Tips for internationals
Celebrating Undutchables Silver Jubilee
Together Abroad01-02-2021 1:46 PM
It's a big week for Undutchables.They are turning 25! On February 5th they celebrate their 25th birthday and they would like to take this time to
thank you for your continuous support. You’re a part of our journey.
A company's history tells its story. For Undutchables, on their 25th anniversary, they want to invite you to relive Undutchables' history by sharing a few glimpses of the past 25 years. Curious about how it all began? Read about our story here.
Celebrate with us!
We would appreciate it if you'd celebrate this milestone with us by sharing our birthday page with your (online) network. Feel free to tag us on social media and toast
with us on the 5th of February. ...
Expat Dentist, Orthodontist & Dental care provider in Amsterdam
van Orsouw15-07-2020 10:35 AM
Are you an expat living in the Netherlands in search for professional dental care? Then we would like to welcome you to our DentalZorg clinics in Amsterdam Noord and Zaandam. We understand that, certainly in the beginning, it can be quite overwhelming to live in a new country and new city with different cultures and people. But don’t worry. We will make you feel at home from the moment you walk into one of our professional dental centers.
The Importance of dental care for expats
After long office hours and during the weekends there is nothing better than to explore the beautiful city of Amsterdam, Zaandam and other regions in North-Holland. However, during your long stay in the Netherlands it is also very important to look after your dental health. Here at DentalZorg we provide a wide range of dental services under one roof. Below you will find a large selection of our dental services.
Multilingual dental specialists
Our dental specialists are ready to provide you with the best dental treatments and services. Because of our multilingual team of...
How to Gain Dutch Citizenship
Together Abroad19-09-2016 12:56 PM
There are two ways possible to achieve Dutch citizenship as an expat, the option procedure and the naturalization procedure. The option procedure is the easiest out of the two and should be applied for first, if it seems you satisfy these requirements: lived in the Netherlands...
Tax Credits for Expats
Together abroad20-06-2016 10:40 AM
The life on an expat in the Netherlands is not always bakfiets and stroopwafels. Unfortunately, learning to navigate the Dutch tax system is a necessary requirement we all must face. Below are some tax credits you may be able to receive to offset those large upfront taxes.
All residents and employees of The Netherlands are entitled to a General Tax Credit (also known as algemeneheffingskorting). The amount varies for each individual less than 65 years of age depending on income, but becomes less when the salary reaches above € 19.822.
Rent Benefit may be available to some residents renting a property in the Netherlands and spending a large portion of their income on housing. Receiving this tax credit depends on your age, living situation, amongst a few other situations. Application for the rent benefit can be filled out on the Tax Administration website
If your child will be attending daycare while you are in the Netherlands, you may be eligible for the Childcare Benefit. This can only be received if you and your partner are both working or studying, with only a few exceptions otherwise.
Residents with Dutch health care insurance may be eligible for a Healthcare Benefit. Requirements depend...
What Is a Good Salary in The Netherlands Compared to Other EU States and Standards of Living?
Together Abroad10-06-2016 8:52 AM
What Is a Good Salary in The Netherlands Compared to Other EU States and Standards of Living?
The Netherlands has a unique wage structure that is applied in very few countries, where from the age of 15 until 23, minimum wage steadily increases with age (see below). The Dutch system also boasts the third highest minimum wage in the EU as of 1st January 2016, bettered only by Luxembourg, Ireland and the UK. Austria, Cyprus Finland, Denmark, Italy and Sweden do not have a statutory minimum wage, which has recently sparked a movement for EU-wide minimum wage regulations.
The average salary in The Netherlands varies with each field of work; higher skilled workers, experience and qualifications are all contributing factors to salary calculations, on top of the national economic circumstances. Bulgaria has the lowest average salary in the EU at €365 per month and Luxembourg has the highest with €3,149 per month. According to the Holland Alumni Network, the average annual salary in the Netherlands is approximately €27,000 (€2,250 per month), higher than the EU average at around €1,470 per month.
The average Dutch salary lies on the high end of the spectrum in comparison to the rest of the...
Starting a Business in The Netherlands – How Do You Employ
Together Abroad10-06-2016 8:38 AM
Starting a Business in The Netherlands – How Do You Employ
Starting your own business gives a strong feeling of freedom and independence concerning the decisions you make; however, it may also have risks. It requires a lot of thinking through and it takes a lot of time. Start-up businesses tend to have a disadvantage statistically. According to the Entrepreneur, 55% of start-up businesses “tend to no longer be operational by the 5th year”. It goes to show that creating a business is but the first step, while sustaining and keeping it functional is a different step to overcome.
Businesses are no longer predictable as more of them appear, and as the global business landscape changes over time. This means that before starting up a business, you should always keep in mind that change is a necessary thing. Being flexible will help your business grow and adapt to changes since “it means more and efficient resources from various places” (Tarcomnicu, Entrepreneur). In a country that is known for its rich history of trade and finance, The Netherlands is a perfect place to start a business for expats, with its large expat community and international institutions. Before starting up, you should know the...
The Parliament Wants a Review of the Expat’s Regulation
Together Abroad01-06-2016 10:48 AM
T
he Second Chamber suggested that the tax benefit for the expats in the Netherlands has to be reviewed, reported www.nu.nl. According to the legislation, expats with an annual salary just under EUR 37000 are not required to pay taxes on the first 30% of the gross salary. This should attract employees with specific knowledge that are needed in the Netherlands, and to improve the business climate, but it also cost the national budget EUR 700 million in 2014.
