Learning at least some of the Dutch language is an invaluable tool for helping you to feel more at home in the Netherlands. However advanced or amateur your Dutch is right now, our articles below will show you how to improve it.

You need not have any concerns about day to day communication when you first enter the Netherlands, since the standard of English is extremely high here. However, it is handy for total beginners to store a few ‘essential Dutch expressions‘ up their sleeves before they arrive. If Dutch seems very alien to you, have a look at the list of English words and phrases derived from it; The languages have more in common than you might think!

If you are planning to live and work here for several years, then you may want to converse fluently with your colleagues in the Dutch language. This article will show you ‘how to learn Dutch‘ and help you decide which level to aim for. Veel plezier!

Recently Posted on XPat.nl

If you’re an expat living and looking for work in the Netherlands then there are some vital differences you should know about in regards to your job applications. In the Netherlands, as with most places in Europe, the norm is a CV rather than the resume which is commonly used in the United States amongst … Continue reading "The Difference Between a Resume and a CV"
Have you been in the Netherlands for a while and are you craving a change of scenery? No worries, because there’s lots of vibrant cities just a few hours away. In Germany and Belgium for example. Here, you can get a taste of the local food and different cultures without getting on a plane. In … Continue reading "Exploring across the Dutch border: visit these must-see cities!"
Buying a house in the Netherlands may work a bit differently to what you are used to. There are different rules and laws, different types of mortgage and financing, etc. Read the tips and be prepared for when you begin your search. Hiring an estate agent: good idea or not? Hiring estate agents costs money, … Continue reading "Be prepared for the Dutch housing market"
Living in the Netherlands as an expat is exciting, but also comes with challenges. There’s a lot of new things you need to figure out: learning the Dutch language, all the traffic rules (and riding a bike) and how the healthcare system works. If you have an older relative that is moving to the Netherlands … Continue reading "Home care in the Netherlands: how does it work?"
Rising mortgage interest rates can have a significant impact on homebuyers and homeowners. The average interest rate for a fixed-rate mortgage in the Netherlands is currently around 4%. As interest rates increase, the cost of borrowing money to purchase or refinance a home also increases. This can make it more difficult for potential homebuyers to … Continue reading "Mortgage Interest Rates in the Netherlands in 2024"
It is that time of year again; the new and annually-updated version of The Holland Handbook is here and ready to be enjoyed! Not only that, but this is the 24th edition! More than twenty years ago, a modest group of three people sat around a table to discuss the possibility of creating a handbook … Continue reading "The Holland Handbook 2024"