Expat Services in the Netherlands
Moving to the Netherlands involves a lot of moving parts, and knowing which services to use — and which to skip — saves both time and money. This page gives you an honest overview of the main service categories expats typically need, with links to the guides and tools that go deeper on each one.
A note on transparency: where I link to specific providers, some are affiliate partners. This is disclosed clearly, and my recommendations are based on what I’d suggest to a friend or client — not on commission rates.
Tax Advisors and the 30% Ruling
Dutch tax is manageable once you understand the system, but there are areas where professional advice genuinely pays for itself — particularly if you qualify for the 30% ruling or have income from multiple countries.
What a good expat tax advisor does:
- Files your Dutch income tax return (aangifte)
- Applies for and maximizes the 30% ruling
- Handles cross-border income and dual-tax treaty questions
- Advises on Box 3 savings and investment declarations
- Deals with DigiD issues and correspondence with the Belastingdienst
Most expat tax advisors in the Netherlands charge EUR 200-500 for an annual return, depending on complexity. For straightforward situations, filing yourself via the Belastingdienst portal is genuinely feasible after your first year. Our Dutch tax system guide walks through the basics.
Use our 30% ruling calculator to estimate whether you qualify and how much it’s worth for your salary.
Health Insurance
Every resident in the Netherlands must have Dutch health insurance within four months of registering. This is non-negotiable — and it’s one of the first things to arrange after you get your BSN number.
The main things to understand:
- Basic coverage (basisverzekering) is standardized across insurers — the price and service quality differ, not the coverage
- The annual deductible (eigen risico) is EUR 385 in 2026 — you pay this before your insurer covers most costs
- Supplemental packages (aanvullende verzekering) cover dental, physio, glasses, and more
- Low-income residents may qualify for a zorgtoeslag (healthcare benefit) from the government
Our health insurance wizard helps you compare insurers and find the right basic plus supplemental combination for your situation.
Banking for Expats
Opening a Dutch bank account is one of the first practical tasks after arrival. Most require a BSN, which means you need to register at the municipality first.
Banks popular with expats:
- Bunq — expat-friendly, fast online setup, English app, no BSN required initially
- ING and Rabobank — established Dutch banks with full-service branches
- Wise — not a Dutch bank account, but essential for sending money abroad at real exchange rates
For most expats, a combination of a Dutch current account and Wise for international transfers covers all bases. Our banking guide covers setup steps, what documents you need, and which banks are currently most accessible for new arrivals.
Legal and Immigration Support
Most skilled migrants on a kennismigrant visa won’t need a separate immigration lawyer — the employer’s HR handles most of the process with the IND. But legal support is worth considering if:
- You’re self-employed or freelancing (zzp)
- You’re dealing with a visa extension or residency permit renewal
- You’re sponsoring a family member
- You’re facing an employment dispute
Dutch employment law is strongly protective of employees. If you’re in a conflict with an employer, a brief consultation with an employment lawyer (arbeidsrechtadvocaat) often clarifies your position quickly.
Relocation Services
Full-service relocation companies handle everything from housing searches and school enrollment to BSN registration and setting up utilities. They’re typically provided as an employer benefit for senior relocations.
If you’re relocating without employer support, a lighter-touch approach — using a few hours of relocation consultation plus the guides on this site — covers most situations at a fraction of the cost.
I offer one-to-one relocation consultations for expats navigating the process independently. Contact me if you’d like details.
Language Schools
Learning Dutch isn’t mandatory for most expats in the shorter term — the Netherlands has exceptional English proficiency and most professional environments operate in English. But it matters for:
- Government interactions (the Belastingdienst, municipalities)
- Day-to-day integration and social life
- Career advancement in Dutch organizations
- Formal inburgering (civic integration) if required by your residency category
Good options for Dutch language courses:
- Regina Coeli — intensive residential and online courses, highly regarded
- Taalhuis (language houses) — often free or subsidized for residents
- NT2 courses — formal Dutch as a second language, required for some residency categories
- Duolingo / Language Transfer — free self-study, good for building a base
Our Dutch language learning guide covers which route makes sense depending on your starting point and goals.
Planning Your Move
If you’re still in the planning phase, our housing budget checker helps you model what your full monthly costs will look like in different Dutch cities — rent, transport, health insurance, groceries, and more.
For a full overview of the relocation process from start to finish, the most practical starting point is our complete guide to moving to the Netherlands.
