Find your Way guide 2023

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The art of the future ––- today

To Nxt Museum, ‘The future’ is one of the most fascinating concepts for the human mind. Located in a former studio space in Amsterdam North, the museum fuses art and technology to seek, show and question what is next. Here, you can delve into ambitious, large-scale new media art installations – many especially commissioned – born of interdisciplinary collaboration between artists, designers, technologists, sound builders and scientists. The space provides all the ingredients for progressive art forms to grow, ourish and evolve; it’s where creatives can bring their visions to life.

THE ONLY MUSEUM DEDICATED TO NEW MEDIA ART IN THE NETHERLANDS Opening its doors for the rst time in August 2020, the museum was built speci cally to house and present new media art, as Founder and Managing Director Merel van Helsdingen explains:

“Living in London, a hub for innovation and home to some of the world’s most forwardlooking art institutions, I was inspired to create a new space to champion the incredible art being produced today with groundbreaking tools. The Netherlands has a long tradition of leading developments in the

art world and Nxt Museum has been created in this spirit. Our multi-sensory exhibitions are designed to shift not only our visitors’ experience of art, but to inspire new understandings of the world around them and their place within it.”

Nxt Museum’s inaugural exhibition Shifting Proximities shone a light on the power of digital art to explore human experience and interaction in the face of social and technological change. The second, UFO - Unidenti ed Fluid Other (presented until summer 2023), is about our future selves and what it will mean to be human in virtual worlds.

Are you fascinated by technology, new media and the future of art?

Who will we become when the boundaries of our identity extend beyond the physical?

Here you’ll nd art that was created by the tools of today to re ect the ever-changing times we live in. It expands technical possibilities and applications, is dynamic and unbound by form; it is art that generates movement whether physical, mental or emotional.

A YEAR ROUND PROGRAMME

Consistently led by the museum’s mission to incite curiosity, challenge assumptions and open minds, you’ll nd a rich programme of events, performances, lectures, experiments, documentary screenings, residencies and workshops, beyond the exhibition itself. In the rst two years of the museum’s existence, the programme has included meditative yoga and breathing sessions (Rewire Sessions), a contemporary dance residency (Harmonic Dissonance: Quartet), a tech/ education programme for

students (Studio 404) and several performances, including Spacetime Helix by Italian artist Michela Pelusio and an artist in residence programme for Amsterdam Dance Event.

Happenings here span music and sound, performance art, dance, creative coding, emerging technologies and beyond.There’s something for everyone.

LOCATED IN THE BUSTLING NEIGHBOURHOOD OF AMSTERDAM NOORD

Whilst entering the museum is to be plunged into another dimension, this tech temple of digital art is located in the concrete reality of Amsterdam Noord; a teeming hub of cultural gems.

Nestled between neighbours Eye Film Museum and Straat Museum (a street art museum) its surroundings are rich with opportunity for discovery. And food and dining is no exception - situated within the museum building itself is Café Restaurant

Metro with its clean, concrete interior and uncomplicated seasonal dishes prepared by Chef Rients de Jong. Right next door is renowned Bacalar serving Mexican street food; Cornerstore a brief cycle away for incredible avours and great vinyl. Nearby, Van der Pekstraat – the heart of Amsterdam Noord – is home to Coloured Goodies - the rst black doll gift shop in The Netherlands. Kost en Inwoning has beautiful homeware and sits amongst other great stores along the street – for books, vintage goods and jewellery. Truly o the tourist trail, Nxt Museum provides a refreshing break from the hectic centre of the city.

Open daily, you can unearth digital marvels late into the evening:

Sun - Wed: 10:00 - 20:30 Thurs - Sat: 10:00 - 22:30

Discover Nxt Museum

Images - far left to right: Nxt Museum’s current exhibition ‘UFO - Unidenti ed Fluid Other’, inaugural exhibition ‘Shifting Proximities’, Nxt Museum x Transmoderna ADE Artist in Residence Programme, Michela Pelusio performs SpaceTime Helix (top), Rewire Sessions (bottom).

A NEW ICON IN TOWN

Luxury living in Amsterdam’s greenest district, its beauty drawn inside through floor-height windows. That’s life in Q Residences. The warm lobby and high-end rental apartments with quality finishing will make you feel right at home.

General information

Table of contents

Colophon

11

On-demand delivery services 12 Shopping cities in the Netherlands 21 Public transport 23 Pets in the Netherlands 24 History of the Netherlands 26 Political system in the Netherlands 29 Dutch religion: the changing landscape 31 The Dutch royal house 33 Buying a house: where, how? 35 Buying a house in the Netherlands 37 Renting in the Netherlands 51 Working in the Netherlands 53 Rules about working 57 Paying your taxes in the Netherlands 65 How DigiD works 67 Childcare 73 The Dutch school system 99 Health insurance in the Netherlands 103 What to do when you need health care? 107 Home care in the Netherlands 123 Arts & Culture 142 Dutch habits 145 Fun things to do 113 Leisure time in the Netherlands Useful addresses 15 Expat centers & social clubs 19 Shopping, interior & bookshops 22 Daily services 39 Real estate agencies

Movers 61 Financial & tax & insurance 69 Childcare 81 Primary and secondary schools 89 Business schools and universities 91 Language schools 111 Hospitals & clinics 115 Medical centers 116 Dentists

Personal & mental coaching 118 Sports and health clubs 119 Beauty 139 Museums

Publisher

Argo Special Media B.V. Postbus 2203 1500 GE Zaandam T: 020-584 90 20

Sales Manager

Bert Versteeg

T: 020-506 39 26 / 06-33 74 34 63 E: bert@hollandtimes.nl

Traffic

Caroline Spraakman

E: traffic@thehollandtimes.nl

Text

Femke van Iperen Marla Thomson Roselaar Tekstadvies

Photo cover Suzan Hoogland

Lay-out Caroline Spraakman

All Rights reserved by the publisher. 2003 The Amsterdam Times. The editors try to ensure the accuracy of all information contained within. However, mistakes and ommissions are possible. No rights may therefore be derived from material published.

The Find Your Way Guide is distributed in the regions of Amsterdam, Amstelveen, Hoofddorp, Schiphol, Leiden, Delft, Den Haag, Rotterdam, Utrecht, Eindhoven, Maastricht, Wassenaar and Enschede and distributed at expat fairs where The Holland Times is one of the exhibitors.

You can also order the guide at hollandtimes.nl for free, while stocks last (postage fee applies).

Museum, The Netherlands

MUSEUM FOR MODERN AND CONTEMPORARY ART

With almost 400,000 visitors a year, the Kröller-Müller Museum is one of the most popular museum in the Netherlands. The unique combination of art, nature and architecture guarantees visitors a truly unforgettable experience.

The Kröller-Müller Museum is the lifework of Helene Kröller-Müller (1869 - 1939). Between 1907 and 1922 she and her husband Anton Kröller, bought almost 11,500 works of art; one of the largest private collections of the twentieth century. In 1938 Helene opened her ‘museum house’ to the public. Under her successors, the museum was extended several times with new buildings and an expansive sculpture garden. The collection grew into one of the leading collections in the field of modern art.

SECOND-LARGEST VAN GOGH COLLECTION OF THE WORLD

‘The Kröller-Müller Museum’s Van Gogh collection rivals that of the artist’s namesake museum in Amsterdam’, Lonely Planet, 2019

Vincent van Gogh was famously under recognized during his lifetime. Helene Kröller-Müller was one of the first admirers who began tot collect Van Gogh works from galleries and art dealers in Holland, Paris and Berlijn. She undoubtedly set in motion the recognition that has transformed Van Gogh into the world-renowned artist we know today. Thanks to the Kröller-Müllers the museum is home to the second-largest collection of Van Gogh artsworks in the world: nearly 90 paintings an more than 180 drawings.

In addition, the museum boasts top works by modern masters including Claude Monet, Georges Seurat, Pablo Picasso, Paul Signac, George Breitner, Bart van der Leck and Piet Mondriaan. New acquisitions ensure a dynamic collection that follows close on the heels of contemporary art history. The entire spectrum; from Vincent to present day.

The Netherlands is one of the top 10 travel destinations worldwide. According to Lonely Planet, the Kröller-Müller Museum and De Hoge Veluwe National Park are among the best places to visit since 2020.

25-HECTARE OUTDOOR GALLERY

In 1948, Bram Hammacher was appointed as the museum’s new director. He added a unique dimension to the museum with

his strong focus on sculpture. This was Hammacher’s response to the post-war trend of exhibiting sculptures outdoors and experimenting with space, nature, and the interplay of light and seasons. The sculpture garden was opened in 1961 and generated considerable international interest. Acquisitions, exhibitions and publications from many American sculptors, such as Kenneth Snelson, David Smith, Richard Serra and George Rickey, followed one after another. These artists each played a major role in the renewal of sculpture in the 1960s and 1970s. The museum enables the construction of the famous Rietveld Pavilion in 1965. And made it possible for Jean Debuffet to become the first artist to develop his idea, then little more than a model, into a 600 square metresculpture that has since become a visitor favourite: Jardin d’émail. The outdoor gallery is now one of the largest sculpture gardens in Europe, boasting more than 160 works of art.

Kröller-Müller

Treat yourself to Babassu

At Babassu you’re always in for a treat. Our beauty boutique & spa in Amsterdam, Leiden, The Hague and Wassenaar offers effective and relaxing treatments, professional advice and premium cosmetic brands and beauty bestsellers.

Babassu Boutique & Spa

Babassu is a true cosmetic Valhalla! Discover and experience a range of exclusive brands. Go on a ‘fragrance journey’ or try our indulging bath and body products. Decorations, colours, products and personal approach create a welcoming ambience where you can unwind and feel at home.

Skin improvement

Our peaceful spa has stylish treatment rooms where you can enjoy skin-improving facials, relaxing massages and anti-aging treatments.

Extraordinary brands

At Babassu you will discover iconic products with a rich history and a unique story behind it. You will find international beauty bestsellers, 100% natural skin care brands and a surprising collection of gift articles.

Our brand portfolio includes: Astier de Villatte Aromatherapy Associates Comme des Garçons Escentric Molecules Laura Mercier Lorenzo Villoresi Molton Brown Natura Bissé Oribe Perricone MD Philip B Santa Maria Novella Tata Harper The Organic Pharmacy Trudon

And many more…

On-demand delivery services

The Netherlands has a wide variety of on-demand delivery services. Need to get your suit dry-cleaned? Hungry for that very particular dish nobody’s heard of? Or maybe you just need that one little screw that you can’t find anywhere? Anything you want, everything you need, you can order from your couch and it will be delivered to your front door, often within the hour and for a low fee.

Of course you already know the big players like PostNL, UPS, FedEx, DHL, DPD and GLS. But these only deliver packages. Large grocery services like Albert Heijn, Jumbo and Picnic deliver all the groceries you need. Several superfast services even promise to deliver your order within 10 minutes! Try Flink, Getir or Gorillas if you’re really in a hurry.

There are also several hot meal delivery services around the country, the best-known being JustEat, Thuisbezorgd and UberEats, offering anything from pizza and burgers to wraps, soups and poke bowls. During the Covid crisis, many more restaurants started to offer takeaway and delivery, and it seems that many of them are continuing this service now that the crisis is over. This does mean, however, that pedestrians must be on their guard: speeding delivery scooters and e-bikes are a menace in many towns!

Moreover, there are many local on-demand services. For example, Bringbring (Amsterdam only) focuses on delivering food from local restaurants, shops and other businesses that don’t have their own delivery service. So, for anything you’d like delivered, check if Bringbring can deliver. If you need something big transported – cupboards, tables, you name it – and can’t do it yourself, try Brenger. Fill out your query on the website, and Brenger will arrange a professional transport service that will deliver to your house.

If you like cooking but don’t want to go to the supermarket, there are several meal box options. HelloFresh and Marley Spoon offer a subscription service for a weekly box with ingredients and recipes;

you can pick which ones you’d like to receive. There are several options regarding the number of meals a week, with quantities from one to six people, starting at €50. Organic, sustainable foods, produced locally and seasonally, are available from Ekomenu or De Krat. If you can’t choose from all the different boxes, use comparison website Maaltijdbox.nl. In Rotterdam and The Hague, you can use Rechtstreex, which collects crops from local farmers and delivers them straight to the customer. Now you can be sure your food is organic and locally produced!

If you don’t have time in your busy day, or if shopping is difficult for you, you can hire a shopper for €7,50 per hour on the website ikzoekeenboodschappenhulp. nl. There are also charities and local initiatives that help the elderly and disabled with their shopping for a small fee, like Humanitas.

Want to cheer someone up? Celebrate a birthday, graduation or other occasion? Flowers always make a good gift. At Greetz or Fleurop, you can order a bouquet of flowers and a greeting card, which will be sent directly to the recipient. Greetz can also send chocolates, cakes, balloons, gift cards, beauty items, drinks and more – great if you have no time to deliver the gift yourself. Ideal food gifts are brownies, because they can fit through a letterbox. To send someone these delicious treats, try The Brownie Box, Boxbrownies, Brownie Time, Brownies Per Post, Gefelicitaart or Dear Brownie – and that’s just a selection of brownie and cake delivery companies!

Shopping cities

1. Leiden

We start this list with Leiden, one of the nice shopping cities in the Netherlands. With about 650 shops, there is plenty on offer. The large retail chains are located in the centre of Leiden, mostly in Haarlemmerstraat and Breestraat, the largest shopping streets in Leiden. Also worth exploring are the boutiques and specialty shops in Pieterskwartier. Here you will find clothing stores, antique and delicatessen shops and art galleries. Just walking around this historic part of Leiden is a great experience. While shopping, you will undoubtedly want to sit down for an extensive lunch. Looking for dinner to end your shopping day? In Leiden you will find many cozy restaurants with the tastiest dishes, such as Lot en de Walvis on the harbour quay. Enjoy a special lunch or dinner at the site where merchants’ goods used to be weighed, Waag Leiden.

2. Haarlem

Haarlem is one of the nicest shopping cities in the Netherlands. It offers a wide range of shops, from vintage shops to large fashion chains. You will discover a wealth of shops in the historical centre of Haarlem, mostly owned by small, independent entrepreneurs. The large fashion chains are almost all located in the Grote Houtstraat. Real treasures you will find in the Seven Golden Streets. Schagchelstraat offers mainly handmade products, from violins to jewelry and clothing. In Gierstraat you will find more than 50 special businesses, as well as 18 monumental buildings. For a nice lunch or dinner, visit restaurant Frenchie, which also has a very nice hotel attached. The Jopenkerk is an absolute must for a drink: the Haarlem Jopen beer is brewed here.

3. Maastricht

Maastricht is the ultimate fashion city of the Netherlands. Here you will find beautiful shops, special boutiques and authentic specialty stores in fashion, accessories and design. The shopping area of Maastricht is divided into different streets and areas. City-Noord mainly houses the large retail chains, such as Hema, H&M and C&A. At Entre Deux, between Markt and Vrijthof, you can shop indoors, while the historical district of Wyck mainly offers

shops for art, antiques, design, living, fashion and delicacies. There are also good cafes and lunchrooms throughout the city, to take a break for a delicious lunch and get ready for more shopping. Café Sjiek is among the most famous of Maastricht and offers unique Limburg dishes.

4. Utrecht

The atmospheric old city centre of Utrecht is a true paradise for shoppers. Explore popular department stores, such as the Bijenkorf, but also small boutiques, trendy concept stores and bustling markets, such as the organic farmers’ market, the flower market and the fabric market. Be sure to explore the charming squares and countless alleys; this is where the city really comes to life! The main shopping area, with many big-name shops, is Oudegracht. In the Museum Quarter you will find second-hand and vintage items. The boutiques on Voorstraat and Schoutenstraat are also well worth a visit and offer design pieces by established and young fashion designers. Even bad weather won’t spoil your shopping trip to Utrecht: the newly refurbished Hoog Catharijne mall is the largest indoor shopping centre in the country.

5. Rotterdam

Rotterdam, with its modern city centre, has a younger and more alternative vibe than many of the old historical towns. While there is plenty of industrial heritage to see, the city also hosts a variety of shopping areas. The most famous shopping street is Koopgoot, with many large chains and department stores, such as H&M. Other well-known fashion chains, sports shops and department stores are on Lijnbaan and Coolsingel. For unique boutiques and fashion stores, visit Van Oldenbarneveltstraat in the Lijnbaankwartier, artistic Witte de Withstraat, Nieuwe Binnenweg in the Museum Quarter and Pannekoekstraat in the Laurenskwartier. Don’t miss out on the largest market in Rotterdam, the Markthal, a unique monument of modern architecture in itself. Taste the delicacies and browse the many stalls – and don’t forget to look up.

6. Amsterdam

The Dutch capital has an incredibly extensive and varied range of shops. It offers everything from exclusive shops to large department stores and small boutiques. Kalverstraat, Leidsestraat and P.C. Hooftstraat are the most famous shopping streets, where many expensive designer shops are located. But also explore the narrow streets and historic canal-side streets, such as the Nine Streets. These are located in the Jordaan and part of the monumental canal belt. You will find a unique range of specialized shops offering vintage products and fun original gifts. Make a stop at The Lebanese Sajeria for lunch for the tastiest Lebanese dishes. Of course, Amsterdam has much more to offer, such as Haarlemmerstraat with more than 235 shopping and dining options, and Amsterdam Zuid with beautiful shops of allure. Amsterdam is extremely versatile and offers something for everyone!

7. Eindhoven

Due to its industrial heritage, centred around the Philips factory, this city has a different vibe than the older historical towns. In the centre, you will find a host of interesting independent boutiques and other unique shops, as well as the established household names. The glass-covered Heuvel Galerie is your first port of call. For a bite to eat, enjoy the food halls on the former Philips site. Eindhoven is also the Dutch city of design, and host of the yearly Dutch Design Week. The centre hosts many galleries showcasing the latest trends in Dutch design.

8. Zwolle

Zwolle has a very wide range of shops, boutiques and culinary establishments, and therefore certainly belongs in this list of shopping cities in the Netherlands. In addition to wonderful shopping areas, Zwolle is also known for the many historical buildings on offer, leaving a lot of history to be explored in Zwolle. In Sassenstraat and Luttekestraat you will find unique boutiques, vintage shops and design stores. Diezerstraat hosts large retail chains, such as H&M and The Sting. You can settle down on Grote Markt in one of the many cozy restaurants and eateries, with a great view of the main historical monuments. A truly magnificent sight!

9. The Hague

In The Hague, shopping starts at the Central Station. Walking along Herengracht, Korte Poten and Lange

Poten, you enter one of the main shopping streets, Spuistraat. The Hague has many different squares, streets and markets; one you should definitely not skip is De Passage. This 19th-century covered walkway is the oldest existing shopping mall in the Netherlands. The large retail chains can be found in Grote Marktstraat. In Boekhorststraat you will find lots of surprising shops owned by independent entrepreneurs. One of the oldest streets in the city centre, Denneweg, is home to up-scale shops, galleries and restaurants. In short, The Hague is a city with a lot of diversity and perfect for shopping.

10. Alkmaar

Alkmaar was named shopping city of 2017 and not without reason. Large fashion chains, small streets and unique boutiques can be found in the city monumental centre. The famous cheese market is held here on Friday mornings in summer. The main shopping streets, with the big chain stores, are Laat and Langestraat. Cozy little shops can be found on Houttil, Hekelstraat and Huigbrouwerstraat. Jewelers, restaurants, gift shops, vintage shops, fashion boutiques and coffee shops, you will find it all in Alkmaar. But it’s the canals and beautiful monumental buildings that give Alkmaar its real character.

EXPATCENTRES

GRONINGEN

International Welcome Center North

Gedempte Zuiderdiep 98 9711 HL Groningen

T: 050 367 71 97 W: iwcn.nl

GELDERLAND

Expatdesk Nijmegen

Oranjesingel 2 6511 NS Nijmegen T: 024 357 2577 W: expatdesknijmegen.nl

Expat Center Food Valley Akkermaalsbos 14 6708 WB Wageningen T: 0317 482 609 W: ecfv.nl

OVERIJSSEL

Expat Center East Netherlands

World Trade Center Twente Industrieplein 2 7553 LL Hengelo T: 074 250 3325 W: ecen.nl

UTRECHT

International Welcome Center

Utrecht Region

Stadsplateau 1 3521 AZ Utrecht T: 030 286 00 00 W: welcome.utrechtregion.com/ en

NOORD-HOLLAND

IN Amsterdam

I-Tower, Strawinskylaan 1767 1077 ZZ Amsterdam T: 020 254 7999 W: www.iamsterdam.com

Expat Center The Netherlands Fred Roeskestraat 115 1076 EE Amsterdam T: 0900 9811or T: +31(0) 20 44 100 88 W: expatcenter.nl

expats Haarlemmermeer

Gedempte Raamgracht 32 2011 WK Haarlem T: 023 576 3236 W: expatshaarlemmermeer.com

Expat Services WorldWide Polarisavenue 7 2132 JH Hoofddorp T: 023 555 31 84 W: esww.nl

ZUID-HOLLAND

The Hague International Centre Spui 70 2511 BT Den Haag T: 070 353 5043 W: thehagueinternationalcentre. nl

Expat Centre Leiden Stadskantoor Bargerlaan 190 2333 CW Leiden T: 071 516 6005

W: expatcentreleiden.nl

Rotterdam Expat Centre Schielandhuis Korte Hoogstraat 31 3011 GK Rotterdam T: 010 790 0190 W: rotterdamexpatcentre.nl

NOORD-BRABANT

Holland Expat Center South Eindhoven Vestdijk 27a 5611 CA Eindhoven T: 040 238 6775 W: hollandexpatcenter.com

Holland Expat Center South Tilburg

Spoorlaan 181 5038 CB Tilburg T: 040 238 6777 W: hollandexpatcenter.com

Holland Expat Center South Breda

Mozartlaan 35 4837 EH Breda T: 076 5607870 W: hollandexpatcenter.com

LIMBURG

Expat Centre Maastricht Region Mosae Forum 10 6211 DW Maastricht T: 043 350 5010 W: expatcentremaastrichtregion.nl

Expat Center East Netherlands Industrieplein 7553 LL Hengelo T: 074 250 3325 W: www.ecen.nl

Together Abroad W: togetherabroad.nl

SOCIAL CLUBS

FLEVOLAND

International Almere W: internationalalmere.com

UTRECHT

International Women’s Contact Utrecht (IWCU)

Soestdijkseweg 49b 3732 HD De Bilt T: 035 621 4931 W: iwcu.nl

Rotary Club Utrecht International W: rotary-utrecht-international.nl

Albert ten Cate, exquisite jewellery since 1837

Albert ten Cate Juwelier Diamantair Sinds

Exclusivity in noble craftsmanship

in Edel Vakmanschap

monumentale pand van Albert ten Cate het Statenkwartier, de statige wijk met vele torentjes, ademt alles uit dat deze juweliers goud hebben.

In the monumental building of Albert ten Cate Jeweller in the Statenkwartier in The Hague, a stately neighbourhood characterised by bay windows and turrets, everything shows that these jewellers have a heart of gold. This noble profession is part of their genes, since founder Emanuel Hamburger opened his diamond business in 1837. The current collections are put together with care, so that everyone has the opportunity to choose a gift, suitable for every occasion. The boutique exudes class, exclusivity, quality and style, and would feel at home in Barcelona, Milan or Paris.

of colours. For big and small occasions, for a stylish everyday life, but also for those very special moments.

Haute couture

In consultation with the client, Ten Cate creates personal accessories according to your style. We make sketches to show our ideas and eventually manufacture your personal haute couture jewellery. These jewels can also be made using family heirlooms or re-used gold that has been in the family for generations. Our workshops, where only the best goldsmiths work, make the most beautiful handcrafted jewellery, just for you.

zit hun diep in de genen: Sinds 1837 zit Emanuel Hamburger in het diamantvak. dat gen van huis uit mee gekregen. samen gestelde collecties geven één mogelijkheid om een cadeau uit te zoeken; elke gelegenheid. De Boutique straalt kwaliteit en stijl uit en zou zo maar in

Sparkle & Shine

Ten Cate’s creations of yellow, white and rose gold are characterized by elegance, sensuality and brightness. Manufactured and made with the utmost care, from sparkling diamonds or brightly coloured stones such as London Blue topaz, amethyst, or citrine pink tourmaline. Be inspired by colourful modern-day living. Discover the latest jewellery collection and enjoy the playfulness

All under one roof

You are welcome in our modern boutique on Aert van der Goesstraat, where you will find everything under one roof: meet these jewellers, admire the special collections, profit from our expertise, find a ready ear or enjoy a personal anecdote while sipping a Nespresso. In short, from replacing batteries to manufacturing tiaras: we do it all to take care of you.

gelegenheden het stijlvolle dagelijkse leven, voor de heel bijzondere momenten. Haute-couture Veel van onze cliënten willen graag een persoonlijk sieraad. Wij gaan dan samen met de cliënten overleg. Maken schetsen en uiteindelijk wordt haute-couture sieraad vervaardig. Dit kan nieuw sieraad zijn al dan niet met ‘oud’ goud familie. Onze top-ateliers waar de beste goudsmeden achter de werkbanken zitten, maken er de met de hand vervaardigde juwelen van.

NOORD-HOLLAND

Expat Republic

T: 06 30 35 7511 W: expatrepublic.com

American Women’s Club of Amsterdam (AWCA) W: awca.nl

Amsterdam American Business Club

Keizersgracht 62 – 64 1015 CS Amsterdam info@aabc.nl

British Society of Amsterdam (BritSoc) W: britsoc.nl

Canadian Expatriates Club of Amsterdam (CECA) W: spetz.ca/CECA.html

Australian Business in EuropeNetherlands T: 06 14 905 545 W: abie-nl.nl

Sinds 1837 leven, maar ook

Club of Amsterdam W: clubofamsterdam.com

Deutsch-Niederlandischer Verein Stadhouderskade 153 1074 BC Amsterdam T: 06 24 72 3763 W: deutsch-nl-verein.nl

persoonlijk cliënten in wordt er een kan een heel goud uit de goudsmeden de mooiste

International Women’s Contact Amsterdam W: iwcamsterdam.nl

The Netherlands British Chamber of Commerce

T: 070 205 5656 W: nbcc.co.uk Oxford and Cambridge Society of the Netherlands Amsterdam W: oxbridge-nl.com

Spanish Association of Professionals in the Netherlands (AEPH) Amsterdam info@profesionalesholanda.org

Toastmasters Club Netherlands W: toastmasters.nl

Wordsinhere

Eerste Helmersstraat 142-3 1054 EJ Amsterdam W: wordsinhere.com

ZUID-HOLLAND

American Women’s Club of The Hague

Johan van Oldenbarneveltlaan 43 2582 NJ Den Haag T: 070 350 6007 W: awcthehague.org

Asociación Hispánica de La Haya Stadhouderslaan 68 2517 JA Den Haag W: asoha.nl

Australian and New Zealand Women’s Club in the Netherlands Delistraat 41 2585 VX Den Haag W: anzc.org

British Club of The Hague T: 06 20 60 8639 Koningin Marialaan 2-4 2595 GB Den Haag W: britishclubofthehague.com

CONNECTing WOMEN

Koninginnegracht 28 2514 AB Den Haag W: connectingwomen.nl

Deutscher Klub in den Niederlanden

Burgemeester de Monchyplein 308

2585 DL Den Haag T: 070 360 9524 W: deutscherinternationaler-klub.org

InterNations

Expats from India W: internations.org/amsterdam-expats/indians English Language Bond of Women (ELBOW) Luchtenburg 84 3328 AN Dordrecht W: elbowclub.nl

Unique products for foodlovers

sligro.nl Linge 2, Den Haag 20211104190609_246.adpro.indd

The Hungry Mind

Wijndaelerweg 9a 2554 BZ Den Haag T: 070 368 1804 W: thehungrymind.nl

International Women’s Contact The Hague Vierloper 10 2586 KV Den Haag W: iwcthehague.nl

Petroleum Wives Club of The Hague

Duinweg 21 2585 JV Wassenaar T: 06 34 90 7185 W: pwc-thehague.com

Women’s Business Initiative International Nassauplein 20 2585 EC Den Haag W: womensbusinessinitiative.net

American Netherlands Club of Rotterdam P.O. Box 25036 3001 HA Rotterdam W: ancorotterdam.com

Rotterdam Japan Club Coolsingel 93 3012 AE Rotterdam T: 010 402 5655 W: rotterdamjapanclub.nl

NOORD-BRABANT

The Hub Eindhoven

Vestdijk 25 5611CA, Eindhoven T: 040 845 1475 W: thehubeindhoven.nl

We are an international bookshop established in The Hague o ering English, French, Spanish, German, Italian, Portuguese, Greek and Russian books for adults, young adults and children. Additionally, we have a selection of International Law books in English, Spanish and French.

STANZA BOOKSHOP

Noordeinde 98, 2514 GM, The Hague. T. 0031 (0) 702144117, www.stanzabookshop.com, Instagram: Stanza_Bookshop, Facebook/Twitter: @StanzaBookshop

International Women’s Club Eindhoven

T: 040 221 8978 W: iwce.nl

Tilburg International Club Enschotsestraat 321 5014 DE Tilburg W: tilburginternationalclub.nl

LIMBURG

International Women’s Club of South Limburg P.O.Box 649 6200 AP Maastricht W: iwc-sl.nl

SHOPPING CENTRE

Gelderlandplein

Van Leijenberghlaan 43 1082 GM Amsterdam W: gelderlandplein.nl

Westfield Mall of the Netherlands

Liguster 202 2262 AC Leidschendam T: 070 - 763 05 30 W: westfield.com

LUXURY GOODS & FASHION

Pauw Amsterdam

Several stores in Amsterdam, ‘s-Hertogenbosch, Rotterdam, Haarlem, Heemstede, Utrecht, Laren. Breda, Haarlem, Haren, Maastricht, Oegsgeest, Oisterwijk, Oosterbeek, Zeist, Zwolle & The Hague T: 020 664 0655 W: pauw.nl

Babassu

Amsterdam, The Hague, Leiden, Wassenaar & Grave www.babassu.nl

Albert ten Cate Juwelier Aert van der Goesstraat 15 2582 AH Den Haag T: 070 - 391 03 37 W: alberttencate.com

INTERIOR

Co van der Horst Binderij 2 1185 ZJ Amstelveen T: 020 - 641 25 05 W: covanderhorst.nl

MAS Interieur

Frederikstraat 565 2514 CR Den Haag T: 070 - 345 09 03 W: masinterieur.nl

FOOD

Wijngaard Kaas W: wijngaardkaas.nl

MMA distributie W: goedkoopdsrank.nl Sligro W: sligro.nl

INTERNATIONAL BOOKSHOPS

NOORD-HOLLAND

The American Book Center Spui 12 1012 XA Amsterdam W: abc.nl

Athenaeum Boekhandel Amsterdam Spui 14-16 1012 XA Amsterdam T: 020 514 1460 W: athenaeum.nl (also other shops in Amsterdam)

Erasmus Boekhandel Veemarkt 207 1019 CJ Amsterdam W: erasmusbooks.nl

The Book Exchange - 2nd-hand English books

Kloveniersburgwal 58 1012 CX Amsterdam W: bookexchange.nl

Athenaeum Boekhandel Roeterseilnd UVA Roeterseiland 41 1018 WB Amsterdam

Mendo

Nieuwe Doelenstraat 10 1012 CP Amsterdam W: mendo.nl

New English Bookstore

Kalverstraat 223

1012 XC Amsterdam

PhotoQ Bookshop

Wijdesteeg 3A 1012 RN Amsterdam W: photoqbookshop.nl

Boekhandel Van Rossum Beethovenstraat 32 1077 JH Amsterdam W: boekhandelvanrossum.nl

Scheltema Rokin 9 1012 KK Amsterdam W: scheltema.nl

TASCHEN Store Amsterdam

P.C. Hooftstraat 44 1071 BZ Amsterdam W: taschen.com

Waterstones Kalverstraat 152 1012 XE Amsterdam W: waterstones.com

VU Boekhandel De Boelelaan 1105 1081 HV Amsterdam W: vuboekhandel.nl

Books4Life Amsterdam Oudemanhuispoort 14 1012 CN Amsterdam W: books4life.amsterdam

Athenaeum Boekhandel Haarlem

Gedempte Oude gracht 70 2011 GT Haarlem W: athenaeum.nl ZUID-HOLLAND

Waltman boekhandel Landbergstraat 15 2628 CE Delft W: tudelft.nl

The American Book Center Lange Poten 23

2511 CM The Hague W: abc.nl

Stanza Bookshop Noordeinde 98, 2514 GM The Hague T: 070 21 441 17 W: stanzabookshop.com

the ultimate way of modern living

mas interieur the ultimate

visit us at: Frederikstraat 565 2514 LR Den Haag

mas interieur visit us at: Frederikstraat 565 2514 LR Den Haag T 070 345 09 03 winkel@masinterieur.nl www.masinterieur.nl

T 070 345 winkel@masinterieur.nl www.masinterieur.nl

Public transport

The public transportation system in the Netherlands is one of the best in the world: it’s clean, efficient, on time and can connect you with almost any destination in the country. There are a variety of different types of public transportation in the Netherlands, beyond buses and trains. Most of them use the OV-chipkaart, the national transport payment card. There are anonymous or personal cards that each cost €7 and can be purchased at any train station, on some buses and trams, and in a variety of shops. You simply scan your card when you get on and off the vehicle, and reload the card with money to pay for your travels.

The national railway organization in the Netherlands is called NS (short for Nederlandse Spoorwegen) which has two primary train types: Intercity, the highspeed trains that run between the larger cities in the Netherlands, and Sprinters, that stop at every stop on the way to your destination and cost less. You can use your OV-chipkaart, or purchase single-use tickets in kiosks in train stations or on the NS.nl website. You can also load train discounts and day passes on your OV-chipkaart. The entire Dutch railway system runs on wind electricity so there are no CO2 emissions as you travel!

There are some regional train operators that are separate from the national railway system, but accept the OV-chipkaart for payment. Remember to check out with NS and in with a regional provider if you change trains! Most larger cities have a tram system that connects almost every part of the city and, like the railway system, are very efficient and on time. The trams usually run every 15 minutes, which is great if you miss your tram – another one will be coming soon! You can usually purchase tickets on the tram or use your OV-chipkaart.

