. Even if your kids attend a Dutch school, you can ask whether they could come along
  • Some municipalities arrange a ‘day-camp‘ during summer vacations. These typically consist of a full program of activities for the children. Drop-off time is usually early in the morning and pick-up time is late in the afternoon
  • Once again, we recommend that you check your gemeentegids or ask someone at the municipal offices about what’s on offer in your locality

Activities for kids in NL

Dutch Petting Farms

Petting farms are a very popular form of entertainment for little kids in the Netherlands

  • Farms can be found in almost every town and city in Holland
  • They usually have: goats, sheep, rabbits, guinea pigs, chickens, ducks, pigs, a pony, some cats and the occasional donkey
  • Not only do kids tend to love it, but they often get educated about about the animals while they are there
  • Are you looking for a pet rabbit? The petting farm is a good place to buy one from. They often have a few extra bunnies hopping around
  • If you do not happen to have an actual petting farm in your municipality, you may well be able to find something called a ‘hertenkamp’
  • These an enclosed areas where herds of deer graze peacefully. They are very gentle animals, and kids are often allowed to feed them

Other Children’s Activities

If your little ones are not animal lovers, there are plenty of other things to do with them:

  • Playgrounds can often be found in Dutch towns and cities. At the very least they tend to have: swings, slides, seesaws, sand boxes. Most zoos in the Netherlands also have great children’s playgrounds. You can find more on zoos a little later on this page
  • Traveling circuses are another quintessential part of Dutch summer time
  • Fairs can be another fun place to take your offspring. They are called ‘kermis‘ in Dutch. Their arrival is announced well in advance, so you can set aside time for a fun day out with the kids
  • Rainy days: they are fairly frequent in the Netherlands! Luckily, there are plenty of covered playgrounds. Some examples are: Ballorig, Playcity, or Kidzcity. At these playgrounds, your kids can play on: humongous slides, intricate rope-climbing structures, merry-go-rounds, trains, you name it
  • In some bigger Dutch cities you will find activity centers. Here, children learn to build tree houses, floats and other complicated contraptions

AMUSEMENT PARKS AND MUSEUMS IN NL

The Netherlands is home to some fantastic amusement parks and museums. Here is a comprehensive list:

Amusement Parks in NL

De Efteling
A huge park offering several days’ worth of entertainment. It is a fantasyland, full of fairytale woods, wild rides on rollercoasters, castles, fairytale figures and more.
Europalaan 1, Kaatsheuvel (near Tilburg)
www.efteling.com

Corpus
Take your kids on a ‘journey through the human body’! On their way, they will see, feel and hear how the human body works. They will also find out about the importance of a healthy diet, a healthy lifestyle and regular exercise. Corpus offers education and entertainment, as well as a vast number of permanent and temporary exhibitions.
Willem Einthovenstraat 1, Oegstgeest
www.corpusexperience.nl

Safari Park Beekse Bergen
A place where you can take a drive or a walk amongst more than 100 wild animals. Your trip could take more than a day!
Beekse Bergen 1, Hilvarenbeek (near Tilburg)
www.safaripark.nl

Duinrell
A fantastic water festival, with attractions, a ski valley, a wild pool and lots of entertainment.
Duinrell 1, Wassenaar
www.duinrell.com

Pony Park Slagharen
A place where you can experience life in the Wild West! You will find an amusement park, a shopping street, ‘Wigwam World’, Colorado City and much more.
Zwarte Dijk 37, Slagharen
www.slagharen.com

Planetarium Franeker
Where, more than 200 years ago, Eise Eisinga made a scale model of the solar system in his living room. It has a mechanism that keeps planets and pointers in motion, and still works to this day.
Eise Eisingastraat 3, Franeker
www.planetarium-friesland.nl

Walibi World
A huge outdoor swimming and water paradise in the Netherlands. This world has more than 50 attractions and shows, providing entertainment and adventure.
Spijkweg 30, Biddinghuizen
www.walibi.nl

Madurodam
A miniature version of the Netherlands, including Schiphol airport, the Delta works, the center of Amsterdam and more.
George Maduroplein 1, The Hague
www.madurodam.nl

 

Museums in NL

NEMO Science Museum
A scientifically oriented play / educational center. NEMO offers kids a trip of discovery, through fantasy and reality.
Oosterdok 2, Amsterdam
www.nemosciencemuseum.nl

Children’s Museum at The Tropical Institute
This is called the ‘Koninklijk Instituut voor de Tropen‘ in Dutch. Contemporary, non-Western cultures are brought to life for children between the ages of 6 and 12 at this museum. It can also be booked for children’s parties.
Linnaeusstraat 2, Amsterdam
www.kit.nl

Louwman Museum
The national automobile museum of the Netherlands. The Louwman is great for anyone who is car crazy! You will learn about the history of automobiles, from the first horseless carriages to motorized, steam and electric vehicles.
Leidsestraatweg 57, The Hague
www.louwmanmuseum.nl

Open Air Museums in NL

Open air museums are called ‘Openluchtmuseum’ in Dutch. The Netherlands is host to a lot of these establishments. Here are a few of the most popular:

1. Nederlands Openluchtmuseum
Daily life in the Netherlands between 1600 and 1970
Schelmseweg 89, Arnhem
www.openluchtmuseum.nl

2. Orientalis
A glimpse of the world 2,000 years ago in the Middle East. This museum focuses on Judaism, Christianity and Islam.
Profetenlaan 2, Heilig Landstichting
www.museumparkorientalis.nl

3. Zuiderzeemuseum
Life in a fishing village around 1900.
Wierdijk 12-22, Enkhuizen
www.zuiderzeemuseum.nl

ZOOS IN THE NETHERLANDS

Animals are always a big hit with kids! Luckily, the Netherlands is full of zoos. As we mentioned earlier, Dutch zoos have extensive playgrounds. So your kids can blow off some steam in-between the big cats and the reptiles. Usually, there will also be indoor facilities for rainy days, and child-friendly cafeterias.

