In this guide
I want to be upfront about something that a lot of websites bury in the fine print: this site earns money through affiliate commissions.
That means when you click a link on this site and then sign up for a product or service, I sometimes receive a small fee from that company. You pay the same price you would if you had gone directly to their website — and in some cases you actually get a better deal through my link than you would on your own.
Who pays us
Here are the affiliate partners currently active on Expat Netherlands Hub:
Wise — the money transfer and international bank account service. I use Wise myself for sending money between the Netherlands and other countries. It is genuinely one of the most useful tools I found when I first moved here.
SafetyWing — international health insurance aimed at digital nomads and expats. I recommend this particularly to people who are in the Netherlands temporarily or who are not yet eligible for Dutch public health insurance.
NordVPN — a VPN service. I include this because many expats want to access content from their home country or want an extra layer of security on public networks.
NordPass — a password manager from the same company as NordVPN. With so many Dutch government portals, banking apps, and employer systems to keep track of, a good password manager is not optional.
Independer (via the AWIN affiliate network) — the Dutch comparison site for health insurance, energy contracts, and internet providers. I link to Independer for categories where comparing providers is the fastest way to find a good deal.
What this means for you
When I link to any of these services, I say so on the page. You will see a note along the lines of “this is an affiliate link” or “I may earn a commission if you sign up.” I do not hide it.
The commission I receive — if any — does not change what you pay. Wise, SafetyWing, NordVPN, NordPass, and Independer all have standard pricing. My link does not inflate the price.
What this means for my recommendations
I write from my own experience as someone who has lived in the Netherlands and dealt with the same practical problems you are dealing with now — opening a bank account, finding health insurance, getting a SIM card, figuring out your taxes. I recommend things I have used or researched thoroughly, not things that happen to pay the highest commission.
If I think a product is overpriced, too complicated, or not worth your money, I say so. If a competitor offers a better deal for your situation, I mention that too. A recommendation from me is worth nothing if you try the product and it lets you down.
I also write about many topics where I earn nothing at all — Dutch bureaucracy, registering with a GP, setting up DigiD, understanding your rental contract. Those articles exist because they answer real questions, not because there is a financial return attached.
Why I am telling you this
Affiliate marketing has a bad reputation in some corners of the internet, and not without reason. There are sites that rank products purely based on who pays them the most. I do not think that is a sustainable way to build something useful, and I do not think it is honest.
I would rather be direct about how this works. Running a website costs money — hosting, tools, the time it takes to research and write properly. Affiliate commissions cover those costs. In return, I put in the work to make sure the information here is accurate, current, and actually helpful.
If you ever feel that a recommendation on this site does not hold up, I want to know. You can reach me through the contact page.
For the full legal details — including how I handle data and what disclosures are required — see the disclaimer page.