Buses complement trams in the bigger cities, linking up neighbourhoods the trams don’t service. And for more remote areas of the Netherlands, buses keep local communities connected to the rest of the country. Most operators have electric-powered buses which makes waiting for your bus at a busy depot quiet and pleasant, since there are no stinky exhaust fumes. It’s easiest to use your OV-chipkaart for payment, but you

can usually also purchase single-use tickets onboard. Note that some bus operators only accept Dutch debit cards and often a ticket bought onboard costs more. Visit the operator’s website to learn how and where to purchase tickets.

Even though biking is an integral part of the Dutch culture, bikes are only allowed on trains with a surcharge and usually not allowed on buses or trams. But don’t worry, not only are there several bike-share companies with bikes available all over the place, but the public transportation system here also has bikes! Most train stations have the OV-fiets available for hourly or daily rent; if you return the bike to another station than where you rented it, there is a €10 fee.

In addition to the daily transportation methods available, there are of course Amsterdam Schiphol, Rotterdam/The Hague and Eindhoven airports, which are well-connected to the train system. Rotterdam has public water taxis and the Wadden Islands off the northwest coast of the country are connected by passenger ferries.

Planning your trip is simple with these must-have apps and websites: 9292.nl is an independent route planner that provides up-to-date timetables for all modes of public transport, and gives real-time updates on delays and cancellations. The NS website and app also have route planners that include most bus and tram routes as well. You can also view your OV-chipkaart credit on the NS website and app. At OV-chipkaart.nl you can manage your OV-chipkaart credit and, for personal cards, arrange automatic top-ups: if you have a Dutch bank account, you can arrange for a set amount of money to be taken out of your account once your credit drops below €20.

If you need to get somewhere that doesn’t have a public transport connection, there are usually taxis available – call the local despatcher or pick up one at the railway station. Rideshares are not as common in the Netherlands as elsewhere. Currently, Uber is available in the Randstad area, including Amsterdam, Rotterdam, The Hague, Utrecht, Haarlem, ’t Gooi and Eindhoven.

Mayflower Bookshop

Breestraat 142 2311 CX Leiden W: mayflowerbookshop.nl

Houtschild International Booksellers

Sir Winston Churchilllaan 281 2288 DA Rijswijk W: houtschild.com

Boekhandel v/h Van Gennep

Oude Binnenweg 131b 3012 JD Rotterdam W: boekhandelvangennep.nl

NAi Booksellers

Museumpark 25 3015 CB Rotterdam W: naibooksellers.nl

Boekhandel Donner Coolsingel 129 3012 AG Rotterdam W: donner.nl

Paagman Lange Poten 41 2511 CM Den Haag W: paagman.nl

Boekhandel Van Piere Nieuwe Emaasingel 48 5011 AM Eindhoven W: libris.nl/vanpiere.nl Libris.nl online webshop for books

FOOD SERVICES

Deliveroo

Nationwide

T: 088 3354837 W: deliveroo.nl

TakeAway Nationwide W: thuisbezorgd.nl

Uber Eats Nationwide W: ubereats.com

Crisp

Online supermarket with quality products delivery in the Netherlands W: crisp.nl Picnic

Online supermarket delivery in the Netherlands W: picnic.app/nl

Hello Fresh W: hellofres.nl Gorillas W: gorillas.i.o. Flink W: goflink.com Marley Spoon W: marleyspoon.nl Getir W: getir.com

CAR RENTALS

Avis

T: 088 284 7000 (press 1) W: avis.nl

BB&L Autoverhuur BV

T: 020 655 7900 W: bblcarrental.nl

Bynco Stadsplateau 11 3521 AZ Utrecht T: 030 207 4220 W: bynco.com

Europcar T: 088 900 5555 W: europcar.nl

Green Motion

T: 085 485 7320 W: greenmotion.com

Hertz

T: 020 201 3512 W: hertz.nl Sixt W: sixt.nl

Sunny Cars

T: 023 - 569 9696 W: sunnycars.nl

Diks W: diks.net

BIKE RENTALS Dolly Bikes Oregondreef 4 3565 BG Utrecht T: 030 - 711 38 45 dolly-bakfiets.nl

Cargoroo T: 085 - 016 14 44 W: cargoroo.nl

Pets in the Netherlands

Pets are an important part of our lives and the love for animals is shared by the Dutch people. More than half of the households in the Netherlands have pets, with cats and dogs being the most popular. It’s not unusual seeing people with their dogs in shops, on public transportation, in baskets on the front of their bikes, and even some cafes and restaurants are dogfriendly.

Bringing your cat or dog with you into the country is a simple process, but there are rules you should be sure to follow, including having your pet microchipped and an up-to-date rabies vaccination. If you are coming from another EU country, you should have an EU pet passport for your four-legged friend. If you’re coming from a non-EU country, you will need the proper EU paperwork filled out by a licensed veterinarian and, in some cases, even endorsed by the appropriate agency in your home country. In the US, this is the Food and Drug Administration. Keep in mind that this endorsement may need to be done in the week before you leave, so be sure to read all the instructions on the EU paperwork.

If you are flying into the Netherlands, check your airline’s specific rules and guidelines for transporting animals. In most cases, only very small animals (up to 15 pounds/7 kilograms) in small travel crates can fly with you in the passenger cabin. Otherwise your pet must fly in the cargo section of the plane. Not having your pet with you may sound scary, but most airlines – especially European airlines – are very good about transporting pets.

Once you are in the Netherlands, it’s a good idea to make an appointment with a veterinarian as soon as you can. This will establish your pet with their healthcare provider and have their microchip recorded as well. If you are bringing a cat, that’s pretty much it. But if you are bringing a dog, you will also have to register your dog with the municipality where you live and pay the annual dog tax. The amount of this tax varies from municipality to municipality, so check where you are living to see how much this tax is – keeping in mind that it can be pricey.

This tax may seem burdensome, but it helps dogs in the Netherlands in several ways. First, it helps pay for the disposal of dog waste and, in some municipalities, it even pays for poop bags for the residents. This tax also helps pay for the enforcement of various laws and agencies that protect dogs. This also makes the Netherlands one of the only countries in the world that doesn’t have stray dogs roaming the streets. There have been efforts to do away with this tax, but in recent years efforts seem to have lost priority against other pressing national and international issues.

The Netherlands allows dogs in most areas, including the beach during the off-season months, as well as national parks and the dunes – but only on the footpaths and on a leash. No matter where you are, you are required to pick up your dog’s waste, though you will see that not everyone follows that rule. Local governments have been increasing their efforts to get dog owners to pick up the waste, but it’s still present and can be annoying - so watch where you walk!

Taking animals on most public transportation is free as long as your dog isn’t taking up space for human travelers. This means you can take a cat or small dog on the trains, as long as they stay on your lap or by your feet on the floor. Larger dogs must pay a charge, but at €3.30 for the entire day, it’s very affordable.

The Netherlands: Small nation, big history

In prehistoric times it was the Dutch rivers that attracted the Netherlands’ first hunter-gatherers. The land, shaped by the ice ages, became home to a variety of Celtic and Germanic tribes. Water has always been an important element in the history of the Netherlands, and one of its rivers, the Rhine, played an important role in history of the country during Roman times.

Roman times

The Low Countries were only a border area for the enormous Roman Empire, but the river Rhine, making its way from the high Alps, became the empire’s main northern frontier. It separated the ‘civilized’ Empire from the ‘wild’ tribes such as the Batavians and Frisians, although trade between Romans and ‘barbarians’ was very common. Along the Rhine a chain of fortresses was constructed, from where the Roman soldiers supervised the border. Called the limes, you can now walk along its route following the Limes Route and see the remains of various Roman forts. Despite the huge changes that the Romans brought with them, for many Dutch people, life remained the same.

Middle Ages

The Middle Ages were generally a troubled time for the inhabitants of the Low Countries, in which daily life was regularly interrupted by wars and changes of power between various counts and dukes. The inhabitants, who were constantly fighting against the water, were often literally forced to keep their heads above water. Still, life went on for the farmers in these regions, and in the later Middle Ages larger cities emerged, connected by international trade networks. Most important of these was the Hanseatic League. Since its start in the late 12th century, the League came to include 200 settlements across seven modernday countries, stretching from the Netherlands to Russia. Interesting Hanse towns in the Netherlands are Deventer and Kampen, where you will still see remains of their former wealth.

The birth of a nation

We know the Netherlands as a kingdom with a parliamentary democracy, but the Netherlands as a

nation state has its roots in the sixteenth century. The Eighty Years’ War (1568-1648), the Dutch revolt against Spanish domination under King Philip II, is seen as the birth of the Netherlands.

While there were many religious wars in the rest of Europe during this period, the Dutch were fighting for religious freedom. They wanted to become Protestants within the Catholic Spanish Empire, and when this was not allowed, to become independent. From this conflict sprouted not only the Netherlands, but also the ideals of tolerance, revolt and freedom, still relevant in Dutch society today. The Dutch are particularly proud of the role that Willem van Oranje played in the history of the country. Known as the ‘Father of the Fatherland’, he was not only the leader of the revolt, but also key in founding the country of the Netherlands as we know it today. The Republic of the United Netherlands emerged from the struggle as one of the first modern republics, and one the most important and wealthy countries in the world.

Seafarers of Europe

Following in the footsteps of Spain and Portugal, the lucrative spice trade lured the Dutch to the seas, even to Far East. One source describes the enthusiastic spirit of the first journey: “April 2, 1595, the expedition fleet departed from Texel towards the Indies with waving flags. Morale on board was high; never before had a Dutch ship made such a long journey. The journey started well and went smoothly at first.” But soon after, problems started and many crew members lost their lives due to deadly scurvy and brawls with indigenous people who weren’t waiting with open arms for these invaders. Still, the profits made by the Dutch sea adventures were big, and this was a major contributing factor to the Golden Age.

When in 1637 prices of the newly-introduced tulip bulbs reached extreme heights, a phenomenon called tulip mania was born. At the time, its bulbs were selling for “more than ten times the annual salary of an experienced craftsman,” and were worth as much as an Amsterdam canal house. This could not last, and the first ‘credit bubble’ in history led many traders

to lose their fortunes. Today, tulips are still an icon of the Netherlands, as one of the products on which its wealth was built.

Good times

Life was prosperous in the 17th century, the Golden Age of the Netherlands. The philosopher Descartes described the country in 1631: “Where else on earth can you find, all the comfort of life and all the interesting things you could hope to see? In what other country could you find such complete freedom, or sleep with less anxiety, or find armies at the ready to protect you, or find fewer poisonings, or acts of treason or slander?”

The Dutch Golden Age is also known for huge advancements in science and art by some of the most famous names in Dutch history, such as the philosophers Erasmus and Spinoza, lawyer Hugo Grotius, scientist Antoni van Leeuwenhoek and painters Rembrandt, Vermeer, Jan Steen and Frans Hals.

Dark side However, this period also marks a dark period in Dutch history. The Dutch were known for their severe behaviour towards local populations, forcing them to grow spices for export, leading to famine, disease and death. A pastor from the trading city of Hoorn, Jacobus Hondius, spoke indignantly about this in 1679: “In the overseas territories, enslaved people were treated in the same way as other commodities and goods, and treated as though they had been animals, while after all, they are people of one and the same nature, as thou.”

As late as the 19th century, the Dutch traded in slaves from Africa to South America. So, whilst the Golden Age was a period of prosperity in the fields of economy, culture, trade, science, art, and political and religious freedom, it was blighted by oppression and exploitation.

Later, when the Dutch overseas trading companies went bankrupt, all overseas territories fell under the authority of the Dutch state, and it was not until after the Second World War that the main colonies, the Dutch East Indies and Suriname, became politically independent from the Netherlands. This chequered history is still visible in the diversity of Dutch society, as many of the inhabitants of former colonies have made their homes here. Today, colonial history seems to have caught up with the Netherlands, making its

government and citizens more aware of the atrocities that were committed and the institutional racism that is still present in the country.

International troubles

The Republic was, at first, quite able to handle its naval wars with England, and several Dutch naval heroes are known for their victories against the British. However, the republic became involved in large-scale European land wars, several of them with France. The English and French kings agreed that they would destroy this little ‘dwarf’. These wars led to the decline of the Dutch economy in the 18th century.

The Netherlands remained a republic until the country was conquered by Napoleon’s forces. After his defeat, a descendant of Willem van Oranje was proclaimed King of the newly created Kingdom of the Netherlands: King Willem I. The current King, WillemAlexander, is directly descendant from Willem I.

During the Second World War, the Netherlands was conquered by Germany and spent five years under a harsh and oppressive occupation. Especially the country’s large Jewish population suffered a great deal, leading to the death of some 100,000 Dutch Jews. The war is remembered every year on 4 May with a ceremony at the National Monument in Amsterdam, and a country-wide two minutes’ silence.

Flood waters and dykes

Looking at the role of water, in the 19th century a large number of former lakes were turned into polders, especially in North and South Holland. Around 1850 the Haarlemmermeer was reclaimed as land, an important milestone in the history of the country and the science of water management. It now houses Schiphol Airport, 4 metres below sea level. The Flood Disaster of 1953 had a huge effect on the country. Caused by a severe north-westerly storm in combination with spring tides, the dykes broke and 1,836 people and thousands of animals lost their lives, with many houses and livelihoods left destroyed. The tragedy highlighted the importance of protection from water in a country of which a large part lies below sea level. In the decades that followed, the famous Delta Works and other flood barriers were installed to protect the country. At the same time, new tracts of land were turned into polders, creating the entirely man-made province of Flevoland.

Political system in the Netherlands

The Netherlands is one of few constitutional monarchies in the world: nominally ruled by a monarch, but in practice by an elected parliament. Dutch constitutional law follows the system of separation of powers (Trias Politica). This means that the country is governed by three separate powers: the legislative branch, the executive branch and the judiciary branch.

The government in the Netherlands operates within the structure of a constitutional and parliamentary monarchy with a multi-party voting system. The constitution is the highest law of the land and sets forth laws on how the government should operate and defines the rights of people living in the Netherlands. The country has a King, currently Willem-Alexander, and a royal family – though the members of the monarchy are not involved in governing or policy making and have only ceremonial duties. The leader of the country is the Prime Minister, currently Mark Rutte, serving his fourth term, who is the head of the cabinet of government ministers. The government (regering) consists of the king, the prime minister, the ministers and the secretaries of state. In practice, since the king has no active role in the executive power, we use the word ‘cabinet’ to refer to the prime minister, ministers and secretaries of state.

On the international level, the Netherlands is a member of the European Union (one of its founding members, to be precise), a member of NATO and the United Nations. Within the country, the political system is divided into three levels: the municipal governments, that oversee things like healthcare, social services, sports, water supply, public education and traffic; the provincial governments, that handle aspects like energy, housing, roads and waterways, and environmental management; and the national government, that handles all national and international affairs.

The king’s role

The power of the king is limited by the constitution (grondwet). The king has a purely ceremonial function; his role is to represent, connect and support. He represents the Netherlands internationally, for example during state visits and by receiving foreign

ambassadors. His connecting and supporting role means that he carries out great number of visits to Dutch citizens and organisations, to offer support and advice. The king is also involved in a variety of charities, as are other members of the royal family. The king does not belong to any political party and does not vote. The king holds a weekly meeting with the Prime Minister to offer advice, but this is not binding.

One country, two capitals

The official capital of the Netherlands is Amsterdam, though all government functions, offices and ministries are located in The Hague. The Hague has been the centre of Dutch government and politics since the 13th century, when representatives from the several counties and dukedoms interacted with their leaders in the Binnenhof, a collection of medieval government buildings in the heart of The Hague. The Prime Minister, members of parliament, ministers and state secretaries all work in The Hague; the King’s primary residence is in Noordeinde Palace, within walking distance of the Binnenhof.

The official residence of the Prime Minister is the Catshuis, a villa built in the 17th century for a wealthy poet named Jacob Cats for whom it is named. No prime minister has actually lived there since 1982; nowadays it’s used for political meetings and receiving official guests of the state. The primary office of the Prime Minister is the Torentje in the Binnenhof.

The Staten-Generaal: the parliament of the Netherlands

The elected representation of the Dutch people is the States-General that consists of two chambers: de Eerste Kamer (Senate) and Tweede Kamer (House of Representatives). The 150 members of the Tweede Kamer are elected by popular vote every four years. The 75 members of the Eerste Kamer, are chosen indirectly: every four years, the citizens elect the provincial councils (Provinciale Staten) of the country’s twelve provinces, which then elect the members of the Eerste Kamer.

Laws are drafted by the ministers of the government, and are then debated by the Tweede Kamer, which can

also introduce amendments. The Eerste Kamer reviews and laws passed by the Tweede Kamer; only in very rare occasions, it refuses to confirm the acts of the Tweede Kamer.

The cabinet is the executive branch of the Dutch government, meaning that the cabinet ministers and their departments then carry out the laws. There are currently twelve ministries, including the Ministries of Finance, Foreign Affairs, Justice, Internal Affairs, Defence, Infrastructure and Water Management, Climate and others.

The Tweede Kamer acts on behalf of Dutch citizens as a check on the government and the way in which it implements laws. The cabinet and the prime minister must answer to the Tweede Kamer whenever it calls into question the cabinet’s actions. Though all parties are entitled to speak and debate in the chamber, it’s usually the coalition parties that are able to influence the ministers the most: the ministers are appointed from the coalition parties and therefore the coalition usually votes to support the laws introduced by the government.

The ministers are also responsible for the actions of the royal family and speak on their behalf if there is a royal misstep. An example of this was when, during the Covid pandemic, the Royal family travelled on vacation to Greece, while the rest of the country was locked down. The public backlash forced the family to return to the Netherlands, and an official apology followed.

Forming a government

The Netherlands is a multi-party system, with the current Tweede Kamer having representatives from seventeen political parties. With so many parties it is extremely rare that any one party can win 50% of the votes. Therefore, the leader of the party with the most votes is named Prime Minister, and must create a coalition with other parties in order to gain a majority that is necessary to advance legislation. The parties in the coalition then appoint the members of the cabinet, i.e. the ministers and secretaries of state. This makes compromise a cornerstone of the political process of the Netherlands.

Forming a government is not an easy or short process. The formal process begins after the general election, when the monarch consults with the Council of State – the government’s highest advisory board – and the

chairs of the Eerste and Tweede Kamer. The monarch then appoints a negotiator called informateur to lead the negotiations between the various parties in order to form a government. The negotiations between the political parties begin which can take months. The current government required 299 days and three negotiators to reach an agreement between four parties.

The political parties

There are currently seventeen political parties represented in the Tweede Kamer with about a dozen more official parties who regularly take part in national elections.

The five largest parties in the Netherlands are:

- VVD (People’s Party for Freedom and Democracy), the party of the current Prime Minister and largest party in the Netherlands. The VVD is a centrist party with a conversative liberal ideology that is Eurocentric, liberal in its social ideals and a promoter of free enterprise and economics.

- D66 (Democrats 66). D66 is a left-leaning, liberal party that supports EU membership and is very liberal in its social ideals. D66 is in favor of free enterprise, but with government intervention, and is a strong supporter of increased spending for social services and education.

- PVV (Party for Freedom), the right-wing party of the Netherlands that is currently the largest party in the opposition. The PVV formed when its leader Geert Wilders, then a member of the VVD, strongly opposed the Netherlands’ support for Türkiye’s entry to the EU. Since then, the party is primarily associated with being anti-immigration, agitating against Muslim influences in the country.

- CDA (Christian Democratic Appeal) is generally considered centrist and socially conservative. Though centered on Christian values, the party takes a liberal of leftist stance on many social issues, including the environment and European policies. It has been a member of left-leaning coalitions several recent governments.

- CU (Christian Union) is considered a centrist party. Though the part has left-leaning ideologies on issues like the environment, immigration and the economy, it is based on conservative Christian values and therefore opposes abortion, soft drugs and euthanasia.

The system of governing in the Netherlands is one where many political parties – and therefore citizens – feel represented in parliament and that promotes

compromise between the parties. Until recently, the system of government got things done and there was a general sense that the folks in The Hague are working for the country. However, the Covid pandemic and the serious crises facing the government, such as climate change, energy and housing shortages and inflation, as well as some scandals that were badly handled by the government, have caused more voters to become disenchanted with traditional parties. This means the political landscape has been very volatile in recent years. Some prefer a more leftist, climate-conscious party such as GroenLinks or PvdD (Party for the Animals), while on the other hand are extreme rightwing conspiracy theorists such as FVD. New policies proposed as a result of the climate crisis have led to a strong backlash by farmers, resulting in enormous popularity for the new BBB party. Still, by election time, new parties may have arisen – never a dull moment in Dutch politics!

Provincial government

The provinces decide on a variety of matters, particularly in connection with zoning matters. They decide where new houses may be built, as well as the location of roads, railways, shipping connections, industrial areas, agricultural and natural areas and recreational facilities. Provinces are also responsible for the construction and maintenance of provincial roads, cycle paths and bridges and providing safe routes for hazardous substances; they preserve nature areas and monitor compliance with environmental laws. They also supervise the municipalities, for example by approving their budgets and annual accounts.

Unique to the Netherlands, are the regional water boards. These administrative entities have been functioning since the Middle Ages, before the Netherlands even became a country. With about onethird of the country below sea level, these separate governmental bodies are necessary to manage the canals, waterway, flood barriers, sewage treatment and water levels.

Elections

All Dutch citizens aged 18 and over can vote in the national elections. Elections for the House of Representatives are held every four years, or earlier if the cabinet resigns. If this is the case, the sitting cabinet remains in office until a new one is installed, but cannot pass important laws during that time. As seen above, it can take a while to form a new cabinet.

Only Dutch citizens are entitled to vote in the national elections. Elections for the provincial council and the local municipal council are held every four years as well. Only Dutch citizens are entitled to vote in the provincial elections. For local elections, people from an EU member state may also vote. Non-EU citizens are entitled to vote in these elections if they have resided legally and continuously in the Netherlands for 5 years; employees of some NGOs and foreign soldiers of friendly nations can also vote. If you are entitled to vote, you will receive a voting certificate (kiespas) in the mail a few weeks in advance. No separate voter registration is necessary, as long as you are registered with your municipality. Bring this with you to the polling station, as well as your ID document, and, if relevant, your residence documentation. Mayors are not elected in the Netherlands, but appointed by the King, after a selection procedure organized by the municipal council.

Judiciary

The Netherlands is a constitutional state, because it is ruled by the laws that have been approved by the elected representatives of the people. If any dispute arises between citizens, or between the state and a citizen, the judiciary branch comes into play. A lawsuit usually starts in the lower court (rechtbank), of which there are eleven in the Netherlands. If one or both parties do not agree with a court decision, they can appeal to the four courts of appeal (gerechtshof). Further appeal is possible to the High Council of the Netherlands, also known as the Supreme Court (Hoge Raad), but this can only overthrow a decision if a lower court has correctly applied the law and the procedure has been followed incorrectly.

If you have legal trouble, it is quite complicated and expensive to start a court case. It may therefore be wise to but legal assistance insurance (rechtsbijstandsverzekering), which can help you if you need a lawyer. This is available both for individuals as well as businesses.

The other High Council of State is known as the Council of State (Raad van State), the independent advisor to the government and parliament on legislation and governance, as well as the highest general administrative court in the Netherlands. The government is required by law to request advice from the Council of State on bills that the government sends to Parliament, on international treaties and on the yearly budget.

Dutch religion: The changing landscape

The oldest traces of religion by the inhabitants of the regions that now form the Netherlands date back to Roman times, when, as it is described in historic texts, resident Celtic-Germanic peoples venerated their own gods. In the National Museum of Antiquities (RMO) in Leiden, you can see altars dedicated to the goddess Nehalennia, protector of trade and fertility. The locals also adopted the Roman gods and mythology. In the centuries that followed, the local people converted to Christianity, a development that took until about 900 AD. Religion played a crucial role in the Eighty Years’ War (1568-1648), which was seen as partly a conflict between Catholics and Protestants (mainly Calvinists in the Netherlands). The Low Countries were, at the time, part of the Catholic Spanish Empire. Many nobles, led by William of Orange, demanded freedom of religion for the Protestants in the Netherlands. When this was not granted, they rose in rebellion against the Spanish, leading the Dutch independence. Afterwards, only the Dutch Reformed faith was officially allowed, so that other faiths had to practice in ‘hidden churches’ – but, following Dutch tradition, these religions were not prosecuted as long as they paid taxes.

Moving forward to the 20th century, a big shift in religion had been taking place. The country had become ‘compartmentalised’, with each religious group having its own separate political parties, schools and universities, newspapers and radio stations, and sports or scouting associations. The main sections were the Catholics and Protestants (mainly Dutch Reformed), with several subgroups of Protestants having their own ‘compartments’. Moreover, many Jews lived in the Netherlands since the 17th century, especially in Amsterdam.

As Dutch society went through many changes after the Second World War, not least in the religious field, another shift took place, with worship in Christian churches steadily declining. It was particularly the rise of the welfare state and new mass media such as television that were seen as key drivers behind the fast-deteriorating interest in organised religion from the second half of the 1950s. From the 1970s, more migrantswith non-Christian faiths arrived in

the Netherlands, especially Muslims but also Hindus, Buddhists etc.

By 2017, the Dutch social and cultural planning office SCP announced that for the first time in history, less than half of Dutch adults said they belonged to a religious denomination. Religious beliefs remain strong among those of non-Christian faiths, as well as in the more conservative Christian groups in the Dutch Bible belt. However, many churches have closed their doors in recent decades, as a larger a variety of opinions emerged about the meaning of God. More and more people are looking for other routes to personal development and caring for others, rather than believing in one God. A growing percentage are those believing in contemporary spirituality, characterised by a more holistic worldview, a search for mystical experiences and a strong connection to nature. On the other hand, many Dutch now say they simply don’t believe in God, while many others are still unsure about it all.

In fact, by 2022 the Netherlands has ceased to be a religious country, and the percentage of atheists and agnostics has approximately doubled since the late 1970s. The search for meaning and self-actualisation has now become an individual matter for most people, changing dynamics of Dutch society as a whole. Secularisation has also been called a driver for more open-mindedness, for example about sexual diversity.

As the Dutch are collectively searching for new meaning, perhaps it can be seen as quite telling when recently ‘Theologian of the Fatherland’ Thomas Quartier declared himself a Doubting Thomas and Wrestler of Religion, saying that asking questions can be a good thing. The theologian’s own contributions to religion have been portrayed as a cross-fertilisation between Biblical sources, contemporary literature and music, and a collaboration between writers, musicians and theologians in the theatre. All in all, the landscape of Dutch religion is ever-changing, sometimes leading to tensions between different groups, but also to tolerance and open-mindedness.

info@atlas-movers.com | +31 (0) 297 348 281 www.atlas-movers.com

The Dutch royal house

The Dutch royal house goes by the name of the House of Orange-Nassau, and this aristocratic name has been part of the history of the Dutch royal family for centuries. Its historic connection with Germany goes back to the fifteenth century, when in 1403 a lady from Breda, Johanna of Polanen, married the German count Engelbrecht I of Nassau-Dillenburg from the ancient German House of Nassau.

For the connection between the Dutch royals with France, we have to go to the principality of Orange, a princedom named after the medieval town Orange (oranje in Dutch), which a member of the Nassau family, René of Châlon, inherited in the 16th century. In 1544 Châlon’s cousin Willem van Oranje, born in Dillenburg in present-day Germany, inherited the principality of Orange. Also known as William the Silent, he was to become the most famous member of the Oranje-Nassaus and founder of modern kingdom of the Netherlands.

At first, the Oranjes ruled the Low Countries as stadtholders, with the official power residing with the States-General, the representatives of the Seven United Provinces. After the Napoleonic War, in 1815, the Netherlands was made into a kingdom ruled by the descendants of Willem van Oranje. Each member of the royal house has secured his or her place in history, some for their fight for freedom, independence and solidarity, others in the fields of art and culture. Today, this legacy can be found in many places, for example in Het Loo, the royal palace in Apeldoorn, now a museum. Situated in the bountiful National Park Hoge Veluwe, it is where Queen Wilhelmina spent most of her life.

King’s or Queen’s Day, now celebrated on 27 April, the birthday of King Willem-Alexander, is an exciting day for the Dutch. Its long legacy dates back to the first Queen’s Day in 1885, when Princess Wilhelmina’s fifth birthday was celebrated. The popular event continued with the celebration of the birthday of the next queen Juliana on 30 April. On that day in 1949 the queen and her family staged the first flower parade (defilé) on the terrace (bordes) of Soestdijk Palace, with hordes of Dutch people presenting them flowers and gifts. From the mid-1950s the event became televised and

became an official bank holiday. The next queen, Beatrix, known as a talented sculptress and lover of modern art, decided to continue celebrating Queen’s Day on her mother’s birthday. She also created a new tradition by going to the people instead of letting them come to her, by visiting one or two Dutch municipalities each year. Nowadays, the festivities start in many places with live music and parties on 26 April, followed by more music, free markets and exuberant and ostentatious parties on the 27th

Today, the country has both a King and a Queen. Prince Willem-Alexander married the Argentinian Máxima Zorreguieta in 2002. Their wedding was a grand spectacle, but also very moving, especially when Máxima cried – as did the rest of the country – when the Argentine tango Adiós Nonino, ‘Goodbye Father’ was played. Her father, a secretary of state during the regime of the Argentine dictator Videla, was not invited. From then on, Máxima, who speaks fluent Dutch, has managed to win many hearts through her spontaneity and warmth, and for her get-on-with-it approach which the Dutch so love.

The King was crowned on King’s Day in 2013, after his mother Beatrix abdicated. She is now enjoying her retirement outside the public eye. The King and Queen have three daughters, Crown Princess Amalia (18), Alexia (17) and Ariane (15), who are encouraged to live a normal life as much as possible. Before taking up his royal position, the king was involved in a range of activities such as water management, infrastructure and ICT, sport and national defence. He also loves flying and occasionally works as a pilot with airline KLM – keep an eye out on European flights! Before her marriage, Queen Máxima worked as a banker in New York and Brussels. Her main focus as Queen is to advocate for financial inclusion for small entrepreneurs worldwide.

Buying a house in the Netherlands

So you’ve made the decision to buy a house in the Netherlands. Alone or together with your real estate agent, you’ve found the perfect place and you can’t wait to move in and call it yours. Congratulations! There are many good reasons to purchase a house in the Netherlands: it is a smart investment with great financial incentives and tax benefits, and of course you get to decide how you want to decorate your living space, whether you want pets etc.

But before moving forward, you should know that the mortgage process in the Netherlands is quite complex. In order to shed some light on this process and avoid unnecessary surprises, we have created a quick walkthrough, to make the purchase of your new home a cakewalk.

1. Check if you meet all requirements to get a mortgage. Dutch banks, as well as your mortgage provider, require a statement from your employer as well as proof of income. If you are self-employed, it might be more difficult to get a mortgage. In any case, you will be asked to provide details on all of your income over the past three years. Whether you are an EU citizen or not also makes a difference: banks may enforce the requirements for buying a house in a stricter way for applicants from outside the EU. If you are eligible for the 30% tax reimbursement for expats, you may be able to get a better mortgage deal.

2. Make sure you know about all the taxes, costs and fees that come with owning a house. These include, as a percentage of the purchase price:

• 2% transfer tax

• 10% pre-sale agreement deposit

• 1,2% mortgage broker fee

• 2% estate agent fee

• 0,2% valuation (tax-deductible)

• 1% notary fee

• Architectural inspection (about €200-400)

Your mortgage interest payments, as well as any increases in the value of the house, are tax-deductible through the so-called hypotheekrenteaftrek (HRA), as long as the house is used as the main residence, for a maximum of 30 years. The percentage of the

mortgage that you can deduct decreases each year. If you leave the Netherlands but keep the house, these tax deductions no longer apply.

3. After you’ve made an offer on the property and it has been accepted, you can sign the purchase agreement at the notary’s office. You will probably need to pay the 10 percent deposit to the notary shortly thereafter, or have your mortgage broker arrange a bank guarantee. The purchase agreement is usually binding, which means you will have to pay a fine if you can’t get the funding together before the deadline (which can be extended for a fee).

4. Pick the right mortgage. Do you want to pay off your mortgage as soon as possible or do you prefer to wait and only pay interest for the next couple of years? There are many mortgage options in the Netherlands:

• Annuities mortgage: in the first years, you pay less, and the payments consist mostly of interest. In time, as your debt decreases, you pay off faster with lower interest payments.

• Linear mortgage: you pay a fixed amount plus interest. As you reduce your debt every month, the interest you pay is also reduced.

• Other options include the interest-only mortgage, credit mortgage, investment mortgage, life insurance mortgage, savings mortgage and hybrid mortgage.

With the first two models, your mortgage interest payments are eligible for HRA; the other models are not. All these mortgage options are quite bewildering, so make sure your mortgage broker explains to you the pros and cons of each one before deciding.

5. After you’ve submitted all necessary documentation to your bank and/or mortgage provider and your application has been approved, you can finally sign the property title deed with the vendor and your bank at the notary’s office. Sometimes it may take a few months before the property will actually be transferred to you by the previous owner. Once you finally get the keys, make sure to select the right home insurance for your situation and set up the utilities. And then you can finally arrange the move. Enjoy your new home!

Buying a house: where and how?

Are you considering buying a home in the Netherlands? That’s a great choice, financially speaking, but it requires you to think strategically in the long term. Renting an apartment might make more sense if you’re planning to stay in the country for a short period and want to avoid bureaucratic hassle. But if you still want to go for it, buying a house in the Netherlands is a smart investment:

• Monthly mortgage payments are lower than rent payments in most regions of the country. This is the case if, for example, you make interestonly payments for up to 30 years. But even actual mortgage payments are often lower than rent prices.

• Rents increase every year, sometimes by as much as 10%. By contrast, mortgage payments and interest are usually fixed for a longer period.

• Mortgage interest payments and the closing costs of your mortgage are tax deductible.

• By paying off your mortgage you build up equity. As the housing market keeps trending upward due to excess demand, especially in and around the cities, you can profit handsomely when you sell again.

Having said that, buying property also entails few obligations, like paying property taxes, council taxes, insurance premiums and maintenance and repair costs. If house prices go down, your property decreases in value and you could make a loss when selling. To learn more about the procedure of purchasing a house, go to page 33.…

Still want to buy? Good! The first move to make is finding yourself a good makelaar (real estate agent). As the housing market is very tight, especially in the Amsterdam, Haarlem, Utrecht, Delft and Leiden areas – but in fact everywhere in the west and middle of the country –, you need all the help you can get. Many people nowadays use an aankoopmakelaar (buying agent) who keeps an eye out for new properties on the market that match your budget. However, you can also start looking for your new house yourself. The main website to find houses for sale is Funda –but remember that many houses never appear here, as they are sold through the agents’ networks.