Amersfoort Zoo

  • This large zoo near Amersfoort has provided its animals with increasingly spacious and comfortable habitats over the last two decades
  • This puts it on a par with all the other large zoos in the Netherlands
  • It is encircled by a ‘Savannah’, from where you can watch the animals as they graze and drink peacefully
  • A Japanese Garden and a lot of daytime activities are also part of the package

DierenPark Amersfoort, Barchman Wuytierslaan 224, Amersfoort
www.dierenparkamersfoort.nl

Apenheul

  • Apenhaul is home to 30 species of apes, monkeys and prosimians – some of whom are allowed to roam free!
  • Their group areas are extensive and imaginative, providing them with familiar surroundings and all manner of activities to keep them occupied
  • Monkeys and apes are not, however, the only animals you will meet at Apenheul
  • Macaws, pudus, anteaters, gundis, tortoises, and many other creatures live there too
  • Please note that Apenheul closes for the winter

Apenheul, J.C. Wilslaan 21, Apeldoorn
www.apenheul.nl

Artis Zoo

  • Artis was founded more than 175 years ago
  • Its winding paths, majestic trees and monumental historical buildings still give it a special, 19th-century atmosphere
  • There are more than 8,000 animals in the zoo
  • Artis also houses a Geological Museum, a very sophisticated Planetarium, a magnificent and recently renovated Aquarium, and a ‘Micropia’: the only microbe-museum in the world!

Artis, Plantage Kerklaan 38, Amsterdam
www.artis.nl

Avifauna

  • Avifauna is one of the largest bird parks in the world
  • The birds come from all over the world, from the tropics to the cold Northern Hemisphere
  • Over 450 species of birds are kept in beautiful settings, which are expertly and lovingly taken care of
  • Avifauna is not only a bird ‘zoo’. It is also actively involved in the breeding programs and bird protection activities for endangered species
  • Children can be educated on nature protection programs too

Vogelpark Hotel Rederij Avifauna, Hoorn 65, Alphen aan den Rijn
www.avifauna.nl

Rotterdam Zoo

  • Walk from continent to continent, meeting fascinating animals that feel perfectly at home in their surroundings, that emulate their natural habitat
  • There are plenty of covered facilities, in case of rain
  • These include Taman Indah and Oceanium
  • Oceanium contains: sharks, king penguins, sea lions and and jellyfish
  • You can also visit Gorilla Island, travel up Crocodile River and visit the African Vulture Rock.

Rotterdam Zoo / Blijdorp, Blijdorplaan 8, Rotterdam
www.rotterdamzoo.nl

Burgers’ Zoo

  • Come to a modern, but genuine jungle in the Netherlands!
  • This zoo, located near Arnhem, covers more than 45 hectares and houses more than 3,000 animals
  • It has a spectacular tropical rain forest, a living desert and a large animal population
  • Bighorns, red lynxes, and many more creatures can be admired in their natural surroundings
  • A large number of hoofed animals and birds live with the lions in the ‘Safari Park’
  • There is a wonderful indoor water world too

Burgers’ Zoo, Antoon van Hooffplein 1, Arnhem
www.burgerszoo.nl

Dolfinarium Harderwijk

  • At Dolfinarium, you can visit the Lagoon. Here, dolphins, fish, seals and sea lions all live together
  • The Lagoon is a 15 million-liter closed saltwater ecosystem
  • Aqua Bella, the dolphin show, should not be missed either
  • The modern rescue and research center for sick or injured dolphins is worth a visit too, as are the walrus and seal shows
  • Weather permitting, you can sunbathe, swim or ride in a paddle boat near the Park Beach
  • Dolfinarium’s program is continually changing. So, before your visit, be sure to check the website to see what’s going on

Dolfinarium Harderwijk, the World of the Sea, Strandboulevard Oost 1, Harderwijk
www.dolfinarium.nl

Wildlands Emmen

  • This park’s habitats represent the continents of the world
  • Animals reside in the part of the world that they originally came from
  • The zoo has a very spacious feel about it and all the animals enjoy a great amount of freedom in their enclosures
  • You can spend hours enjoying the Jungola jungle, the Serenga Savannah, or the cold rocks of Nortica

Noorder Dierenpark Emmen, Hoofdstraat 18, Emmen
www.wildlands.nl

Naturalis
At Naruralis, nature is exhibited in all its colors and diversity. The museum is a combination of natural history and high-tech multi-media in a modern, artistic and technologically advanced setting, representing but a selection of two centuries’ worth of collecting animal and plant specimens, fossils, stones and minerals. Exhibition rooms have seven permanent displays (including a walk through the Ice Age, with dinosaurs), while Naturalis hosts many fascinating temporary displays as well. There is also a Nature Information Center where amateur researchers can search through a wide range of books, magazines, slides, photographs, videotapes, computer files and reference collections.
Naturalis, Darwinweg 2, Leiden.
Museum entrance: Pesthuislaan 7, Leiden
www.naturalis.nl

