International Office HR information for new international employees, guest and interns

Dealing with the Dutch

• Dealing with the Dutch by Jacob Vossestein (ISBN 9068325655) offers a comprehensive and practical overview of Dutch culture
• The Low Sky by Han van der Horst (ISBN 9055941999) shows how Dutch culture was shaped by history, geography and more
• The Undutchables by Colin R. White & Laurie Boucke (ISBN 1888580224) a funny - yet superficial - view of Dutch culture from the perspective of expats

Living in the Netherlands

• General information about living in the Netherlands

  For general information about living in the Netherlands, please follow the links below:

  • Information from the Government of the Netherlands | Government.nl
  • Living in the Netherlands | Expatica 
  • Living & Working in Europe | EURAXESS 

• Tax administration

  Anyone who receives a salary, income, contribution or benefit in the Netherlands is obliged to file a tax return every year. If you have any questions about the tax return or any benefits, please visit the website of the Tax Administration > Individuals. You yourself are responsible for your tax return.

  You can log onto the Tax Administration’s website using your DigiD. Please note that the Tax Administration sends out mail in blue envelopes. If you receive this type of envelope, you must pay attention to it.

  The Tax Administration may also place letters in your inbox in their digital environment. You can log in to retrieve them on the Tax Administration’s page using your DigiD.

• Exchanging foreign currency into euros in the Netherlands

  GWK Travelex: This is a well-known option for exchanging foreign currency into euros. They have offices at airports such as Schiphol, Eindhoven and Rotterdam, as well as in other locations throughout the country. Exchange Money & Order Foreign Currency | GWK Travelex

  Currency exchange offices: Here you can also easily exchange foreign currency for euros. There are several offices throughout the Netherlands.

  Banks: Many banks will also exchange foreign currency into euros. It would be a good idea to check in advance whether your bank offers this service and what costs are involved.

• Language and communication courses

  Radboud university medical center and Radboud University pursue a language policy that is geared toward creating an internationally oriented, intercultural and multilingual community, where everyone who works or studies feels safe, secure and at home. Language skills play an important role in this. Our language policy provides employees, students and study programs with various tools and guidelines to tailor communication accordingly. More information can be found on the intranet.

  Would you like to practice speaking Dutch? You can do that for free at the Taalcafé. You will practice with other people from all over the world. There are volunteers to help you. The Taalcafé is both educational and friendly! Taalcafé

   

• Applying for your DigiD

  Your DigiD is your digital identity that allows you to securely log onto the websites of government agencies, healthcare institutions and pension funds. You can apply for your DigiD via the DigiD website and activate it with your proof of identity and Citizen Service Number (BSN).

  More information about applying for your DigiD can be found here.

• Dual Career Program

  Welcome Center Food Valley Wageningen helps the partners of international employees find a suitable job through the Dual Career Program.

  More information can be found here.

• Municipality of Nijmegen for all appointments

  Choose the activity for which you want to make an appointment. 

• Primary care physician / dentist

  First of all, it is important - even compulsory - to take out Dutch health insurance. Once you have done that, you can choose a primary care physician and a dentist. The primary care physician is your first point of contact for illnesses and medical matters (except in medical emergencies), as is your dentist for dental issues.

  Primary care physician

  You can contact a practice of your choice to ask whether they are accepting new patients and whether the doctor in question speaks English. Some practices are full and others only accept patients who live in the same postcode (e.g. 6525). It is best to choose a practice near to where you live.

  For more information on primary care physicians in the Netherlands, please visit this website.

  Dentist

  Dental care in the Netherlands is not covered by basic health insurance. However, it is possible to take out supplementary insurance for this. Take a look at the topic “Health insurance in the Netherlands” for more information on this.

  For more information on dentists in the Netherlands, please visit this website.

