Is it worth moving, living and working in the Netherlands?

13 August 2024

Is it worth moving to the Netherlands?

The advantages of living and working in the Netherlands

• High salaries

Dutch salaries are widely regarded as competitive compared to those offered in other European countries.

According to an analysis by the Netherlands Bureau of Economic Policy, the average salary in the Netherlands was around €3,460 per month in 2023. However, it is worth bearing in mind that your salary will vary depending on the sector you work in, your level of education and experience.

• Ease of getting around the country

You probably heard that the Netherlands is a cyclist's paradise.

This is true - there are plenty of cycle paths, but not only. The country in general is well connected thanks to a dense network of roads, motorways and railways. You need to know that travelling, and getting around, is really convenient here.

• A small country

Apparently on some streets in The Hague, Polish can be heard more often than Dutch!

According to an official Eurostat report, as many as 15,500 Poles emigrated to the Netherlands in 2023. Of course, many of our fellow countrymen have made the decision to move to the Netherlands before that. According to the data, this is a group of around 210,000 Poles.

We count this as a plus, because being away from home, it is nice to meet other Poles who can share their experiences, help you acclimatise to a new place or even make it more friendly and familiar.

• English is enough

According to a report by the European Commission, as many as 90 per cent of Dutch people claim to speak English. Interestingly, they often even use a mixture of the national language and English, commonly referred to as dunglish.

Poles living permanently in the Netherlands confirm that knowledge of English is completely sufficient to communicate with the country's citizens.

When considering a relocation to the Netherlands, you do not need to worry about whether you need to learn Dutch to live and work here.

• A developed educational system

Moving away with your family? You will certainly appreciate the education system.

Educational institutions in the Netherlands are unique for their diversity of programmes. Schools are largely privatised, which means that they follow no uniform curriculum, only general guidelines. As a parent, you have the choice of sending your child to a public school that is not affiliated with any religion or ideology, or to a special school, such as a Catholic school, which incorporates specific values and teachings.

It is also worth knowing that you can apply for family allowance (kinderbijslag) when you are staying with your children. The benefit is available to parents or legal guardians of children under the age of 18 who live or work in the country. The amount of the allowance depends on the age of the child and is being paid quarterly.

• Tolerance

In the Netherlands, no one is interested in how you dress, who you are involved with or what your orientation is. The locals here live without fear of criticism, which gives you a sense of peace and freedom. As a result, the Netherlands is considered one of the most tolerant places in the world.

• Beautiful surroundings

Picturesque landscapes, tulips, uniform architecture with charming buildings and estates, and cleanliness on the streets make the environment truly pleasant.

We have written more about which places are particularly worth visiting in this article. 

• Ecology and sustainable development

The Netherlands is investing heavily in green energy, such as wind and solar power plants, to reduce CO2 emissions. Recycling is particularly important there, and residents are aware of green lifestyles. If this value is also important to you, you will be feeling fulfilled.

The disadvantages of living and working in the Netherlands

• Distance from home

We are about 1,000 km away (and more - depending on the exact location) 

For this reason, weekend trips to visit family or friends can be inconvenient. A car journey can take up to 10 hours.

However, it is worth looking into low-cost plane tickets, as some airlines sometimes offer flights at very affordable prices (e.g. 70 PLN return)

• High taxes

For example: the income tax rate for 2024 in the Netherlands is:

36,97 % - for annual income up to EUR 75 518,
49.50 % - for annual income from EUR 75 518.

The Dutch government uses the money to invest in infrastructure, social benefits and the judicial system.

• Unstable weather

Although changing weather is the norm for us in Poland, in the Netherlands the weather conditions are even more unpredictable. Residents are used to the fact that a forecast that promises sunshine can in practice mean rain.

Many Poles living in the Netherlands complain about the high humidity, overly hot summers, cold winters, lack of sunshine most of the year and strong winds.

• Real estate market problems

For several years now, local residents have been struggling to find housing. The number of new buildings is decreasing and those that are available are horrendously expensive, significantly increasing the cost of living here.

How much does it cost to rent a flat in the Netherlands?

The cost of renting a flat in the Netherlands depends on the location, size and standard of the property.

To give an example:

●  In larger cities such as Amsterdam, The Hague or Rotterdam, renting a one-room flat in the centre can cost between €1,200 and €2,000 per month.

●     In the suburbs, prices are usually lower, but can still range from €900 to €1,500 per month.

●  In smaller towns and rural areas, rental costs are more affordable, and start at €700 per month.

It is worth ensuring that you have a flat booked, even before you move to the Netherlands (unless you are planning to stay with friends or family) - it can be really difficult to find accommodation here.

It is different when accommodation is provided by the employment agency where you take up employment in the Netherlands. Then you don't have to worry about accommodation - the employment agency will make sure that you have the right working and living conditions in your new place, including housing.

Cost of living in the Netherlands

The average cost of living in the Netherlands can be:

●     EUR 3,045.29 for a family of four (excluding rent),

●     EUR 852.75 for a single (excluding rent).

According to:

https://www.numbeo.com/cost-of-living/country_result.jsp?country=Netherlands

It is worth ensuring that you have a secure financial cushion before you move to the Netherlands - preferably a cash reserve of several thousand euros. Especially if you plan to look for work and accommodation by yourself - not with the help of an employment agency.

Is it worth it to work in the Netherlands?

Are there a lot of job opportunities here? - The labour market in the Netherlands

The Dutch labour market is growing rapidly.

You will find many job offers for blue-collar workers with good working conditions, especially in agriculture, construction and logistics.

Many global corporations here also offer numerous job opportunities for professionals in various fields such as IT, finance and engineering, and the start-up sector is growing especially in technology, biotechnology and renewable energy.

Is it worth taking a job through a recruitment agency or looking for one yourself?

Living in a new country often involves many formalities and challenges.

Employment agencies make it easier to find a job and help with formalities such as the registration in the Netherlands or registering in the municipality where you will live. It is worth using professionals when the process of moving to the Netherlands makes you feel confused.

In addition, job advertisements provided by Dutch employment agencies often offer benefits that make living in a new place more comfortable, such as free accommodation or health insurance in the Netherlands. Such advantages reduce the cost of living.

We have written extensively about the pros, cons and conditions of working in the Netherlands, for example as a professional driver here.

Job offers in the Netherlands

At 24/7 drive we recruit in sectors such as manufacturing, automotive, transport and logistics.

See vacancies that offer all the above benefits and get help from our Recruitment Supervisors.