For those who want to buy a house in Amsterdam, bear in mind that the city has for years been among the ten fastest-rising property markets in the world. You need to have a lot of patience waiting for something to open up, be quick to jump on a new opportunity, and have sufficient resources to pay hefty closing costs. Hiring a good real estate agent, who knows the market also outside of the A10 ring road, can make all the difference between paying a fair price instead of top euro. Another thing to consider is that the municipality of Amsterdam retains leasehold (erfpacht) on most of the land, which means you only own the property that is sitting on it and you have to pay the city an annual ground rent, which can be quite high and therefore impact the mortgage you can get for the house itself. Speaking of mortgages, if the 30% rule for expats applies to you, in which case 30% of your income is tax-free, chances are you will be able to borrow more from the bank. With the mortgage calculator tool at Independer or Hypotheker.nl you can calculate the maximum mortgage you can get.

Newly-built communities without a historical center (called vinex neighbourhoods), e.g. Zoetermeer, Almere or Lelystad, used to offer affordable options in the Randstad area, but are getting more expensive by the day. In the rest of the country, there are still good offers to be had in smaller towns and medium-sized cities that are well-connected by rail and highway. Even here, however, house prices are rising fast.

REAL ESTATE EXPERTS FOR EXPATS

With more than 30 years of experience and consisting of a team of dedicated professionals, De Vries Robbé Real Estate Agents specializes in rentals and sales of houses and apartments in e Hague and the surrounding areas.

REAL ESTATE EXPERTS FOR EXPATS

With more than 30 years of experience and consisting of a team of dedicated professionals, De Vries Robbé Real Estate Agents specializes in rentals and sales of houses and apartments in e Hague and the surrounding areas.

Our team will welcome you in our beautiful new office at the corner of the Frederikstraat and the Javastraat.

Our team will welcome you in our beautiful new office at the corner of the Frederikstraat and the Javastraat.

Renting a house in the Netherlands

Once you have decided to move to the Netherlands, you will probably start out by renting a place to live. But how can you find a nice place? And what are your rights as a tenant?

It’s important to note that there are two types of houses for rent: social housing and private rent. As the waiting lists for social housing are very long, it’s unlikely that you will be able to rent here. Therefore, we only discuss renting from private owners in this article.

It’s also important to know that the housing market in the Netherlands is extremely tight, especially in the Randstad. There are few places to rent and prices are high, with scammers ready to prey on desperate people. Beware!

Finding a place to rent

You can search for a private sector home in several ways. The easiest way is through estate agents, who manage properties owned by private individuals. The most important website to find places for rent is Funda, where both estate agents and private landlords advertise. You can also visit the local offices of estate agents; it’s best to check online references, local Facebook groups or ask your friends which agent is reliable. Some agents are members of the Dutch Estate Agents Association NVM, which gives you some guarantees.

Once you’ve found a suitable rental property, it’s time to view the house. Ask the agent about matters, such as the maintenance status of the home and the service costs. Make sure that you are allowed to register yourself at the address with the municipality (gemeente), as this is necessary to access all public services in the Netherlands.

Before signing the contract, do a preliminary inspection of the house; make photos of the current status so you don’t get into debates when you leave. Also write down the meter readings. Before you move in, the landlord may ask a deposit worth no more than three months’ basic rent. Read your rental contract carefully so you are sure of your rights!

Length of the contract

You can sign one temporary rental contract for a maximum of 2 years, ending on the end date stated in the contract. If the landlord wants to terminate your lease earlier, you can refuse this. The landlord has to give you at least one month’s notice if he does not intend to renew your temporary contract. If you want to stay in the same house once the 2-year contract has ended, your landlord will have to give you a permanent rental contract. With a permanent contract, your landlord cannot easily terminate your lease, since you have tenant protection (huurbescherming). This means that your landlord may only cancel the lease if you cause a nuisance, are behind on the rent for several months, or the landlord urgently needs the house. If you do not agree to the termination, your landlord can only terminate your tenancy through the courts.

As a tenant, you can end your lease before the end of the contract, but you will have to give the landlord 1 to 3 months’ notice – this should be stated in the contract.

Prices and price limits

First, make sure whether your rent is inclusief (including utilities such as electricity, gas and water) or exclusief, also known as kale huur (basic rent). In the latter case, you will pay an extra fee for utilities, based on usage. Also ask whether internet is included, and whether there are further service costs involved, e.g. for cleaning, gardening, maintenance etc.

The landlord may increase the basic rent once every 12 months, on 1 July. Until 2024, a maximum 2.4 % increase is allowed. If your landlord has made improvements to your home, they may increase the rent due to this.

If you think you’re paying too much, you can ask the Huurcommissie for a calculation of the correct rent. This committee can reduce the rent if it judges that the rent should be lower than € 763.47. If it’s deemed justified that the rent is higher than this, the committee cannot change it.

If you have any trouble with your landlord, you can get free legal advice at juridischloket.nl.

Rental apartments nearby Amsterdam CS

In the new, green neighbourhood Aan het IJ in the north of Amsterdam there are three beautiful residential buildings with rental apartments: The Row, The Line and The Twins. Every building has its own specific signature and theme. What they have in common? High-end architecture, spaciousness, comfort, bright spaces, attention to details

and the use of the finest materials. Each apartment has a balcony and you share the communal courtyard

Are you interested? For more information see the website or contact Van der Linden Vastgoedmanagement: verhuur@vanderlinden.nl | +31 (0)20 571 27 02

REAL ESTATE AGENCIES

UTRECHT

Home to Rent Utrecht

Westerkade 1 3511 HA Utrecht 030-8882131 W: hometorent.nl

Schmidt Global Relocations

Stationsweg Oost 281 D 3931 ER Woudenberg 033-7600274

W: schmidt-global.nl

VGW Housing

Stadhouderslaan 1 3583 JA Utrecht T: 030 760 9200 W: vgwhousing.nl

NOORD-HOLLAND

Amstel Housing Head Office Startbaan 6 1185 XR Amstelveen T: 020 441 7775 W: amstelhousing.nl

A1 Executive Estate Fred Roeskestraat 115 1076 EE Amsterdam T: 020 441 0088 W: a1executiveestate.com

Amvest RCF Custodian B.V. Zeeburgerkade 1184 1019 VK Amsterdam 020-4301212 W: amvest.nl

Broersma Makelaardij

Koningslaan 14 1075 AC Amsterdam T: 020 305 9777 W: broersma.nl

Dutch Real Estate Company Maasstraat 188 1079 BL Amsterdam

020-7723460

W: dutchrealestatecompany.com

Eday Housing Service

Patrimoniumlaan 2 1182 BW Amstelveen T: 020 423 6290 W: eday.nl

First Class Housing Amsterdamseweg 177 /HS 1182 GV Amstelveen T: 020 811 0811 W: firstclasshousing.nl

Htel Serviced Appartments

Laan van de Helende Meesters 421 1186 AL Amstelveen

Htel Serviced Appartments

Laan van de Helende Meesters 421 1186 AL Amstelveen Teilingen 1 1082 JP Amsterdam T: 020 426 6400 W: htelapartments.com

27 Huis Real Estate Nieuwe Leliestraat 27HS 1015 SJ Amsterdam T: 020 428 0721 W: 27huis.nl

Amsterdam Housing Slingerbeekstraat 29, 1078 BH Amsterdam T: 020 671 7266 W: amsterdamhousing.com

City Housing Amsterdam Vinkenstraat 182 1013 JX Amsterdam T: 020- 260 0019 W: cityhousingamsterdam.nl

Compass Housing Pieter Baststraat 30-H 1054 HB Amsterdam T. 020 244 0826 W: compasshousing.nl

SAFE & PERSONAL SERVICE

Fred Roeskestraat 115 1076 EE Amsterdam

Corporate Housing Factory B.V. Gustav Mahlerlaan 50 b 1082 ME Amsterdam T: 088 116 9500 W: corporatehousingfactory.nl

Dutch Masters Amsterdam Keizersgracht 580 1017 EN Amsterdam T: 06 10 20 5504 W: dutch-masters.com

Expat Housing Amsterdam

Baarsjesweg 275 1058 AD Amsterdam T: 020 662 2366 W: expathousing.com

much to sort for your new life in the Netherlands. A home with furniture that fits your style should be your reward for getting here; not the next chore on the to-do list. Rent anything you need, for as long as you want; we are here to assist. All that is left for you to do, is opening the door to find your new life waiting for you.

Grand Location

Sarphatipark 119-hs 1073 CX Amsterdam

T: 020 620 0813

W: grandrelocation.nl

Haagen & Partners

Valeriusstraat 98-hs 1075 GC Amsterdam T: 020 672 3331

W: haagen-partners.nl

Hakkenbroek Housing Company

Leliegracht 21 1016 GR Amsterdam Molenmeent 1 1231 KK Loosdrecht T: 035 628 6263

W: hakkenbroek.com

HBhousing

Sloterkade 182 1059 EB Amsterdam T: 020 617 0379

W: hbhousing.nl

HousingNet

Toldwarsstraat 14-hs 1073 RR Amsterdam

T: 020 760 1500 W: housingnet.nl

HousingOnline.nl

Prinsengracht 533 1016 HS Amsterdam T: 020 472 2580

W: housingonline.nl

Your Dutch Home Dreef 48 2012 HS Haarlem 023-303011

W: yourdutchome.com

KNAP Makelaardij

Weesperzijde 107-hs 1091 EN Amsterdam

T: 020 201 5533

W: knapmakelaardij.nl

Kroonenberg Groep B.V. Schiphol Boulevard 181 1118 BG Schiphol 020-5788788

W: kroonenberg.nl

Network Netherlands B.V. Polaris Avenue 7 2132 JH Hoofddorp 023-5553185

W: networknetherlands.com

MVGM Wonen

Naritaweg 211 1043 CB Amsterdam T: 020 521 7230 W: mvgm.nl

Oei Housing Expat Apartments

Amsterdam-Den Haag-Rotterdam Pieter Calandlaan 999 1069 SC Amsterdam T: 06 19 01 5919 W: oeihousing.com

Principle Properties

Piet Heinkade 55 1019 GM Amsterdam T: 085 273 67 90

W: principleproperties.nl

Relocation Advisers

Jan Willem Brouwersstraat 16 1071 LJ Amsterdam T: 020 664 7470 W: relocationadvisers.nl

Rotsvast

Johannes Verhulststraat 30 1071 ND Amsterdam T: 020 662 7662 W: rotsvast.nl

ServicedApartments

Amsterdam - Den HaagRotterdam

Gustav Mahlerlaan 50 b 1082 ME Amsterdam

T: 020 723 3490

W: servicedapartments.nl

Short Stay Group Amsterdam

Herengracht 451 1017 BS Amsterdam

T: 020 523 1028 W: shortstaygroup.com

SPR Property

Da Costakade 136 1053 XC Amsterdam T: 020 260 0182 W: sprproperty.nl

Toss Group

Orlyplein 89 1043 DS Amsterdam 020-2619447

W: tossinholland.com

XPATS.amsterdam

Piet Heinkade 55 1019 GM Amsterdam T: 020 261 5297

W: expats.amsterdam

Expats Amsterdam

Staten Bolwerk 1 2011 MK Haarlem T: 023 751 5767

W: expatsamsterdam.com

Koops Makelaardij

Gedempte Oude Gracht 152 A 2011 GX Haarlem T: 023 532 9817

W: koopsmakelaardij.nl

Koops Expat Services

Rembrandtweg 161-A 1181 GG Amstelveen T: 020 820 36 76

W: koopsmakelaardij.nl

Relocate me

Wilhelminastraat 35 2011 VJ Haarlem T: 023 - 549 24 41 W: relocate-me.nl

Your Talent Agency

Schipholweg 1 Verdieping 7 2034 LS Haarlem T: 023 23 40 300

W: yourtalent.agency

Expat Apartment Service

Osdorpplein 142 1068 EN Amsterdam

T: 020 410 1220

W: expatapartments.nl

Expat Rentals

Panamalaan 5F 1019 AS Amsterdam T: 020 470 07 49 W: expatrentals.com

Expat Housing Network

Jan van Lennepstraat 10-H 1053 HG Amsterdam T: 020 261 7434 W: expathousingnetwork.nl

Full Expat Services

Pieter CorneliszHooftstraat 76 1071 CB Amsterdam T: 06 38 31 6634 W: fullexpatservicesamsterdam. com

ZUID-HOLLAND

De Raad Bouwontwikkeling B.V. Sandtlaan 38 2223 GG Katwijk T: 071 - 405 15 00 W: deraadmakelaars.nl

A&N Vastgoed

Badhuisstraat 127 2584 HG The Hague T: 070 358 6391 W: anvastgoed.nl

BizStay

Van de Spiegelstraat 12 2518 ET The Hague T: 070 260 1269 W: bizstaythehague.com

Duinzigt Wonen

Zeestraat 48 2518 AB The Hague T: 070 360 6365 W: duinzigt.nl

Estata Makelaars

Badhuisweg 234 2597 JS The Hague T: 070 350 7050 W: estata.nl

Expat & Property Management

Adriaan Pauwstraat 41-A 2582 AP The Hague T: 070 338 94 83 W: expatpropertymanagement.nl

Expat & Real Estate

Koninginnegracht 19 2514 AB The Hague T: 070 212 25 89 W: expat-realestate.nl

Expat Housing

Prins Mauritslaan 44 2582 LS The Hague T: 070 415 01 50 W: expathousing.net

Immovita Makelaardij

Valeriusstraat 75 2517 HN The Hague T: 070 820 98 42 W: immovita.nl

Infinitas Real Estate Frankenslag 32 2582 HS The Hague T: 070 711 38 11 W: infinitasrealestate.nl

Onesta

Denneweg 9-d 2514 CB The Hague Scheveningen office Van Bergenstraat 49 2583 CS The Hague T: 070 345 95 22 W: onesta-vastgoed.com

PR Housing

Anna van Buerenplein 41 2595 DA The Hague T: 070 363 73 70 W: prhousing.nl

The Real Estate Company

Bilderdijkstraat 16 2513 CP The Hague T: 070 763 04 08 W: trechousing.nl

The Relocation Professionals

About us?

Professional relocation company based in Haarlem, The Netherlands. The owner of the company is an expat herself and moved here 10 years ago.

Why us?

We don’t deal in problems we deal in solutions. Moving is in the top ten list of stressful life events. We know things don’t always go smoothly, we work to solve them quickly.

How

we work?

One to one communication. Fast action and feedback. Competitive prices - no hidden costs.

One offs or long term relocation projects our speciality.

Get in touch? Call us to find out more on +31 (0) 23 549 2441 or; send an email to nadia@relocate-me.nl

Relocate Me BV Wilhelminastraat 35, 2011 VJ Haarlem +31 235492441 | www.relocate-me.nl

Expat friendly real estate brokers

Dutch Real Estate Company is a full service, onestop-shop office broker with years of experience in the Dutch housing market. We strive to make buying, selling, renting, renovating and investing in real estate as enjoyable and profitable as possible, while challenging consumer expectations while setting the highest standards. it is possible to be successful and also enjoy having fun in the process; a right balance between being as competitive as possible and a great team spirit.

• Sales: We use our expert negotiating techniques to ensure that we find you the best buyer, you get the best possible price, and on the best terms.

• Buying: We provide a hassle-free process of financing, negotiation, document check, recording and find your dream home together with you in no time.

• Rent: Even if you are still abroad or already in the Netherlands, we can help you move and assist you during every step of the process.

• Buy to let: To get a profitable investment you need current and accurate information. We are there for selecting the right property up to and managing it after the purchase.

• Renovation: Our own team of renowned contractors offer a complete package of different services to ensure that your house becomes a home!

Maasstraat 188, 1079 BL Amsterdam +31 (0)20-772 3460 info@dutchrealestatecompany.com

Sonar Appartementen

Gevers Deynootweg 126 2586 BP The Hague

T: 070 350 50 80

W: sonarappartementen.nl

VERRA Real Estate Den Haag

Eisenhowerlaan 116 2517 KM The Hague T. 070 346 21 31

W: verrarealestate.com

De Vries Robbé Makelaardij

o.g. B.V.

Javastraat 47 2585 AE The Hague T: 070 365 88 44 W: vriesrobbe.nl

Wolters Housing

Dr. Lelykade 249 2583 JZ The Hague T: 070 361 50 80

W: woltershousing.nl

Van ‘t Hof Rijnland Vastgoedmanagement J.L. van Rijweg 20 2713 JA Zoetermeer T: 079 - 329 66 93

W: hof-rijnland.nl

Koops Makelaardij

Gangetje 4 2311 ER Leiden T: 071 203 2173

W: koopsmakelaardij.nl

Ben Housing

Jonker Fransstraat 94a 3031 AW Rotterdam

T: 010 204 06 61

W: benhousing.nl

RRelocation

W: rrelocation.com

Expat Housing Rotterdam

Rododendronplein 7A 3053 ES Rotterdam

T: 010 846 28 25

Feeling at home abroad

We offer a complete range of services and support for foreign nationals coming to live and work in The Netherlands. Our services are based on flexibility, individual attention and unrivaled experience. Specialized in work permit and MVV aplications.

PAS BMS Immigration & Relocation services

Schoutenlaan 62-2215 ME Voorhout -The Netherlands E info@pasbms.com T +31 (0)252-347876 I www.pasbms.com

W: expathousingrotterdam.nl

Expat Rentals Rotterdam

Westzeedijk 98 3016 AG Rotterdam T: 010 285 04 85

W: classicapartments.nl

Rotterdam Appartments Parklaan 8 3016 BB Rotterdam T: 010 412 22 21 W: rotterdamapartments.com

VERRA Real Estate Rotterdam

Goudsesingel 71 3031 EE Rotterdam T. 010 333 21 81

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Weena Wonen

Bergselaan 328C 3038 CN Rotterdam T: 06 2200 0010 W: weenawonen.nl

Kaag Resort

Veerpolder 1 2361 KV Warmond

T: 088 200 23 45

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Big5 Relocations

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Bergstraat 24 5611 JZ Eindhoven

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Friendly Housing

Edenstraat 4 5615 GA Eindhoven

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Goeth Vastgoed Eindhoven

Jan Smitzlaan 4A 5611 LE Eindhoven

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Makelaarskantoor Huibers

Sint Jorislaan 134-A 5611 PP Eindhoven T: 040 244 4770

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Rotsvast Eindhoven

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Stoit Groep

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Stones Housing

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Passies International Moving Companies

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Van der Ent Top Movers

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The

Working in the Netherlands

So you are looking for work in the Netherlands, or you have already found a job and will be relocating soon? There are few things you need to take into consideration before buying your train or plane ticket.

For non-EEA citizens

Any person whose nationality is within the European Economic Area (EU plus Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein) as well as Switzerland is allowed to work in the Netherlands. If you come from outside the EU, make sure you have legalized copies of important documents such as your birth certificate, diplomas etc., translated by a certified translator. You must also apply for a visa before coming to the Netherlands. You may only work in the Netherlands if:

• You have a residence permit that says ‘Work freely allowed’. On your passport you should also have an official sticker saying ‘Work freely allowed’, or

• You have a valid combined permit for residence and work (gecombineerde vergunning voor verblijf en arbeid or GVVA), or

• Your employer has a valid work permit for an employee from outside the EEA. You must then also have a valid residence permit, e.g. an authorization for temporary stay (machtiging tot voorlopig verblijf or MVV).

For some groups of foreign employees, exceptions are made so that they can work more easily in the Netherlands:

• International corporate workers, students and trainee assistants.

• Knowledge workers, i.e. highly-skilled, specialized workers (kennismigranten).

• Non-European students studying in the Netherlands, who want to do an internship.

A separate application procedure applies to senior managers, specialists, sports coaches, athletes and artists.

When a company from another EEA country provides services in the Netherlands and legally employs persons from a third country, a work permit is not needed.

Arriving in the Netherlands

If you want to live and work in the Netherlands, you

need to register with the municipality (gemeente) immediately after arrival, either as a non-resident (if you stay for less than four months) or a resident (if you stay longer than four months). Make sure you bring your passport to the municipality where you register. At the municipality you also register your home address; you will need to bring proof of address. There you will receive a BSN (Burgerservicenummer). You will need this unique personal number almost everywhere, e.g. to:

Find work.

• Open a bank account.

• Go to the doctor or hospital.

• Enroll your children in school.

Many services are offered online; for any online interaction with the government, you will need a DigID, so apply for this as soon as you have received your BSN. You can use DigID through a phone app or the website. See more on DigiD on page…

The next step is to open a bank account, so you can receive your wages. Furthermore, when living and working in the Netherlands, health insurance is mandatory, so take this out as soon as possible – see page ….

Once you’ve found work, make sure the employment conditions are crystal clear, including the wage, number of vacation days, holiday pay (vakantiegeld), what happens in case of illness et cetera. Make sure you always receive a written copy of your contract. In many sectors, further stipulations and legal requirements are laid down in a collective labor agreement (CAO). These include rules about the minimum wage, the maximum number of hours you are allowed to work per day and per week, night shifts, health and safety regulations, working for a temp agency and many more. Additional employment perks, which you receive on top of your actual wage, are also included in the CAO, and can include an end-of-year bonus, additional vacation days, wage payment in case of illness, and a company car, phone or laptop. See also page .. for labour laws.

Just like everybody else, you will have to do your taxes. See page .. for the taxes in the Netherlands.

Labour law in the Netherlands

You’ve found a job and are about to sign your employment contract? Congratulations! The Netherlands offers a high level of protection for employees and generous employment benefits. Just make sure you clearly understand all the terms of your contract, as well as the most important Dutch and European labour laws they are based on. As these laws are quite complex and comprehensive, here is a short walkthrough.

The first important thing to know is that most contracts of employment are based on collective labour agreements (collectieve arbeidsovereenkomst, or CAO). These are written agreements that cover benefits and working conditions, like maternity and paternity leave, working overtime, childcare, education, pensions, contract termination and other employee benefits. These CAOs have been negotiated between labour unions and employers’ organizations and they apply to specific sections of an industry or a specific corporation at sector level. Its provisions are usually more generous than statutory requirements, but they can never contradict Dutch law. For a CAO to apply to you, it’s not necessary for you to be a member of a union. If no CAO exists for your sector, you’ll need to negotiate your own terms and conditions.

Employment perks

Aside from the rules laid down in the CAO, the amount of money you will earn, the number of vacation days and your benefits package, such as a company car and phone, depend entirely on your contract and negotiating skills. At loonwijzer.nl (in Dutch) you can check the market rates for your position. Here you can also calculate your net income after tax and social security deductions. Many employers offer a standard holiday allowance (vakantiegeld), paid out in May, on top of the standard four weeks of paid leave, as well as an end-of-year-bonus, usually worth an extra month’s pay and therefore called dertiende maand (13th month). Other stipulations, like the Dutch minimum wage and the minimum number of vacation days, and regulations about the notice period, dismissal, equal treatment and health and safety, are all regulated by law. Below is a quick

overview of the most important rules about working in the Netherlands.

How many holidays?

Aside from the eleven Dutch public holidays, every worker has the right to a minimum of four times the number of hours he/she works per week. For most people that means 20 days off per year, though most employers offer 25 days (weekends excluded). If you don’t take all the vacation days that you are entitled to, you can transfer them to the first six months of the following year. If you still haven’t taken them by then, they will be annulled without compensation or payment. For your vacation days, you are paid the full salary. There are other forms of (partially) paid and unpaid leave, such as kraamverlof (maternity leave), zorgverlof (care leave) if you have to take care of a sick family member, partnerverlof (partner leave) if your partner has given birth, adoptieverlof (adoption leave) when your adopted child arrives, ouderschapsverlof (parenting leave), which can be taken before your child’s 8th birthday, and calamiteitenverlof (emergency leave) in case of a family emergency or bereavement.

If you make more than three times the minimum wage (which is around €24.000 annually for people aged 21 years and over, working full time), your standard holiday allowance can be reduced or annulled altogether. The only exception to this rule is if you were unable to take your vacation days due to sickness or a heavy workload, in which case you can save up your holidays for a total of five years. In any case it’s always best to communicate clearly with your employer about the best time to take a vacation.

Contract length

If your employer offers a fixed-term contract, for example for six months, this contract can only be renewed twice, for a maximum of two years in total. When the fixed-term contract exceeds the period of two years, it automatically becomes a permanent contract for unlimited time. However, a six-month interval between two contracts cancels out these terms, after which you can start over if both you and your employer so desire.

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• Money to invest?

Do you have money in the bank effectively “doing nothing” and earning very little interest? We can help you build an investment portfolio and strategy that is in line with your personal attitude to risk to ensure that it is best placed to reach your investment goals in the given timeframe.

• Existing Investment portfolios?

Are your existing Investment portfolios or pension plans just not performing in line with your expectations? High charges and fees, poor investment selection and management or a lack of contact from your current Financial Advisor? These are some of the typical reasons why your investments may not perform as you first expected and a very good reason why you should speak to us so that we can review them for you at no initial cost. Investments need to be adapted as your circumstances change and therefore by doing nothing, you will only make matters worse before you make any decisions.

• Planning for your Retirement?

Are you confident that you will have enough funds to live comfortably when you retire? We offer a full ‘Retirement Planning’ review and analysis of your current financial position to ensure that you are on track to be able to retire when and where you want to; not where you are forced to because you did not look at this sooner. If we find any kind of shortfall in your existing arrangements, we are there to help you bridge this gap in time to enjoy the Retirement that you deserve.

• Do you have UK or International Pensions Plans?

Do you have UK or International pensions from previous employment that you don’t know what to do with? We can review these pensions to ensure that they are still suited to your own personal circumstances and offer advice and solutions if there is a more appropriate vehicle or even tax jurisdiction that they could be switched to.

Chris T - “Luke has made the reorganisation of my pension relatively easy and stress free.”

• Connected to the United States and have nowhere to go? Investment options are now extremely limited for US connected individuals due to FATCA and also PFIC tax rules. Due to Blacktower Financial Management (US) having direct regulation in the US via the SEC, we are able to off you investment solutions which most companies are simply not able to do.

Additionally, in the vast majority of cases, when people leave the US, their US retirement plans such as 401K and IRA’s are effectively frozen which means, they no longer have any control over how it is invested and in some cases, may struggle to withdraw funds in retirement. At Blacktower, we can give you back control of these assets which can be managed by a US registered Investment Advisor Representative, based here in The Netherlands or the US.

• Why choose Blacktower Financial Management Ltd?

-Locally based advisors that can either meet you personally or over Skype/Zoom should you prefer to do things digitally. -We offer consultations at no initial cost and any future charges and fees are completely transparent before you make any decisions.

-No client is either too small or too big, we’re always happy to help.

-Over 30 years in business and physically staffed offices throughout Europe, the UK, United States and Cayman Islands (and more to follow)

-For our global licensing please see here: https://www.blacktowerfm.com/about-us/licencing/

Lisa P - “Luke has been my financial adviser for quite a few years and I am happy to recommend him to my friends and family if they ever need financial advice.”

For confidence in your financial future, get in touch today: luke.hunt@blacktowerfm.com | 0031 7080 02098 | www.blacktowerfm.com

Having spent 13 years in International Financial Planning with the last 8 of those being in The Netherlands, Luke has built himself an exceptional reputation in the market for providing clear, informative and transparent financial advice. Luke services clients of many nationalities and ranging from senior level executives to small scale business owners; this brings the experience and knowledge to give the best advice in a multitude of circumstances - His client recommendations are testimony to the long term relationships that he has built over the years and the successes that they have had.

Luke David Hunt (Associate Director)

In case of a six-month contract, there can be no trial period. For a short-term fixed contract of less than two years, the trial period may not exceed one month. During the trial period, both the employer and employee have the right to end the employment contract at any time. After this time, the notice time for ending your employment is usually one month and sometimes two.

Changes in employment

If you have a permanent contract for an unlimited period, your employment can only be terminated with your consent or, if you do not consent, through the Institute for Employee Insurance (UWV) or in court. Valid reasons for terminating a permanent employment contract are the economic restructuring of the company or a history of unsatisfactory performance by the employee, which in both cases must be well-documented and proven to the UWV or the court. If the employer fires an employee on the spot without good reason (which include fraud, theft or dangerous behaviour), the dismissal can be nullified.

If you are a highly skilled migrant (kennismigrant) and you want to change jobs, you will have to report this to immigration services (IND) within 4 weeks, or risk a penalty. You won’t have to apply for a new residence permit, but your new employer may have to apply for a new work permit. If you worked as highly skilled migrant before, make sure your new employer falls within the highly skilled migrant regulations. If you wish to extend your work permit or residence permit, your personal circumstances will be assessed again. If you’ve worked for three years on the same residence permit, – such as the employee single permit or your partner’s permit –, you are no longer required to have a separate work permit for your new job.

In the Netherlands, every working resident is legally obliged to pay social security contributions. If for some reason you become unemployed after working for a while in the Netherlands, you will be entitled to receive unemployment benefits. If you’ve worked for 26 out of the 36 weeks before the employment contract ended, you will receive 75 percent of your salary for two months, and then 70 percent afterwards, for a total maximum of 24 months. On the website of the Ministry of Social Affairs and Employment (SZW) or the UWV you can find more information on Dutch labour practices and unemployment benefits.

European legislation

Expats from the EU should be aware that, aside from stringent Dutch employee protection laws, freedom of movement is an inviolable right, allowing Europeans to work anywhere in the Union. Other protections that have been enshrined in EU legislation include employees’ equal treatment, wage protection, working hours regulations, safe working conditions minimizing exposure to risks, protection against employment termination, the right to join unions, vocational training, and protection of employees when an employer becomes insolvent. You can find more information on European labour law on eur-lex. europa.eu.

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Identifying where to look for your ideal job.

Highlighting your experience and strengths to make your CV, cover letter and/or job application stand out from the rest.

Refining interviewing & communication skills with an experienced native English speaker to gain an edge in a very competitive market. s s

Paying your taxes in the Netherlands

Paying taxes in the Netherlands is a relatively straightforward affair. As the national Tax Office (Belastingdienst) says: ‘we can’t make it more fun, but we can make it easier’. Indeed, things have gotten a lot easier over the years, although taxes will never be really easy – there is still a large number of tax rules that you need to take into consideration. You can do your taxes yourself online, but if you’re not sure, use a Dutch tax advisor (belastingadviseur or boekhouder).

The 30% rule

Before moving on to the general taxation system of the Netherlands, the first relevant question for all expats in the Netherlands is: are you eligible for the 30% rule? If you are, the first 30 percent of the income you make is free from payroll and income tax for five years. The remaining 70% will be taxed in the same way as for other working people in the Netherlands.

The 30% rule is intended as a reimbursement for relocating expenses when moving to the Netherlands. Aside from the 30% tax-free income benefit, other advantages include the possibility to have a fiscal ‘non-resident status’. This means you won’t have to pay tax on assets in Boxes 2 and 3 (see below), with the exception of real estate investments. Furthermore, you can change your driving license to a Dutch license without having to take a driving test, and you can receive deductions on international school fees.

You are eligible for the 30% rule if, as a foreign worker, you are employed by a company in the Netherlands and you have specific professional expertise that is scarce or unavailable in the country (as indicated by salary requirements). Furthermore, you can’t have lived less than 150 km from the Dutch border for more 8 months during the 24 months prior to working in the Netherlands. If you meet these requirements, you and/or your employer should file an ‘Application Income tax and national insurance 30% facility’ with the Belastingdienst. You can apply within 4 months after you’ve started working and still receive all or part of the benefits retroactively. When changing employers, you need to re-apply within three months after leaving your previous job. The 30% rule will apply

for no more than 5 years. What taxes do I need to pay?

Below are the main taxes that Dutch workers and expats pay, depending on your work situation.

Inkomstenbelasting (income tax): this includes wages from your job or income from your own business or freelance income, and also applies to artists or professional athletes. Foreign income and gifts also fall into this category. Although your employer will automatically withhold this tax from your salary as loonheffing (see below), you still need to declare your income via your annual tax return. If you have your own business, then you are obliged to list all your income in your annual tax return.

Some costs can be deducted from your income, such as mortgage rent payments, premiums for annuities, school tuition costs, specific medical expenses, waived venture capital, alimony and many more.

Loonheffing (payroll tax): this is a contribution that your employer withholds from your salary. This payroll levy consists of a wage tax and various insurance contributions, such as pensions, collective unemployment insurance and a whole range of benefits and allowances. At blueumbrella.nl/ you can calculate how much your net income will be after you’ve paid all your taxes.

Omzetbelasting BTW (VAT sales tax): if you’re a freelancer or own a business, you will have to pay value added tax, which you must invoice to your clients. Depending on the type of services or goods you offer, BTW will be 0%, 9% or 21%. BTW needs to be paid every quarter.

How to pay your taxes

At the start of each year, you will receive a letter from the Belastingdienst requesting you to complete your tax return for the previous year. When filling out your return, you have to declare, aside from your income: your tax partner’s income (see below), additional income and capital like property, investments and savings, your mortgage, and tax deductions you may be eligible for. If you have any doubts or questions

about income or deductible items, you can call the Tax Office at 0800-0543. The annual income tax return needs to be submitted before 30 April, unless you apply for an extension. This can be done online or by phone. Fines will be levied if you do not submit your return or ask for an extension before the deadline, and of course if you fail to pay the taxes you owe.

In the Netherlands your income is taxed based on three ‘boxes’, with box 1 being income from salary, box 2 income from interest in a limited company and box 3 income from assets and savings. Each of these boxes has a different tax rate, based on your income sources:

Box 1: income from wages is taxed in two progressive categories, which are, for 2022:

• You pay 36.93% on income up until €73.031;

• You pay 49.5% on any income over €73.031.

For those receiving the national old-age pension (AOW), there are three categories, with varying percentages of tax based on your age.

Box 2: Income from a substantial interest or holding of at least 5% in a BV (limited company) is taxed at 26,9%. This includes dividends and capital gains. Any costs that were made with regard to those incomes can be deducted from taxation.

In Box 3 your (fictional) income from savings and investments is taxed, called asset tax (vermogensbelasting). Examples include stocks and shares, bank and savings accounts, houses and other property, and investment property. Some exceptions include the home you own and live in, moveable furniture, certain insurance schemes and investments in cultural, social, environmental or startup projects.

