Moving To Netherlands From The UK

Moving to Netherlands

Whether you are moving to Amsterdam, Utrecht, or Rotterdam, Britannia Movers International has the expertise and the local knowledge to tailor the move to your specific needs.

	Importing Personal Effects to Netherlands All shipments to the EU from the UK will now have to clear customs on arrival and you must ensure you can provide all relevant customs documents required at destination. Your contact at your local Britannia office will assist you with which forms are necessary along with what supporting documentation you will need to provide. However, the responsibility for completion and submission of these forms now falls with the customer and it is advisable that all these formalities are prepared for prior to the move to avoid potential delays in transportation and additional charges.
	Netherlands Customs Prohibitions and Restrictions In general, it is in your interest not to import the following items: Firearms & ammunition Inflammable goods & substances Plants & plant material Foodstuffs, perishables or otherwise Narcotics and dangerous goods Offensive materials Alcohol & tobacco
	Transit Times to the Netherlands Transit times can vary subject to the method of transport chosen, size of your consignment and the final destination. Britannia will advise you once this information is established.
	Protecting Your Items for Transport to the Netherlands All shared load consignments will be bar coded before they are loaded into the vehicle. This will ensure that no items are left at origin.
	Moving to the Netherlands with Pets Britannia can recommend a specialised shipper of animals to assist you in sending your family pet(s) from home to home. They will coordinate all documentation and necessary veterinary procedures. Find out more about pet transport.
	Importing Motor Vehicles to Netherlands To move your car tax-free, you will have to apply for a permit to import, and you are prohibited to sell, lease or transfer the vehicle within 12 months of arrival.
	Netherlands Currency Transfer When you are making international payments for individuals you can benefit from IFX expertise in seeking the best possible rate, whether you are sending or receiving foreign currency. IFX can help to protect you from exchange rate fluctuations and save you time and money on international payments. IFX offers: International Payments Regular Overseas Transfers Prepaid Currency Card Forward Contracts More info on the IFX website.

Moving to Netherlands with Britannia

• Your Move to the Netherlands – Britannia has a dedicated network of removers who will assist you with moving to the Netherlands. Their full contact details will be sent to you prior to the forwarding of your consignment. If you have selected a full door-to-door service, Britannia will deliver the goods to your new home. We will then unpack your goods and furniture, and will remove all used packing materials from the site.
• Additional Removal Services – Britannia can provide a variety of additional services when moving to the Netherlands. We are authorised to provide a comprehensive insurance, can arrange international storage prior to delivery, and can also take care of your pet transport.

If you are interested in our removal services to the Netherlands, you can request a removals quote, read more about our European removals, and additional moving services, such as money transfer.

Living in the Netherlands

Those moving to the Netherlands will discover a culturally diverse, democratic and modern country. While tourism in the Netherlands might not be as strong as in Spain or France, partly due to the less sunny climate, moving permanently to the Netherlands can be a perfect choice for those looking for an open, and tolerant society and a good quality of life.

The Netherlands is located in North-West Europe, and is bordered by Germany, Belgium and the North Sea. The country is a parliamentary democratic constitutional monarchy with a very strong economy. The Dutch economy has been a leading force since the 16th century, especially in shipping, trade, fishing and banking and is still at the forefront of global trends nowadays. The country also has a unique geography, with more than 25% of its area lying below sea level, and with hundreds of rivers and canals crisscrossing the country. Those used to huge cities might also find the Dutch middle-sized cities strange at first, with even Amsterdam having a population of less than 1 million.

The Netherlands is not all about tulips, clogs and windmills. It has a diverse cultural life and offers a good quality of life for those living there. Unemployment levels are low, and there are no huge inequalities among the population. For those speaking English, language difficulties will not be great either, as most Dutch people speak excellent English. So, if you decide to move to the Netherlands, you will enjoy an open and tolerant culture, travel to amazing cities and will be able to choose almost any lifestyle that suits you.

Netherlands Visas

UK citizens will need to apply for an appropriate visa if they want to live and work in the Netherlands. Most working visas will require sponsorship from a Netherlands-based company and a job offer. This includes the Highly Skilled Migrant Visa, where the employer must be registered with the Dutch Immigration and Naturalisation Service, and the salary must meet a certain threshold.

There is also the GVVA Work Permit, which will also be applied for by the applicant’s employer in the Netherlands. The employer must prove they can’t find a suitable candidate from the Netherlands or the EU. So, the applicant will usually be more successful if they have specialised experience or qualifications.

There is also the Intra-Corporate Transfer Permit, which will be suitable for employees of multinational companies who are being transferred to a branch in the Netherlands. The applicant must have been employed by the company for at least three months in order to qualify.

There is also a self-employment visa for freelancers or self-employed people. To successfully apply, the applicant must prove the business will serve a signinifcant interest to the Dutch economy.

After expats have lived in the Netherlands for 5 years continuously, they will be able to apply for permanent residency, provided they can show they have sufficient means to support themselves.

Working in the Netherlands

The Netherlands has one of the lowest unemployment rates in Europe and a strong economy, so finding employment is easier than in many other European countries. However, it’s worth bearing in mind that companies will have to prove that they have been unable to fill the role by a Dutch or EU citizen, so specialised roles will be easier to find for UK citizens. This could include industries such as IT, engineering, finance, healthcare, and education.

While English is widely spoken and many multinational companies operate in English, knowledge of Dutch can be a significant advantage for certain roles, particularly in smaller companies or sectors like healthcare and education.

The working culture in the Netherlands is charcterised by a focus on work-life balance, direct communication, and a relatively flat organisational structure. There is often a clear distinction between work and personal life, with few people working overtime and many employers offering flexible working arrangements. The Dutch are known for being honest and straightforward when communicating – feedback will often be given openly and with little sugar-coating but will typically be constructive. There is generally a strong emphasis on teamwork, with collective decision making being common.

Cost of Living in the Netherlands

Living costs in the Netherlands are relatively high, so you should expect to spend at least as much in the UK, although this will also depend on the region you are moving to. According to Numbeo, on average, the cost of living in the Netherlands is 2.9% higher than in the UK, without rent. Rent costs alone are around 9% higher in the Netherlands. However, salaries are also higher, at around 10% per month, so expats could find they can maintain a high quality of life.

You can check out some of the items you are likely to purchase regularly whilst living in the Netherlands below. Prices are shown in Euros and converted to UK pounds alongside the price in the UK so you can see how costs match up.

Interesting Facts About the Netherlands

• The Netherlands has the highest population density of any European country.
• Gin was invented in the Netherlands and was first sold as a medicine in the late 16th century.
• The Dutch were the first Europeans to discover Australia and New Zealand in the 17th century.
• Many famous painters were born in the Netherlands, including Rembrandt and Van Gogh.
• There are around 16 million bicycles in the Netherlands, which means that there is almost one for every inhabitant.

Choose Britannia for Your Netherlands Relocation

If you are thinking about moving to the Netherlands and want to find out more about our international removal services or request a removals quote, you can call us on 0845 6006661 or email sales@britannia-movers.co.uk. Our team will be happy to discuss how we can help you with your international relocation.