Ouwehands Dierenpark
This is a wonderful family zoo, close to Arnhem, but off the beaten track. It was established more than 75 years ago and has retained that early-20th century cozy feel. It has a huge bear habitat with rescued circus bears, and a gorgeous polar bear pool, where kids can press their noses up against the glass and be inches away from these huge white animals, a seal show, and much more. Extra-special is its huge, indoor, all-wood-mulch-and-sand playground for children (RavotAapia), with rope-bridges, sand games, waterplay, huts, caves and slides – at no extra charge. Even if the weather doesn’t clear up all day, making it impossible to see the animals, you can still spend a full day in this indoor children’s habitat and have the children begging you to go back soon!
Ouwehands Dierenpark, Grebbeweg 111, Rhenen
www.ouwehand.nl

International Clubs in NL

Are you struggling to find a circle of like minded friends, now that you have moved to the Netherlands? Try connecting with fellow expats at one of Holland’s many international clubs! Of course, it is so important to befriend your Dutch neighbors and colleagues. However, this takes time when you do not speak the same language, and they might not be able to relate to your experience as a Netherlands newbie. Meeting others, who know exactly what it’s like to be an outsider in a new country, can really help you to settle in. Below is a detailed list of the international social clubs you could become a part of in Holland.

ENGLISH-LANGUAGE GROUPS AND CLUBS

ACCESS
American Women’s Club Amsterdam
American Women’s Club The Hague
Andrew’s Society of the Netherlands
British Club The Hague
British Society of Amsterdam
CADS (Commercial Anglo Dutch Society)
Canadian International Club Amsterdam
Club of Amsterdam
Connect International, Groningen
Connecting Women, The Hague
International Almere
The International Rotaract Club in ­Amsterdam
International Women’s Contact The Hague
International Women’s Contact Amsterdam
International Women’s Contact Breda
International Women’s Contact South ­Limburg
International Women’s Contact Utrecht/Amersfoort
The Irish Club-Netherlands
Newcomer’s Club
Petroleum Wives Club, The Hague
South African Club
Toastmasters in the Netherlands
The Hague Online Social Club

FRENCH-SPEAKING CLUBS

Accueil des Francophones de La Haye
Alliance Française
Institute Français
Union des Français à l’Étranger

GERMAN-SPEAKING CLUBS

Deutscher Klub in den Niederlanden
Deutsch-Niederländischer Verein

SPANISH-SPEAKING CLUB

Asociación Hispánica De La Haya

Places Undiscovered by the Masses in NL

Do you fancy an interesting outing, but can’t stand the idea of being jostled by a crowd of tourists? Take a look through this list of places undiscovered by the masses in the Netherlands. Whether you are after education, entertainment, or natural beauty there will be something for you on this page. The following attractions have been recommended by the Dutch themselves, and they know the lay of their land! By visiting these sights, you can see and enjoy the riches of the Netherlands, without the queues and the flashing cameras.

TEYLER’S MUSEUM IN HAARLEM
Aside from being the very first museum in the Netherlands, Teyler’s Museum was the third museum to be made in Europe! It followed in the footsteps of the Oxford Ashmolean and the British Museum. It was once a living theater in which colleagues discussed the inventions of the times. They would listen to speakers and chew over the discoveries of science and art. Experiments and demonstrations would take place in the laboratory as well. Today, we can peer into the past through the museum’s collection of:

  • Microscopes and telescopes
  • Newtonian measuring equipment
  • Fossils, rocks and gems
  • Paintings
  • Drawings
  • Etchings and sketches

Teyler’s also has an amazing library, containing Important Documents. These include: the Diderot Encyclopedia (the first in Europe), James Cook’s travel journals, Darwin’s scribbles and the works of other world-renown scientists and explorers.
Spaarne 16, Haarlem
www.teylersmuseum.nl

BIESBOSCH NATIONAL PARK
Situated near Dordrecht, this park is made up of 7,000 hectares of winding gullies, deep creeks and fields of rushes. It was created in 1421 when the St. Elizabeth flood washed away 16 villages and turned a prosperous agricultural region into a freshwater tidal area. Today, visitors can explore the park on foot or by boat, and observe a unique range of plants, animals and birds.
www.np-debiesbosch.nl

THE SINGER MUSEUM
Laren lies near Hilversum in the province of North Holland. It became fashionable with painters in the 1870s, notably those of the Impressionist Hague School. The Singers were an American couple who moved to Laren in 1901. They collected the paintings of visiting artists, and this delightful museum is based on their collection. It is situated in the residential area of a very chic town, which is also home to some upscale local shops.
Oude Drift 1, Laren
www.singerlaren.nl

FRANEKER PLANETARIUM
In 1774, Eise Eisinga, an amateur scientist, built a planetarium in his living room in order to calm the villagers’ fears about the end of the world. Despite his limited knowledge about the conjunction of the planets, the planetarium is a masterpiece of engineering. It still functions perfectly after some-200 years. This makes it the oldest planetarium in the world.
Eise Eisingastraat 3, Franeker (Friesland)
www.planetarium-friesland.nl

RECREATIONAL AREA SPAARNWOUDE
In 1969 the government, five municipalities and the province of North Holland decided to keep the area between Amsterdam and Haarlem ‘green’. Thus, the recreational area named ‘Spaarnwoude’ was launched. It covers a total landmass of over 6,178 acres. Located just outside Haarlem, Spaarnwoude has become one of the most popular recreational areas in North Holland. It is a haven of peace and tranquility, offering its visitors the opportunity to hike, cycle and inline skate through areas of natural beauty. But that is not all! There are also parks, play areas, a golf course, a scaling wall, an educational farm, canoe courses, ‘adventureland’ and the opportunity to go skiing at ‘Snowplanet’.
www.spaarnwoudepark.nl