Massive changes are currently taking place in the way in which tax in Box 3 is calculated. It used to be the case that tax on assets was calculated at a fixed percentage of 4% no matter how much profit you actually made from your assets. This was considered unfair, as people with savings in the bank (usually people who are not very wealthy) made less profit, with interest being low, and so paid too much tax. People with assets in stocks or land – usually the richest – made more than 4% and so were taxed too low.

From 2023, assets are divided into three categories: cash and bank balances, other assets and liabilities. Tax will be calculated based on the actual composition of the taxpayer’s assets. A separate fixed return percentage applies to each asset category.

For 2023-2025 temporary measures will be in place, but the fixed return percentages have not yet been announced. It’s recommended to hire a tax adviser if you have a lot of Box 3 assets, as they will know what the most recent developments are.

In any case, for 2023, the first €57,000 in savings and investments is exempt from taxation for everybody.

Quick overview of other taxes, rules and exceptions

• If you have income from another country, it is usually not taxed by the Belastingdienst.

• The person you are married to or living with permanently, regardless of marital status, is usually considered your tax partner (fiscale partner).

•Everyone is entitled to a general tax credit (algemene heffingskorting), depending on your income, with a maximum of €3070. Business owners are entitled to a self-employment deduction (zelfstandigenaftrek) of no more than €5030.

• If you’re on a low income, you can apply for three types of benefits (toeslagen) at the Belastingdienst: healthcare allowance (zorgtoeslag), rent allowance (huurtoeslag) and childcare allowance (kinderopvangtoeslag). There is also kindgebonden budget, a tax reduction for parents that’s deducted automatically from your taxes. There are also unemployment and disability benefits, which are handled by a different office, UWV.

• More specific kinds of taxes in the Netherlands include: import tax (on goods received or imported from abroad), motor vehicle tax, inheritance tax, gift tax, corporate tax, transfer tax and gambling tax. Failure to pay any of the above, or voluntarily hiding your income, the value of your possessions or an inheritance, can lead to a fine of up to 300% of the undeclared amount.

FINANCIAL ADVISERS

UTRECHT

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De Brauw Blackstone Westbroek

Claude Debussylaan 80 1082 MD Amsterdam T: 020 577 1771 W: debrauw.com

BNC Tax

Keizersgracht 62 1015 CS Amsterdam

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Expat Management Group

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SAS for Expats

Hoofdstraat 2 2351 AJ Leiderdorp T: 071 542 2720 W: sas@hbk.eu

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Blacktower Financial Management

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T: 070 450 0060 W: blacktowerfm.com

Blue Clue Tax Solutions Park de Wervelaan 13 2283 TN Rijswijk T: 070 215 6300 W: blueclue.nl

AKD Wilhelminakade 1 3072 AP Rotterdam T: 088 253 5000 W: akd.nl Houthoff Weena 355 3013 AL Rotterdam T: 010 217 2000 W: houthoff.com

Independent Expat Finance Beursplein 37 3011 AA Rotterdam W: inexpatfin.nl

ING Stadhuisplein 6 3012 AS Rotterdam T: 020 228 8888. W: ing.nl

Loyens & Loeff Blaak 31 3011 GA Rotterdam T: 010 224 6224 W: loyensloeff.com

NautaDutilh Weena 800 3014 DA Rotterdam T: 010 224 0000 W: nautadutilh.com

Tax & Service Solutions

Vissersdijk Beneden 70 3319 GW Dordrecht T: 0641-957571 W: tssolutions.nl

Tysma Lems Veerhaven 4

3016 CJ, Rotterdam T: 010 412 1225 W: tysmalems.com NOORD-BRABANT

AKD Bijster 1 4817 HX Breda T: 088 253 5000 W: akd.nl

Oranjeland Insurance Palestinastraat 117 GL Den Bosch T: 085 201 2057 W: oranjeland.net

MORTGAGE LENDERS

A&H Finance

T: 020 465 1951 W: ahfinance.nl

ABN AMRO Bank N.V.. T: 020 628 8900 W: abnamro.nl

Acadium Bastion T: 010 403 1111 acadiumbastion.nl

Aegon T: 088 344 1234 W: aegon.nl

Allianz Nederland Groep N.V. T: 088 577 1911 W: allianz.nl

Argenta T: 076 543 3085 W: argenta.nl

A.S.R. verzekeringen

T: 030 257 9111 W: asrnederland.nl

Attens Hypotheken

T: 020 318 9650 W: attens.nl

Avéro Achmea

T: 071 751 0022 W: achmea.nl

Bank of Scotland

T: 0800 88 88822 W: bankofscotland.nl

bijBouwe

T: 024 800 0789 W: bijbouwe.nl

BLG Wonen

T: 046 478 8888 W: blgwonen.nl T: 020 210 7988

Conservatrix T: 030 202 0420 W: conservatrix.nl

Delta Lloyd T: 020 594 9111 W: deltalloyd.nl

Colibri Hypotheken

T: 020 210 7988 W: colibri-hypotheken.nl

Expat Mortgages B.V.

T: 020 717 3908 W: expatmortgages.nl

Financium Primae B.V. T: 088 828 2288 W: financium.nl

Finsens

T: 020 262 4350 W: finsens.nl

Florius

T: 033 752 5000 W: florius.nl

FVB de Boer Financial

T: 070 511 8788 W: fvbdeboer.nl

Huis & Hypotheek

T: 088 205 6530 W: huis-hypotheek.nl

De Hypotheekshop

T: 033 754 9888 W: hypotheekshop.nl

De Hypotheker T: 073 612 4700 W: hypotheker.nl

Hypotrust Groep B.V. T: 088 205 1580 W: hypotrust.nl

Independent Expat Finance T: 023 303 0110 W: inexpatfin.nl

ING 1102 MG Amsterdam T: 020 563 9111 W: ing.nl

Insinger Gilissen Bankiers N.V. T: 020 521 5000 W: insingergilissen.nl

Jungo T: 085 130 3760 W: jungo.nl

Lloyds Bank T: 020 200 8388 W: lloydsbank.nl

Merius Hypotheken

T: 088 205 6460 W: Meriushypotheken.nl

Mister Mortgage T: 020 210 1074 W: hi@mistermortgage.nl

Mortgage monster

T: 020 426 3828, T: 010 750 1750 T: 015 202 3150 W: mortgagemonster.nl

Nationale-Nederlanden

T: 070 513 0303 W: nn.nl

Oranjeland Verzekeringen T: 085 201 2057 W: oranjeland.net

Reaal

T: 030 291 5915 W: reaal.nl SNS Bank T: 030 633 3000 W: snsbank.nl

Tulp Hypotheken T: 030 307 0500 W: tulphypotheken.nl

Triodos Bank

T: 030 694 2500 W: triodos.nl

How DigiD works

If you have interacted with the Dutch government online, you will have encountered DigiD. DigiD is an identity verification app that more and more services are using to securely identify the user. DigiD also serves as a single-sign-on service to access sites from the government, your province and municipality (gemeente), most health insurances, medical centres and other services. You can log into a variety of websites using DigiD, providing an added layer of security so it’s clear that it is you who is logging in. Even though it’s not a requirement, almost everyone in the Netherlands with a burgerservicenummer (BSN) uses DigiD – and you should too! But how do you use this sign-on method?

Once you have registered at the municipality where you live, you will receive your BSN. With this you can register for DigiD. Simply visit the website www.digid. nl/en and apply for your digital identification. If the website is in Dutch, you can switch the language at the top-right corner of the website. Once you click to apply, you will be taken to a very simple three-step process to apply for your DigiD. Be sure to have your BSN handy, as you will need it along with your name, address and date of birth.

You also have the option to add a second authentication option: either using the DigiD app for each log-on, or a single-use SMS code text message. When you are applying for your DigiD you can indicate whether you want this second level of security. However, many websites require two-factor authentication, so it’s recommended to set this up immediately (but you can also do it later). Finally, you choose a username and password, then click submit to complete your application.

A few days later, you will receive a confirmation letter that will contain an activation code. You have twenty days to use the activation code; after that, you will need to request another code. Use this code to activate your DigiD by going back to the website and following the steps to activate. You can also use the DigiD app to activate your DigiD. Just download and open the app and follow the instructions. You will also have to select a PIN code used for logging in via the

app. Congratulations! You now have your own DigiD!

On websites that allow logins with your digital identity, you will see the DigiD logo. Sometimes you can log in with just your DigiD and password, but often you need a second method of authentication: an SMS message or through the DigiD app. With the text message method, enter your username and password; the website will text a code to your mobile phone, which you have to type in on the website to verifying that it is you.

To login with the app, open the DigiD app. The app will ask you if you need a code to login, then prompt you to enter the PIN code you selected during the activation process. On the website you want to log into, click “Met de DigiD app” and enter the code that appears on the app. A QR code will appear that you scan with the app on your phone, verifying that it is you. It’s that easy!

After logging into a few websites, you will discover how simple and easy it is! You can log in and use a whole host of websites and services with one app and one login. Even activating the DigiD app on a new phone is easy. You use your old phone to verify it’s you with your new phone. Just keep in mind that if you forget your username or login you will need to request a new one. For user security, there is no password recovery process with DigiD. This means waiting a few days for anew activation code, sent by letter. So don’t lose your login details!

How to support your child during a move

Moving is a significant life event for children, especially if you are moving to a new country. In addition to the new house and a different neighbourhood, your child will also need to adjust to a new school, (sports) club, day care or afterschool care. Add new relationships with peers and teachers... It can be quite daunting! How do you approach this as a parent and how can you guide your child through a move?

We’d love to give you some tips! www.partou.nl/moving

Looking after the little ones

Childcare in the Netherlands is considered a shared responsibility between parents, schools, employers and the government. The parents raise their children; schools and care centers are responsible for the children entrusted to them when the parents are working; and employers pay a childcare contribution imposed by the government to pay for the whole system. Expats working for a Dutch company in the Netherlands enjoy the same rights to childcare as Dutch citizens, and must abide by the same rules. Everybody who has children and legally works and lives in the Netherlands is eligible for three kinds of child benefits.

1. Kinderbijslag: if you have children under 18, including adopted and foster children or stepchildren you raise as your own, you will receive kinderbijslag (child support). How much kinderbijslag you receive depends on how many children you have, as well as their ages. Once you register your kids with your municipality – which is compulsory within three working days after the birth –, you will be contacted by the Sociale Verzekeringbank (SVB) within two weeks. You can then apply for kinderbijslag online. The amount is €248 per quarter per child up to 5 years. For children aged 6-11, the benefit rises to €302 and for ages 12-17 to €356. For children with disabilities, the benefit can double.

2. Kindgebonden budget (child-related budget, kgb): low- to middle-income families can apply for additional benefits, also arranged by the SVB. The Tax Office (Belastingdienst) decides if you are eligible to receive these benefits, depending among other things on your total household income. Limits also apply for the total household capital that you own. The maximum amount of kgb for a two-parent family is €1653 per year for one child, €3185 for two children, €4717 for three children and €6429 for four children; these amounts decrease if you have a higher income. Single parents can receive up to €3848 extra per year. The payment is given as an advance based on your estimate of your income, and the final amount will be calculated once you have submitted your tax report for the year. This means you may have to pay back some of the money if you earned more than you estimated. You can calculate the amount you will receive and

apply for this budget through the Belastingdienst Toeslagen (benefits) website: Toeslagen

3. Kinderopvangtoeslag (childcare allowance): if your child goes to a registered daycare, childminder (gastouder) or after-school club (buitenschoolse opvang, bso), you may be entitled to an allowance to pay for the costs. Depending on your income, the number of children, the number of hours that you work, and the type of childcare you choose, you can be reimbursed for up to a maximum of 96% of the total cost. The maximum allowance is 230 hours of childcare per month and the maximum reimbursement is €8,97 per hour. This allowance is also paid as an advance, so be aware you may have to pay back some of it later. You can apply for this budget through the Belastingdienst Toeslagen website: Toeslagen

There are many kinds of childcare options on offer in the Netherlands, including daycare, after-school club (bso), babysitting, playgroups, nurseries, child-minding services and pre-schools. High standards and government regulations apply to all caretakers, who must be officially registered. In all large cities, you can find daycares and playgroups for English speakers or speakers of other languages. As some daycare centers have long waiting lists, parents may have to wait a long time before they can drop off their little one. It is recommended to check the availability of childcare while you are pregnant, in order to ensure that your child has a place once you need it.

If you wish to hire a babysitter, you can find a vetted babysitter at agencies, such as Nanny Nina, Charly Cares or Oppasland; at these sites, you have to pay a monthly subscription to use their services. The usual rate for registered babysitters aged 23 or over is €8-€12 an hour. There are no regulations for informal babysitters, so parents can look elsewhere for cheaper options, such as a neighbour looking to make some money. Around €5-7 an hour is expected for a babysitter in his/her teens, a bit more for older sitters. Always make sure you choose a babysitter you trust, check their references and meet the babysitter at least once before you leave your child in their care.

At Kühler & Partners International Mental Health we provide psychological healthcare for Kids & Teens. We have a specialist team of child psychologists and a child psychiatrist, offering high quality care to children age 6-18 and their families.

We are there to support children who experience psychological issues such as anxiety, depression, stress due to major life events, low confidence and self-esteem, problems with attention, behaviour or emotion regulation. If these problems do not disappear by themselves and last too long, they may have an impact on different areas in the child’s life, such as family, friends and school. Therapy or counselling can help to find a way forward. We work together with children and parent(s)/families towards a healthier and better personal wellbeing.

After initial assessment, we offer individual therapy, parent- and family counselling. Our treatments are tailormade, short if possible and longer if needed. We are a multidisciplinary team of professionals with an international background.

If necessary or desirable, we advise or work together with schools.

For further information, please contact: Kühler & Partners International Mental Health | Kids & Teens

Contact details +31 (0) 85 0660 500 info@internationalmentalhealth.nl

Amsterdam Den Haag

Because sometimes you need a little guidance to find your way.

CHILDCARE

NATIONWIDE

Partou + Smallsteps Kinderopvang

Several locations see website

W: partou.nl/en/childcare T: 088 235 7500 W: partou.nl

Nanny Nina

T: 06 30 22 94 13 W: nannynina.nl

How to support your child during a move

Moving is a significant life event for children, especially if you are moving to a new country. In addition to the new house and a different neighbourhood, your child will also need to adjust to a new school, (sports) club, day care or afterschool care. Add new relationships with peers and teachers... It can be quite daunting!

We’d love to give you some tips!

www.partou.nl/moving

UTRECHT

Big Ben Kids Amstelveen Stadshart

Pieter Lastmanweg 7 1181 XG Amstelveen T: 020 345 9713 W: bigbenkids.com

Koko

Several locations in De Meern (area) T: 030 677 1552 W: kokokinderopvang.nl

Kinderparadijs Jansen & Jansen

Several locations in Utrecht T: 030 299 5100 W: kdvjansenenjansen.nl

Ludens

Several locations in Utrecht T: 030 256 7070 W: ludens.nl

Mini Stek

Several locations in Utrecht T: 030 636 8510 W: mini-stek.nl

NOORD-HOLLAND

Buddies

Amstelveen and Amsterdam T: 020 452 5420 W: kdvbuddies.nl

CompaNanny

E.g. Amstelveen, Amsterdam, Schiphol T: 020 417 0117 W: compananny.nl

Mirakel

Amstelveen and Amsterdam T: 020 661 3035 W: kinderopvangmirakel.nl

Majest

Marne 127 1186PJ Amstelveen

T: 020 345 3852 W: www.majest.nl

Wolkewietje

Noorddammerweg 53 1187 ZS Amstelveen T: 020 426 3969 W: wolkewietje-kinderopvang.nl

2 Voices-Parkside

Zocherstraat 68 1054 MA Amsterdam T: 020 618 5132 W: 2voices.net

AKROS Amsterdam

Several locations T: 020 261 0500 W: akros-amsterdam.nl

Kinderdagverblijf Bartele

Rijnstraat 221 1079 HG Amsterdam T: 020 404 3033 W: bartele.nl

De Beukelseberg & De Bibelebontseberg

Several locations in Amsterdam

T: 020 592 6637. W: kcwa.nl

Bizzi Lizzi’s Preschool

Van Hilligaertstraat 23 H 1072JX Amsterdam bizzi-lizzis.com Combiwel

Several locations in Amsterdam T: 020 577 1133 W: combiwelvoorkinderen.nl

Curious Kids

Several locations in Amsterdam

T: 020 672 7321 W: curiouskids.nl

Dynamo

Several locations in Amsterdam

T: 020 460 9300 W: dynamo-amsterdam.nl

Hestia Kinderopvang

Amsterdam & Amstelveen

T: 020 661 8710

W: hestiakinderopvang.nl/en

IJsterk

Several locations in Amsterdam

T: 020 521 0250 W: ijsterk.nl

Kindergarden

Several locations in Amsterdam

Herengracht 250 1016 BV Amsterdam

T: 020 528 5579 W: kindergarden.nl

KinderRijk

Several locations in Amsterdam

T: 020 426 0888 W: kinderrijk.nl

Klein & Co

Several locations in Amsterdam

T: 020 670 8576 W: kleinenco.nl

De Kleine Wereld

Several locations

Johannes Vermeerstraat 63 1071 DN Amsterdam T: 020 412 0633

W: en.dekleinewereld.nl

Nanny for Expats

Bernard Zweerskade 9 II 1077 TX Amsterdam

T: 06 55 69 5482 W: nannyforexpats.com

Partou Kinderopvang

Several locations

T: 088 235 7500 W: partou.nl

Swazoom

Several locations T: 020 569 6867 W: swazoom.nl

Tinteltuin

Several locations in Amsterdam

T: 088 078 0780 W: tinteltuin.nl

Kindercentrum WereldKids

Several locations in Amsterdam

T: 020 489 2327 W: kindercentrumwereldkids.nl

HappyKids Kinderopvang

Haarlemmermeer, several locations T: 085 011 0070 W: happykids.nl

ZUID-HOLLAND

Big Ben Kids The Hague/ Scheveningen

Scheveningseweg 46 2517 KV Den Haag T: 070 363 4070 W: bigbenkids.com

Big Ben Kids Wassenaar Hallekensstraat 28A 2242 VD Wassenaar T: 070 514 6738 W: bigbenkids.com

’t Knuffeltje

Hendrick de Keyserweg 6 2612 KE Delft T: 015 214 1470 W: knuffeltje.net

Teddy Kids

Leiden and Wassenaar T: 06 20 96 6405 W: teddykids.nl

CompaNanny

E.g. The Hague, Leiden, Rotterdam T: 020 417 0117 W: compananny.nl

Kinderopvang Morgen Martin Campslaan 3 2280 AN Rijswijk

070-7920138 www.kinderopvangmorgen.nl

2Samen Kinderopvang

Laan van Meerdervoort 70 2517 AN Den Haag 070-3385500 www.2samen.nl

Dak kindercentra

Several locations in The Hague area T: 070 750 2100 W: dakkindercentra.nl

Ewa’s Childcare

Several locations in The Hague

T: 070 363 9775 W: ewaschildcare.nl

House by the park

Duinweg 1 2585 JT The Hague T: 070 404 9750 W: commealamaison.nl

Stichting Rijswijkse Kinderopvang

Several locations in The Hague and Rijswijk

T: 070 792 0100 W: kinderopvang-plein.nl

Triodus

Several locations in The Hague area

T: 010 286 2777 W: triodus.nl

True Colors Childcare Delft and Rijswijk T: 06 29 40 9644 W: truecolorschildcare.com

Villa Bloom

Several locations in The Hague

T: 070 820 0542 W: villabloom.nl

Zein International Childcare Group

Several locations in The Hague (area)

T: 070 200 2375 W: zeinchildcare.nl

Vlietkinderen

Leidschendam, The Hague, Voorburg

T: 070 317 5959 W: vlietkinderen.nl

BijDeHand

Several locations in Rotterdam

T: 010 286 2777 W: kov-bijdehand.nl

Bimbola

Several locations in Rotterdam

T: 010 213 2027 W: bimbola.nl

Dikkedeur

Several locations in Rotterdam

T: 010 425 8440 / 010 820 8571 W: dikkedeur.nl

Dikkertje Dap

Several locations in Rotterdam T: 010 411 5043 W: vvsdikkertjedap.nl

Nanny Home

T: 023-526 6896 W: nanny-home.nl

Nannies at Night

T: 06 18 46 1581 W: nanniesatnight.com

Sitly W: sitly.nl

Yoopies W: yoopies.nl

Holiday Sitters

Amsterdam, Rotterdam, The Hague T: 06 17 29 2579 W: holiday-sitters.com NOORD-HOLLAND

Professional Nanny

Amsterdam (area) T: 06 28 45 7319 W: professionalnanny.nl ZUID-HOLLAND Nannywereld The Hague (area) T: 06 52 37 4582 W: nannywereld.nl

AU PAIRS

The Au Pair

T: 06 11 17 9896 W: the-aupair.nl

AUPAIR4AL

T: 010 844 4416 W: aupair4all.nl

Au Pair Exclusive

Jacobus Spijkerdreef 268 2132 PZ Hoofddorp 023-3035363 www.aupairexclusive.nl

Au Pair Interactive Holland BV T: 0343 75 5075 W: aupairinteractive.com

Au Pair Nederland T: 088 222 4812 W: aupair-nederland.nl

House-o-Orange Au Pairs

T: 070 324 5903 W: house-o-orange.nl

Huisje Boompje Nanny

T: 023 230 2162 W: huisjeboompjenanny.nl

NEDSA Au Pair Nederland

T: 06 55 30 4754 W: nedsa.nl

Smiling Faces T: 010 465 9797 W: smilingfacesaupairs.nl

Super Nanny Au Pair Services

T: 070 381 48 12 W: supernannyaupairservices.nl/

Dutch school system

The Dutch educational system is known as a fair system with equal opportunities for all and it continues to rank well internationally. The Dutch curriculum is shaped by the government, schools and teachers. In primary education as well as lower grades of secondary education, the curriculum consists of core objectives and reference levels, whilst achievement targets rule the curriculum in upper secondary education. The last curriculum was formed in 2006, while since 2018 ‘development teams’ have been deliberating potential reforms in the areas of digital literacy, English, Dutch, mathematics, citizenship, exercise and sport, arts and culture, biology and sustainability.

According to Dutch law, attending school is obligatory in the Netherlands for all children aged 5 to 16 – or longer, until a basic qualification (startkwalificatie) is gained. However, most children start primary school at age 4. Homeschooling is possible, but the process to arrange this is complex and it’s very rare in the Netherlands.

Education in the Netherlands is divided into primary (basisonderwijs), secondary (voortgezet onderwijs) and tertiary (hoger onderwijs). Tertiary education is the remit of universities and universities of applied sciences (HBO or hogeschool). Children in the Netherlands follow eight years of primary education, while secondary school is completed at the age of 16, 17 or 18, depending on the type of diploma. Classes are taught in Dutch, but more and more schools and universities conduct part of their lessons in English. Primary and secondary state education is available to everyone for free, but there are also private schools, which offer a specialized curriculum.

More information about the school system is available at:

iamexpat.nl/education/primary-secondary-education/ dutch-school-system

nuffic.nl/en/subjects/education-in-the-netherlands/

xpat.nl/moving-to-netherlands/netherlands-facts/ national-education-system/

dutchreview.com/expat/education/ the-dutch-school-system/

TYPES OF EDUCATION Daycare/preschool

Until the age of 4, children in the Netherlands can attend a variety of non-compulsory daycare options, such as kindergarten, playgroups or childminders (kinderopvang, kinderdagverblijf, peuterspeelzaal or gastouder) – see p. 81 for an overview.

Primary education

A Dutch elementary or primary school has eight grades, known as ‘groups’, ranging from ‘Groep 1’ (4-year-olds) to ‘Groep 8’ (11-year-olds). In Groep 1 and 2, there is a focus on the gradual transition from learning-by-play to learning to read and write. The actual learning begins in the third year, groep 3. Children will start to study English fairly soon, often in groep 3 or 4. Depending on the school, subjects such as natural science, geography, history and English are taught, often in the form of across-the-board projects that relate to children’s everyday lives. The compulsory courses at primary schools are Dutch, English, mathematics, ‘world orientation’ (including geography, history, biology, traffic and politics), artistic subjects (such as music, drawing and crafts), and physical education.

The quality of most primary schools is generally fairly high, even for schools that perform relatively badly compared to others in the area. Schools usually ask for a voluntary yearly contribution for extras (outings, special projects), which is dependent on the parents’ income, but usually less than €100.

Special types of education

A distinction is made in the Netherlands between public (openbare) and special (bijzondere) schools, which are founded on a particular religion, philosophy or educational vision. The government funds both types of education and all schools must meet general standards such as a minimum number of pupils and hours of education. The Dutch Inspectorate of Education (Onderwijsinspectie) oversees the quality of education in public and special schools.

Special schools are created when there is sufficient demand from local parents. Some are based on a specific religion, such as Jewish, Hindu, Islamic, Protestant Christian, Reformatory or Roman Catholic, although usually children of all faiths are accepted. Others are based on a specific educational philosophy, such as Dalton, Jenaplan, Waldorf, Freinet or Montessori. These methods of education usually encourage children to have more control over their own learning.

Some of these schools have long waiting lists – in some cases you have to sign up when you’re still pregnant! If your children 2 or 3 years old when you move to the Netherlands, it may not be possible to get a place in popular schools. In any case, some public primary schools also apply Montessori, Dalton or Jenaplan methods, so all may not be lost. In some municipalities, children are assigned to schools depending on their postcode – this saves you the stress of getting into a particular school, but takes away your freedom of choice. There are also schools specifically aimed at academically gifted children, as well as (secondary) schools that cater to pupils performing sports at a high level.

Secondary education

In their last year of primary education (groep 8), children receive an official recommendation from the school about the type of secondary education they should pursue. This recommendation is based on the leerlingvolgsysteem, a monitoring system used to register the achievements of pupils throughout their time at primary school. Furthermore, in groep 8 pupils take the mandatory state exam Centrale Eindtoets, formally called CITO-toets, which will also contribute to the official recommendation for the next level of education. This test is often surrounded by stress and controversy among parents, but it is designed simply as a test of your child’s current level of academic knowledge and skills. The teacher’s personal advice is also important to determine the child’s next steps.

Once the next level of education has been determined, the search for the right secondary school begins. To help make a choice, many schools offer open days. Your choice depends on personal preference about the school and its curriculum, as well as the (cycling) distance from home. However, in some of the larger cities – especially Amsterdam – the most popular schools have only limited spaces, which are

distributed through a lottery system.

There are three different tracks of secondary education, based on a student’s academic level as determined in the CITO-toets, their teacher’s advice, as well as their interests.

1. VMBO (preparatory secondary vocational education) is a four-year vocation-orientated course focussed on practical knowledge, as well as basic education in core subjects such as Dutch, English, mathematics et cetera. After finishing VMBO around age 16, youngsters can take a 3- or 4-year secondary vocational training (MBO) course, in which they learn a practical trade, such as hairdresser, carpenter or mechanic. Depending on how well a pupil performs at VMBO, they might also have the option of continuing at HAVO level.

2. The second track of secondary education is HAVO, a five-year track completed around the age of 17. After HAVO, a pupil may continue to study for a vocational degree at a university of applied sciences (hogeschool or HBO). HBO trains students for more theoretical but still practical jobs such as primary school teacher, nurse, store manager or IT technician. Depending on how well a pupil performs at HAVO, he/she might also have the option of continuing at VWO.

3. The third track of secondary education is the VWO, a six-year educational stream with a focus on theoretical knowledge. After finishing VWO around age 18, students can attend a research university (WO) to take a bachelor’s degree. Students can also study VWO at schools known as athenaeum and gymnasium. At a gymnasium, students are taught Latin and Ancient Greek, whereas the athenaeum is simply another name for VWO without Latin and Greek.

Many schools offer all levels (VBMO, HAVO and VWO) in one building, making it easy to go up or down a level if this is needed based on a pupil’s results. Most secondary schools offer a mixed transition class (brugklas), in which children of all academic abilities follow the first year of secondary school together.

Bilingual education

Bilingual education (tweetalig onderwijs or TTO) at the moment exists only for secondary schools. In TTO, at least half of the subjects is taught in

English. The pupils use English in subjects such as history, geography and physical education, but it is also the language in which everyone at the school communicates. TTO students obtain a conventional diploma in VWO, HAVO or VMBO, which means that TTO schools must meet the regular government requirements, but students can also obtain an additional English language certificate. All bilingual schools in the Netherlands, currently around 130, are part of a network coordinated by Nuffic, the Dutch organisation for internationalisation in education. TTO teachers have been specially trained and standards, such as the English proficiency of pupils and teachers, as well as international orientation across the curriculum, are monitored by Nuffic. The school must also offer its own international activities. There are activities around the country with an international dimension, where pupils can use their English in practical situations and compete with TTO peers. Examples are the Mathematics Challenge and the Junior Speaking Contest, in which students from the second and third grade of HAVO and VWO write an English speech and present it, as well as the Drama contest. It should be noted that TTO schools still follow the Dutch curriculum and students speak Dutch about 50% of the day. They also take their final exams in Dutch.

More information about TTO is available at: nuffic.nl/onderwerpen/alle-tto-scholen-in-nederland Bilingual primary education (Tweetalig Primair Onderwijs or TPO) is currently being researched in a pilot by 17 primary schools around the country. At these TPO schools, pupils are taught in English 30 to 50% of the time. The pilot, which runs from 2014 to 2023, measures the effect of this on the language development of children. A list of participating schools can be found at: nuffic.nl/onderwerpen/ tweetalige-basisscholen

International education

Pupils with non-Dutch nationality, or from families that are not planning to stay long in the country, can choose from various (private, non-government funded) international schools in the Netherlands, which follow an international curriculum, taught in English either wholly or in part. The qualifications for admission to these schools are set by the Dutch Ministry of Education. Internationally-recognised school certifications, such as the International Primary Curriculum (IPC) and the International Baccalaureate

(IB) Primary Years Program are offered, preparing students to transition to schools and universities all over the world. International secondary schools offer the IB Middle Years Program or the Cambridge International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE). The Netherlands benefits from its reputation of having a strong business climate and economy, and the demand for places at international schools has increased considerably, resulting in waiting lists. More information is available at: educaide.nl sio.nl iamexpat.nl/education/primary-secondary-education/ international-schools-netherlands

Internationally-Oriented Primary Education (IGBO)

The Netherlands has a small number of schools with Internationaal Georiënteerd Basisonderwijs (IGBO), useful for children of expat parents who intend to live or work in the Netherlands for a longer period of time. Children of Dutch parents who have lived abroad can also attend these schools. IGBO schools are departments of Dutch primary schools with English as the language of instruction. The Inspectorate of Education supervises education at these schools.

Special needs education

Children who are physically disabled, or have mild learning or behavioural problems, will normally begin their schooling in a mainstream primary school. This is in line with Dutch education law, according to which children with special needs must be given a place at a mainstream school, with some adaptations that suit their abilities and potential (called passend onderwijs). Nevertheless, not all schools are able to cater for children with special needs, so it’s wise to start looking for a suitable place when they are 2-3 years old, in order to see if a mainstream school can cater to the child’s needs.

Children with more severe learning disabilities or behavioural problems, a serious physical disability or a chronic illness may not benefit from attending a normal primary school. For these children there are schools which fall under special needs primary education (sbo) or special needs secondary education (so). At these schools, groups are smaller, teachers are specifically trained and children receive more support. There are almost 300 schools for special needs primary education and over 300 schools for

special needs secondary education. A Dutch huisarts (GP) will be able to provide an assessment and give advice on how to find the appropriate support. If the child is very disabled, it may be possible to get dispensation from mandatory attendance at school (leerplicht).

For more information, see: rijksoverheid.nl/onderwerpen/passend-onderwijs/vraagen-antwoord/hoe-krijgt-mijn-kind-passend-onderwijs rijksoverheid.nl/onderwerpen/passend-onderwijs/ speciaal-onderwijs

School holidays

To relieve pressures on tourist destinations during school holidays, the country has been divided into three regions: north, middle and south. This means that the summer holidays will start and end at a different date for each of the three groups. Other holidays usually (but not always) take place at the same time. The usual holidays are: Autumn (October), Christmas (two weeks in December/January), Spring (a week in February or March), May (two weeks in April or May) and Summer (six weeks in July and August). According to the Compulsory Education Act, parents and pupils must adhere to the dates that the school sets; taking your child out of school at other times may result in a fine.

In the Netherlands the compulsory holidays are: New Year’s Day (1 January); Easter Monday; King’s Day (27 April); Liberation Day (5 May); Ascension Day; Whit Monday, Christmas and Boxing Day.

To check which region you’re in: rijksoverheid.nl/onderwerpen/schoolvakanties/ regios-schoolvakantie

To check holiday dates: rijksoverheid.nl/onderwerpen/schoolvakanties/ overzicht-schoolvakanties-per-schooljaar

Did you know?

The first year of secondary education is called the brugklas (‘transition class’), and the pupil is called a brugpieper.

Most children in the Netherlands walk or cycle to school. Younger children are transported on their parents’ bike or in a bakfiets (cargo bike) until they are about 6 or 7, at which age they are old enough

to cycle by themselves. In primary schools, traffic education is a legally required part of the curriculum and pupils are taught fietsvaardigheid (bicycle skills). A practical exam is part of the traffic education at primary school.

As a memorable goodbye, students at primary schools usually create and perform a farewell musical at the end of groep 8, which is performed for an audience of parents and relatives. Children get to display their skills in song, dance and stage building.

Dutch schools don’t provide school lunches; instead every child brings their own sandwiches and fruit in a broodtrommel (sandwich box). Eating a hot meal at school is not common; most schools don’t offer kitchen facilities to their pupils. There are no cafeterias in schools either.

At Dutch schools, parents are expected to play a part in their children’s education and social life at school. Primary schools enlist parents’ help for many tasks, such as helping with staging plays, baking for special occasions, or being a luizenmoeder (mothers who check all children for lice) or leesvader (fathers who read books with a group of children). Most schools also have a participation council (medezeggenschapsraad) consisting of parents and teachers, which advises the school board on a variety of matters. Some schools have a separate parents’ council (ouderraad) as well.

The International School of Amsterdam is a globally-recognised leader in educating for international understanding.

Founded in 1964, ISA was the first school in the world to offer all core IB programmes. Located in the green city of Amstelveen, ISA offers state-of-the-art facilities to students between the ages of 2 to 18, representing 60 nationalities.