• Household items and furniture

  In the Netherlands, there are several large stores where you can buy household items. Here are some of the best known:

  • Action: Known for low prices and a varied range, including many household items.
  • HEMA: Offers a wide range of products, from household items to clothing and food.
  • IKEA: Ideal for furniture and home accessories, but also for smaller household items.
  • Leen Bakker: Specializing in furniture and home accessories, but also has a range of household items.
  • Xenos/Jysk/Kwantum: They offer a mix of home furnishings and household items.

  These companies have both physical locations and online stores.

• Accommodation in the Netherlands

  It is hard to find somewhere to live in Nijmegen. We recommend that you start your search well in advance. The International Office HR team will not assist with this. Though we do have a number of tips for you. Once you have found a place to live, make sure your address details are always up to date in our systems. You can amend them via the intranet. Click on your initials at the top right and then on Mijn Radboud. Below you will find a number of tips:

  Temporary housing

  One of the options is SSHN Guesthouse, where the minimum stay is one month and the maximum stay is one year. You will have to book your accommodation well before your arrival in Nijmegen as there are only a few apartments available. If you require help registering, you can contact the secretarial office of your (new) department. Additional information about SSHN Guesthouse: Our Guesthouse - SSH&

  You can also look for somewhere to live near the city of Nijmegen that has good public transport connections. Cities such as Arnhem, Elst, Wijchen and Cuijk have a train station and good bus links to Radboud university medical center.

  The Housing Partners

  • Housing in the Netherlands for workers, expats and students Stay 4 Pro offers furnished housing directly to expats, international students & (health) professionals without the need for an intermediary. Our wide range of accommodation varies in size and price and is strategically located in Nijmegen.
  • Home | Expatdesk Nijmegen many expats have found their way to Nijmegen in recent years. At Expatdesk, we connect people and assist them with getting to know the beautiful and oldest city in the Netherlands: Nijmegen. Expatdesk offers information about living in Nijmegen in general, about renting (including rules and regulations), and about brokers.
  • Executive Home Rentals | EHR Experts in letting and renting your house EHR is happy to help you find a suitable rental property.
  • An experienced expat mortgage advisor and purchasing advisor.
  • for more than 25 years the trusted financial specialist and partner for expats, diplomats, civil servants, and international organizations.
  • Expat Mortgage and insurance a team of independent mortgage brokers who help you to navigate the Dutch system and finance the home you want in the Netherlands. We have no obligation to mediate for any particular bank or insurance company.
  • Platform voor hospitaverhuur & kamerverhuur | Hospi Housing

  Useful websites

  • Housing | Government.nl
  • List of addresses from Radboud University, see list: “Searching for accommodation in Nijmegen.pdf”, available from IOHR
  • Facebook groups (free access): Kamer Te Huur In Nijmegen | Facebook
  • Kamersite, voor het gratis posten en reageren op kamers in NIJMEGEN! | Facebook
  • Huurwoningen Nederland - huizen te huur in Nederland [Funda]

  Questions about rental contracts, room rates, and other matters

  • General questions or issues Huurteams Nijmegen
  • Questions about the rent you have to pay Home | Huurcommissie (Dutch)
  • What do you need to think about before you move in? Op kamers: wat moet je regelen l Consumentenbond ( Dutch)
  • Wondering whether you can apply for a rent subsidy? Individuals

• Renting a bike and buying a second-hand bike

  Bicycles are a popular means of transport in the Netherlands. You can rent a bike from companies such as Swapfiets Your own bike or electric bike for a fixed monthly fee | Swapfiets or buy a second-hand bike from local bicycle shops or online platforms such as Marktplaats.

  Nederlandse Spoorwegen (NS) also has public transport (OV) bikes you can rent at various train stations: Renting an OV-fiets l Continue your journey on an OV-fiets | NS

   

• Registering with the municipality from abroad and receiving a Citizen Service Number (BSN)

  If you are going to live in the Netherlands for less than 4 months and need a BSN, you can make an appointment to register in the Non-residents Records Database (RNI) with the municipality in which you are going to live.