THORN
A popular subject for posters, advertising the province of Limburg: Thorn is a Dutch village which remains relatively untouched by foreign visitors. It is a wonderfully picturesque town of cobbled streets, white-washed houses and farms that intrude right into the main street. This gives the village, which is located near Roermond, a calm and rural atmosphere. It’s local abbey was founded towards the end of the 10th century.
www.vvvmiddenlimburg.nl

PANORAMA MESDAG
Panorama Mesdag is a panoramic painting. It is more than 14 meters high, and 120 meters in circumference. It depicts a vista of sea, dunes and the village of Scheveningen. It was painted by one of the most famous painters of the Hague School: Hendrik Willem Mesdag. It is the oldest 19th-century panorama in the world in its original site, and a unique a cultural heritage.
Zeestraat 65, The Hague
www.panorama-mesdag.nl

BOSCHPLAAT NATURE RESERVE (ISLAND OF TERSCHELLING)
The reserve is situated on the marshy land of the southern shore of Terschelling, one of the five ‘Wadden’ islands. It is where thousands of waterfowl and migrating birds gather. Nearby you’ll also find lovely beaches of golden sand and clean water.
www.natuurlijkwandelen.nl/boschplaat

THE TROPEN MUSEUM
Not as crowded as Amsterdam’s other large museums, you can discover the culture of New Guinea at the Tropen Museum. You can travel through Africa and South-East Asia, or visit Latin America and the Caribbean, learning about art, culture and colonialism. Other features include an excellent restaurant, which serves unusual dishes from around the world, and a wealth of temporary exhibits. The adjacent Tropentheater presents a mind-boggling selection of cultural performances from around the globe too.
Linnaeusstraat 2, Amsterdam
www.tropenmuseum.nl

WATERLAND NEELTJE JANS (THE DELTA PROJECT)
Through a fascinating exhibition and tour, find out about Zeeland’s endless fight with the sea and the pragmatic response of the Dutch. They built a massive dam and flood barrier, that quite literally closed off the sea! From April-October you can visit a dolphin station and make a round-trip on the Oosterschelde. The Oosterschelde is a portion of the sea that once stretched into the province of Zeeland. Now, due to the dikes, it has become brackish water and a unique natural area. Don’t miss the hurricane simulator either!
Island of Neeltje Jans, Faelweg 5, Vrouwenpolder
www.neeltjejans.nl

NOORBEEK
Popular with Dutch hikers, this tiny village nestles in the side of a valley (yes, they do exist in the Netherlands) in Limburg, near Maastricht. It still retains its authentic atmosphere, with tractors chugging down the high street to deposit hay in the lofts above the farms.
www.noorbeek.nl

ZUIDERZEE MUSEUM
This living museum of 130 buildings sits on the banks of the IJsselmeer. It gives visitors a snapshot of what Dutch life looked like between 1880 and 1932. The original houses, school, church and shops have been transported from 39 locations in the IJsselmeer region.
Wierdijk 12-22, Enkhuizen
www.zuiderzeemuseum.nl

OPEN AIR MUSEUM (NEDERLANDS OPENLUCHT MUSEUM) – ARNHEM
This 44-acre park acts as a time capsule of Dutch provincial life. All the historical customs and traditions have been preserved here. The museum features a cross-section of real historic buildings and houses, literally transported from their original location. Windmills, fully furnished thatched-roof farmhouses and craft shops complete the melting pot.
Schelmseweg 89, Arnhem
www.openluchtmuseum.nl

FOAM FOTOGRAFIE MUSEUM – AMSTERDAM
FOAM aims to inform and inspire its audience, by presenting all facets of contemporary photography. It exhibits world-famous photographers alongside emerging artists, and displays both historical and contemporary work. The museum also hosts major exhibitions and discussion forums.
Keizersgracht 609, Amsterdam
www.foam.org

EYE FILM INSTITUTE NETHERLANDS
EYE Film Institute is completely dedicated to film and the moving image. Film is exhibited as art, entertainment, cultural heritage, and a conveyor of information. EYE offers exhibitions, programs, films for children, educational programs and activities for all ages.
IJPromenade, Amsterdam
www.eyefilm.nl

GRONINGER MUSEUM – GRONINGEN
This eclectic museum juts out into the canal, and defies description. It is home to a variety of exhibits, ranging from arts to crafts to fashion. If the drawbridge entrance happens to be raised for a passing boat, be sure to look at the ‘tongue-in-cheek’ tiles underneath… It is a zany place, through and through.
Museumeiland 1, Groningen
www.groningermuseum.nl

HUNEBEDDEN (DOLMENS)
One of the largest concentrations of Stone Age boulder formations exists in the idyllic province of Drenthe. It is located in the northeast of the Netherlands, where 54 dolmen configurations are scattered throughout the countryside. They are all believed to be the megalithic skeletons of burial tombs, used by farmers in this most ancient area of the Netherlands. One is a capstone, weighing an incredible 20,000 kilos. Amazingly, these structures are almost 2,000 years older than England’s famous Stonehenge, and 1,000 years older than the pyramids in Egypt.
Even more amazing, is how they were transported and lifted into place. To get the lowdown on theories, and to seethe largest hunebed, visit Borger. This is where the ‘Nationaal Hunebedden Informatiecentrum’, is located. In English, it is called the ‘National Dolmen Information Center‘.
Information center: Hunebedstraat 27, Borger (between Assen and Emmen)
www.hunebedcentrum.nl

Recommended reading
The Dutch And Their Delta – Living Below Sea Level
New Visions of the Netherlands
Zeeland

Top Ten Tourist Attractions in NL

Settling into your new Dutch town or village, and becoming ‘one of the locals’, takes time and effort. Do not forget to enjoy the amazing tourist attractions the Netherlands has to offer as well! There are lots of them, but we have put together a list of the top 10 must-sees on this page. A visit to any of these attractions makes for a fun day out with friends or family. What’s more, it is a great way to learn more about the culture and history of your new home.