ISA believes in developing minds, character and communities. Our students are lifelong learners who value inquiry, critical and creative thinking, take informed risks, and act with integrity and compassion.

Contact Information

www.isa.nl | admissions@isa.nl Sportlaan 45, 1185 TB Amstelveen

PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOLS

GRONINGEN

Primary Dept. at Groningse Schoolvereniging

Sweelincklaan 4 9722 JV Groningen T: 050 527 0818 W: g-s-v.nl

Secondary Dept. at IS Groningen

Rijksstraatweg 24 9752 AE Haren T: 050 534 0084 W: isgroningen.nl

OVERIJSSEL

Eerde International Boarding School

Kasteellaan 1 7731 PJ Ommen T : 052 945 1452 W: eerde.nl

International School Twente

IST Primary Dept. Johannes Ter Horststraat 30 7513 ZH Enschede T: 053 206 8035 W: istwente.com

IST Secondary Dept. (IGCSE, IBDP)

Tiemeister 20 7541 WG Enschede T: 053 482 1100

GELDERLAND

Rivers International School Arnhem

Parnassusstraat 20, 6846 RB Arnhem T: 026 320 2840 W: riversarnhem.org

FLEVOLAND

International Primary School Almere

UTRECHT

International School Utrecht Primary Department

Van Bijnkershoeklaan 8 3527 XL Utrecht Secondary Department Grebbeberglaan 25 3527 VX Utrecht T: 030 870 0400 W: isutrecht.nl

NOORD-HOLLAND

European School Bergen Molenweidtje 5 1862 BC Bergen NH T: 072 589 0109 W: esbergen.eu

Florencius International School (Primary)

De Savornin Lohmanlaan 2 1181 XM Amstelveen T: 020 640 8118 W: florenciusinternationalschool.nl

Amity International School

Amsterdamseweg 204 1182 HL Amstelveen T: 020 345 4481 W: amityschool.nl

International School Amsterdam Sportlaan 45 1185 TB Amstelveen T: 020 347 1111 W: isa.nl

International Primary School

Roland Holststraat 58 1321 RX Almere T: 036 536 7240 W: ipsalmere.nl

International School Almere Heliumweg 61 1362 JA Almere – Poort T: 036 760 0750 W: internationalschoolalmere.nl

Amsterdam International Community School

Prinses Irenestraat 59 1077 WV Amsterdam A.J. Ernststraat 130 1082 LP Amsterdam Darlingstraat 2 1102 MX Amsterdam T: 020 577 1240 W: aics.espritscholen.nl

PASSIONATE ABOUT LEARNING

The International School Haarlem offers a positive learning environment where students (4-18 years) are encouraged to realise their full potential.

Through internationally respected and recognised programmes we involve our students in meaningful learning. ISH is an IB World School for MYP and DP and, in addition offers the International Primary Curriculum to students in Haarlem and surrounding municipalities.

International School Haarlem

Buitenrustlaan 9, 2012 BL Haarlem (Lower Primary) Schreveliusstraat 27, 2014 XP Haarlem (Upper Primary) Junoplantsoen 58, 2024 RS Haarlem (Secondary)

www.internationalschoolhaarlem.nl

L’ecole Française d’Amsterdam

Rustenburgerstraat 246 1073 GK Amsterdam

T: 020 644 6507

W: lyceevangogh.nl/maternelle-

Japanese School of Amsterdam Karel Klinkenbergstraat 137 1061 AL Amsterdam T: 020 611 8136

W: jsa.nl

International School Haarlem

Buitenrustlaan 9

2012 BL Haarlem (Lower Primary) Schreveliusstraat 27 2014 XP Haarlem (Upper Primary) Junoplantsoen 58 2024 RS Haarlem (Secondary) T: 0 61 551 3927 W: internationalschoolhaarlem.nl

International Primary School Hilversum

Rembrandtlaan 30 1213 BH Hilversum Frans Halslaan 57A 1213 BK Hilversum Minckelersstraat 36 1221 KH Hilversum T: 035 621 6053 W: ipshilversum.nl

Bringing out your child’s inner magic through excellent international education... come and see for yourself.

Small classes English as language of instruction International Primary Curriculum Close to Amsterdam/Schiphol/ Haarlem

Amstelland International School

Asserring 93 1187 SM Amstelveen

T: 020 820 9091

W: amstelland-international-school.nl

The British School of Amsterdam Havenstraat 6 1075 PR Amsterdam

T: 020 679 7840

W: britams.nl

International School Hilversum Alberdingk Thijm ( Prim&Sec) Emmastraat 56 1213 AL Hilversum T: 035 672 9931 W: ishilversum.nl

Le Lycée Français Vincent van Gogh

Rustenburgerstraat 246 1073 CK Amsterdam T: 020 644 6507 W: lyceevangogh.nl

Haarlemmermeer Lyceum

Baron de Coubertinlaan 2 2134 CG Hoofddorp T: 023 563 1644 W: haarlemmermeerlyceum.nl

Florencius International School (Primary)

Leemzeulder 29 1251 AM Laren

T: 035 691 2525

W: florenciusinternationalschool.nl

International School Laren Langsakker 4 1251 GB Laren T: 035 539 5422 W: islaren.nl

ZUID-HOLLAND

American School of the Hague

Rijksstraatweg 200 2241 BX Wassenaar T: 070 512 1060 W: ash.nl

International School Wassenaar Backershagenlaan 5 2243 AB Wassenaar T: 070 512 1800

W: internationalschoolwassenaar. nl

International School Delft - primary Jaffalaan 9 2628 BX Delft T: 015 285 0038

W: internationalschooldelft.com

International School DelftSecondary Colijnlaan 2 2613 VZ Delft T: 015 - 820 0208

W: internationalschooldelft.com

Elckerlyc International School

Klimopzoom 41 2353 RE Leiderdorp

T: 071 589 6861

W: elckerlyc-international.nl

International Secondary Dept. at Het Rijnlands Lyceum Apollolaan 1

2341 BA Oegstgeest T: 071 519 3555 W: isrlo.nl

International HSV Primary School

T: 070 324 3453 (admissions) Nassaulaan 26 2514 JT The Hague T: 070 318 4950

Koningin Sophielaan 24a 2595 TG The Hague T: 0070 324 3453

Van Nijenrodestraat 16 2597 RM DH The Hague T: 070 328 1441

Van Heutszstraat 12 2593 PJ The Hague T: 070 385 7685 W: hsvdenhaag.nl

Lighthouse Special Education (Primary)

Individual SEN-program taught in English

Van Heutszstraat 12 2593 PJ The Hague T: 070 335 5698 W: lighthousese.nl

Three Little Ships International Preschool Van Heutszstraat 12 2593 PJ The Hague T: 070 318 4951 W: threelittleships.nl

The International School of The Hague (also IBCP in Business) Wijndaelerduin 1 2554 BX Den Haag T: 070 328 1450 W: ishthehague.nl

International Waldorf School The Hague 2e Messstraat 31 2586 XA Den Haag T: 070 783 0030 W: internationalwaldorfschool.nl

The European School of The Hague

Primary Campus: Houtrustweg 2 2566 HA DenHaag

create

www.internationalwaldorfschool.nl

Secondary Campus: Oostduinlaan 50 2596 JP Den Haag T: 070 700 1600 W: eshthehague.nl

The British School in the Netherlands (also IBDP, and IBCP in Business and Hospitality)

Junior Schools BSN Age Range: 3-11 Vlaskamp 19 2592 AA Den Haag Diamanthorst 16 2592 GH Den Haag

a peaceful through excellent education

Engaged to world

Vrouw Avenweg 640 2493 WZ Den Haag

T: 070 315 4077

W: britishschool.nl

The British School in the Netherlands

Senior Schools BSN Age range: 11-18 (A-levels, IB Diploma & IBCP) Jan van Hooflaan 3 2252 BG Voorschoten Year 7-13 T: 071 560 2222 W: britishschool.nl

Senior School start Year 7 Vrouw Avenweg 640 2493 WZ Leidschenveen T: 070 315 4050 W: britishschool.nl

Deutsche Internationale Schule

Van Bleiswijkstraat 125 2582 LB Den Haag T: 070 354 9454 W: disdh.nl

Le Lycée Français Vincent van Gogh

Scheveningseweg 237 2584 AA Den Haag T: 070 306 6920 W: lyceevangogh.nl

Harbour International Graaf Florisstraat 56 3021 CJ Rotterdam T: 010 448 2266 W: harbourinternational.nl

Rotterdam International Secondary School

Junior Campus: Bentincklaan 294 3039 KK Rotterdam T: 010 890 7744

Senior Campus: Schimmelpenninckstraat 2 3039 KS Rotterdam T: 010 890 7755 W: riss.wolfert.nl

Nord Anglia International School Rotterdam

Verhulstlaan 21 3055 WJ Rotterdam T: 010 422 5351 W: aisr.nl

NOORD-BRABANT

International School Breda Mozartlaan 35 4837 EH Breda T: 076 560 7870 W: isbreda.com

International School Eindhoven

Oirschotsedijk 14b 5651 GC Eindhoven T: 040 251 9437 W: isecampus.nl

LIMBURG

United World College Maastricht Discusworp 65 6225 XP Maastricht NL T: 043 241 0410 W: uwcmaastricht.nl

Affordable 1:1

Whether your child is worried about upcoming exams, is struggling at school, or needs more confidence in a specific subject, GoStudent can help.

tutoring for better grades

In the same building as a Dutch Montessori School

Close proximity to Leiden, Schiphol, The Hague and Amsterdam

Admissions open

www.elckerlyc-international.nl Elckerlyc International School

“Learning together, growing together”

BUSINESS SCHOOLS AND UNIVERSITIES

NATIONWIDE

Open Universiteit

T: 045 576 2222 W: ou.nl

Saxion University of Applied Sciences

Apeldoorn, Enschede, Deventer T: 088 019 8888 W: saxion.nl

GRONINGEN

Energy Delta Institute

T: 088 116 6800 W: energydelta.org

International Business School Groningen T: 050 595 2300 W: hanze.nl

GELDERLAND

Arnhem Business School

T: 024 353 0500 W: arnhembusinessschool.com

Business School Nederland Buren

T: 0344 57 9030 W: www.bsn.tel

OVERIJSSEL

Windesheim

Zwolle T: 088 - 469 9911 W: windesheim.nl

UTRECHT

Frontline Business Utrecht T: 06 5432 8380 W: flbs.nl

IBO Qualified Business School Leusden

T: 033 422 9960 W: ibo.nl

Lemniscaat Management School Utrecht T: 030 219 3961

Nyenrode Business Universiteit Breukelen T: 0346 29 1484 W: nyenrode.nl

NOORD-HOLLAND

Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences

Several locations in Amsterdam T: 020 595 1405 W: amsterdamuas.com

Europort Business School Amsterdam T: 06 2049 1273 W: epbs.nl

Knowmads Business School Amsterdam T: 06 20 57 5767 W: knowmads.nl

The Open University Business School Amsterdam T: 020 412 1962 W: business-school.open.ac.uk

THNK School of Creative Leadership Amsterdam T: 020 684 2506 W: thnk.org

United International Business Schools Amsterdam T: 020 521 9423 W: amsterdam.uibs.org

Vrije University of Amsterdam T: 020 598 9898 W: vu.nl

University of Amsterdam Amsterdam Business School T: 020 525 5250 W: abs.uva.nl

Wittenborg University of Applied Sciences Amsterdam T: 020 705 1510 W: wittenborg.e

ZUID-HOLLAND

Leiden University Rapenburg 70 2311 EZ Leiden T: 071 5272 727 W: universiteitleiden.nl

International Business School The Hague T:: 070 262 9477 W: ibsthehague.nl

Webster Leiden Campus

T: 071 516 8000 W: webster.nl

Rotterdam Business School of Applied Sciences T: 010 794 6264 W: rotterdamuas.com

Rotterdam School of Management Erasmus University T: 010 408 2222 W: rsm.nl

TU Delft

T: 015 278 9111 W: tudelft.nl

History

This school year, the European School The Hague is celebrating its 10 year anniversary. Established in 2012 though the initiative of the European Agencies and Institutions in and around The Hague, this unique school provides multilingual and multicultural education to children in Early Years, Primary and Secondary, eventually graduating with a European Baccalaureate. Through a gradual and steady growth in pupil numbers, Princess Laurentien of the Netherlands officially opened the SecondarySchool building in 2019.

With such diversity in cultural and languages, the ESH community extends well beyond The Hague. Thestudent body is represented by more than 50 nationalities, all of which are celebrated, respecting everyone’s culture, language and traditions. In particular, the national days of all European countries are formally celebrated within the school

Stichting het Rijnlands Lyceum

The European School is part of the Stichting het Rijnlands Lyceum. In total, the foundation oversees eight schools at six different locations. This year, the Rijnlands International Schools launched its website to assist expat families with their search for International Education.

Curriculum

ESHprovides a multilingual program based on the eight key competences, which all individuals need for personal fulfillment and development, active citizenship, social inclusion and employment. In addition, there is outdoor education, camping and cultural trips abroad. The rich diversity of European languages and cultures is one of the main features of a European school. To promote multicultural development, the focus is on consolidating and strengthening the mother tongue and learning and using foreign languages.

The European Baccalaureate allows students to choose subjects according to their strengths and interests in the areas of math, science, arts or humanities and the diploma is recognised by universities worldwide but also opens doors to further study in a wide variety of disciplines. ESH places high importance on student wellbeing, and the holistic approach sees students taking part in outdoor education, camps, community service and cultural trips abroad.

Number of Pupils in Primary School: 835

Number of Pupil in Secondary School: 765 Graduation rate European Baccalaureate: 100%

The European School in The Hague is celebrating its 10-year anniversary!

The European School Primary

The European School Secondary

NOORD-BRABANT

TiasNimbas Business School

Tilburg

Kroonstraat 50 3511 RC Utrecht T: 013 466 8600 W: tias.edu

LIMBURG

EuroMBA T: 043 3884619 W: euromba.org

Maastricht School of Management

T: 043 387 0808 W: msm.nl

Zuyd Universityof Applied Sciences Maastricht T: 043 346 6450 W: zuyd.nl

LANGUAGE CENTERS

NATIONWIDE

Berlitz Amsterdam, Maastricht, The Hague, Rotterdam W: berlitz.nl

UTRECHT Dutch First Niasstraat 1 3531 WR Utrecht T: 030 291 98 84 W: dutchfirst.nl

Taalthuis Maliebaan 87 3581 SP Utrecht T: 06 271 749 18 W: taalthuis.nl

Taalthuis Amersfoort Utrechtseweg 7 3811 NA Amersfoort T: 06 271 74 918 W: taalthuis.nl

NOORD HOLLAND

Alliance Francaise Amsterdam Oosterdokstraat 110 1011 DK Amsterdam T: 020 523 0742 W: afamsterdam.nl

British Language Training Centre Nieuwezijds Voorburgwal 328 E 1012 RW Amsterdam

T: 020 622 36 34 W: bltc.nl

BLC Dutch Summer School Kingsfordweg 151 1043 GR Amsterdam T: 06 480 746 18 W: dutchsummerschool.nl

Dutch & Such Haaksbergweg 75 1101 BR Amsterdam T: 020 609 79 70 W: dutchandsuch.nl

Dutch Courses Amsterdam Postjesweg 57, 1057 DW Amsterdam T: 06 54 99 22 19 W: dutchcoursesamsterdam.nl

Dutch Language Centre Haarlemmerstraat 37-D 1013 EJ Amsterdam T: 020 420 60 39 W: dutchlanguagecentre.nl

Easy Dutch Plus Vijzelstraat 68 1017 HL Amsterdam T: 06 50 67 78 58 W: easydutchplus.com

Flowently

Available in 100 cities, 7 days a week from 8 am-10 pm Azartplein 79 1019 PB Amsterdam T: 085-400 0099 W: flowently.com

Talencentrum Holland George Gershwinlaan 315 1082 MT Amsterdam T: 06 23 46 42 53 W: talencentrumholland.nl

IN.lingo

Douwes Dekkerstraat 2 1053 SX Amsterdam

British Language Training Centre

Koentact

Elandsgracht 70, 1016 TX Amsterdam

T: 020 737 16 16 W: koentact.nl

Language Corner

Rietwijkerstraat 10 1059 VZ Amsterdam T: 020 221 18 62 W: languagecorner.amsterdam

Mercuur Taal

Located in the heart of Amsterdam, your centre of excellence for face-to-face and online English & Dutch courses, teacher training, CELTA, Cambridge & IELTS

Eerste Weteringplantsoen 2C 1017 SJ Amsterdam T: 020 693 42 50 W: mercuurtaal.nl

Nedles

Derde Oosterparkstraat 271 1092 EA Amsterdam T: 020 846 00 11 W: nedles.nl

Pace Taleninstituut

Pand Zuid, IJsbaanpad 9 1076 CV Amsterdam T: 020 428 86 02 W: pacetaleninstituut.nl

www.bltc.nl +31 (0) 20 622 36 34

T: 06 24 35 52 79 W: inlingo.nl

Joost Weet Het! Recht Boomssloot 52 1011 EC Amsterdam 020 420 81 46 W: joostweethet.nl

Katakura WBLC Dutch Courses

Egelantiersstraat 126, 1015 SC Amsterdam 020 612 27 27 W: katakura-wblc.nl

Rubio Dutch Veerstraat 48 1075 SW Amsterdam T: 06 26 66 23 0 W: rubiodutch.nl

School for Dutch Ceintuurbaan 384 1073 EM Amsterdam T: 020 663 43 80 W: learndutch.com

TaalBoost Marnixstraat 80 1015 XX Amsterdam T: 020 341 80 38 W: taalboost.nl

Taalthuis Amsterdam

Van Baerlestraat 13 1071 AM Amsterdam

T: 06 27 17 49 18 W: taalthuis.nl

TopTaal

Anthony Fokkerweg 1 1059 CM Amsterdam Cornelis Troostplein 23 1072 JJ Amsterdam T: 088 374 20 00 W: toptaal.com

Zamaradi-Dutch Courses

Amstedam

Kabelweg 37 1014 BA Amsterdam T: 06 12 86 92 95 W: zamaradi.nl

Learn Dutch Fast Graaf Florislaan 54 1405 BW Bussum T: 035 692 39 60 W: learndutchfast.nl

Double Dutch Haarlem Drosteboulevard 7 2031 VT Haarlem T: 06 16 03 07 66 W: doubledutchhaarlem.nl

Van Lienden Floraplein 2 2012 HL Haarlem T: 023 540 15 11 W: van-lienden.nl

Language Helps

Vijfherenstraat 54 2101 XR Heemstede T: 06 29 42 10 27 W: languagehelps.nl

De Waalse Kerk Walenpleintje 157-159 1012 JZ Amsterdam www.dewaalsekerk.nl 020-6232074

ZUID-HOLLAND

ABC Dutch

Hugo de Grootstraat 37 2518 EC The Hague T: 06 47 60 82 18 W: abcdutch.com

BSN Language Centre Lange Houtstraat 26 2511 CW The Hague 070 315 40 80 W: bsnlanguagecentre.nl

Direct Dutch Institute

Laan van Nieuw Oost-Indië 275 2593 BS Den Haag T: 070 365 46 77 W: directdutch.com

Dutch For Expats T: 06 24 84 60 90 W: dutchforexpats.com

Kickstart School Koninginnegracht 62 2514 AG Den Haag T: 070 360 7860 W: kickstartschool.nl

Dutch is Fun! Schelpenkade 49 2313 ZX Leiden T: 071 512 13 72 W: dutchisfun.nl

Dutch Language Courses

Laan van Meerdervoort 198B 2517 BJ Den Haag T: 070 310 61 31 W: dulanco.com

Language One Parkweg 20A 2271 AJ Voorburg T: 070 260 1386 W: languageone.nl

Taaltaal Hoge Prins Willemstraat 226E 2584 HX Den Haag T: 070 322 60 91 W: taaltaal.nl

Taalthuis Frederik Hendriklaan 85 2582 BV Den Haag T: 06 27 17 49 18 W: taalthuis.nl

Taalservice Leiden Schipholweg 103 2316 XC Leiden T: 06 46 04 42 25 W: taalservice-leiden.com

Taalthuis Leiden Schipholweg 66 2316 XE Leiden T: 06 27 17 49 18 W: taalthuis.nl

Discoverindutch Molslaan 121 2611 RK Delft T: 06 20 91 24 04 W: discoverindutch.nl

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DutchforChildren

Language One

Parkweg 20A 2271 AJ Voorburg T: 070 260 1386

W: languageone.nl

ELBEST - Dutch for foreigners Krooneendstraat 4 2492 NG Den Haag T: 06 38 56 73 32 W: elbest.nl

T: 06 50 60 19 84 W: utesinternationallounge.com

NOORD-BRABANT

Dutch Academy Eindhoven Catharinaplein 21 5611 DE Eindhoven T: 06 49 65 12 37 W: dutchacademyeindhoven.nl

BE EFFECTIVE IN ANOTHER LANGUAGE

Taaltaal Hoge Prins Willemstraat 226E 2584 HX Den Haag T: 070 322 60 91 W: taaltaal.nl

Dutchfor children online LearningDutch forchildrenhas neverbeen morefun!

Taalthuis Frederik Hendriklaan 85 2582 BV Den Haag T: 06 27 17 49 18 W: taalthuis.nl

We provide tailor-made lessons. Guided by the way of learning, the education level and your child’s interest.

Justvisit: www.dutchforchildren.nl www.dutchforch

Taalservice Leiden Schipholweg 103 2316 XC Leiden T: 06 46 04 42 25 W: taalservice-leiden.com

Language Institute Regina Coeli Martinilaan 12 5262 BR Vught T: 073 684 8790 W: reginacoeli.nl

STE Languages

Aalsterweg 3 5615 CA Eindhoven T: 040 245 28 60

W: ste.nl

Una Paloma BlancaLanguage School

P.Czn. Hooftlaan 12 5611 NV Eindhoven T: 06 57 89 56 56 W: unapalomablanca.com

LIMBURG

Learn Dutch in Maastricht

Boschstraat 21, 6211 AS Maastricht T: 06 55 14 23 61 W: dutchcoursesinmaastricht.nl

IMPROVE YOUR DUTCH SKILLS

Highly effective language training

• Individual, tailor-made courses focused on your language goals

• Tried and tested method based on scientific insights

• The language trainers are all native speakers

• Extensive experience in training both beginners and advanced speakers with a range of professional backgrounds

• No time during the working week? Try our weekend courses

More information hello@reginacoeli.nl or call us at +31 (0)73 684 87 90 | www.reginacoeli.com

Dutch for Children

Geestbrugweg 72 2281 CP Rijswijk 0657-928970 www.dutchforchildren.nl

Una Paloma Blanca Walenburgerweg 3-D 3039 AA Rotterdam www.unapalomablanca.com

Ute‘s International Lounge

Aagje Dekenkade 2 2251 ZV Voorschoten

NL+NL

Kapoenstraat 30 B 6211 KW Maastrict T: 043 850 1445 W: nl-et-nl.nl

TUTORING

Gostudent Schubertdreef 13 3845 AP Harderwijk T: 0610-024337 W: gostudent.at

Teen Vitality

Johannes Verhulststraat 197-3 1075 HA Amsterdam 0622-422424 www.teenvitality.n

Young Expat Services

Torenlaan 1 R 1252 HE Laren 0614-366627 www.youngexpatservices.nl

Health insurance in the Netherlands

In the Netherlands, the government guarantees access to healthcare for all, and care is generally of a high quality. It is funded through income taxes and mandatory health insurance fees.

Every inhabitant of the Netherlands has to subscribe to the mandatory basic insurance package (basisverzekering). In addition, you can also purchase additional insurance (aanvullende verzekering), which offers a wider package of services. Regardless of which you choose, your insurance payment is made up of two main costs:

1. Your monthly premium (premie), which is a fixed fee that you pay each month (or year, if you choose lump sum payment).

2. Your deductible (co-pay) (eigen risico), an annual amount that you pay out of your own pocket. The maximum is €385 per year, which you can voluntarily raise to €885 in return for a lower premium. This means that you will have to pay the first €385 per year that you spend on healthcare, before insurance kicks in. If you have no medical costs, you won’t have to pay this. Some types of care are not part of the deductible and are therefore always paid by your insurer: visits to your GP, dental care and physiotherapy for children under 18, pregnancy and birth care and maternity care.

Mandatory and additional insurance

If you live and work in the Netherlands, you are required to take out Dutch health insurance, no matter whether you also have insurance in another country (with some exceptions, such as international students; check studyinnl.org/plan-your-stay/ insurance ).

If you come from outside the EEA (EU plus Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein) or Switzerland, you have to register with a health insurer within four months of receiving your residence permit. You can enroll your children under 18 for free with your own insurance company; babies have to be registered within four months after birth.

Failure to sign up for insurance leads to a penalty

after the first three months of being uninsured, and another fine after the next three months. After two fines, the government agency CAK will automatically enroll you with an insurer, which will automatically deduct the last twelve months’ payments from your salary, and all upcoming monthly fees. If you need care while uninsured, you’ll have to pay for all medical costs yourself.

Basic insurance

The following services are covered by the mandatory basic insurance:

• Visiting your GP.

• Ambulance services, hospital stays, emergency treatment and surgery.

• Medicine prescriptions and blood tests (for some medication and medical aids, you will have to pay a personal contribution (eigen bijdrage) to cover their costs).

• Dental care and standard vaccinations for children under 18.

• Vaccinations for children that are part of the national vaccination programme.

• Mental health care, care for the disabled and elderly and home care.

• Visits to medical specialists, like dermatologists, oncologists et cetera.

• Pregnancy and birth care and maternity care.

• Contraception for women under 21 years old.

• Physiotherapy for chronic problems (up to a maximum number of visits per year).

• Until at least 1 August 2023, basic insurance also covers recovery care after a Covid-19 infection, e.g. physical therapy, occupational therapy and support by a dietician.

Additional coverage

For services not covered by the basic package, you can choose to take out extra coverage, best tailored to your personal health needs and lifestyle. If you have children registered on the same policy, they will automatically be insured for the same additional package that you have chosen. A large number of health services are fully or partially covered through additional insurance, such as:

• Dental care for adults over 18.

• Alternative medical treatments, including homeopathy, chiropractors and acupuncture.

• Contraception for women over 21.

• Non-standard vaccinations.

• Glasses and contact lenses.

• Emergency health care abroad.

• Cosmetic surgery.

You will have to decide for yourself whether it’s useful to take out additional coverage. Usually an additional package covers a lot of services, which you may not be interested in. For example, while you may want contraceptives to be covered, you may not need coverage for physiotherapy or glasses. Check if your insurance provider has a package that covers your specific needs, and if not, whether it’s worth shelling out on an additional package. It may not even be that much cheaper for some services: the typical cover for dental care will cost about € 240 per year, but only covers costs of up to € 500. If you have no dental problems and just want a yearly check-up, it’s not worth paying for extra insurance. The same goes for glasses and contact lenses. On the other hand, if you need a lot of dental work, even with insurance you will have to pay most of the cost yourself, so don’t be surprised by a large bill.

Healthcare allowance

Those on a low income can apply for a health care allowance (zorgtoeslag) to help cover monthly premiums. To receive this allowance, your annual income may not exceed €31.500 for a single person, or €40.500 for a couple. The maximum monthly allowance you can receive is €111 per month for singles and €212 for couples. On the website of the Tax Office you can see if you are eligible for zorgtoeslag and how much you will receive. You can apply for this allowance on the website toeslagen.nl, using your DigiD.

Two types of policy

All Dutch insurers offer two types of policy: a restitution policy or an in-kind (natura) policy. A restitution policy offers a free choice of healthcare provider, while an in-kind policy is cheaper, but limits your choice to providers that have been contracted by your insurance company. Check with your insurance provider if they offer an in-kind policy and if this is an attractive option. Some providers offer a mixed (combinatie) policy. Read more about policy types

here. If you have an in-kind policy, before visiting a health care provider, make sure that they have a contract with your insurance company.

Some other quick facts

• Dutch insurance companies are not allowed to deny basic coverage to people with pre-existing conditions, but they can refuse additional coverage.

• Prices and coverage, especially for the additional coverage packages, vary widely from insurer to insurer, so it’s worth shopping around. You can use comparison websites such as independer.nl or zorgwijzer.nl.

• You can change your health insurance provider only once a year. Usually insurers announce their prices for the next year in November. If you sign up with a new provider before 31 December, they will usually take care of cancelling your old policy. Provided you have cancelled your old insurance before 31 December, you can still arrange a new one before 31 January 2023.

• You can also stay with your old provider, but change the policy you have with them, e.g. taking out additional insurance, change from restitution to in-kind policy, change your annual deductible et cetera. You have to do this in November or December as well. This is worthwhile, for example, when you want to get pregnant in the upcoming year: some additional insurance covers pregnancyrelated services, such as prenatal courses, lactation advice et cetera.

• Ask your employer whether they participate in a healthcare collective, which will give you a discount on the premium. If not, you can join a ‘coverage pool’ offered by some businesses and associations, or by your municipality (gemeente), which will give you a small discount on your premium.

• For certain medical services and procedures there are long waiting lists. Your insurer may be able to mediate in order to reduce the waiting time, so get in touch with them to ask for advice. Many insurance companies also offer health advice over the phone, through an app or through social media. Many also offer e-health, such as online courses on specific conditions or online symptom checkers.

What to do when you need healthcare?

Congratulations! You have arrived in one of the world’s happiest and healthiest countries. The Netherlands consistently ranks in the top ten for healthcare quality worldwide. If as an expat you need medical care, you can rest assured that you won’t have to worry about the costs, due to the excellent health insurance system. As you will find on page .., the mandatory basic insurance package (basisverzekering) covers a large number of medical services. With additional coverage you can choose to opt in to more services as you see fit. If you are on a low income, the government will fully or partially reimburse your insurance premium through the healthcare allowance (zorgtoeslag).

Currently, there are three dimensions to the Dutch healthcare system:

• Basic healthcare, which includes GP visits, hospital stays and a wide range of specialist procedures.

• Supplementary care, including physiotherapy, dental care and cosmetic operations.

• Long-term care for chronic conditions, including disability expenditures, which may be fully or partially covered by mandatory or additional insurance. This type of care is not covered in this Find Your Way Guide; your GP is the first point of contact. Also check svb.nl/en/the-wlz-scheme

First port of call: your GP

Once you have selected an insurer and health coverage package, find a general practitioner (GP, or huisarts) close to where you live. You can find them online at Ik zoek een huisarts (in Dutch), at your local municipality, or ask your neighbour or a local Facebook group for recommendations. Note that some GP practices are full, so you may have to ask around before you are accepted.

Your GP is the first point of contact whenever you have a health issue. Some doctors offer walk-in visits, but many only see patients by appointment. Some doctors also do home visits, especially for frail or elderly patients. As the gatekeeper of the medical system, only a GP can refer you to a specialist or the hospital (for non-emergency situations). Your GP will note down your medical history, so that any future

healthcare professionals have the advantage of access to your latest health records.

It should be noted that expats often find Dutch GPs rather reluctant to act. ‘Take a paracetamol’ is indeed a common advice, and not without reason: prescribing antibiotics for everything is not a good idea, and most ailments disappear on their own. Still, if you are sure that something is seriously wrong, don’t hesitate to contact your GP again.

Emergencies

If there is a life-threatening situation, call 112 for an ambulance. If the situation is not life-threatening but still urgent, you will have to call your GP, who will either give you a priority slot or refer you to the emergency department if he/she thinks the situation is serious. If your GP is unavailable, you call the on-duty GP centre (huisartsenpost), which is usually inside the hospital. They will either treat you themselves or send you on to the emergency department (spoedeisende hulp, SEH). Your GP’s answering message will give you the number of the on-duty GP centre, or look it up online.

Unlike most other countries, in the Netherlands it’s not advisable go directly to the emergency department. You can do so, but you will either be referred back to the GP or you may need to wait longer to be seen. Moreover, if you visit the SEH on your own initiative, you will have to pay out of your own eigen risico (see page ..); if you visit the huisartsenpost, the visit is free.

Hospitals in the Netherlands

There are three kinds of hospitals in the Netherlands:

• General hospitals deliver good care, but are not specialized and will refer you to another hospital if you have a complicated illness.

• Teaching hospitals work with medical schools for training healthcare practitioners.

• Academic hospitals are directly connected to the major universities. Many doctors here are also researchers and these hospitals deliver the greatest variety of specialized care.

When staying in a Dutch hospital, you are likely to share a room or ward with up to four other patients,

Revolutionary weight loss method

Newly available in the Netherlands: medical weight loss with injections

ne e l ed ne a re en l e e a a la le n e e erland e e d a een nd a e and e e e e Department of Health and its results are nothing short of revolutionary. The medicine is administered daily by the client with n n e n ned d e ar ada n and ed al er n e e d a ear ar larl e e e la l n excess weight and maintaining a healthy weight has come within the grasp of many.

Overweight in the Netherlands

Who hasn’t struggled with extra weight? Shedding the pounds is a process fraught with obstacles and many fail in their attempts to attain and keep a healthy body weight. Excess weight and obesity have become major problems in today’s society. We are liberally exposed to unhealthy food everywhere and all the time. As a result, no less than 50% of the Dutch population is now overweight. Losing weight with the use of injections appears to be the solution to the problem. The injections, it turns out, offer beautiful results, both physically and psychologically.

Weight Loss Injections

The medicine that we prescribe as part of our weight loss program works in the same way as the body’s own GLP-1 hormone, which regulates hunger and satiety sensations. The medicine thus regulates appetite: it reduces hunger pangs and makes you feel satiated. As a result, you eat less and lose weight. It is easy to self- administer by means of mini-injections. They have recently become available on the Dutch market but have already taken the United Kingdom, Denmark and the United States by storm. Based on the action of the satiety hormone, the injections help people lose weight both effectively and sustainably. The medicine is minimally invasive and participants can administer the injections independently and easily. The results of our weight loss program are absolutely revolutionary.

Groundbreaking results

The SmPC (Summary of Product Characteristics) study shows that the use of the prescription drug in combination with a lifestyle change achieves an average weight loss of 8%. These results are nothing short of groundbreaking. Notably, most of the weight loss occurred in the first months. In addition to weight loss, a decrease in abdominal circumference and glucose levels and a steep decrease in blood pressure was noted in the participants. In addition the drug lowered the risk of developing type II diabetes. SmPC studies are used by the Medicines Evaluation Board (MEB) when approving medication.

