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ACCESS Guides

BankingThis guide focuses on banks in the Netherlands with an Expat Desk: The types of accounts offered are: current accounts (lopende rekening) savings accounts (spaarrekening) foreign currency accounts (vreemde valuta rekening). Other services that banks may offer include: debit and credit cards internet (internetbankieren) telephone banking (telefonisch bankieren) investments(beleggingen) private banking (banking for those who have at least €1m available to invest) insurance (verzekering) loans (leningen) mortgages (hypotheken) fixed term deposits (lange termijn deposito’s) life assurance (levensverzekering) ... View the guide
Childcare and PlaygroupsThe Netherlands has no formal educational provision for children under the age of four, the age at which they can begin primary school. Outside the formal education system there are, however, childcare facilities for younger children. Childcare facilities, in the form of out-of-school care, are also available for children of school age. Childcare policy was transferred from the Ministry of Social Affairs and Employment (het Ministerie van Sociale Zaken en Werkgelegenheid to the Ministry of Education, Culture and Science (het Ministerie van Onderwijs Cultuur en Wetenschap — OCW). IN this guide you will find useful information on the Dutch regulations about childcare, the different kind of cares (including baby-sitting, au pair, nannies, crèches...) and some useful links and addresses.View the guide
Cycling in the NetherlandsIn the Netherlands everyone bicycles: Adults, children, teenagers, the elderly, students, and professionals. Bicycling is popular because there is a continuous network of cycle paths that are maintained, which makes cycling a convenient and easy way to get around town. But before joining the Dutch on the bike paths there are some practical things that you should know which this booklet will help you with. In particular this guide offers advice on traffic law, carrying children by bicycle, what to do in the event of theft, carrying bicycles by public transport and other related subjects.View the guide
Food from HomeIf you are feeling a bit homesick or simply craving food that you used to eat back home during a certain time of year, then this booklet will help you find what your taste buds are missing in the Netherlands. You may be surprised to see how much international food is available once you know where to look for it. The guide shows where to find it on the high street and on-line as well as information on recommendations.View the guide
Having a baby in the NetherlandsThis ACCESS Guide has been developed for the International Community to help answer some of the questions that arise when having a baby in the Netherlands. We hope that the information provided will assist you in making the best decisions for you and your child. Many Dutch terms are used throughout this booklet, usually with the English equivalent beside them. Also, you can look up the Dutch word in the vocabulary section at the back of the booklet.View the guide
Health care in the NetherlandsEvery country has a different way of providing health care for its residents. The purpose of this information booklet is to help you understand the Dutch health care system. It provides information on the Dutch national health insurance, doctors, dentistry, hospitals, mental health service, pharmacists, maternity, how to make a complaint and useful websites to consult.View the guide
Housing in the NetherlandsThe Netherlands is very densely populated. There are more than 16 million inhabitants and this figure is expected to grow to 17 - 18 million people in 2030. In 2010, there were more than seven million homes in the Netherlands. The guide offers advice on renting versus buying a property, valuation of property, choosing an agent and information to many useful resources. View the guide
Inheritance and willsWhether we like it or not, there comes a time when we all have to deal with the laws of inheritance which determine how a person’s property is distributed on death. Under Dutch law everyone is allowed to make a will stating to whom he or she wants to leave their property. However, in the Netherlands certain people are entitled by law to a statutory share. It is important for you to know which law will apply to your estate, because each country has its own rules of inheritance. The rules of private international law decide which country’s law applies. So if a Dutchman dies in the Netherlands, the Dutch Civil Code rules. If foreign nationals, living in the Netherlands, die here, then private international law applies. Like the law of inheritance, private international law also differs from country to country. View the guide
International Primary and Secondary EducationDutch law strictly enforces compulsory education for all children aged 4 to 18 residing in the Netherlands, regardless of their nationality. Expatriate parents are faced with educational choices for their children upon moving abroad. International schools can be a good choice for the children of foreign parents who are staying temporarily in the Netherlands. The guide offers information on international and Dutch education, international schools in the Netherlands and Dutch education abroad.View the guide
Learning the Dutch languageWhether your stay in the Netherlands is temporary or long term, learning Dutch is important. Being able to communicate in the native language opens doors to the labour market and speeds up social integration. Whether you want to shop easily, read ads and actually understand them, ask for directions or help someone else, a basic knowledge of Dutch is essential. Moreover, for some non-EU citizens, a basic knowledge of Dutch has recently become a prerequisite for obtaining a visa and authorisation to stay in the Netherlands. Language schools abound in the Netherlands, offering everything from basic survival Dutch to courses that prepare you for proficiency exams. To provide you with an overview of what is available, we have gathered the information necessary to get you started learning Dutch.View the guide