A majority of the Second Chamber agreed to this on Tuesday based on the motions put forward by the SP and GroenLinks parties.
The General Audit conducted research into this matter and concluded that it is unclear whether the measure has the desired effect.
"The compensation is intended to offset the additional costs incurred by employees from abroad because they reside in another country due to work. But it has never been studied how high the actual additional costs to these workers are," said the Court.
Arnold Merkies calls for a fixed amount as compensation instead of a percentage. In addition, he does not believe that European countries must steal employees from one another.
During a debate, the minister of Finance Jeroen...
A majority of the Second Chamber agreed to this on Tuesday based on the motions put forward by the SP and GroenLinks parties.
The General Audit conducted research into this matter and concluded that it is unclear whether the measure has the desired effect.
"The compensation is intended to offset the additional costs incurred by employees from abroad because they reside in another country due to work. But it has never been studied how high the actual additional costs to these workers are," said the Court.
Arnold Merkies calls for a fixed amount as compensation instead of a percentage. In addition, he does not believe that European countries must steal employees from one another.
During a debate, the minister of Finance Jeroen...
How to File Your Taxes in the Netherlands?
Together Abroad23-05-2016 10:06 AM
The “blue envelope” received by post, in the first year I came to live in the Netherlands was my first meeting with the Tax Administration. It is an invitation from the Tax authorities to declare your income and assets (shares, savings, and properties). If you did not receive this notification, you do not have to complete one unless you know that you have to, or want to file a tax return. Based on your Income Tax Declaration, the Dutch Tax and Customs Administration will decide whether or not you are entitled to a rebate (refund of excess paid in tax) or whether you have to pay extra, due to insufficient tax having been paid.
The Dutch tax revenue department, known as the Belastingdienst (Belasting = tax, dienst = service) collects income tax, and the tax rates can change every year
The fiscal year is the same as the calendar year. Each year, before the first of April, citizens have to report their income from the previous year. This period can be quite stressful for many people, and particularly for the expats in the first years, as they have to do their tax in a new language and in a new...
The Ins & Outs of the GVVA / Single Permit
12-05-2016 4:18 PM
The Single Permit is a combined residence permit and work permit that entitles foreign employees to stay and work in the Netherlands . An additional document states for which employer the foreign national is permitted to work and under which conditions. Applicants now need only apply to the IND. Either the employer or the foreign employee will have to apply for the permit, where it is more common for the employer to be the one applying.
The Single Permit applies to anyone outside the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Lichtenstein and Iceland. So any foreign national outside of these countries that is coming to work for a period of more than 3 months will need to apply for the permit at the IND, or the employer can do so. (A different permit is needed for those who come to the Netherlands with a visa and want to work for a period shorter than 3 months.)
The most important thing to know about the Single Permit is...
Visiting the Netherlands May Require a Visa
Samir Rawas Sarayji21-04-2016 9:43 PM
Of course, all EU/EAA citizens are exempt from visa requirements to visit the Netherlands. The other nationalities that are exempt can be found on the IND website (Immigration and Naturalisation Department) with this link: no Schengen visa necessary.
If you are not on any of these lists, then please read on.
Transit Visa Type A
For some nationalities, you need a transit visa if you make a stopover at the airport in the Netherlands (Type A visa). With this visa you may only change to another plane to a destination outside the Schengen area. You are not permitted to leave the airport.
The nationalities that require Type A visa in the Netherlands are: Afghanistan, Angola, Bangladesh, Democratic Republic of Congo, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Iran, Iraq, Nepal, Nigeria, Pakistan, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Syria, and South Sudan. (It is always important to check the IND...
For an expat moving to the Netherlands, getting the right direction is very important. It's important that one knows which steps and direction to take. Linda is an exceptionally talent counselor, her advice has helped me land a job within a week of coming to the Netherlands. I am grateful for her mentoring and look forward to a great working relationship in the future.
Dr. Hrishiraj S | Clinical Research & Affairs Manager
Together Abroad provided expert advice on personal branding including developing a top-notch, market-aware CV, highly tailored job applications, and approach strategies with potential employers in the Netherlands. Furthermore, I found them be highly knowledgeable in key related fields such as recruitment strategy, immigration law, contracts, labor agreements, and (un)employment benefits. I would recommend Together Abroad to anyone who needs professional help with transitioning to a new career.
A. Aboufirass | Structural Engeer
Linda is a big mind. She thinks about things that the rest normally overlook. The insight she has about the dutch job market can only be achieved through years of experience and persistence.
Her business savvy is complemented by her mastery of understanding the client's needs and requirements. For my career I could say, she was the “Mary Poppins”, who guided me through thick and thin and helped me to land a career in the Netherlands
S. Bhattacharjee | FP&A Manager
If you are going to enlist the services of a "Career Coach" look no further. The only person you want in your corner is Linda van Orsouw. As an expat, you absolutely want to work with a highly skilled and knowledgeable professional who knows their way around the Dutch career/employment/job market. Linda assisted me in writing and positioning my CV, helped me organize and prioritize my list of opportunities, coached me through mock interviews and was there when I got offered a senior position only 2 months later. When asked I will only refer to Linda and "Togetherabroad".
Mr. C. Joubert
Lead Workplace Strategy Consultant
Mr. C. Joubert
Lead Workplace Strategy Consultant