1. VAN GOGH MUSEUM
Amsterdam’s top tourist attraction is devoted almost entirely to the work of one of the world’s most popular artists. Yep, it’s Vincent. The Van Gogh museum’s display spans from his early years in South Holland, through his Impressionist stage in Paris, to his final days in St. Rémy. This museum is the perfect size for those with a tight schedule.
Paulus Potterstraat 7, Amsterdam
www.vangoghmuseum.nl

2. ANNE FRANK HOUSE
Possibly the most deserving of all the Netherlands’ major tourist attractions, the Anne Frank House provides a fascinating insight into the Frank family’s life in hiding from 1942 until 1944, during the Nazi occupation. The museum also provides background on the awful plight of the 100,000 Dutch Jews who were killed in the Holocaust. It hosts a variety of other exhibitions too, focusing on issues of persecution and the repression of freedom of expression, both past and present. Please note that entrance tickets are bought online.
Prinsengracht 267, Amsterdam
www.annefrank.org

3. RIJKSMUSEUM AMSTERDAM
This is the largest museum in the Netherlands. It recently reopened its doors after a complete renovation and it houses an internationally renowned collection of paintings. They are from the 17th-century Dutch Republic: the ‘Golden Age’. Works include pieces by:

  • Rembrandt, the most famous of which is the ominous ‘Night Watch’
  • Johannes Vermeer
  • Frans Hals
  • Jan Steen

Plus there are exhibits of:

4. KEUKENHOF
From late March through the end of May, visitors come in droves to see the display of over 7,000,000 flowers in the famous Keukenhof Gardens. The 70-acre gardens offer a breathtaking and immaculate display of tulips, hyacinths, daffodils and amaryllis. They are planted and tended to by the Netherlands’ leading flower growers. This spectacle is not to be missed.
Open: Mar. 24 – May 16, 2017
Stationsweg 166a, Lisse
www.keukenhof.nl

5. DELFT
Famous for its distinctive blue and white porcelain, Delft continues to charm visitors and shoppers alike. Once home to the Dutch artist Vermeer, it has an abundance of beautifully preserved 17th-century buildings. These include the imposing Town Hall and the Old Church. Visitors also enjoy the town’s picturesque tree-lined canals and plethora of porcelain shops.
www.delft.nl

6. THE KRÖLLER-MÜLLER MUSEUM
This museum is located in the wooded parkland of De Hoge Veluwe National Park. You can either drive or cycle a couple of kilometres through it, to reach the Kroller. It is also possible to borrow a white bicycle at the park gates, free of charge. The collection of art at this museum is ranked as the third most important in the Netherlands. It houses almost 90 paintings and over 180 drawings, in including works by:

  • Van Gogh (roughly 50 of which are on display at any given time)
  • Seurat
  • Monet
  • Picasso

The sculpture Garden is fabulous as well, and worth a trip in itself.
Houtkampweg 6, Otterlo
www.kmm.nl

7. DELFSHAVEN
Delfshaven is the place from which the Pilgrim Fathers departed for the New World in 1620. The tiny harbor has been preserved to look much as it did in centuries past, with the addition of some trendy waterfront restaurants. Across the road, at the ‘Spido Landing Stage’, you can buy a boat tour. These tours offer visitors a unique insight into modern life at one of the world’s busiest seaports.
Delfshaven/Spido Cruises: www.spido.nl
www.rotterdamhistorischdelfshaven.nl

8. MADURODAM
‘All of the Netherlands in a day’ is the best way to describe this miniature scale-model town. Visitors can see all of the Netherlands’ major cities and landmarks up close and personal, but on a tiny scale. There are lots of mechanized exhibits, including busy motorways and sailing ships, to enjoy as well!
George Maduroplein 1, The Hague
www.madurodam.nl

9. KINDERDIJK
A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Kinderdijk is located by the Lek River, southeast of Rotterdam. It consists of 19 windmills standing along a beautiful, broad canal. Take a cruise down the waterway to better observe this archetypal Dutch scene. Or, if you are visiting during July and August, try to make your trip on a Saturday when the mills are put into action.
www.kinderdijk.nl

10. THE ARCHEON
This archaeological theme park lies in Alphen aan de Rijn, South Holland. It is world-renowned amongst history ‘buffs’. The Archeon is made up of reconstructions of villages from three major time periods: Prehistory, the Roman Period, and the Middle Ages. It is a ‘live’ museum, where people in period dress live and work. This makes it a pleasantly participatory way to see and learn about history!
Archeonlaan 1, Alphen a/d Rijn
www.archeon.nl

Recommended reading
Beautiful Holland
Here’s Holland
The Netherlands – The Rough Guide
Over Holland
Holland From The Top
Atlas of Amsterdam
The Dutch and their Delta

The Dutch Climate

A lot of people use the following word to describe the Dutch climate: boring! Over the course of a year, the Netherlands will see a few gloriously fresh winter weeks and balmy summer days… but not very many. For the most part, Dutch weather is mild, damp and windy. This can be difficult to get used to for expats who have moved here from more extreme climes. On this page we will go over a few key features of the Dutch climate. You can learn how the Dutch have taken measures to control their wet weather, and how you yourself can learn to love the Netherlands’ grey days.