Possibility to lose weight under supervision

The Body Clinic offers their weight loss program under the supervision of doctors. Typical weight loss of the patient population at the Body Clinic ranges from per month and the treatment is in of the cases effective so far. To determine a participant’s weight loss trajectory, a consultation with a doctor is always the first stop. or any medically related issues or complications during the weight loss program the client continues to have access to his her own doctor. In addition, a nutrition coach at The Body Clinic offers primary support. However, the combination with a healthier lifestyle is crucial for success. This makes sense because a healthier lifestyle is always the first step in tackling body weight issues permanently. It should be noted that participants considered the switch to a healthier lifestyle much easier with the use of the medicine. The Body Clinic offers four weight loss programs. Prices start from €395 per month.

Testimonial Ellis

“I’ve been trying to lose my stubborn pregnancy pounds for 2 years now. When I read about losing weight with injections, I did extensive research and decided that I would make one last attempt. I am now weeks into the program, I’m down kilograms and I feel so much better in my skin. The injections really deliver on their promise: they take away your hunger pangs and make you feel full.”

Testimonial Jaap

“In my life I have been really overweight for long periods at a time. During those periods I always want to lose weight and feel more comfortable in my skin. I really enjoy my food and drink - after all life’s more fun that way. I don’t take things in moderation then. rom day one, I’ve had no side effects at all except for a dry mouth.

I must admit I was a bit skeptical about the results but I’ve already managed to lose 8 kilograms. I have been feeling a bit weak and sometimes nauseous for a few weeks now. But it’s all worth it for the results people see and say that I have lost weight.”

often mixed-gender. There are special wards for children. The Netherlands also has a number of specialized children’s hospitals, with more facilities to keep the little ones entertained and help them with their school work. Children’s hospitals usually allow parents to stay overnight in the same room.

Specialist care

If you are in need of specialist, non-emergency care, you will probably be referred to a specialist working in a hospital – unlike in some other countries, specialists don’t usually have their own offices. In this case, you will need a referral from your GP, in order for your insurance to cover your expenses. As soon as you have your referral, you can make an appointment with the specialist your GP recommends, or look around online to find out which specialist you prefer. At kiesbeter.nl (in Dutch) you can compare hospitals and their specializations, as well as private doctors, in order to find one that’s best suited to your needs.

When visiting a hospital for the first time, you need to register at the front desk with your contact details, the name of your GP and your insurance information. This information will then be recorded and stored in the hospital system. You will receive an electronic card (patiëntenpas) which you will have to bring with you on each visit. With this ‘medical passport’, your history can be accessed by the doctor treating you, and your bills will be sent automatically to your insurance company. If you visit the hospital for the first time, you will also need to bring your GP’s referral letter and any notes s/he made.

Going to the dentist

All dentistry is private in the Netherlands, and basic insurance policies do not cover going to the dentist for a check-up or simple treatment. However, all dental care for children under 18, as well as all specialist dental care, is covered. Adults can take out additional insurance if they want their standard dental costs to be covered. All insurance companies offer dental plans under the additional coverage (aanvullende verzekering). However, check out what the plan covers and whether the coverage justifies the extra cost, as this is often not the case. Most dentists and orthodontists operate from their own practice, often located in their homes, although more and more practices now work together with several dental specialists. The most specialized forms of dental care, such as surgery, take place at hospitals.

To visit specialized dental care, you need a referral from your regular dentist.

Physiotherapy

If you’ve had an accident and need to recover, or if you suffer from chronic or acute physical problems, you may need physiotherapy. The basic health insurance package only partially covers physiotherapy, depending on your age and therapy needs. You can take out additional insurance for care that is not included in the basic insurance package. Children under 18 get their first nine sessions per year reimbursed, possibly followed by another nine. Adults 18 with a chronic condition will have to pay for their first 20 sessions per year, after which all physiotherapy is fully paid for.

Mental health

If you have mental health problems, you can contact your GP or, if the problem is work-related, your company doctor (bedrijfsarts). If the problem becomes too serious for you to handle on your own, your doctor can refer you to specialist care called GGZ. Going to a psychologist, therapist or counsellor for primary care (mild to moderate problems) and secondary care (serious and complex psychiatric disorders) are both covered by your insurer, but check your insurance policy to determine whether you should take out additional coverage. Waiting lists for public mental health services are long, so you might want to consider private counselling – but this is usually not covered by insurance.

Checkups for children

Children in the Netherlands do not get regular checkups with a pediatrician. Regular checkups are arranged by the consultatiebureau (JGZ), where nurses perform basis checks such a height and weight measurements, hearing and eyesight tests, check whether the child reaches developmental milestones, and offer parenting advice (which you can ignore if you don’t agree). They will also give the child the vaccinations that are part of the standard national vaccination programme, against serious illnesses such as diphteria, measles, polio, rubella, hepatitis, HPV and many more. Check rijksvaccinatieprogramma.nl/ english#vaccinations-5141 for details.

If your child is ill, your first port of call is your GP, who can refer you to a specialist pediatrician if necessary.

Membership with benefits

Caesar Fitness + Spa Resort offers maximum comfort. You will find everything under one roof here. With no less than 5,000 square meters of wellness, health and fitness, everything is possible. Come and enjoy unlimited fitness, follow a challenging group lesson or get started with one of our specialized personal trainers. There are many possibilities to work on your fitness and health. Whether you are a beginner or advanced athlete, young or old, at Caesar Fitness + Spa Resort you will find everything for a good training.

Home care in the Netherlands

If you are in need of medical care but don’t have to stay in hospital, you can apply for a wide range of home care services. More than half a million people in the Netherlands live in nursing homes, or use home care (thuiszorg) or maternity care (kraamzorg). However, at the moment there are severe staff shortages in the care sector, so that it may be impossible to get help, or for fewer hours than would be ideal.

Home care for the elderly and disabled

The government’s policy in recent years has been to help as many elderly people as possible to live in their own homes, as this is cheaper than living in nursing or care homes. If you live at home and are elderly or disabled, you get assistance from home care organisations. In order to arrange this, the first step is to visit your GP (huisarts) to discuss your needs.

Next, an assessment is made of the needs you have, as well as how family, friends and neighbours can assist. As a result, most home care consists of a mixed program of care by professional providers and help around the house from informal carers, called mantelzorg. Professional carers will be able to help with simple medical tasks, such as changing wound dressings, handing out medication and taking blood pressure readings. They can also provide assistance with a wide variety of day-to-day activities, such as getting in and out of bed, dressing and undressing, going outside, eating and drinking, using the toilet and personal hygiene. Those depending on home care can also receive shopping assistance and dietary advice. If necessary, other care providers will visit you at home, such as physiotherapists, mental health professionals et cetera. As the main providers of care, district nurses (wijkzorg) are the first point of contact and liaison with the municipality – who may pay for this care – to coordinate a client’s needs. They also stay in touch with family and friends and other informal caregivers. To find a home care worker, ask your doctor or check zorgkaartnederland.nl/thuiszorg (in Dutch). It is also possible to receive home care for a short period of time, for example if you’ve just been discharged from hospital and are not yet able to fully take care of yourself. This is usually arranged by the hospital before you are discharged.

By law (the Zorgverzekeringswet) healthcare insurers are responsible for care at home. Home care may therefore be covered by your insurance and/or supplemented by your municipality. You may also have to pay some expenses out of pocket, but these may be reimbursed if they are covered by your additional insurance (aanvullende verzekering). If you can no longer live at home, you may be admitted to a nursing or care home. These often have waiting lists, so it’s worthwhile to check the options before the situation at home becomes untenable. Your GP can help you find the best option and get on a waiting list.

Maternity care

When you are pregnant, you will be asked if you want to deliver your baby in a hospital or at home. The Netherlands boasts a high number of home deliveries : giving birth is considered a natural process, that should be done with as little outside intervention (including medication) as possible. However, the number of home births is dropping and stands now at 13% of all births.

After giving birth, the mother will receive professional help at home (kraamzorg) for a maximum of 49 hours spread over 8 days. A nurse looks after the mother and infant, helps around the house, gives guidance on breastfeeding and looks after other children. Note that you have to arrange kraamzorg with a specific organization early in your pregnancy. It is covered by your health insurance, apart from a small contribution that you will have to pay yourself.

Pharmacies

When registering with your GP, you will also be required to register with a pharmacy. Prescriptions issued by your GP will be sent directly to your pharmacy, which will check for possible problems (e.g. medications that cannot be taken together). Depending on your insurance package, the bill may be sent automatically to your insurer; otherwise, you will have to pay first and then make a claim with your insurance. Many pharmacies offer drop-off services delivering medication to your home free of charge. Another possibility is to pick up medication after pharmacy hours from a secure pick-up box.

What the HMC Sara de Bronovo

Mother and Child Centre has to o er

Our modern building at the front of HMC Westeinde provides services to pregnant women, those seeking to become pregnant, parents or carers and children up to the age of 18. Here in the heart of The Hague, our care providers deliver the best possible care tailored to each person’s individual situation.

the birth?’ ‘What are your wishes in terms of your pregnancy and giving birth at our hospital?’ And in the case of older children: ‘What does the child need?’ We provide objective information on the options and treatments, enabling our patients to make informed decisions. This includes pain relief during childbirth, or the options for the safest way to give birth.

Care

At the Mother and Child Centre we o er:

+ Delivery rooms

+ Obstetrics triage room

+ Family suites

+ Children’s ward

+ Children’s day care treatment

Parking

Patients and visitors can park in the car park at the back of HMC Westeinde. If labour is progressing very rapidly or in an emergency, you can park your car temporarily in the specially reserved emergency parking spaces at the front entrance (Lijnbaan).

Confidence

When the patient and/or family is ready to be discharged from the Mother and Child Centre, we will arrange a taxi if necessary and walk them to the exit. Everyone returning home from the HMC Sara de Bronovo Mother and Child Centre can do so with full confidence!

Mother and child

Worry-free pregnancies, happy babies and healthy children. That is what we are committed to at the HMC Sara de Bronovo Mother and Child Centre. But we are also here to provide support and excellent care to those struggling to conceive. Or when pregnancies do not go smoothly, or a child needs treatment.

Suites and facilities

Our private suites at the Mother and Child Centre are adapted to each person’s circumstances and needs. Luxury suites are designed with a homely atmosphere, with plenty of daylight. Parent and child can remain together day and night. The suites also o er su icient space and facilities for all medical care, so there is no need to leave the room to shower or to feed or wash the baby. Central areas o er 24/7 facilities to get something to eat or heat up food. And those staying at the Mother and Child Centre can choose when we come to clean the room.

Family Integrated Care

The Mother and Child Centre marks another step towards Family Integrated Care. This means that care is not just focused on the child and the parents, but also actively involves them. This way, the family stays together as much as possible and the parents remain in control wherever possible. This also helps smooth the transition to home. ‘Who do you want to have present at

Patients are admitted to these departments, including in the case of emergencies. For a scheduled check-up, such as a pregnancy check-up or a consultation with a paediatrician, pregnant women and patients can contact the gynaecology outpatient clinic (at the HMC Westeinde and HMC Bronovo locations) and the paediatrics outpatient clinic (HMC Westeinde, Bronovo or Wassenaar peripheral outpatient clinic).

Specialists

A specialist team is available at the Mother and Child Centre 24 hours a day.

Giving birth

Giving birth at the Mother and Child Centre means:

+ Several luxury birthing pools available

+ A wide range of pain relief options, with epidurals available 24/7

+ The right medical care providers available 24/7

+ Homely private suites fully equipped for parent(s) and baby

+ A partner is always able to stay to eat and sleep

Child Advisory Board

At the Mother and Child Centre we feel it is important to learn from the experiences of children in our department. We have a Child Advisory Board (kinderadviesraad) to help us view the care and processes in the department from the child’s perspective. The Child Advisory Board is made up of six children of di erent ages who are happy to advise us. The Child Advisory Board has provided us with input on issues such as the wall art in our new Mother and Child Centre and the toys and entertainment that are essential to a stay in the children’s ward.

More information? www.haaglandenmc.nl/giving-birth Information for

Nanda Jagusiak-Monteiro

“Care is not just focused on the child and the family, but also actively involves them”

Care for pregnant women, those seeking to become pregnant, parents and carers, and children aged up to 18 is integrated as much as possible at the HMC Sara de Bronovo Mother and Child Centre.

Gynaecologist Kim Boers has been involved in female and child healthcare at HMC for many years and has worked at HMC for almost two decades.

Kim says: “What has been the biggest change in mother and child care in the last few years? It has to be that we have centralised clinical obstetric care in one place: at HMC Westeinde. Instead of two teams of nurses and doctors in two locations, Bronovo and Westeinde, we now have one large specialist team. We have joined forces, which means we can do even more for mothers and prospective mothers in The Hague and surrounding areas. This is especially important these days, where there is a lack of capacity in many fields. The Mother and Child Centre brings all our ambitions together!”

Family Integrated Care

The Mother and Child Centre marks another step towards Family Integrated Care, explains Kim. “This means that care is not just focused on the child and the parents, but also actively involves them. We want to ensure that the family stays together as much as possible and the parents remain in control wherever possible. This also helps to smoothen the transition to home. Previously, as professionals, we issued advice based on our areas of expertise. Now we involve the patient and family in the process from the outset. ‘Who do you want to have present at the birth?’ ‘What are your wishes in terms of your pregnancy and giving birth at our hospital?’ And in the case of older children: ‘What does the child need?’ In the children advisory board, children participated in choices we had to make for the Mother and Child Centre. We provide objective information on the options and treatments, enabling our patients to make informed decisions. This includes pain relief during childbirth, or options for the safest way to give birth.”

One aspect that is strongly supported at the Mother and Child Centre is the option to give birth in a pool. Interest in pool births has risen sharply in recent years. The HMC Sara de Bronovo Mother and Child Centre will offer no fewer than six luxury, adjustable birthing pools, so that all pregnant women wanting to deliver their baby in a pool can do so.

Home monitoring

“We are also further expanding the possibilities for home monitoring”, says Kim. “Pregnant women with a medical indication who would usually be admitted to hospital can stay at home longer. They can record the baby’s heartbeat in the womb themselves at home. They speak on the phone every day to the HMC midwives, who monitor and assess the situation remotely in consultation with the doctor. It’s a lot less stressful than being admitted to hospital. We adopted this innovation many years ago, but it fits extremely well in these modern times of transition in health care. Who doesn’t want to be in her own surrounding when extra monitoring is necessary?”

Future

Regarding plans for the future, Kim explains: “For 2023 we will focus more closely on Value Based Health Care, where patient-reported outcomes and experiences are incorporated in our care pathways. And of course try to constantly evaluate and improve care for mother and child.”

Taking ownership of your health

Preventitive health check.

Getting enough exercise, eating a healthy & varied diet and relaxing ,this is important to everyone, but everyone is di erent. This is why it is good to know what you need and what you can work on when it comes to your health.

At Prescan we o er you a innovative preventive health check with no need for a specialist referral. We use the most modern methods of diagnostics such as MRI scans, ECG tests and blood analysis.

The results of your examination will be discussed with you by one of our medical specialists on the same day. This gives you immediate insights into where your health can be improved, and of course we advise you about what you need to do to achieve this.

Contact us for a non-obligation personal consultation. You can reach us from Monday to Friday between 8.30 and 17.30 at 074 255 9 255 or sent an e-mail to info@prescan.nl.

HOSPITALS & CLINICS

FLEVOLAND

Flevoziekenhuis Hospitaalweg 1 1315RA

T: 036 868 88 88

W: flevoziekenhuis.nl

De Kinderkliniek children’s clinic

Hospitaaldreef 29 1315 RC Almere T: 036 763 00 30 W: dekinderkliniek.nl

Van Linschoten Specialisten

location Almere Bartokweg 161, 3rd floor 1311 ZX Almere

T: 036 546 50 01

W: vanlinschotenspecialisten.nl

UTRECHT

Cardiologie Centra Nederland Herculesplein 379 3584AA Utrecht T: 030 890 87 00

W: cardiologiecentra.nl

Diakonessenhuis hospital Bosboomstraat 1 3582 KE Utrecht T: 088 250 50 00 W: diakonessenhuis.nl

St Antonius Utrecht hospital

Soestwetering 1 3543 AZ Utrecht T: 088 320 30 00 W: antoniusziekenhuis.nl

UMC Utrecht hospital

Heidelberglaan 100 3584 CX Utrecht

T: 088 755 55 55 W: umcutrecht.nl

UMC Utrecht hospital, location Heidelberglaan

Heidelberglaan 100 3584 CX Utrecht T: 088 755 55 55 W: umcutrecht.nl

NOORD HOLLAND

Amstelland hospital Laan van de Helende Meesters 8 1186 AM Amstelveen T: 020 755 70 00 W: ziekenhuisamstelland.nl

Acibadem International Medical Center Arlandaweg 100 1043 HP Amsterdam T: 020 238 88 00 W: acibademimc.com

Heelkunde Instituut Nederland Burgemeester Haspelslaan 131 1181 MC Amstelveen T: 088 998 89 90 W: heelkundeinstituut.nl

Opsis eye hospital Westelijk Halfrond 105 1183 HR Amstelveen T: 088 664 96 74 W: opsisoogziekenhuis.nl

Acura Medisch Centrum IJburglaan 257 1086 ZJ Amsterdam T: 0495 54 78 48 W: acuramedischcentrum.nl

Amsterdam UMC hospital, location AMC Meibergdreef 9 1105 AZ Amsterdam T: 020 566 91 11 W: amc.nl/web

Amsterdam UMC hospital, location VUmc De Boelelaan 1117 1081 HV Amsterdam T: 020 444 44 44 W: vumc.nl

Andros Mannenkliniek, location Amsterdam Van Boshuizenstraat 12 1083 BA Amsterdam T: 020 642 22 27 W: andros.nl

Antoni van Leeuwenhoek hospital (AVL) Plesmanlaan 121 1066 CX Amsterdam T: 020 512 91 11 W: nki.nl

Bergman Clinics Inwendige Zorg Nijenburg 152 1081 GG Amsterdam T: 088 900 05 00 W: bergmanclinics.nl

BovenIJ hospital Statenjachtstraat 1 1034 CS Amsterdam T: 020 634 63 46 W: bovenij.nl

DC Klinieken Amsterdam Tesselschadestraat 4 1054 ET Amsterdam T: 088 010 09 00 W: dcklinieken.nl

Medisch Centrum Jan van Goyen Jan van Goyenkade 1 1075 HN Amsterdam T: 020 305 58 00 W: medischcentrumjanvangoyen. nl

Mauritsklinieken Amsterdam Pieter Calandlaan 101 1065 KK Amsterdam T: 020 715 05 50 W: mauritskliniek.nl

Medical Center Wetering Nieuwe Weteringstraat 11 1017 ZX Amsterdam T: 020 820 34 65 W: dcwetering.nl

Keep calm you are in therapy

Pierdominici Eerste Keucheniusstraat 6HS, 1051 HR Amsterdam proteatherapy.org proteapsychology@gmail.com | +31 641 969 497

How is safety guaranteed at The Body Clinic?

Experts in Botox and filler treatments

Increasing popularity of injectables comes at a cost

The popularity of injectables has skyrocketed in recent years. The cosmetic market is maturing, and many competitive pricing practices are now seen to emerge, often trading cost for quality and safety. Part of the increasing demand are unrealistic requests, heavily influenced by the advent of social media. As a result of high demand and unrealistic requests for procedures, in combination with incompetent doctors, we are now witnessing a disproportionate increase in complications. “It’s a growing concern”, says doctor Nicoline Nijman. Fortunately, The Body Clinic takes a different approach.

The

Body

Clinic: Expert in injectables

“The Body Clinic has been around for over fifteen years. That’s a long time considering that the Dutch cosmetic medical industry only started twenty years ago. I can therefore say with certainty that our experience has lead to excellent expertise in the field of injectables. In addition to The Body Clinic’s extreme ambition to ensure clients go home with beautiful natural results, minimising any possible complications is a prime target and investment. The Body Clinic especially serves the expat community, acknowledging that for this group, living in a new country, safety and high quality injectables are of decisive importance.

The Body Clinic works with highly experienced doctors who are members of the NVCG professional association. Our team follows training courses and further education to remain up to date on all developments in the medical cosmetic industry. At The Body Clinic we consider the prevention of possible complications of such importance that we are always looking for ways to minimise risks.

Doctor Nijman explains: “Even premium brand products and the most highly trained doctors cannot prevent that sometimes someone may have an adverse reaction to a filler. This is why we offer the Bsure DNA test to detect whether you have an increased risk of complications after a filler treatment”. One last advice from Doctor Nijman: “Even if you don’t choose The Body Clinic, choose a reputed and experienced cosmetic doctor who works with premium brand products. Independent websites, such as www.kliniekervaringen.nl, can help you select the best”.

7 locations in the Netherlands

Free consultation with a doctor

Free checkup and touch-up if necessary

From consultation to checkup under a doctor’s care

Premium brand products

Team of experienced cosmetic doctors

Possibility for DNA test to detect filler allergy

24/7 available for aftercare

www.bodyclinic.nl I info@bodyclinic.nl I 020-4638668

Valeria

MRI Centrum

Nijenburg 150 1081 GG Amsterdam

T: 088 088 88 88

W: mricentrum.nl

Onze Lieve Vrouwe Gasthuis, location West

Jan Tooropstraat 164 Amsterdam

T: 020 510 89 11 W: olvg.nl

Oosterparkkliniek hospital Oosterpark 59 1092 AR Amsterdam T: 020 693 21 51 W: ziekenhuis.nl

PoliDirect IJburg

IJburglaan 955 1087 EN Amsterdam

T: 088 888 45 55 W: polidirect.nl

Stichting Cardiologie Amsterdam Vlierweg 26 1032 LG Amsterdam

T: 020 490 44 53

W: cardiologieamsterdam.nl

Women’s Healthcare Center Amsterdam (WHC) Kliniek Van Boshuizenstraat 687 1082 AZ Amsterdam

T: 020 642 02 29

W: womenshealthcarecenter.nl

Zuidoost Kliniek

Bijlmerdreef 998 1103 JT Amsterdam

T: 020 416 27 88

W: vrouwenkliniekzuidoost.nl

Curilion women’s clinic

Korte Spaarne 31 2011 AJ Haarlem T: 06 15 47 62 08

W: curilion.nl

Oogziekenhuis Zonnestraal eye hospital, location Haarlem Amsterdamsevaart 268 2032 EK Haarlem T: 088 877 77 77 W: oogziekenhuiszonnestraal.nl

Spaarne Gasthuis several locations

Boerhaavelaan 22 2035 RC Haarlem T: 023 224 00 00 W: spaarnegasthuis.nl

Vijf Meren Kliniek

Vondelweg 999 2026 BW Haarlem T: 023 224 84 22 W: vijfmerenkliniek.nl

Xpert Clinic

Fonteinlaan 5 2012 JG Haarlem T: 088 778 52 03 W: xpertclinic.nl

Cardiologie Centra Nederland Kloosterhof 4 1261 WK Blaricum T: 035 539 44 20 W: cardiologiecentra.nl

Dialysecentrum ‘t Gooi Oostereind 113 1212 VH Hilversum T: 035 685 00 26 W: dialysecentrumhilversum.nl

De Kinderkliniek children’s clinic

Van Linschotenlaan 1 1212 ES Hilversum T: 036 763 00 30 W: dekinderkliniek.nl

Tergooi hospital

Van Riebeeckweg 212 1213 XZ Hilversum T: 088 753 17 53 W: tergooi.nl

ZUID HOLLAND

HMC

Bronovolaan 5 2597 AX Den Haag T: 088 - 979 26 79 W: bronovo.nl

Oogartsenpraktijk Delfland

Ezelsveldlaan 108A 2611 DK Delft T: 015 212 69 59 W: oogartsenpraktijkdelfland.nl

Reinier de Graaf hospital

Reinier de Graafweg 5 2625 AD Delft T: 015 260 30 60 W: reinierdegraaf.nl

DC Klinieken

Rijswijkseweg 77 2516 EE The Hague T: 088 010 09 00 W: dcklinieken.nl/en

Eisenhower Kliniek

Eisenhowerlaan 77F 2517 KK The Hague T: 070 205 98 00 W: eisenhowerkliniek.nl

Haaglanden Medisch Centrum (HMC)

Lijnbaan 32 2512 VA The Hague T: 088 979 79 00 W: haaglandenmc.nl

Haga hospitallocation Leyweg

Els Borst-Eilersplein 275 2545 AA The Hague T: 070 210 00 00 W: hagaziekenhuis.nl

International Health Centre Jan van Nassaustraat 125 2596 BS The Hague T: 070 306 51 00 W: ihch.nl

Maurits klinieken The Hague

Louis Couperusplein 2 2514 HP The Hague T: 088 628 74 00

W: mauritskliniek.nl

Alrijne hospital Leiden Houtlaan 55 2334 CK Leiden T: 071 517 81 78 W: alrijne.nl

Leiden University Medical Centre (LUMC) Albinusdreef 2 2333 ZA Leiden T: 071 52911 11 W: lumc.nl

Center Kliniek ‘s-Lands Werf 219 3063 GG Rotterdam T: 010 413 15 37 W: centerkliniek.nl

DC Klinieken Vasteland 10 3011 BL Rotterdam T: 088 010 09 00 W: dcklinieken.nl

Erasmus MC ‘s-Gravendijkwal 230 3015 CE Rotterdam T: 010 704 07 04 W: erasmusmc.nl

Ikazia hospital Montessoriweg 1 3083 AN Rotterdam T: 010 297 50 00 W: ikazia.nl

Maasstad Ziekenhuis Maasstadweg 21 3079 DZ Rotterdam T: 010 291 19 11

W: maasstadziekenhuis.nl

The Rotterdam Eye Hospital Schiedamse Vest 180

3011 BH Rotterdam T: 010 401 77 77 W: oogziekenhuis.nl

Cardiologie Centrum Voorschoten Leidseweg 557 2253 JJ Voorschoten T: 071 535 17 90 W: cardiologiecentra.nl

Oogkliniek De Horsten eye clinic Rijksstraatweg 324b 2242 AB Wassenaar T: 070 762 03 00 W: oogkliniekdehorsten.nl

Wassenaar health Center Hofcampweg 65 2241 KE Wassenaar T: 088 979 72 00 W: haaglandenmc.nl

NOORD BRABANT

Catharina hospital Michelangelolaan 2 5623 EJ Eindhoven T: 040 239 91 11 W: catharinaziekenhuis.nl

Máxima Medisch Centrum Ds. Theodor Fliednerstraat 1 5631 BM Eindhoven T: 040 888 80 00 W: mmc.nl

LIMBURG

Academisch Ziekenhuis Maastricht P. Debyelaan 25 6229HX Maastricht T: 043 387 65 43 W: mumc.nl

Dr. Kolbach Kliniek Reinaartsingel 5 6218AC Maastricht T: 043 354 19 11 W: huidcentrumlimburg.nl

MEDICAL CENTRE

Expat Medical Centre

Burgemeester Haspelslaan 131 1181 NC Amstelveen T: 20 240 40 44

W: expatmc.net

Expat Medical Centre Gondel 1 1186 MJ Amstelveen T: 020 427 50 11 W: expatmc.net

Central Doctors

De Ruyterkade 24A 1012 AA Amsterdam T: 020 235 78 23 W: centraldoctors.nl

Expat Medical Centre Bloemgracht 112 1015 TN Amsterdam T: 020 427 50 11 W: expatmc.net

Health Center Asterweg Asterweg 6 1031 HN Amsterdam T: 020 308 17 77 W: asterwegmc.nl

Gezondheidscentrum Nieuw West

Jan Tooropstraat 483 1061 AE Amsterdam T: 020 411 00 08

W: gezondheidscentrumnieuwwest.nl

SAG for Internationals Naritaweg 213 1043 CB Amsterdam T: 020 582 20 80 W: sag-amsterdam.nl

Medisch Centrum De Artsenij Rembrandtlaan 31 1213 BE Hilversum T: 035 621 0172 W: mcdeartsenij.nl

Medisch Centrum Dudokpark, medical centre and dentists

Hoge Naarderweg 3 1217 AB Hilversum T: 035 624 55 85 W: mcdudokpark.nl

DENTISTS

FLEVOLAND

Lassus Tandartsen

Middendreef 273 8233 GT Lelystad 0320-331560 www.lassustandartsen.nl

Dental Clinics Almere Doddegrasweg 6 1313 AZ Almere T: 036 533 87 87 W: dentalclinics.nl

NOORD HOLLAND

Keizer Karelpark Tandartsen dentists

Lindepark 2A 1185LD, Amstelveen T: 020 345 15 34 W: tandartskeizerkarelpark.nl

Dental Practice de ZuidAs

Pieter Baststraat 21-27 1071 TV Amsterdam T: 020 672 47 47

W: tandartspraktijk-dezuidas.nl

Dental365 Emergency dentist

Piet Heinkade 215 Amsterdam 1019 HM T: 020 555 82 82 W: dental365.nl

Tandarts Jordaan Westerstraat 176, 1015 MR Amsterdam T: 020 612 12 43 W: tandartsjordaan.nl

Lassus Tandartsen dentists Keizersgracht 132 1015 CW Amsterdam T: 020 42 21 91 2 W: lassustandartsen.nl

Lassus Tandartsen dentists Lassusstraat 9 1075 GV Amsterdam T: 020 471 31 37 W: lassustandartsen.nl

Lassus Tandartsen dentists Stadionplein 125 1076 CK Amsterdam T: 020 210 40 07 W: lassustandartsen.nl

Tandartspraktijk De Liefde Rietwijkerstraat 52 1059 XB Amsterdam T: 020 614 00 53 W: tandartspraktijkdeliefde.nl

Van de Veer Zuidas Gustav Mahlerplein Zuid 116 1082 MA Amsterdam T: 020 662 30 71 W: tandartsenpraktijkvandeveerzuidas.nl

The Ivoren Toren Hilversum Dental practice

The Medisch Centrum Dudokpark Hoge Naarderweg 3c 1217 AB in Hilversum T: 035 624 52 96 W: en.ivoren-toren.nl

NG Dent, Centre for Dentistry and Implantology Groest 71-3 1211 EA Hilversum T: 035 624 60 98 W: ngdent.com

ZUID HOLLAND Dental 365 Emergency dentist Burgemeester Hovylaan 78

2552 AZ The Hague T: 070 204 00 10 W: dental365.nl

Dental Clinics Den Haag Wateringse Veld Laan van Wateringse Veld 120 2548 CC Den Haag T: 070 359 97 74 W: den-haag-wateringseveld

Expat Dental

Westduinweg 232S 2584 VW The Hague T: 070 737 06 30 W: expatdental.nl

The Hague Dental Care Muzenplein 91 2511 GD The Hague T: 070 200 01 93 W: thehaguedentalcare.nl

Dental Care Leiden Warmonderweg 25 2334 AB Leiden T: 071 517 38 47 W: tandartsenpraktijkleiden.nl

Dental Care Rotterdam Avenue Concordia 99A 3062LE Rotterdam T: 010 892 01 21 W: dentalcarerotterdam.nl

Dental Clinics, location Rotterdam

Berglustlaan 16 3054 BH Rotterdam T: 010 418 81 31 W: dentalclinics.nl

Dental 365 Emergency dentist Dr. Molewaterplein 30 3015 GD Rotterdam T: 085 105 17 60 W: dental365.nl

Tandheelkundig Centrum

Wassenaar

Kloosterland 1, 2242 JS Wassenaar

T: 070 511 55 35

W: tandheelkundigcentrumwassenaar.nl

NOORD-BRABANT

Lassus Tandartsen

Moergestelseweg 32 L 5062 JW Oisterwijk T: 013-5210660

W: lassustandartsen.nl

Lassus Tandartsen

Ringbaan Oost 2-02 5013 CA Tilburg T: 013-2105009

W: lassustandartsen.nl

Dental Clinics

Kerstrooslaan 2 5644 EA Eindhoven T: 040 211 81 36

W: dentalclinics.nl

UTRECHT

Dental Care Utrecht locatie VH Van Hogendorpstraat 1 3581 KA Utrecht T: 030 252 03 59

W: dentalcareutrecht.nl

LIMBURG

Dental Clinics

Koningin Emmaplein 10 6214 AC Maastricht

T: 043 325 15 45

W: dentalclinics.nl

Smile Dental Studio

Akersteenweg 104 6227 AC Maastricht

T: 043 363 00 10

W: smiledentalstudio.nl

PERSONAL & MENTAL COACHING

NATIONWIDE

PsyQ

T: 088 357 4400 W: psyq.nl

FLEVOLAND

Expat Coaching

Word Trade Center P.J. Oudweg 4 1314 CH Almere functioningcoach.nl/expat-coaching

GELDERLAND

Expat Coaching

Oranjesingel 24 6511 NV Nijmegen T: 06 13 93 21 87

W: functioningpsychology.nl/ expat-psychologist-arnhemnijmegen

NOORD-HOLLAND

Expat Coaching

Van Eeghenlaan 27 1071 EN Amsterdam

T: 06 13 93 21 62

W: functioningcoach.nl/ expat-coaching

Complete Connect Counseling & Coaching

Prinsengracht 494-2 1017 KH Amsterdam T: 0629-150277 W: completeconnectcoaching.com

In2motivation

Amstelveenseweg 739 1081 JE Amsterdam T: 020 737 03 12 W: in2motivation.com

Insight & Movement Expat Coaching Haarlem

Nikolai Baas

Teding van Berkhoutstraat 71B 2032 LK Haarlem T: 06 40 72 11 87 W: insightandmovement.nl

The Resilient Diplomat

Soetendaal 36 1081 BP Amsterdam T: 0648-925636 W: .theresilientdiplomat.com

International Coaching Amsterdam

Kromme Waal 23 1011 BT Amsterdam T: 020 620 93 69 W: icamsterdam.nl vanhaaster-blanquart.com

Jenkins Health Coaching Stettineiland 37 1014 ZE Amsterdam T: 06 46 13 27 87 W: jenkinshealthcoaching.com

Kühler & Partners International Mental Health Amstelveenseweg 390 1076 CT Amsterdam T: 085 066 05 00 W: internationalmentalhealth.nl