  If you are going to live in the Netherlands for more than 4 months, you will be obliged to register in a municipality in the Netherlands. You must do this within 5 days of your arrival. After you register, you will automatically receive a Citizen Service Number (BSN), which you will need for, among other things, health insurance and contact with the government, such as for healthcare and taxes. For more information, please visit the website of the municipality you will live in. You will certainly need a valid passport and a rental agreement, and you may require a copy of your birth certificate. Check this on the website of the municipality concerned.

  For new employees who are not EU nationals, where Radboud university medical center is the sponsor for the Dutch residence permit, the first appointment with the municipality and the collection of the residence permit will be arranged by the International Office HR team.

  Please note that you must be registered in a municipality in the Netherlands before you can receive and retain a Dutch residence permit.

• Childcare

  There are various forms of childcare, such as day care for young children and after-school care (BSO) for school-age children. Childcare must comply with legal requirements in terms of safety, security, and quality. More information about childcare and locations: Accessing the National Childcare Register (Landelijk Register Kinderopvang, LRK) | Childcare | Government.nl

  Parents may be eligible for financial support for the cost of childcare, called a childcare benefit. The amount of the benefit depends on the income of the parents, the number of children and the type of care Kosten kinderopvang in Nederland | Kinderopvangtoeslag | Rijksoverheid.nl. Parents always pay a contribution alongside the benefit. More information about the childcare benefit: How do benefits work

   

• Cost of living in the Netherlands

  Numbeo has a tool that can be used to compare the cost of living of two different cities in different countries. The company also provides an index of the cost of living to give you an idea of how much cheaper or more expensive a city is generally. 

  Access Cost Of Living Comparison for Numbeo’s tool.

• Opening a Dutch bank account

  You can open a Dutch bank account by making an appointment in person, and sometimes it is also possible to open a bank account online.

  Well-known banks in the Netherlands are: ABN AMRO, ING, and Rabobank. You will need a valid ID and a Citizen Service Number (BSN).

• The city of Nijmegen

  Nijmegen is the oldest city in the Netherlands and has about 180,000 inhabitants. The city is located in the east of the Netherlands, but is closely linked to the rest of the country by public transport.

  In just one hour you can be in Utrecht in the heart of the country and in an hour and a half in Amsterdam. Radboud University is also located in Nijmegen. More information about Nijmegen Official tourism website of Nijmegen | Into Nijmegen and Welkom in het Rijk van Nijmegen | Officiële Toeristische website

• Official public holidays

  Here is a list of the official public holidays in the Netherlands:

  • New Year’s Day: 1 January
  • Good Friday: the Friday before Easter
  • Easter Sunday and Easter Monday
  • King’s Day: 27 April
  • Liberation Day: 5 May (an official holiday once every five years)
  • Ascension Day: 40 days after Easter (on a Thursday)
  • Whit Sunday and Whit Monday
  • Christmas Day and Boxing Day: 25 and 26 December

  For a current list, click on the link Which days are official public holidays in the Netherlands? | Government.nl

   

• Exchanging an International Driver’s License

  Exchanging a foreign driving licence | RDW provides more information about exchanging your driver’s license. 

• Onderwijs kinderen

  Kinderen starten op hun vierde verjaardag en zijn vanaf vijf jaar leerplichtig. Het Nederlandse onderwijssysteem is veelzijdig en biedt verschillende opties voor zowel nationaal als internationaal onderwijs.

  Voor expats en internationale gezinnen biedt Nederland diverse internationale scholen. Deze scholen bieden onderwijs in het Engels en volgen vaak internationale curricula zoals het International Baccalaureate (IB). Er zijn zowel internationale basisscholen als middelbare scholen beschikbaar.

  Meer informatie: The State of International Education in the Netherlands – SIO

• Public Transport (OV) and OV-chipkaart

  When you travel by public transport (train, bus, tram, and metro) in the Netherlands, you will use a public transport chip card, or OV-chipkaart; you can also access some buses and trains with a Dutch bank card. You can purchase a personal or anonymous OV-chipkaart from stations and supermarkets or online.