Leaving the NetherlandsThis document is designed to provide foreign residents who are about to leave the Netherlands with the general information they will need to help them to do this effectively. There are a lot of different aspects to consider and procedures to follow. It is strongly recommended that you begin the relocation process well in advance of your planned departure date. In this information booklet, we give an overview of things that will need to be arranged. At the end, we provide a checklist for further help.View the guide
Marriage, Cohabitation, Registered Partnership and ending a RelationshipThis ACCESS Guide provides information about marriage, registered partnership, cohabitation, same-sex marriage and ending a relationship in the Netherlands. Couples of the same gender, or different genders, that want to formalize their relationship have three options: - Civil marriage - Registered partnership - Cohabitation agreement For each option, there are different conditions, rules, rights and obligations.View the guide
Obtaining a Driving Licence in the NetherlandsIf you find that you are confused by the Dutch laws for obtaining a driving licence, you are not alone. The system can even be confusing to those who administer it. Included in this ACCESS Guide is information obtained from the website of the RDW (Rijksdienst voor het Wegverkeer), www.rdw.nl/eng. The guide provides information on the law, driving lessons, rules for special situations and where to find out more.View the guide
Post OfficeThe Dutch Post Office is a unique facility dealing with a variety of matters one does not usually expect from a Post Office. It is efficient and fast. The Post Office is owned by a company called Postkantoren BV(www.postkantoor.nl, website is only in Dutch). It offers mainly products and services from TNT Post (the Dutch postal company). In this guide, you will find useful information about the postal product services such as stamps, packages, mail boxes, unwanted mail, fast delivery of mails...View the guide
Public transport in the NetherlandsThe Netherlands offers a good public transport system that any newcomer will appreciate. This guide provides an overview of the Dutch public transport system so that you can get around the country easily. It provides information on how to buy tickets, the different modes of transport, transport facilities for disabled travellers and a summary of helplines and useful websites. It is important to know that the OV-Chip Card is the new form of payment for travel on all forms of public transport in the Netherlands, including trains, buses, trams, and metro – and soon will be the only form of payment accepted throughout the country. This guide also includes information on strippenkaarten, but these tickets will soon be obsolete.View the guide
Social Security in the NetherlandsThe Netherlands has a comprehensive social security system which is subject to continuous change. In this ACCESS Guide we will give an overview of the current Dutch social security system, relevant for newcomers and for the international community living in the Netherlands. Most of the information is available in Dutch only because the social security system is meant for long term residents. It is assumed that you will be able to read and write Dutch.View the guide
Starting your own BusinessIndependent enterprise is the backbone of the Dutch economy. There are thousands of small and medium-sized firms, the so-called “MKB-ers” (Midden en Klein bedrijf). In the European Union and in international organizations, such as the World Bank, the United Nations and the WTO they are called Small and Medium Enterprises (also SMEs, small and medium businesses, SMBs) The abbreviation SME occurs commonly. The Netherlands recognises the contribution these entrepreneurs make to the economy and actively encourages them. The majority of new businesses are found in the Randstad area (Amsterdam, The Hague, Rotterdam). The Royal Association MKB-Nederland (MKB-Nederland) is the largest employers’ organisation and tries to introduce new policies to a better socio-economic climate. The Ministry of Economic Affairs (Ministerie van Economische Zaken) initiated action in 1996 to help small and medium-sized businesses enter the export market.It is a positive environment for smaller businesses. However, there are regulations which have to be complied with and are outlined this ACCESS guide. At the same time, you should be aware that while meeting the relevant regulations when establishing your business, the government also assists new businesses with finance, tax relief, subsidies and sometimes loans.View the guide
Studying in the NetherlandsIt is more common these days, to continue your higher education abroad. If you have completed your secondary schooling in an international school, within or outside the Netherlands, this ACCESS Guide will help you find information about the Dutch vocational and higher education system, together with a brief description. It also provides information on housing, jobs, scholarships and grants and related student finance.View the guide
Telephone, Internet and TelevisionTelephoning your family, watching television, sending emails and other messages, reading the news on the internet. Whatever your needs may be, the Netherlands has many opportunities to offer you high quality telecommunications. This overview is a brief summary of the options available to you in the Netherlands. Telecommunications are a constantly growing and changing and therefore this guide can only be a snapshot view at the date of publication. View the guide
Working in the NetherlandsThis guide gives an overview of Dutch employment law, information on how to find a job as well as general information on CVs, cover letters, interviews and much more...View the guide

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