KGT consulting Courbetstraat 35-1 1077 ZS Amsterdam W: kgtconsulting.nl

Loomancoaching

Leidsegracht 22 1016 CL Amsterdam T: 06 53 60 08 39 W: loomancoaching.nl

Loopbaanadvies Pro Van Eeghenlaan 27 1071 EN Amsterdam T: 06 28 93 10 31 W: loopbaanadvies.pro

Orange Expats

Stella Pennekamp Lekstraat 116 1079 EW Amsterdam

T: 06 18 88 53 03

W: orangeexpats.com

Perspectiefadvies- locatie centrum

Westerdok 368 1013 BH Amsterdam, Centrum T: 06 41 39 27 34 W: perspectiefadvies.nl

Projob couching

Van Baerlestraat 63-65 1071 AR Amsterdam T: 020 573 83 00 W: projob.nl

Protea Expat Therapy

Eerste Keucheniusstraat n. 6HS 1051 HR Amsterdam T: 06 41 96 94 97 W: proteatherapy.org

Teen Vitality

Johannes Verhulststsraat 197-3 1075 HA Amsterdam T: 06 22 42 24 24 W: teenvitality.nl

Your Talent Agency

Schipholweg 1 2034 LS Haarlem T: 023 - 234 03 00

W: yourtalent.agency

ZUID-HOLLAND

Peptalk Praktijk voor psychologie, relatietherapie en coaching Rietveld 45 2611 LG Delft T: 06 25 26 73 73 W: peptalk-psychologen.nl

Experience Healing Love

Bruijnings Ingenhoeslaan 274 2273 KX Voorburg

0684-051213 www.experiencehealinglove.com

Foodcoaching Herenstraat 39 2313 AE Leiden T: 071 889 14 35 W: dietistleiden.nl/dietitian-leiden

Ellen Massaro

Professional organiser Drususlaan 177 2314 BZ Leiden T: 071 542 43 31 T: 06 27 06 29 17 W: ellenmassaro.nl

Coach2MoveOn

2e Schuytstraat 246 2517 TS The Hague T: 06 24 40 13 55 W: coach2moveon.com

Expat Coaching

Raamweg 4 2596 HL The Hague T: 061 39 32 162 T: 06 13 93 21 87 W: functioningcoach.nl

Kühler & Partners International Mental Health Nassaulaan 5 2514 JS The Hague T: 085 066 05 00 W: internationalmentalhealth.nl

PsyQ International Jan van Nassaustraat 125 2596 BS The Hague T: 088 357 34 78 W: psyq.nl

International Mental Care Prins Mauritslaan 6 2582 LR The Hague T: 06 18 64 23 65 W: internationalmentalare.com

NOORD-BRABANT

Fay’s to face Coaching Limburglaan 103 5616 ET Eindhoven T: 06 82 58 61 62 W: faystoface-coaching.com UTRECHT Het Coachhuis Nieuwegracht 29 3512 LD, Utrecht T: 06 13 93 21 87 W: hetcoachhuis.nl

SPORTS AND HEALTH CLUBS

Basic-Fit

T: 023 808 0888 (hoofdkantoor) W: basic-fit.com

Fit For Free

T: 0900 34 83 67 37 33 W: fitforfree.nl

David Lloyd T: 088 0202143 W: davidlloyd.nl

HealthCity Nederland B.V. 10 locations in Noordholland, Zuidholland and Noordbrabant T: 023 303 10 90 W: healthcity.nl SportCity T: 0900 776 78 37 W: sportcity.nl

TrainMore W: trainmore.nl

Clubsportive

Gustav Mahlerlaan 24 1082 MC Amsterdam T: 020 661 78 08 W: clubsportive.nl

Health Club Jordaan Eerste Rozendwarsstraat 10 1016 PC Amsterdam

T: 020 489 76 76

W: healthclubjordaan.nl

Saints and Stars

Amstserdam Oud-Zuid and OudWest W: saints-stars.com

Active Club Den Haag

Johan de Wittlaan 44 2517 JR Den Haag T: 070 416 91 36

W: activeclubdenhaag.nl

The Fitness House

Laan van Nieuw Oost-Indië 27 2593 BJ Den Haag T: 070 365 61 61

W: thefitnesshouse.nl

InTension Health Club

Marcelisstraat 200 2586 RZ Den Haag T: 070 331 88 11 W: in-tension.nl

Aerofit Healthclub

Hofcampweg 270 2241 KM Wassenaar T: 070 511 96 45

W: aerofit.nl Njoy Fitness Wassenaar Generaal Winkelmanlaan 2 2243 AZ Wassenaar T: 070 514 44 64

W: njoyfitness.nl

Caesar Fitness & Spa resort

Mauritskade 10 2514 HC Den Haag T: 070 820 9910

W: caesar-denhaag.nl

Coverdrive

Emmalaan 81 3051 JE Rotterdam T: 06 1055 8715

W: coverdrive.nl

Max Health Club B.V. Klatteweg 109 2597 KA Den Haag T: 070-3549328 W: maxhealthclub.nl

Amstelhof Sport & Health Club Noorddammerweg 30 1424 NX De Kwakel T: 0297-531855 W: amstelhof.com

Little Star Fitness Stelling 7 1424 EM De Kwakel T: 0611-076992

W: littlestarfitness.com

HEALTH & BEAUTY

AAYA

Minervalaan 29 1077 NL Amsterdam T: 020-2101230 W: .aaya.nl

The Body Clinic Achillesstraat 85 1076 PX Amsterdam T: 020-4638668 W: bodyclinic.nl

Prescan Nederland Hermesweg 15 3741 GP Baarn T: 074-2559255 W: prescan.nl

Kliniek MCL

Laan van Meerdervoort 622 2564 AK Den Haag T: 070-3257875 W: .kliniekmcl.nl

Beekman Klinieken Middendreef 273 8233 GT Lelystad T: 085-4015965 W: beekmanklinieken.nl

Expat Nest

Poortland 66 1046 BD Amsterdam T: 0634-452733 W: .expatnest.com

Travelling with Vincent in Drents Museum

Destitute and heartbroken, Vincent van Gogh (18531890) boarded the last train from The Hague to Drenthe on Tuesday 11th September 1883. He stayed in Hoogeveen for a few weeks and then moved to Nieuw-Amsterdam/Veenoord. He also made a day trip to Zweeloo. He only knew Drenthe from other people’s stories. What he would find there was something he could only fantasize about. Although he was not the first artist to set foot in this ‘desolate’ and remote province, his choice to travel to Drenthe in the autumn instead of the summer was special. Even more remarkable was that he did not go to the idyllic sand villages, but had lost his heart to the peatlands of Southeast Drenthe. From 11 september 2023 till 7 January 2024 the Drents Museum in Assen will present the remarkable exhibition Travelling with Vincent – Van Gogh in Drenthe.

Painter of the peasants

What Van Gogh saw in Drenthe would remain with him throughout his life. The hard life in the peat bogs and the purity of the inhabitants made him even more steadfast in his goal: Van Gogh wanted to become a painter of peasants. He wanted to fathom life in the country in all its facets and understand the characteristics of its inhabitants to the core. In doing so he was in no way held back by the prevailing customs and fashions of the art world. Van Gogh followed his own path and the months he spent in isolation in Drenthe convinced him even more of his vocation. The drawings and paintings from the Drenthe period, if only a handful, show Van Gogh’s toil with light effects and shapes, as well as his search for his own style.

First exhibition ever

Never before has the Drenthe period been the subject of a major exhibition. Travelling with Vincent takes you along on Van Gogh’s Drenthe adventure. Through his letters, the painter takes us on a quest for happiness as a person and success as an artist. We follow him in his wanderings through the Drenthe of 1883 and what life was like then. Light is shed on his sources of inspiration and the Drenthe work of contemporaries. The significance of the Drenthe period in his oeuvre is also highlighted. Until now, the Drenthe chapter in

Van Gogh’s life has often been overlooked or only mentioned in passing. This project will change that and forever add the Drenthe period to the artist’s life story. The exhibition will be accompanied by a richly illustrated publication presenting new research.

Collaboration

Following the exhibition, activities and routes will be organized in various places in the province Drenthe. More information about this special program will follow. More information: www.drentsmuseum.nl/en/exhibitions/van-goghdrenthe

Photo above:

Vincent van Gogh (1853-1890) The Peat Boat, 1883 Oil on canvas on panel, 37 x 55.5 cm Drents Museum, Assen Acquired with the support of the Province of Drenthe, Nederlandse Aardolie Maatschappij, Vuil Afvoer Maatschappij, Stichting Pieter Roelf, Stichting Van Gogh, Stichting Vrienden van het Drents Museum, Stichting Schone Kunsten rond 1900, VSB-fonds, and Vereniging Rembrandt

Photo below:

Vincent van Gogh (1853-1890)

Peasant burning weeds, 1883 Oil on canvas on panel, 30.5 x 39.5 cm Drents Museum, Assen/Van Gogh Museum, Amsterdam Purchased with support from the VriendenLoterij, Mondriaanfonds, Vereniging Rembrandt (with the additional support of her Themafonds Impressionisme/Claude Monet Fonds, her Hendrickje Fonds and the Prins Bernhard Cultuurfonds), Vincent van Gogh Stichting, Province of Drenthe, Stichting Beringer Hazewinkel, Stichting Steunfonds Drents Museum and Stichting Vrienden van het Drents Museum)

Gallery

Arts & culture

Like every year, we give a short overview of arts & culture events planned for the next year. Despite our best-laid plans, we cannot be sure that all these events will go ahead as scheduled. So, before you set out, check the website of the venue!

King’s Day & Night (26-27 April) and Liberation Day (5 May)

The biggest national holidays of the Netherlands are King’s Day & Night (26-27 April) and Liberation Day (5 May). For King’s Day, expect musical extravaganza, citywide flea markets and lots of fun and games. Check your local news outlets for celebrations in your town; in many towns the festivities already start on the evening of the 26th, with live music throughout the night. The Royal family spends King’s Day visiting one city, which showcases its highlights to the Royals. In 2023 the city of Rotterdam will have the honour of entertaining the King. There are also several official King’s Day music festivals with big-name artists, but local festivities are everywhere. These include flea markets (being Dutch, selling stuff is a matter of celebration), games for kids, local bands et cetera.

Liberation Day is a more muted affair, fitting the occasion – the end of the Second World War on 5 May 1945. On 4 May, the King and other dignitaries lay wreaths at the National Monument on Dam Square in Amsterdam, and the country observes a two-minute silence at 20.00. This is taken very seriously – even the trains stop at 8 pm – so please join the Dutch in remembering the horrors of war. There are also local ceremonies in every town. Liberation day, 5 May is not, in fact, an official holiday in the Netherlands, but is generally celebrated by several Freedom Festivals throughout the country. There may be local celebrations, but these are less extravagant than during King’s Day.

www.iamsterdam.com/en/see-and-do/whats-on/ major-events-and-celebrations/kings-day/10-fun-kingsday-facts

Must-see museums

There are exactly 1227 museums in the Netherlands, covering traditional subjects such as art and history, but you will find many exotic museums too. How about the Beer Museum, the Beatles Museum, the Teapot Museum or the Comic Book Museum?

Amsterdam is host to many famous museums, such as the Anne Frank House, the Maritime Museum, NEMO Science Centre, Rijksmuseum, Stedelijk Museum, Van Gogh Museum, the Jewish Historical Museum and many more highlighting Dutch history and art. Rotterdam highlights its history as a port city in the Maritime Museum, which also organizes boat trips in the port itself. It also has many art museums, such as Kunsthal Rotterdam and the Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen with its newly opened Depot.

Leiden is home to a few intriguing museum, including the National Museum of Antiquities (RMO), see below. Also visit Naturalis, museum of natural history, with its most famous inhabitant: Trix the T-Rex. The Volkenkunde Museum celebrates cultures from around the world, while Boerhaave Museum shows the history of science and medicine from the 17th to 19th centuries.

Famous art museums elsewhere include the KröllerMüller Museum in National Park Hoge Veluwe, Mauritshuis and Escher in the Palace in The Hague, Museum Voorlinden and the Groninger Museum. For Roman history, visit Het Valkhof in Nijmegen.

www.museumgidsnederland.nl www.whichmuseum.nl/nederland/musea

Bonnefanten Museum

This museum in Maastricht has an extensive and varied collection, focused on the southern Netherlands. Very important is the collection of religious art from the 13th to 16th century and the early Italian paintings from the 14th to 16th century. See the Netherlands in the 17th century through paintings by Peter Paul Rubens, Henri de Fromantiou and Melchior d’Hondecoeter. It also hosts temporary exhibitions by modern artists. www.bonnefanten.nl

AmsterdamSchoolMuseumHetSchipishousedintheexpressivehousingcomplexofthe samenamebyrenownedarchitectMicheldeKlerk,builtin1919forhousingcorporation EigenHaard.ItbelongstothepinnacleoftheAmsterdamSchool,anartandarchitecture movementthatgreatlycontributedtothebirthofpropersocialhousing.Themuseumtells thestoryofthismovementandmakesthesubjectcometolifethroughtoursandcountless otheractivities.Learnmoreon hetschip.nl/en.

Teylers Museum

Teylers Museum in Haarlem is the only museum in the Netherlands that has been open to the public continuously since 1784. The authentic interior containing the original objects has remained the same in all that time. It hosts a fascinating collection of paintings, drawings (including some by Rembrandt and Michelangelo), fossils, minerals, coins, medals and physics instruments. www.teylersmuseum.nl

Rijkmuseum van Oudheden - National Museum of Antiquities

The National Museum of Antiquities houses the most important finds in the Netherlands from the Roman and medieval period, as well as an internationally acclaimed collection of art from the ancient Near East and Egypt, including mummies and sarcophagi. Until 4 September, the exhibition Splendor and Precision showcases the most beautiful precious gems with engraved images from the collection from the ancient Near East, Egypt and classical antiquity. www.rmo.nl

Ameland as a source of inspiration

From the beginning of the 20th century, the small Wadden island of Ameland became popular with artists. This has remained the case to this day. Sorgdrager Museum shows work by artists who live on Ameland or have been inspired by the island. After visiting the museum, go outside and explore this cosy island by bike or on foot. www.amelandermusea.nl

National Heritage Days

During the annual National Heritage Days on 9-10 September 2023, no less than 4.000 historical buildings and monuments open their doors to the public. Around 85 percent of Dutch municipalities participate, so you can visit the political heart of The Hague, the medieval churches of Maastricht, canal houses in Amsterdam, the fortifications around Utrecht, the theatres of Leiden or the city hall of Gouda, and much more. Even buildings that are not normally open to the public, such as private houses that are listed as monuments, will open their doors. www.openmonumentendag.nl www.holland.com/global/tourism/plan-your-holiday/ events/heritage-days.htm

Ku(n)stroute Hoorn

Along the coastline of the IJsselmeer, in and around the historical town of Hoorn, you can walk or cycle along a unique sculpture route, from theatre Het Park on the Westerdijk, the lighthouse on the Visserseiland, the Oostereiland, and the Schelphoek on the Schellinkhouterdijk. The theme of the exhibition is ´land-water dialogue’; don’t miss the beautiful view of the Halve Maen ship from De Haai headland, near the lighthouse.

You can buy a route map with descriptions of the artworks from the website www.stichtingindenbeginne.nl

There are many more art routes around the country. Find out more on: www.kunstroutes.info

Meet Rembrandt in his own home

This is where he lived and worked for nineteen years, in the heart of Amsterdam. Nearly 400 years later, The Rembrandt House Museum is the only museum in the world entirely devoted to Rembrandt. Step into the 17th century and be inspired by Rembrandt the man, the maker, his home, his city and his time. You will not get closer to Rembrandt than this.

ADDING MORE REMBRANDT

The Rembrandt House Museum is reopening on 18 March 2023 and offering 30% more Rembrandt. The museum will be adding a third exhibition hall, an etching attic, a prologue- and epilogue room.

With the help of the new multimedia tour, you will experience the story of Rembrandt, his house, his time and his neighbourhood.

During your visit, you will follow the life story of Rembrandt, from his arrival as an ambitious celebrity artist, to his forced departure due to an accumulation of debt.

The museum presents three new exhibitions a year, inspired by Rembrandt’s life and work.

18 MARCH TO 11 JUNE

The Art of Drawing: the Peck Collection (USA) featuring 70 drawings by Rembrandt, Bol, Maes and others.

You can hardly get closer to an artist than through his drawings. The art of drawing shows the versatility and craftsmanship of drawing in the 17th century. In the place where Rembrandt himself made his drawings, you look over the shoulders of Rembrandt and his contemporaries. The 74 drawings, including

seven by Rembrandt, Showcases a selection of the Peck Collection, collected by an American couple. They donated their collection to the Ackland Art Museum of the University of North Carolina, in Chapel Hill, USA, in 2016. Many drawings are travelling back to Amsterdam, the place where they were made, for the first time in centuries.

18 MARCH TO 4 JUNE

Titus returns home: a Son, a Father, a Masterpiece. The famous, intimate portrait of Rembrandt’s son Titus will be on display at The Rembrandt House Museum for the first time ever.

1 JULY TO 11 SEPTEMBER

Rembrandt & Love

An exhibition of prints by Rembrandt, dedicated to the greatest loves in his life.

OCTOBER TO FEBRUARY 2024

Framing Rembrandt

An exhibition on the portrayal of Rembrandt through the centuries. How is the famous artist portrayed in artworks, films, stories, and other objects?

MORE DEMONSTRATIONS

You will be able to experience how Rembrandt made his etchings and his paint. The paint preparation demonstrations take place where Rembrandt made his masterpieces: in his studio. The etching attic is new. Here, continuous presentations, live and virtual, reveal Rembrandt’s etching techniques.

for young and old

Discover the world of science!

At Rijksmuseum Boerhaave you discover all about the most important inventions from the history of science in the Netherlands.

Who are the scientists behind those inventions? And what is the impact of their discoveries on our lives? Find out more about their quest and join us in discussing today’s major issues.

The museum offers young and old a peek into the fascinating world of science. The world-famous collection and the newly designed interior show what science is all about: curiosity, courage, creativity and perseverance.

Discover the world of science! www.rijksmuseumboerhaave.nl

PAPIER + TEXTIEL + ERFGOED

Museum Rijswijk is een museum voor hedendaagse papieren textielkunst en het Rijswijks erfgoed. Het museum is internationaal bekend om zijn Papier- en Textielbiënnales die elkaar jaarlijks afwisselen. Deelnemende beeldend kunstenaars komen uit alle windstreken om hun werk te tonen. Actuele thema’s als ‘Home’, ‘Food for Thought’, ‘Transition’ en ‘Images of Power’ dagen zowel de kunstenaars als de bezoekers uit. Ondanks de thematische rode draad die alle werken met elkaar verbindt, blijft de beeldende kwaliteit leidend. Vele bezoekers stemmen via een publieksprijs op een hun favoriete kunstenaar. Het publiek kan deze kunstenaar een jaar later terugzien met een solotentoonstelling.

Naast de Biënnales zijn er altijd boeiende papier- en/of textieltentoonstellingen te zien. Groepstentoonstellingen en ook solopresentaties van Ian Berry, Madelon Hooykaas, Marianne Lammersen, Jasper de Beijer en Kate Jenkins passeerden de afgelopen jaren de revue.

Op het gebied van erfgoed komen diverse onderwerpen aan bod over belangrijke Rijswijkse gebeurtenissen, personen en objecten. Vaak gaat dat gepaard met een publicatie. De beroemde schrijver/dichter Hendrik Tollens woonde in de 19e eeuw in het huis dat nu de naam Tollenshuis draagt. Dit huis is uitgebreid met een vleugel en vormt samen het charmante museum in het gezellige Oud Rijswijk.

Het museum heeft een shop waar een geweldig aanbod te vinden is op het gebied van papier en textiel en voor kinderen. Daarnaast is er altijd in het boekenassortiment een actuele link met de tentoongestelde kunstenaars en de thema’s van de tentoonstellingen. Ook op het gebied van de Rijswijkse geschiedenis is Museum Rijswijk dé plek waar je terecht kan.

Museum Rijswijk huisvest het gezellige Tollens Café, een prachtig terras op het voorplein en een riant terras en binnentuin waar het bij mooi weer heerlijk toeven is. In het /DOC kun je een boek of een kunsttijdschrift uit de kast trekken en even bijkomen van de tentoonstelling. In het Atelier kunnen scholen en andere groepen terecht om te verwerken wat ze in de tentoonstelling ervaren hebben. Daarnaast worden er vaak workshops gegeven die aansluiten bij de tentoonstelling, door een museumdocent of door een exposerende kunstenaar.

In Museum Rijswijk kun je ook terecht voor een kleine conferentie, een vergadering of diner. De Salon is een stijlkamer in het Tollenshuis. Deze staat bekend als de mooiste trouwlocatie van de stad. Kortom, allerlei redenen om een bezoek te brengen aan dit boeiende museum voor papier, textiel en erfgoed in Oud-Rijswijk, eenvoudig te bereiken per auto (gratis parkeren tot 18.00), bus en tram.

Kijk op de website voor meer info: museumrijswijk.nl. Je bent van harte welkom!

The National Maritime Museum in Amsterdam

The National Maritime Museum is a household name in the international museum world and a destination for a wonderful day trip, right in the heart of Amsterdam. Embracing the motto ‘water connects worlds’, the museum presents 500 years of Dutch maritime history and aims to draw a connection to society of today and tomorrow. Will you visit soon?

The museum - located at the lively Marineterrein at the northern edge of the Eastern Islands - moved into the former Naval Arsenal in 1973. This monumental building, dating from 1656, was designed by Daniel Stalpaert as a storage facility or the Admiralty of Amsterdam. Now, more than 350 years later, the museum is still an eye-catcher for the entire city and a spot for all kinds of visitors to come together and indulge in a maritime art experience.

The National Maritime Museum preserves one of the largest and most notable maritime collections in the world, including paintings, ship models, navigation instruments and sea charts. This ranges from classic displays such as the main gallery Republic at Sea and Maps & Marvels to more contemporary exhibitions such as Amsterdam Port & City and Humans at Sea (on show until 28 May 2023): a photography exhibition with moving and unpredictable portraits and stories about people living their life at sea throughout history.

We offer a broad range of interactive programs for visitors of all ages. From guided tours and school visits to special events such as Dutch Water Week and World Cleanup Day, plenty of fun takes place throughout the seasons. The museum offers a complete day out for families with children. Visit the replica East Indiaman Amsterdam and explore exhibitions such as The tale of the whale or the newly opened Doris the diver: an exciting story for families with kids aged 2+, filled with playful activities, about the adventures of a young diver through the ocean. Every school holiday goes hand in hand with a packed schedule of family activities: summery boat trips with Plastic Whale Foundation (fishing plastic

out of the canals), crafting activities, special guided tours for kids, and much more.

Perhaps you have visited the building in the past for a wedding, conference or concert. The National Maritime Museum, with its famous Open Square, multiple event spaces and its docks overlooking the canals, is also an excellent event location.

Come and find us in the lovely Oosterdok area. This is a local un-touristy secret, a beautiful, bustling and newly developed area of town with many things to see or do, yet close to the city center. It includes a restored naval base turned hotel called Pension Homeland with an excellent café downstairs, Pakhuis de Zwijger for talks and cultural exhibitions, and a jetty area behind the museum where people swim all year round (bring your own towel).

The National Maritime Museum is open from Tuesday to Sunday from 10am to 5pm. During school holidays, the museum is open on Mondays as well. Admission is free for visitors with a Museumcard.

For more information about the exhibitions, programming, prices and much more, visit www.hetscheepvaartmuseum.com.

Stay informed by signing up for the newsletter and following @hetscheepvaartmuseum on social media.

The art of the future today

MUSEON-OMNIVERSUM PRESENTS: ONE PLANET.

Museon-Omniversum is a museum and big-screen film theatre in one. With your ticket you can watch a film and visit our wonderful One Planet exhibition about man, earth and sustainable development. Learn more about the 17 world goals and discover smart solutions for a sustainable future. It inspires and teaches us what we can do about the problems we are faced with. Together we can make the difference!

Director Peter de Haan: “Museon and Omniversum are two renowned institutions in The Hague that have stood side by side for 35 years. Both were founded with the mission to inspire children to discover the world through films, exhibitions and through education. Today there is an awful lot going on in our world; sustainability has become a major issue and can no longer be ignored. Which is why we refined our expertise: from discovery to action. Reestablishing One Planet as an impact center for young and old. Thus, we redesigned our museum and film theatre marketing-wise differently by changing our perspective from neutrality to stimulating and energizing.”

BIG SCREEN FILM THEATRE

In the ¬film theatre you will experience the beauty of our earth. You will experience watching breath-taking fi¬lms about nature, culture and science on the sculptured dome screen, the size of half a football ¬field. It is almost as close as you can get to being there in real-life. You can watch movies like: Serengeti, Volcanoes, The Arctic: Our Last Great Wilderness and Secrets of the Sea.

MUSEUM EXHIBITIONS

In the museum you will learn all about the 17 world goals of the United Nations. You can play games, make assignments and play a stimulating Q&A quiz with the help of a punch-card. It will reveal your very own score as a world-citizen. In another bustling part of the museum you can roll up your sleeves and discover smart solutions and promising innovations that contribute to a fair and habitable world. The whole experience is built to energize you!

Director De Haan: “Our new ambition is to inspire and to share solutions by presenting a score of exciting innovations that help to keep you and the planet safe. Our message is one of hope. By unveiling surprising novelties, inventions and private initiatives we hope you can be part of an inspiring new world! So, all in all we combine the theme of sustainable development with a fun day out.”

AN EVENING OUT AT THE DOME

In the evening you can enjoy various (live) performances at Museon-Omniversum. Be our guest to stunning opera and ballet performances, broadcasted live from the Royal Opera House in London. Or sit back and enjoy inspiring music and nature documentaries in cinema format. If you are a fan of the stellar world, come and join us in our spectacular planetarium shows and lectures by NOVA astronomers, where you can experience, first-hand, the many wonders of the starlit sky.

Johannes Vermeer of Delft.

The Vermeer Centrum Delft is the place to learn more about the 17th century Delft painter Johannes Vermeer. You can enjoy all his 37 works as digital reproductions in full size, made in collaboration with the museums where his real works are on display. You will learn a lot about his techniques, his life, his city of Delft in the 17th century, his use of color, his perspective, etc. We show you how a painting of Vermeer is restored and you can also enjoy modern work inspired by the paintings of Vermeer. And last but not least: a shop with lots of nice souvenirs to have yourself or to give away. The Vermeer Centrum Delft is located on the spot were Vermeer once lived and worked, in the historic city of Delft.

MEET THE MASTER OF LIGHT

Johannes Vermeer is one of Holland’s best known artists. The painter lived between 1632 and 1675 and spends his entire life in Delft. Vermeer only made 37 paintings in which he created his own world. All of them are of an exceptional high quality. The Vermeer Centre in Delft brings the old master back to life.

DELFT, THE CITY OF VERMEER

From February 10th till June 4th 2023 Delft will be the city of Vermeer more than ever. Special exhibitions, nice products for reasonable prices, wonderful walks along all the places Vermeer walked, lived and worked. The Vermeer Centrum Delft, Museum Prinsenhof Delft, the Old Church and lots of shops and restaurants offer you a wide range of things to see and do. At the Vermeer Centrum Delft they can tell you almost everything about it. We hope to see you!

VERMEER & MORE

The CHABOT MUSEUM for International Expressionism ishoused in an icon of the Modern Movement located in the bustling Rotterdam Museum Park. Here,you can experience art in the light, open spaces of one of Rotterdam’s most beautiful villas. Face to face with the monumental works of Henk Chabot (1894-1949), his leading contemporaries and present-day kindred spirits. Anintimate art experience at world-class level.

guided tour

Also, join us in the weekends for aguided tour to the Van Nelle Factory – unesco world heritage site. Devotees of architecture, art and industrial heritage will thoroughly enjoy themselves with this tour celebrating Rotterdam’ Modernism.

In the shop we have a lot of nice souvenirs, books about Vermeer (in several languages), postcards, stationery and gifts with and without images of Vermeers paintings.

Discover Johannes Vermeer’s Delft

The most famous girl in Delft is of course the ‘Girl with a pearl earring’ by the Delft master painter Johannes Vermeer (1632-1675). The 17th-century master of light lived and worked in Delft all his life. Of the estimated 45 paintings he made there during his lifetime, 35 can still be seen all over the world. During the large Vermeer exhibition in Rijksmuseum Amsterdam, a large number of his paintings will return to the Netherlands.

The Delft master painter Johannes Vermeer is therefore world famous, but you can only discover his city in Delft. The city that inspired him and where he lived and worked. During the theme period Discover Vermeer’s Delft, you can admire the world of Johannes Vermeer. In Delft you can walk right into a painting by Johannes Vermeer. The historic center, the Old and New Churches, the canals and mansions take you back to the 17th century and let the past come to life. During a walk through Delft you will experience the city of the master painter for yourself.

From 10 February to 4 June 2023 - when the Rijksmuseum Amsterdam hosts the largest exhibition of Vermeer’s works ever - Vermeer will also be the focus of attention in the Vermeer Centrum Delft, Museum Prinsenhof Delft and the Oude Kerk, and Vermeer activities will take place throughout the city.

Go back in time and discover the places associated with him such as his place of birth, the location from where he painted his famous work View of Delft or the Guild of Saint Luke where the artists of Delft gathered at that time.

Vermeer Centrum Delft

The Vermeer Centrum Delft is the only place in the world where you can admire Vermeer’s complete oeuvre in full size (reproductions). You walk past his works and immediately get a lot of information about his city of Delft in the 17th century, his life, the techniques he used, how he handled light and perspective and other aspects in his work. The

building in which the Vermeer Center is located is not just any building. In the Golden Age, this was the Guild of St. Luke, of which Vermeer - following his father - became a member in 1653. The beautiful facade is a reconstruction (2006) of the original facade.

The Vermeer Center Delft is an information center. There are no real works by Vermeer. You have to go all over the world for that. But the Vermeer Center Delft is the only place on earth where all 37 can be seen together. Even those of the English queen and the work that was once stolen in Boston. In collaboration with Erfgoed Delft, a special place has been created in the Vermeer Centrum Delft where you can see what the surroundings of the harbor of Delft looked like in the time that Vermeer painted this View on Delft. His Herberg Mechelen can also be admired digitally, both from the outside and the inside. In addition, there are 17th-century objects as Vermeer immortalized them in his work.

The Vermeer Center Delft at Voldersgracht 21 is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Buy a combi ticket or find more information on www.vermeerdelft.nl www.delft.com/nl/ontdek-het-delft-van-vermeer.

Meet the makers of Delft Blue

The only original Delftware factory in Delft from the 17th century that still produces hand painted delft Blue Rotterdamseweg 196, Delft | www.royaldelftmuseum.com

Frans Hals Museum occupies two historic locations in Haarlem’s magnificent city centre: HOF and HAL. The Frans Hals Museum is a place where old and new connect: the collection’s stimulating mix of old masters, and modern and contemporary art, challenges visitors to take a fresh look.

Be immersed by Delft Blue at Royal Delft Museum

Paintbrushes carefully touch the white earthenware, whilst elsewhere clay is poured into handmade moulds. It is here, at Royal Delft Museum, that craftsmen have been creating iconic Delft Blue for almost 400 years. Royal Delft, established in 1653, is the last remaining original Delftware factory in Delft from the 17th century that still produces hand painted Delft Blue according to centuries-old tradition. Discover all about the history, craftsmanship and innovation of this royal company during your visit at the Royal Delft Museum.

Since it acquired the official museum status in 2021, the museum has been undergoing a metamorphosis in stages; the existing museum galleries have been renovated and the museum has been expanded with the construction of a new exhibition hall. A series of changing exhibitions will be held in this exhibition hall. In November 2022 we reopened the doors of the renewed Royal Delft Museum.

‘From Ruisdael to Frytom’ until 15 March 2023

The first exhibition held in the new exhibition halls is ‘From Ruisdael to Frytom – 17th century art of craft?’. An exhibition about two great names of 17th-century landscape painters who designed their artistry, each for himself, on canvas and Delft pottery. For the first time, works by ‘Van Frytom’ and ‘Van Ruisdael’ can be seen side by side. Two worlds come together here, with nature and landscapes on canvas and pottery playing a leading role. In addition, attention is paid to the traditional technique of the making process of the blue pigment, as used by both masters, and how it is still used today.

‘Bas Meeuws X Royal Delft’ – From April to September 2023

Just as with the Masters of the 17th-century flower still life, reality forms the basis for Meeuws, but he then bends reality to his will. He makes the flowers brighter or less brightly colored, enlarged, reduced or slightly stretched at his own discretion. It is all hallowed for achieving the most balanced composition. For the exhibition ‘Bas Meeuws x Royal Delft’, Royal Delft commissioned Bas Meeuws to place the heritage of

the museum in a context where the vases belong, filled with beautiful baroque bouquets.

Bas Meeuws has photographed vases several times in the museum and the factory during the year 2022. Using these vases, Meeuws will compose flower still lifes that will be on display in the main hall during the exhibition.

Show us your painting talent!

Would you like to try painting yourself? Then try one of our painting workshops! Paint your own tile for on the wall at home during a painting workshop. Need some inspiration for the decoration? Choose a Royal Delft design. Of course, if you have enough ideas you can create your design! Available on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday at 14:00 hrs.

Royal high tea on original blue delftware

After a stroll around the museum a well-deserved lunch or high-tea can be enjoyed at the Brasserie1653. The lunchroom has stunning views overlooking the monumental courtyard garden which is accessible all year round and houses an atmospheric terrace during the summer months.

Panorama Amsterdam

A living history of the city

What are the foremost characteristics that define Amsterdam? And has it always been that way? By connecting stories from the past, present, and future, a broader perspective of the city emerges: Amsterdam, in all its dimensions. Rediscover Amsterdam.

Now on view at Amstel 51. Information and tickets at amsterdammuseum.nl

PANORAMA AMSTERDAM:

A LIVING HISTORY OF THE CITY

The Amsterdam Museum has a new permanent collection presentation, Panorama Amsterdam: A living history of the city. The exhibtion can be found in the Amsterdam Museum wing of the Hermitage, since the former City Orphanage at 92 Kalverstraat is currently closed for a major renovation. In Panorama Amsterdam visitors will discover various facets of the city of Amsterdam. What characteristics define Amsterdam and set it apart? And has it always been that way? How will the city continue to develop? By connecting stories from the past, present, and future, a broader perspective of the city emerges. This is Amsterdam in all its dimensions. On display are classic icons from the collection as well as new or rarely shown work.