The Maritime Climate in NL

Thanks to its location, right on the North Sea, the Netherlands has a temperate maritime climate:

  • This means that residents of the Netherlands experience relatively mild winters and summers
  • Rain falls all year round in Holland!
  • Many Dutch people believe that this also means it rains a lot here, but statistics say differently
  • Some sort of precipitation, such as rain, snow or hail, is only happening approximately 7% of the time in NL
  • Yearly, this means that there is around 700–800 mm, which translates as 100 minutes of precipitation a day
  • So, in reality it just feels as if it is always raining in Holland, because barely a day goes by when the meteorologists can guarantee that it won’t rain

Surviving the Winter Blues in NL

This damp weather might sound very depressing to expats who are accustomed to a lot of sunshine. Here are some steps you can take, to deal with the Dutch Climate:

  1. Try to accept the Dutch climate as it is, especially in the winter. Constantly wishing for better weather will only get you down. You cannot will the skies to brighten!
  2. If you can’t stand the idea of a summer without guaranteed sun, maybe this is the ideal time to take a holiday and get your fix of Vitamin D
  3. Get ‘gezelligheid’ in the winter. There is no exact English translation of this Dutch word. The closest is ‘cozy’. The Christmas season means lights, candles, warm jumpers and hot chocolate! Embrace this, and let it brighten your spirits
  4. What about January, February and March, when the festivities are over? This is when the winter blues can really set in. If you are not off skiing, this is a good time to light up that sitting room fire and settle down with a good book. Try to think of it as a time for hibernating before the Spring
  5. Endeavor to see the cold weather as an opportunity to get together with friends. Eat some good hearty Dutch meals and enjoy talking, in the warm, on the dark chilly nights
  6. Spend a lot of time by the window, and enjoy the famous Dutch light
  7. One thing you can thank the Dutch climate for is a great appreciation for good weather when it does come about! Bathe in that sun, when it finally shows its face

Measures Against Flooding in NL

The Dutch climate does more than just make its residents feel blue. Along with the Netherlands’ location and low flat land, it poses a real risk of flooding.

The Dutch Delta Works

The most famous measures against flooding in the Netherlands are the Dutch Delta Works: 

  • They are considered to be a direct response to ‘The Storm of 1953’
  • Plans for their construction had, however, been on the table for a while
  • They were created to protect the provinces of Zeeland, Zuid-Holland and Noord-Brabant
  • Construction started towards the end of the 1960s and was completed in 1986
  • Approximately 2.5 billion euros was spent on the project
  • They are supposed to reduce the chances of a flood recurring, to just once in every 4,000 years
  • The American Society of Civil Engineers have declared these works one of the seven wonders of the modern world

The Dutch Dikes

The Netherlands is as famous for its dikes as it is for it’s climate. Their relocation is another, large-scale measure against flooding in Holland:

  • It is intended to broaden the Waal River, which lies North of Nijmegen city center, and the Hollandse Ijsselkering
  • It is also designed to protect the lowest part of the Netherlands, which is located 6.76 m below NAP
  • On average, water levels cause the two, 480-ton, valves to be lowered into the river three times a year

Side Note
Here’s a little list of Dutch climate stats:

  • Average daytime temperature in winter: 2 – 6 ºC
  • Average daytime temperature in summer: 17 – 20 ºC
  • The winter of 2015–2016 was the warmest in 300 years in the Netherlands, with an average temperature of 9.9 ºC
  • Since 1901, dreams of a White Christmas have come true 29 times in Holland
  • Since 1910, there have been 61 storms with winds between 90 and 122 km/h
  • Between now and 2085, the sea level could rise anywhere between 25 and 85 cm
  • An unprecedented record was set on March 8, 2013, when it rained for a solid 24 hours
  • The Netherlands enjoys approximately 1,500 hours of sunshine a year

Recommended reading
The Dutch and Their Delta – Living Below Sea Level

Useful links
The National knowledge institute for weather, climate and seismology in the Netherlands

Weather forecast:

www.knmi.nl
www.weeronline.nl
www.weerplaza.nl

Rain forecast:

www.buienalarm.nl
www.buienradar.nl

The Dutch Economy

The Netherlands has one of the strongest economies in the world. For such a small country this is quite a feat. There are many factors that contribute to making the Dutch economy thrive. It has a wide variety of economic sectors that contribute to its strength and global reputation. They range from natural gas, to restaurants, to tulips.  You can read about them on this page. Plus, you can learn how this little country draws in so many skilled expats, like you!   

The strength of the Dutch Economy

The Dutch economy is small, but powerful:

  • The Netherlands is a country that exports one of the worlds largest volumes of goods. Globally, it is in the top 10 for this category
  • Holland also ranks in the world’s top twenty for GNP
  • This is very impressive given that, in terms of square kilometers, it is one of the smallest countries in the world! It only has a population of 17.9 million
  • Having said this, in terms of population density, it is on a par with countries like India and Japan

How does this little country manage to remain so dominant on the global economic stage?