  Traveler information

  The 9292 app is a useful tool for planning travel by public transport in the Netherlands. This app will help you easily plan your journey by train, bus, metro, tram, and ferry. The app provides detailed information about departure times, platforms, and any delays. You can also see which means of transport to take and where to change.

  The NS app is specially designed for train passengers, but it also offers much more. In addition to planning your train journey, the NS app also allows you to buy tickets, see how busy the train is, and receive notifications about delays and disruptions. You can also use the app to find and reserve other means of transport such as public transport (OV) bikes and shared scooters.

• Garbage collection

  The collection of waste in the Netherlands is arranged by the municipality. You can consult your municipality’s waste calendar to see when your waste will be collected.

• Dutch SIM card

  You can buy a Dutch SIM card at supermarkets and phone stores or online. Well-known providers are KPN, Vodafone, and T-Mobile/ Odido.

• Sport at Radboud University

  More information about sport at the Radboud University sports center can be found here.

• Supermarkets in the Netherlands

  The largest supermarket chains in the Netherlands are Albert Heijn, Jumbo, Lidl, Aldi, PLUS, and Coop. These supermarkets offer a wide range of products.

• Emergency phone numbers in the Netherlands

  Police, fire department, and ambulance: 112
  General police (NOT AN EMERGENCY): 0900-8844

• Staying in the Netherlands

  People who are nationals of a country outside the European Union (EU), Liechtenstein, Norway, Iceland or Switzerland can come to the Netherlands under certain conditions.

  Short-term stay in the Netherlands < 90 days

  What if someone is coming to the Netherlands for less than 90 days? He or she may need a short-stay Schengen visa. Information is available via Applying for a Schengen visa for the Netherlands. Choose your country. | NetherlandsWorldwide

  Long-term stay in the Netherlands > 90 days

  What if someone is coming to the Netherlands for more than 90 days? He or she will need a residence permit.

  In order to apply for a residence permit, an immigrant may also need a provisional residence permit (MVV). The MVV is required to enter the country. Information is available via Provisional residence permit (MVV) | IND.

• Leaving the Netherlands

  We hope you have enjoyed your time at Radboud university medical center and in the Netherlands! When you leave the Netherlands, there are a few things you must do. 

  Do not forget to see to the following matters when you leave the Netherlands:

  • Notify the International Office HR team of the date of your departure by email. 
  • Bank account: Close your Dutch bank account, unless this can be linked to another Dutch address.
  • Deregister with the municipality: You must inform the municipality of your relocation up to four weeks in advance or no later than within five days after your relocation. The date that you set as the relocation date in your deregistration will then be regarded as your relocation date. You can report your relocation in person or in writing. The municipality will then update your address in the Personal Records Database (BRP). You may also be able to deregister digitally using your DigiD. Check your municipality’s website for this.
  • Cancel your health insurance.
  • Deregister with your primary care physician and dentist.
  • Cancel your rental contract: Contact your landlord to cancel your rental contract.
  • Cancel your utilities (gas, water, electricity, cable, internet).
  • Medical record: If you have seen a doctor or dentist, we recommend that you request your medical record.
  • Cancel your benefits (rent benefit, healthcare benefit, childcare benefit, etc.).
  • Cancel your memberships (sport, newspaper, etc.).
  • Cancel your mobile network operator: Notify your mobile network operator and cancel your cell phone number.
  • Contact the ABP pension fund; visit English pages | ABP.