The first part of the exhibition, installed along the hall’s outer wall, presents a chronological selection of stories from the city. It gives an impression of how Amsterdam and its inhabitants have developed over the centuries. Major and influential events are highlighted, while the exhibition reflects on how people perceived the city at those particular times and how this is manifested in the museum’s collection today.

The exhibition begins with the 16th century; here the oldest map of Amsterdam can be seen, Amsterdam in vogelvlucht (Bird’s-Eye View of Amsterdam), which was produced in 1538 by Cornelis

Anthonisz (ca. 1505–1553). You will also come across “Het Snotneusje,” a barrel organ that saved lives on May 7, 1945. In addition to the popular and classic pieces, recent contemporary works such as M54 by Brian Elstak (1980) and Monuments of Regents by Natasja Kensmil (1973), winner of the Johannes Vermeer Award, are also on display. The collection presentation includes several objects that have been part of the Amsterdam Museum’s collection for some time, yet have seldom left the storage facility.

The exhibition’s second part focuses on what is important to the city today. In the enclosed area running through the middle of the hall, which functions as a sort of laboratory, we examine themes that are closely connected to the city but were omitted from the main narrative about Amsterdam in the past—either deliberately suppressed or simply overlooked. Relationships are formed between the spaces “inside” and “outside” the laboratory, creating fascinating and surprising cross-connections. Themes such as science, trade, women’s emancipation, the Second World War, protest movements, the Ajax football club, migration, sexual freedom, and more are addressed. Are you curious to learn more about Amsterdam? Come by the Amsterdam Museum at Amstel 51 to visit Panorama Amsterdam and our special temporary exhibitions.

supported by:

GRONINGEN

Groninger Museum

Museumeiland 1 9711 ME Groningen T: 050 366 6555

W: groningermuseum.nl

Noorderlijk Scheepvaart Museum Brugstraat 24-26 9711 HZ Groningen T: 050 312 2202

W: noordelijkscheepvaartmuseum.nl

Storyworld

Nieuwe Markt 1 9712 KJ Groningen W: storyworld.nl

FRIESLAND

Fries Museum Wilhelminaplein 92 8911 BS Leeuwarden W: friesmuseum.nl

OVERIJSSEL

Museum de Fundatie Blijmarkt 20 8011 NE Zwolle W: museumdefundatie.nl

Rijksmuseum Twenthe Lasondersingel 129 7514 BP Enschede T: 053 201 20 00 W: rijksmuseumtwenthe.nl

DRENTHE

Drents Museum

Brink 1 9401 HS Assen T:0592 377 773 W: drentsmuseum.nl

Hunebedcentrum Hunebedstraat 27

9531 JT Borger W: hunebedcentrum.eu

GELDERLAND

Afrika Museum

Postweg 6 6571 CS Berg en Dal T: 088 004 2800 W: afrikamuseum.nl

Arnhems Oorlogsmuseum

Kemperbergerweg 780 6816 RX Arnhem W: arnhemsoorlogsmuseum.com

CODA museum Vosselmanstraat 299 7311 CL Apeldoorn W: coda-apeldoorn.nl

Kröller Müller Museum Houtkampweg 6 6731 AW Ottenlo T: 0318 591 2421 W: kmm.nl

Kunsthal Kade Eemplein 77 3812 EA Amersfoort W: kunsthalkade.nl

National Liberation Museum 1940-1945 Wylerbaan 4 6561 KR Groesbeek T: 024 397 4404 W: bevrijdingsmuseum.nl

Nederlands Openluchtmuseum Hoeferlaan 4 6816 SG Arnhem W: openluchtmuseum.nl

Paleis Het Loo

Koninklijk Park 16 7315 JC Apeldoorn W: paleishetloo.com

Stedelijk museum Zutphen ’s-Gravenhof 4

7201 DN Zutphen W: museazutphen.nl

UTRECHT

Centraal Museum Agnietenstraat 1 3512 XA Utrecht 030-2362362 www.centraalmuseum.nl

Museum Catharijne Convent Lange Nieuwstraat 38 3512 PH Utrecht T: 030 231 3835 W: catharijneconvent.nl

Nationaal Glasmuseum Lingedijk 28-30 4142 LD Leerdam W: nationaalglasmuseum.nl

Railway Museum

Maliebaanstation 3581 XW Utrecht T: 030 230 6206 W: spoorwegmuseum.nl

NOORD-HOLLAND

Amsterdam (Historical) Museum (temporary in the Hermitage) Amstel 51 1018 EJ Amsterdam T: 020 523 1822 W: amsterdammuseum.nl

Cobra Museum of Modern Art Sandbergplein 1 1181 ZX Amstelveen T: 020 575 5050 W: cobra-museum.nl

Frans Halsmuseum Groot Heiligland 62 2011 ES Haarlem T: 023 511 5775 W: franshalsmuseum.nl

Hermitage Amsterdam

Amstel 51 1018 EJ Amsterdam W: hermitage.nl

Jan van der Togt museum

Dorpsstraat 50 1182 JE Amstelveen W: museumjan.nl

Jewish Historical Museum Nieuwe Amstelstraat 1 1011 PL Amsterdam T: 020 531 0310 W: jck.nl

MoCa Bomstraat 11 2202 GH Noordwijk W: museumofcomicart.nl

Moco Museum Honthorststraat 20 1071 DE Amsterdam T: 020 370 1997 W: mocomuseum.nl

Museum het Rembrandthuis Jodenbreestraat 4 1011 NK Amsterdam T: 020 520 0400 W: rembrandthuis.nl/en/

Museum Het Schip Oostzaanstraat 45 1013 WG Amsterdam T: 020 686 8595 W: hetschip.nl

National Maritime Museum Kattenburgerplein 1 1018 KK Amsterdam T: 020 523 2222 W: hetscheepvaartmuseum.nl

National Military Museum Verlengde Paltzerweg 1 3768 MX Soest T: 085 003 6000 W: nmm.nl

NEMO Science Museum Oosterdok 2 1011 VX Amsterdam T: 020 531 3233 W: nemosciencemuseum.nl

Nxt Museum Asterweg 22 1031 HP Amsterdam W: nxtmuseum.com

Rijksmuseum National Gallery Museumstraat 1 1071 XX Amsterdam T: 020 674 7000 W: rijksmuseum.nl

Singer Museum Oude Drift 1 1251 BS Laren T: 035 539 3939 W: singerlaren.nl

Stedelijk Museum Museumplein 10 1071 DJ Amsterdam T: 020 5732911 W: stedelijk.nl

Stedelijk Museum Alkmaar Canadaplein 1 1811 KE Alkmaar W: stedelijkmuseumalkmaar.nl

Van Gogh Museum Museumplein 6 1071 DJ Amsterdam T: 020 570 5200 W: vangoghmuseum.nl

Teylers Museum Spaarne 16 2011 CH Haarlem T: 023 516 0960 W: teylersmuseum.nl

ZUID-HOLLAND

Chabot Museum Museumpark 11 3015 CB Rotterdam

T: 010 436 37 13 W: chabotmuseum.nl

Escher in the Palace

Lange Voorhout 74 2514 EH The Hague T: 070 427 7730 W: escherinhetpaleis.nl

Historical Museum of The Hague Korte Vijverberg 7 2513 AB The Hague T: 070 364 6940 W: haagshistorischmuseum.nl

Kunsthal Rotterdam

Westzeedijk 341 3015 AA Rotterdam T: 010 440 0300 W: kunsthal.nl

Maritime Museum Rotterdam Leuvehaven 1, 3011 EA Rotterdam T: 010 413 2680 W: maritiemmuseum.nl

Municipal Museum of The Hague Stadhouderslaan 41 2517 HV The Hague T: 070 338 1111 W: gemeentemuseum.nl

Museum Beelden Aan Zee Harteveltstraat 1 2586 EL The Hague / Scheveningen T: 070 358 5857 W: beeldenaanzee.nl

Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen Museum Park 18-20 3015 CX Rotterdam T: 010 441 9445 W: boijmans.nl

Museum Bredius Lange Vijverberg 14 2513 AC The Hague T: 070 362 0729 W: museumbredius.nl

Museum de Lakenhal

Oude Singel 28-32 2312 RA Leiden T: 071 516 5360 W: lakenhal.nl

Museum Prinsenhof Delft Sint Agathaplein 1 2611 HR Delft T: 015 260 2358 W: prinsenhof-delft.nl

Museum Rijswijk Herenstraat 67 2282 BR Rijswijk T. 070 390 3617 W: museumrijswijk.nl

Museum Vlaardingen Westhavenkade 54 3131 AG Vlaardingen 010-3438722 www.museumvlaardingen.nl

Museum Volkenkunde Steenstraat 1 2312 BS Leiden T: 071 516 8800 W: volkenkunde.nl

Museum Voorlinden Buurtweg 90 2244 AG Wassenaar T: 070 512 1660 W: voorlinden.nl

Nederlands Fotomuseum Wilheminakade 332 (Kop van Zuid) 3072 AR Rotterdam T: 010 203 0405 W: nederlandsfotomuseum.nl

One planet museon Omniversum

Stadhouderslaan 37 2517 HV The Hague T: 070 338 1338 W: museon.nl

Panaroma Mesdag Zeestraat 65

2518 AA The Hague T: 070 310 6665 W: panorama-mesdag.nl

Royal Delft

Rotterdamseweg 196 2628 AR Delft W: museum.royaldelft.com

Rijksmuseum Boerhaave Lange St.Agnietenstraat 10 2312 WC Leiden 071-7519999 www.rijksmuseumboerhaave.nl

Rijksmuseum van Oudheden Rapenburg 28 2311 EW. Leiden W: RMO.nl

Stichting Kunstmuseum Den Haag Stadhouderslaan 41 2517 HV Den Haag 070-3381111 www.kunstmuseum.nl

The Mauritshuis Royal Picture Gallery Plein 29 2511 CS The Hague T: 070 302 3456 W: mauritshuis.nl

ST. Vermeer Centrum Delft Voldersgracht 21 2611EV Delft T: 015 213 8588 W: vermeerdelft.nl

Zilvermuseum Schoonhoven Kazerneplein 4 2871 CZ. Schoonhoven W: zilvermuseum.com

NOORD-BRABANT

Van Abbe Museum Bilderdijklaan 10 5611 NH Eindhoven

T: 040 238 1000 W: vanabbemuseum.nl

LIMBURG

Bonnefanten Museum Avenue Ceramique 250 6221 KX Maastricht T: 043 329 0190. W: bonnefanten.nl

Museum aan het Vrijthof Vrijthof 18 6211 LD Maastricht W: fotomuseumaanhetvrijthof.nl

MOVIE THEATERS AND FILMHOUSES

NATIONWIDE Pathé Bioscopen 0900 14 58 (80ct per minuut) W: pathe.nl Vue W: vuecinemas.nl Cineville All arthouse cinemas in the Netherlands. W: cineville.nl

Beyond Calvinism: Typical Dutch habits

Although the Dutch reputation as a Calvinist nation may still refer to a collection of typical Dutch conservative virtues such as restraint, hard work and modesty, the Dutch are also known for their tolerance, dislike for regulations, joviality and easygoing nature. After all, “komt goed” (it’ll all be alright) is a favourite Dutch expressions. Here we have a look at some examples of what typifies the Dutch.

Tolerance: With its open mind on drugs, same-sex marriage and euthanasia, the Dutch continue their global reputation as being tolerant. This is shown, for example, in the Dutch concept of “gedoogbeleid”, when a governing body chooses to not prosecute certain legal violations: smoking pot is legally forbidden, but not prosecuted if someone just buys a small amount for personal use.

Directness: The Dutch are known abroad in particular for their directness and readiness to express their, often unsolicited, opinions. This may cause confusion especially in international business meetings, but like it or not, many say such directness helps them know where they stand with each other.

Equal say: Everyone tends to have an equal say in the Netherlands, and the so-called poldermodel ─ a Dutch term for a method of consensus decisionmaking on important issues ─ is ingrained in Dutch business, politics and group meetings. Many say it creates synergy, although it can also lead to inertia as no one is willing to take an actual decision.

Punctuality: The Dutch like to make arrangements and stick to them. Therefore, showing up unannounced at someone’s house is frowned upon, and being late is not accepted, at least in business. This start and end at the announced time. This Dutch inclination for punctuality can be experienced, for example, at 6PM, when the whole country seems to stop as everyone is eating their dinner!

Cycles: From cargo bikes (bakfiets) crammed with children, dogs, shopping or furniture during a house sale; colourful and sturdy grandma bikes, to superfast

electric bikes and folding bikes to take on the train: everyone is at it in the Netherlands. Take care specially on Sunday, when the Dutch take to the roads and woods on their mountain or racing bikes, dressed for the occasion in all the appropriate colourful lycra and spandex.

Going Dutch: The term Going Dutch shows the typical Dutch love affair with being frugal, and is used internationally when a group of people in a bar or restaurant decide to split the bill. This is indeed very common in the Netherlands: when eating or drinking with a group, everyone pays for themselves; or expect a Tikkie (electronic payment demand) by the person who has paid the bill.

Typical Dutch words: There are two words that typify the Dutch the most: “gezellig” – an atmosphere or feeling of all things cosy, friendly, homely – and “lekker”, which is for everything that tastes nice, looks nice or feels nice. Incidentally, you might notice someday a Dutch person waving their hand next to their face in royal fashion as they are eating. This denotes that the food is very very lekker.

Apologising: The word “sorry” is not used much in the Netherlands for those little awkward everyday situations. Perhaps because Dutch people have a tendency to take things very literally, and the Dutch might think: why say it when you don’t really mean it?

Making things small: The Dutch have a habit to add the diminutive suffix -je ,-tje or -pje after nouns and names, a bit like doggy. So, the Dutch will order a “biertje” with a “borrelnootje”. But they don’t necessarily mean a small beer or a few small nuts: it is their way of expressing themselves and it just makes it more gezellig.

Long words: They might make words smaller in meaning, like the neighbouring Germans, but the Dutch also have the tendency to make words very long by stringing a whole bunch of them together. Hottentottententententoonstelling is the famous,

artificial ten-syllabic word that is often cited as an example.

English words: Lately, anyone that goes shopping, or shoppen in Dutch, will notice the word “sale” everywhere, which seems to have replaced the word “uitverkoop”. This integration of the English language has gone far beyond the word “computer” and seems here to stay.

Just be normal! One of the most well-known Dutch sayings is “just act normal, it’s crazy enough”. According to the famous Dutch dictionary Van Dale, it’s an expression that characterises Dutch nature and means something like: just get over yourself, don’t make a fuss, don’t stand out too much.

Borrel: The Dutch like to enjoy a borrel, with a glass of wine or a little frothy beer, around a bittergarnituur: a collection of deep-fried warm savoury snacks such as bitterballen and kaassoufflés.

Peanut sauce: The Dutch love affair peanuts is not just expressed by eating peanut butter on bread, but also by patatje oorlog (literally “war chips”), a tray of messy fries with mayonnaise and peanut sauce. This reveals a glimpse of its colonial past, as it came to the country from modern-day Indonesia, a former Dutch colony. Another favourite dish is saté – skewers of meat with peanut sauce. Both can be found on the menu in nearly every Dutch a kind of informal restaurant-bistro.

Trakteren: The Dutch love the art of handing out snacks (trakteren) on their birthday, and will bring with them a traktatie, a tray of special treats for everyone at their work, school, or whatever social gathering they might be attending during their birthday.

Pancakes: The Dutch don’t need Pancake Day, as this sweet or savoury food is a main staple in the Dutch kitchen. At any of the numerous pancake houses you will find the traditional powdered sugar and syrup waiting for you on the tables. Favourites are sweet and savoury at the same time, such as the cheese and syrup or syrup and bacon varieties.

Beschuit met muisjes: The birth of a new baby is celebrated with this festive treat, simply put a dry biscuit (rake) with little mice, made of sugar-coated

aniseed. The story goes that it originates from an 18th-century habit, when aniseed was hailed as a healthy tonic for new mothers, whilst the little pink and white sprinkles look like little mice.

Koffietijd: Coffee is big and gezellig in the Netherlands, and it is usually taken around 11 in the morning. Whether a more traditional black filter coffee, with a bit of cream, or as a milkier version known as koffie verkeerd (literally “wrong coffee”); whether at home with friends, or on a terrace accompanied by its standard little biscuit or small glass of advocaat with whipped cream; coffee is a special time for the Dutch.

Verplichtingen: The Dutch are very diligent when it comes to their social engagements and they even have a word for it: Verplichtingen. Such commitments or obligations mean, for example, that people are expected to turn up at every birthday and invite everyone to theirs (although not everyone celebrates theirs, of course).

Happy birthday to you too: The Dutch tend to extend congratulations to the friends and family of the person whose birthday it is. Then, to celebrate the occasion, everyone sits around a big circle in the middle of the room, the stereotypical kringverjaardag. However, it’s not all that bad: at most parties you can definitely get up and mingle!

Three kisses: Although less so after Covid, in a social setting, the Dutch greet each other with three kisses on the cheek.

De polonaise: At bigger parties with music, Dutch people might out of the blue start dancing the polonaise, a string of people with hands on the shoulders of the next person snaking around the room. It’s a rave!

Avondvierdaagse: What started as a 19th-century attempt to get the nation healthy, and served as a revolt march against oppression in World War Two, this national event has secured its place in Dutch life as a time to get together. Every summer, young and old join a 5-km walk for four nights in a row, singing songs like “We are nearly there, but not quite”. The Nijmegen version, also known as ‘The Walk of the World’, is much longer: 50 km per day. It attracts more than 40,000 walkers.

Oranjegekte: The Dutch get so revved up about major events that there is a word to describe it: Oranjegekte (orange craze) or oranjekoorts (orange fever). It’s all about turning up in orange at international football championships, the F1 Grand Prix and at King’s Day celebrations. Oranjebitter is an orange bitter liquor, traditionally enjoyed on King’s Day.

Elfstedentocht: Climate change means it’s getting increasingly unlikely, but every year, Dutch people are glued to the weather forecast with a spot of schaatskoorts, or skating fever, waiting for the possibility of an Elfstedentocht: a skating tour of approximately 200 kilometres through eleven cities in Friesland. The first one was held in 1909, the most recent in 1997. Will there be another one ever?

Fireworks: The Dutch are big on them and particularly the noisy variety. So, don’t be surprised to hear them more and more frequently as the year progresses towards New Year’s Eve, when the Dutch just cannot contain themselves any longer and it all breaks loose. However, voices have been raised against these noisy and dangerous celebrations, and some towns have now banned them.

Sinterklaas: This festive children’s tradition a few weeks before Christmas has strong roots in the Netherlands. The goodly saint with the long beard and his helpers known as Pieten (Petes) travels all the way from Spain in his steam ship to leave children presents in their boots below the chimney and give them a magical time. The Petes used to have blackpainted faces, but this tradition, considered racist by many, has recently been changed in most towns. Still, expect some controversy, as ‘traditionalists’ oppose this change.

Fun things to do

Known for windmills, tulips, canals and lively cities like Amsterdam and Rotterdam, the Netherlands is more than just these well-known destinations and attractions. The country packs a lot in its 41,000-plus square kilometer (16,000-plus square mile) space. Whether you’re a history buff, museum-goer, culinary foodie, nature-lover or appreciate technology, design and next-level civil engineering, the Netherlands has something for everyone.

It’s a country that loves its cafe culture and nightlife and at the same time has made just about every place family-friendly – not to mention accessible to people with physical limitations. This article highlights some of the most famous attractions like Amsterdam, The Hague, tulips fields and windmills, but also some Dutch hidden gems that you should keep on your list of places to visit!

First, of course, there is Amsterdam. There is really no other city like it in the world. With its canals and rowhouses that date back to the 16th- and 17thcentury Golden Age, the city is the official capital of the country. The city centre itself looks like an outdoor museum, but also houses some of the most important places to visit in the country including the Anne Frank House, Rijksmuseum, Van Gogh Museum, Homo (Gay) Monument and National Slavery Monument.

Amsterdam is one of the dozens of Dutch cities and towns that are amazing to walk around and get lost in. The semicircular ring of canals is known as the “grachtengordel” in Dutch – literally “canal belt” – with the four main canals being the 15th-century Singel, the Herengracht, where the wealthiest citizens of the Golden Age lived, the Keizersgracht, and the Prinsengracht which was named after the founding father of the Netherlands, William of Orange. The Prinsengracht was originally a barrier between the wealthy citizens of grachtengordel and the workingclass neighbourhoods of the Jordaan. Nowadays this lovely canal plays host to the Amsterdam Pride boat parade in late summer.

The Hague - The official capital might be in Amsterdam, but the seat of the government is 45

kilometers away in The Hague. In the city’s centre is the Binnenhof, a collection of government buildings that has been the centre of political activity since the 13th century. Don’t miss the Mauritshuis next door, with its collection of Dutch painters by Rembrandt and Vermeer, most notably The Girl With The Pearl Earring. Nearby is Noordeinde Palace, home to the King and his family.

Leaving The Hague city centre and heading to the coast, you will see the International Court of Justice, housed in the Peace Palace. Also in the neighbourhood is Madurodam, a park with miniature models of famous Dutch monuments, cities and engineering projects; a perfect outing for visitors of all ages. And for a nice stroll on the sea, check out Scheveningen, the coastal neighbour of The Hague. There are restaurants from every cuisine, plus a 50-meter-high ferris wheel to give you an unmatched view of the entire Dutch coast.

Rotterdam - Just south of The Hague is Europe’s largest port and the second largest city in the Netherlands, Rotterdam. Heavily bombed at the onset of World War II, Rotterdam is now a modern city with innovative, world-class design architecture including the cavernous Markthal, a huge modern shopping mall; the Erasmus Bridge that spans the Maas River; the Rotterdam Centraal train station, covered with solar panels; and the Cube Houses that seem to defy gravity. It’s worth reading up on the city’s World War II history to truly appreciate the amazingly beautiful and modern it is today.

Kinderdijk - Down one of the tributaries of the Maas, just southeast of Rotterdam, is one of the most iconic attractions in the Netherlands: the windmills of Kinderdijk. The windmills of this small village date back to the 15th century, when the area was plagued by constant flooding from tributaries of the Rhine River. Canals were dug and dikes constructed to help control the flooding, while a series of windmills were built to drain the saturated land of the Alblasserwaard polder. The windmills are still operational, though they are usually only working for show; the water is now pumped by electric watermills.

Dordrecht - Less than 20 kilometers (12 miles) from Rotterdam, along the Maas River, is the medieval town of Dordrecht. Often overlooked due to its proximity to Rotterdam and the windmills of Kinderdijk, this wonderfully well-preserved town was once a thriving merchant town and an important city at the onset of the 16th century Dutch revolt against the Spanish Empire. Just years into the revolt, representatives from the Dutch cities and provinces met to organize and discuss the financing of what would become known as the Eighty Years’ War. Many of the buildings from that time and earlier still stand in Dordrecht, making it a city that’s best seen on foot.

Deltawerken - In the southernmost province of Zeeland are the Deltawerken water management projects. The “works” are a series of locks, dams, sluices and flood barriers to protect the southern part of the country and northeastern part of Belgium from flooding. After the Great Flood of 1953, the national water management board embarked on one of the world’s most advanced engineering projects that is now considered one of the Seven Wonders of the Modern World and a marvel to see. And not to be overlooked, Zeeland itself is full of beautiful, quiet farmlands. The capital, Middelburg, still has remnants of the star-shaped defensive canal dating to the Golden Age of the Netherlands.

Leiden - Home to the oldest university in the country, that dates back to the 16th century, Leiden is one of the most famous university cities in the Netherlands, hosting over 30,000 students. The city was instrumental in the Eighty Years’ War and the revolt against the Spanish occupiers of the time, still celebrated every year on 3 October. With medieval streets and alleyways and canals lined with cafes and shops, Leiden is another fantastic walking city. On Saturday the old city centre hosts one of the best open-air markets in the country on the Bafbrug and streets around it, with merchant stalls selling everything from fresh herring and cheese to bags, clothes and souvenirs. Leiden also has over a dozen museums including Windmill Museum De Valk, in an original windmill with an authentic interior and presentation on how Dutch windmills work, as well as the National Museum of Antiquities (RMO), Naturalis and the Ethnology Museum.

Keukenhof - Open only for eight weeks in early spring, the Keukenhof is one of the largest flower gardens in the world. Tulips are the main attraction, though other flowers such as hyacinths, daffodils, dahlias and sunflowers are also on display. It takes over forty gardeners nearly three months to plant the 7 million bulbs, that bloom throughout the eight weeks the gardens are open. Millions of visitors come from all over the world, so get your tickets early. The Keukenhof gardens are located in Lisse in NoordHolland, right in the middle of the so-called “Bulb Region”. Though Lisse does not have a train station, buses run regularly from Leiden, Haarlem and Amsterdam.

Noordwijk - Situated on the coast about 20 kilometers (12 miles) north and south of the popular beach resort destinations of Scheveningen and Zandvoort respectively, Noordwijk is often overlooked as a destination. The Noordwijk lighthouse offers a fantastic view of the Dutch coast and on a clear day you can see the Rotterdam harbour. Before the days of advanced airline navigation systems, the lighthouse also served as a beacon for airplanes flying from London to Berlin. Noordwijk was also part of the Nazi’s Atlantic Wall, with one section of the underground bunkers now a museum. The dunes just north of the village extend all the way to Zandvoort and are great for hiking with the whole family. Little known secret: Freddy Heineken lived in Noordwijk and is laid to rest in the town cemetery.

Giethoorn - Would you believe that Giethoorn is actually named because goat horns (“giethoorn”) were discovered in the marshy lands around the village? Better known as the Venice of the Netherlands, this fairytale village consists mostly of waterways and canals, rather than roads and streets. There are only about 3,000 residents in the village, who are very patient with the multitude of tourists that come to see the postcard-perfect town. Remotely situated in the eastern province of Overijssel, there are only two buses that reach the outskirts of the town, one of which only runs in the high season. Bike paths have been added in recent decades, but other than that the only way to get around the village is by boat or foot!

Efteling - Situated in North Brabant, Efteling is the Netherlands’ most famous amusement park and one

of the most popular ones in all of Europe. It opened in 1952 as a fairytale-themed park for children, but has grown into an attraction that is suitable for visitors of all ages. The park is open year-round and is known for its fantastical rides and attention to detail in its design. Be sure to visit the Fairytale Forest, the whitewater rafting course Piraña, the many rollercoasters for all ages, and the 3D Panda Droom theater with three-dimensional animations that literally leap off the screen! The park has undergone a number of renovations to ensure that it remains one of the best family attractions in the Netherlands.

This is only a fraction of the things there are to see and do in the Netherlands. The most popular attractions are a must, but don’t miss some of these less-known but equally amazing and charming cities, towns, attractions and destinations in this marvelous country.

Leisure time in the Netherlands

So much to see, so much to do when it comes to spending leisure time in the Netherlands. Yet, as the last few years have shown, you can never be sure that you will be able to enjoy the all the beautiful sights that this country has to offer. Even for 2023 we cannot yet be sure that all entertainment sites will be open, so check first before heading out.

Boat and bike tours

Only in the Netherlands can visitors so seamlessly merge relaxation and activity in one holiday. For example, during specially-themed boat and bike tours, you can enjoy the views as you glide past beautiful polder landscapes, colourful flower bulb fields, the Wadden Islands and Friesland or old Dutch villages. Discover the whole country on a trip from Amsterdam to Maastricht, visit the old Hansa cities along the Rhine and IJssel rivers or explore the many lakes of Friesland. Guests will spend the night on a luxury ship while cycling to a host of attractions during the day, after which the ship will meet them in the next port of call.

www.holland.com/global/tourism/book/cycling-holidays/ boat-bike-tours. boatbiketours.com/sail-and-bike-tours

Marker Wadden: Restoring nature

Marker Wadden is the latest addition to the Netherlands. The new Markermeer islands are still under construction, but since September 2018 visitors can discover this nature paradise. In this new habitat for plants, insects, fish and birds you can explore a new beach, follow the hiking trail or enjoy a new bird-watching hideout. You can reach the island with your own boat, the ferry service from Lelystad or a chartered day trip. www.anwb.nl/vrije-tijd bijzonder-uitje-met-de-veerboot-naar-de-marker-wadden www.natuurmonumenten.nl/projecten/marker-wadden

Rural Netherlands: National Parks and Gardens

From forests, heathland and peat bog to tidal nature and stream valleys, rolling hills, purple heather fields, sand dunes and mazes of reed in the wetlands: at the 20 Dutch national parks, measuring around 120,000 hectares in total, visitors can discover the stunning

variety of Dutch nature. Explore Dwingelderveld, Europe’s largest wet moorland area, where woods, fens and marshlands provide a home to a wide variety of plants, as well as rare species of butterflies and birds. Veluwe is the largest and oldest national park, home to several large mammals, such as roe and red deer, badgers, wild boar, and now even wolves! In Haren, the 20-hectare hortus botanicus, one of the oldest and largest botanical gardens of the Netherlands, features a wild plant garden, Celtic garden and Chinese garden with an authentic Chinese teahouse. en.visittheotherholland.com/theme/national-parks www.nationaalpark-dwingelderveld.nl/serviceblok/ english-0/ www.hortusharen.nl

Culinary highlights

The Netherlands has an enormous variety of eateries, from exclusive three-star restaurants to cosy pubs and local cafes. There is also a lot of variety, even within such a small country. Of course, the Netherlands is known for its mashed potato dishes, and indeed the potato is a favourite staple in all shapes and varieties, be it mashed, boiled, baked or fried. However, travel to Limburg to try some dishes particular to the region, such as zoervleis (meat marinated in vinegar and stewed with gingerbread and syrup) and vlaai (fruit pie). Zeeland on the other hand is famous for its unique salty flavours. Seafood lovers can visit the many restaurants in the province to taste oysters, lobsters, mussels, cockles and periwinkles, discover how they are harvested and prepared, or learn about seafood on a guided tour.

There is a wide variety of culinary festivals, focusing on seafood or venison, in upscale venues or dished out by food trucks. For example, visit Texel Culinair on the biggest Wadden island (22-24 September 2023), covering a wide range of landscapes and therefore tastes. Fresh fish from the North Sea, salty samphire from the brackish wetlands and cheese from the thousands of sheep combine to create wonderful delicacies for you to taste. At the Amsterdam Coffee Festival (30 March –1 April) 2023), it’s all about pushing boundaries. Visitors can find innovation in ‘the lab’, whilst in La Marzocco’s Roasters Village they will find the most innovative

specialty coffee roasters and labels from the Benelux and Europe. Art from hundreds of artists from all over the world can be seen in the Coffee Art Project, plus there is buzzing street food market. www.holland.com/global/tourism/destinations/provinces/ zeeland/salty-flavours-from-zeeland.htm texelculinair.nl amsterdamcoffeefestival.com

Unique weekend away

If you are planning a cosy weekend away, why not drift off under the roof of a historical Dutch windmill or in the middle of the river Rhine? The Drijfpaleis, for example, on the Rhine near the centre of Arnhem, offers guests a balcony view and opportunity to relax in the Mosaic Garden. The interior of the Drijfpaleis promises guests the feeling of being in a different world. In Groningen you can sleep comfortably in a converted flour windmill, and for lucky visitors, the blades will be rotating too.

Drijfpaleis, Boterdijk 13, 6812 CZ Arnhem, www.drijfpaleis.nl Molen Hunsingo, Onderdendam, Groningen, www.restaurantdemolenaar.nl www.holland.com/be_nl/toerisme/ontdek-nederland/thuis-in-nederland/bijzonder-overnachten-in-nederland.htm

Castles and country houses

There are a great number of castles in the Netherlands, from early medieval castles to 19th-century noble manor houses. Close to Amsterdam is 13th-century Muiderslot, famous for the literary soirees organized here by the 17th-century writer P.C. Hooft.

Kasteel De Haar, close to Utrecht, looks like a fairytale castle. Indeed, this neogothic castle was designed in the 19th century and is the biggest castle in the country, as a fanciful reconstruction of the medieval castle that once stood here. In summer, it hosts the biggest fantasy festival in the country, Castlefest.

Gelderland is the province with the most castles in the Netherlands. Many of the castles and historic houses around Gelderland, often managed by the Gelderland Trust for Natural Beauty, are open to the public. At Hernen, visitors can explore the impressive medieval castle with a magic lantern and learn about the young married couple that refurbished it in 1544. At Rosendael Park & Castle, sat in a 19th-century landscaped park, guests will feel like they have returned to the era of the dukes of Gelderland. Here, they can also see the

round tower, the largest of its kind preserved in the Netherlands. English-speaking tours available upon request.

Paleis het Loo has reopened after a thorough renovation. The gardens resemble Baroque Dutch gardens from the time of the first residents, King Willem III and his wife Mary Stuart, and there are historical as well as contemporary flowers that give the Palace Gardens each season a special atmosphere.

Hernen Kasteel, Dorpsstraat 40, 6616 AH Hernen www.hernen.glk.nl

Kasteel en park Rosendael, Rosendael 1, 6891 DA Rozendaal, www.rosendael.glk.nl

Paleis het Loo, Koninklijk Park 1, 7315 JA Apeldoorn, www.paleishetloo.nl

Kasteel De Haar, Kasteellaan 1, 3455 RR Utrecht, wwwwww. kasteeldehaar.nl

Muiderslot, Herengracht 1, 1398 AA Muiden, www.muiderslot.nl

www.holland.com/global/tourism/holland-stories/ castles-and-country-houses.htm en.visittheotherholland.com/theme/ castles-and-country-houses

Infinite wellness

The Dutch have taken wellness to a new level and there is much to choose from, such as De Veluwse Bron, located on a beautiful natural lake, or Sanadome Hotel & Spa Nijmegen, which claims to be the best wellness hotel of the country. In popular spa destination Valkenburg, at Thermae 2000 – sourced by 40,000-year-old water and awarded the official EC mark ‘originally pure healing water’ – the Infinitum spa (opened December 2019), promises infinite tranquillity and infinite views over the Limburg hills.

Veluwse Bron, Viskweekweg 10, 8166 KJ Emst, www.veluwsebron.nl

Sanadome Hotel & Spa Nijmegen, Weg door Jonkerbos 90, 6532 SZ Nijmegen, www.sanadome.nl

Thermae 2000, Cauberg 25-27, 6301 BT Valkenburg, www.thermae.nl www.holland.com/global/tourism/activities/wellness.

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