Transportion Infrastructure in NL

The Netherlands has an advanced transportation infrastructure. This is part of the reason it is such a big economic player:

NL is the Gateway to Europe

The points listed above contribute to why the Netherlands is thought of, and often described as, ‘the gateway to Europe’. There are other reasons too:

  • Traditionally, other countries are eager to invest in the Netherlands
  • The huge investments that have been made in the Dutch economy and Dutch companies, over several years, are evidence of this
  • This willingness to invest is largely due to the country’s stable and flexible work environment
  • The ‘Poldermodel’ has a lot to do with this
  • Holland’s central geographic location and its well-educated multilingual work force have helped as well

The Dutch ‘Randstad’

The Randstad is the area of the Netherlands that stretches over Amsterdam, The Hague, Rotterdam and Utrecht. This is how it contributes to the strength of the Dutch economy:

  • After Paris, London and Milan, the Randstad is the largest economic urban area in the EU, in terms of gross domestic product
  • This is largely due to the strong financial and commercial services it has
  • Such services happen to be some of the key motors of Dutch economy

Why Expats are Drawn to NL

Individuals who travel through the Netherlands are often enticed to relocate and find a job there. Perhaps this happened to you!

  • They are impressed and inspired by the opportunities the country offers its workers
  • This became more common after the frontiers within the European Union opened
  • The Dutch government has also introduced a number of tax measures, aimed at making the Netherlands more attractive for non-Dutch nationals to come and work here
  • The government recognizes the value of having top-notch specialists in the country, who can contribute to the knowledge pool and economy of the Netherlands
  • Employers and employees now have to navigate their way through far less bureaucratic red tape than they used to, in order to obtain the necessary papers to come here

Side Note

Flaws in the Dutch Economy

  • The economy of the Netherlands is relatively resilient
  • Still, Holland is a country of trade
  • This means that the health of its economy is dependent on the that of the rest of the world
  • If there is a drop in the world economy, the Netherlands will not be affected too quickly. However, it will not bounce back particularly fast either
  • This is due to the relatively high costs of labor in Holland. A lot of the country’s capital goes into wages and pension premiums

Key Sectors in the Dutch Economy

Machinery and transportation equipment are some of the most important trade commodities for the Netherlands. They are closely followed by chemical and mineral products. Here is a list of other dominant sectors of the Dutch economy:

  1. Services: This is the Netherlands’ most dominant sector. It accounts for approximately two thirds of both the country’s GNP and its work force
  2. Mineral extraction: The production of natural gas is an especially large sector in Holland
  3. The restaurant sector
  4. Trade
  5. Repair services
  6. Healthcare and related services 
  7. Agriculture and food: this sector generates approximately 10% of the country’s GNP. 75% of agricultural produce is exported from the Netherlands
  8. Chemicals: The Dutch economy benefits greatly from the fact that the world’s largest chemical companies are based in Holland
  9. High-tech goods: The Netherlands is one of Europe’s largest supplier. They are aimed at both the industrial and the consumer market

Oil and Gas in NL

  • As we mentioned earlier, the Netherlands is Europe’s second largest producer of natural gas. It has large reserves in the north of the country
  • Rotterdam imports and refines huge amounts of crude oil too
  • The oil is shipped to the rest of Western Europe
  • Thanks to these offshore installations and refineries, the Netherlands has many activities in the oil and gas industries
  • It has strong research and development technology
  • A specialized construction industry is another thing the country is proud of

Side Note

Dutch Tulips

The Netherlands is, of course, famous for its tulips! But what is the relationship between these lovely flowers and the Dutch economy?

  • The Netherlands exports 4 billion flower bulbs a year, most of which are tulips
  • 60% of these go to Germany, the UK, France and Japan, though the U.S. is their top destination
  • 900 million bulbs make their way across the Atlantic per year!

Welfare in NL

  • The Netherlands a wealthy country
  • It has a high per capita GDP
  • Social security measures boost this

Dutch residents are, therefore, guaranteed a minimum income, health care and education

Side Note

Statistics & Facts about the Netherlands

  • The total land surface area of the Netherlands is 33,948 km2/21,218 m. This excludes all inland and territorial waters wider than 6 meters/20 feet. If all the water surface area is included, the Netherlands has an area of 41,526 km2/25,954 mi2
  • The Netherlands’ North Sea coastline is longer (642 km) than its border with either Belgium (407 km) or Germany (556 km)
  • About 60% of the population lives below sea level
  • The highest point in the Netherlands is the Vaalserberg in the province of Limburg. It is 321 meters/1,053 feet above sea level
  • The lowest point in the country is 6.76 meters/22.18 feet below sea level. It is in the Prince Alexander Polder, northeast of Rotterdam (Nieuwerkerk a/d IJssel)
  • Head of State: King Willem-Alexander
  • Type of state: constitutional monarchy
  • Seat of government: The Hague
  • Capital: Amsterdam
  • Population: 17.9 million
  • ‘Non-Western’ non-native Dutch: 2.1 million
  • ‘Western’ non-native Dutch: 1.66 million
  • Number of households: 8.3 million
  • Average life expectancy for men born now: 80 years, for women: 83 years
  • Population growth: 220,000
  • Labor force: 9,7 million
  • Unemployment: 364,000
  • Unfit for work: 798,800
  • No. of jobs: 10 million
  • No. of self-employed persons: 1.2 million
  • Budget surplus: 0.4%
  • Consumer confidence: -33%
  • Most important trade partner: Germany
  • Modal income: € 40,000 gross
  • Average price of a house: € 421,300

Useful links

The History of the Netherlands

Many elements of Dutch history remain present and palpable in modern-day Holland. The roots of the contemporary Dutch Royal Family go back to the 16th century. Contemporary Dutch values originate from Calvinist influences of the past. Even the Dutch political system stems from old ideals. Understanding the history of the Netherlands shines a light on the Dutch culture of today, and helps us to understand why NL is such an orderly country. We will take you through a very brief history of Holland on this page.