• Airports in the Netherlands

  Here is a list of airports in the Netherlands:

  • Schiphol Airport (AMS) - The largest airport in the Netherlands and one of the busiest in Europe. Located near Amsterdam, it offers connections to hundreds of destinations worldwide.
  • Eindhoven Airport (EIN) - The second-largest airport in the Netherlands, best known for its low-cost flights to various European destinations.
  • Rotterdam The Hague Airport (RTM) - A smaller international airport serving mainly European destinations. Transavia is the largest airline here.
  • Maastricht Aachen Airport (MST) - Located in the south-east of the Netherlands, close to the German and Belgian borders. It is used for cargo and charter flights, but it also offers some scheduled flights to European destinations.
  • Groningen Airport Eelde (GRQ) - A regional airport in the north of the Netherlands, which mainly serves vacation destinations and some European cities.

• Applying for a healthcare benefit, rent benefit and/or childcare benefit

  If you want to know whether you are eligible for a healthcare benefit, rent benefit and/or childcare benefit, you can check this and apply for it at How do benefits work?

Working in the Netherlands

Whether you may work in the Netherlands depends on your nationality. You can simply go ahead and work in the Netherlands if you come from another country within the European Union (EU). If you are not an EU national, there are certain conditions you must meet and you will need a work permit, for example.

Special rules apply to specific groups, e.g., students, academic researchers, and highly skilled migrants. For more information: Work | IND.

If you want to work as a student with a Dutch residence permit, you will need a work permit (TWV). More information: Werkvergunning werkstudent | UWV.

If you want to find work in the Netherlands after your graduation, PhD, or academic research, you will need a Dutch residence permit. Read the conditions and find out how to apply for the residence permit: Residence permit for orientation year | IND.

Buddy project

To welcome our international employees (paid and unpaid) to Radboud university medical center and the Netherlands, we have a buddy project. This offers a nice way not only to get to know someone new, but also to learn about the city of Nijmegen, about life in the Netherlands, and about working at Radboud university medical center.

If you would like to register for this, we will pair you up with a buddy at Radboud university medical center. Your buddy will be someone who works at Radboud university medical center and therefore knows all the ins and outs. Your buddy will be your guide for 3 months. Please note that, if you have been given a buddy, you will also become a buddy for someone else afterwards so that you can pass on your new knowledge, making this another fun way to expand your network!

Registration form

• I want to have a Buddy Join our buddy program!

Health insurance in the Netherlands

If you live and work in the Netherlands, you are obliged to take out health insurance. Your personal situation/preferences determine which insurance policies you need to take out.

Compulsory basic health insurance in case of paid employment

If you live in the Netherlands and have paid employment here, you are obliged to take out basic health insurance. You can compare the costs of the different health insurers on the following websites:

• Compare health insurance Netherlands - Top choices 2024 (zorgwijzer.nl)
• Checklist How to take out Dutch basic health insurance - Zorgverzekeringslijn
• Applying for a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) | Health insurance | Government.nl
• Checklist-How-to-take-out-Dutch-basic-health-insurance.pdf (zorgverzekeringslijn.nl)

Group basic health insurance

Radboud university medical center has two group health insurance policies for employees: UMC health insurance and CZ group health insurance. Both policies offer a discount on the premium for supplementary insurance.

Private health insurance in case of unpaid employment

If you live in the Netherlands and do not have paid employment here, you are obliged to take out private health insurance. You can compare the costs of the different health insurers on the following websites:

• AON  Home | Aon Student Insurance
• Insure to study Insure To Study student insurance | Insure To Study

If, in addition to your activities as an unpaid guest of Radboud university medical center, you decide to take up salaried employment with a (different) employer in the Netherlands, you will be obliged to take out Dutch (basic) health insurance.

If you have any doubts about which health insurance you should take out (basic health insurance or private health insurance), contact the health insurance line English - Zorgverzekeringslijn.

Study internship

If you want to do an internship in connection with your studies at Radboud university medical center and you are not an EU national, then this is only possible if you possess a valid Dutch residence permit for studying or you have received a scholarship under an EU action program such as Erasmus. If you have been approved for an Erasmus scholarship, you can contact internationalofficestudents@radboudumc.nl.