The Netherlands is made up of provinces. Many of them originate from Countships and Duchies that existed in the Middle Ages. Here’s the story:

King Philip II of Spain

  • King Philip II of Spain inherited all of these Countships and Duchies in the second half of the 16th century
  • To his dissatisfaction, however, he did not have total power over them
  • Both cities and rural districts had certain rights and privileges that the King could not overrule
  • Prominent local families recommended carefully selected Dutchmen, from their own localities, to regulate the provinces
  • Philip was obligated to appoint these individuals as governors
  • Philip II wished to take away the privileges of the Dutch localities
  • He was a modern ruler, who believed in having a kingdom that was ruled by a single, powerful and central authority
  • His philosophy was rooted in the ethical and ideological principles of the Roman Catholic Church

William of Orange

William of Orange

Philip’s beliefs were not popular with the Dutch people. This led to one of the major events in Dutch history:

  • In the Netherlands, there was much sympathy for Protestantism. The teachings of John Calvin were particularly popular
  • Philip II’s ideas were, therefore, not met with much enthusiasm
  • Protestant persecution became a central element in the royal politics
  • William of Orange was a stadtholder in several Dutch countships, including Holland. He is also, of course, the patriarch of the Dutch royal family of today
  • Orange strongly disagreed with the persecution of protestants, and with the idea of privileges being revoked in the Countships
  • He was a leading figure in the successful uprising against Spanish rule

The Republic of the Seven United Netherlands

The uprising against Philip II resulted in a new historical era for the Netherlands:

  • The Republic of the Seven United Netherlands was created
  • Under the republic, local autonomy was restored within the Countships 
  • The republic was a union of states, a little like the European Union
  • Independent states worked closely together, without ever having to relinquish their sovereignty
  • This system meant that no one state could ever muster enough power to hold a position of dominance over the entire republic
  • Accordingly, if one state ever tried to exercise control over another, or made too much of a show of wealth and power, it would only succeeded in creating enemies
  • To achieve a politically high-ranking position within the republic, a state had to gain esteem and influence; using power and force did not work
  • Stadtholders were, however, always recruited from the House of William of Orange
  • For a state to get anything done in the old Republic, it had to form a coalition with some fellow states
  • The state would also have to ensure that they did nothing to inadvertently offend their opponents

Modern Dutch History

The Netherlands is no longer a union of states. Instead, it is a democratic state whose unity is symbolized by the King. Willem-Alexander is the current reigning monarch of the Netherlands. He is a descendant of William of Orange’s older brother, Jan.

Calvinism in NL

The way in which the Netherlands was governed under the republic was strongly Calvinist in nature. Although the republic is long gone, and nowadays Dutch society is strongly secularized, Calvinist philosophies remain a great influence on the Netherlands today. Some key characteristics of Calvinism are:

  • Respect for others
  • Having a modest lifestyle
  • Being always willing to listen
  • Having the capacity to restrain oneself

Contemporary Calvinism in NL

Here is how Calvinism can be seen in contemporary Dutch society:

  • The Dutch maintain a strong Protestant work ethic
  • They practice moderation in all aspects of life
  • Decisions are typically reached by a consensus
  • Individualism is also resisted, in some ways
  • The Netherlands is a country in which ostentatiousness and boastfulness are akin to sinfulness
  • Equally, orderliness and cleanliness are next to godliness
  • Showing off your wealth is vulgar
  • Secretiveness is looked upon with suspicion. This is part of the reason why Dutch curtains are kept open after dark
  • It demonstrates a lack of ostentatiousness, it proves to onlookers that your home is orderly and that you have no secrets to hide

The 'Poldermodel' in NL

What is the Poldermodel?

  • A piece of land that is completely surrounded by a dike is called a ‘polder’ in Dutch. The dike is intended to protect the land against high waters
  • You can find them in all shapes and sizes in the Netherlands
  • The largest is the ‘Flevoland‘. It is so big that it has actually become the Netherlands’ youngest province. It is 48,000 hectares in size
  • Managing such a large polder requires close and expert cooperation between its users.  A dike is only as strong as its weakest point, so the smallest mistake can result in disaster!
  • The organization that has to go into managing the dikes has bled into other elements of Dutch culture
  • The Dutch believe in making detailed agreements, to which everyone must strictly adhere
  • They maintain that everyone is responsible for ‘their part of the dike’
  • In 1997, the British invented a new word to describe this all-encompassing Dutch behavior and philosophy: the ‘poldermodel’

In which areas of Dutch culture is the poldermodel most evident?

Criticism of the Poldermodel in NL

Throughout the recent history of the Netherlands, the poldermodel has not always been popular. In the early years of the 21st century, the Dutch themselves started to have doubts about it:

  • A man called Pim Fortuyn, suddenly appeared in the political arena, and became very popular
  • He was shot and killed on May 6, 2002, before he his political career had truly got underway
  • Fortuyn and his followers believed that the poldermodel, with all its consulting and searching for consensus, only distracted people from the real problems in society
  • He alleged that it was preventing the Netherlands from making important decisions that were long overdue
  • The economic recession, the increase of unemployment and the reduction in income of the average Dutch citizen further ignited Fortuyn’s criticisms of the poldermodel
  • Cabinets which formed after his death were strongly influenced by his philosophy
  • However, overcoming the nature of the Dutch public, in favor of a new approach, has proven to be harder than initially anticipated
  • More than 10 years after these new ideas came about, the Dutch appear to have re-embraced the traditional poldermodel!

Recommended reading
The Low Sky – Understanding the Dutch by Han van der Horst

Logbook of the Low Countries by Wout van der Toorn