How does Relocation work in The Netherlands?

The job market is currently tight; low unemployment rates lead to labor shortages. As a result, more and more companies are considering global hiring as it opens countless doors for organizations, enabling greater diversity and broader talent pools. But attracting international talent is one thing. Bringing them to the Netherlands is something else. What exactly does this process of relocation entail and how does it work??

Here is the deal, The Netherlands is well renowned for its liberal environment and excellent level of life, making it a favorite destination for expats to relocate. The capital, Amsterdam, is a lovely canal city that draws numerous foreign employees to its expanding finance and IT fields.??

So, what exactly does relocation mean? Well, to put it in professional terms, Relocation is a range of internal business processes to transfer employees, their families, and/or entire departments of a business to a new location. In easier understanding, it is to move someone to a new settlement, residence or place of business.?

Relocating expats to the Netherlands?

In today’s blog, let’s go further into the International Relocation Services in relation to expats and migrating to the Netherlands.??

International relocating entails moving to a new country with their possessions, seeking a new place to live, locating the top schools for their children, if they have any, and many other things.??

Since there is a lack of #tech talent in the Netherlands, many tech scale-ups are searching for talent from abroad, which requires moving international employees to The Netherlands.??

Steps to take

The process of relocation to the Netherlands consists of several steps.?

#1 Apply for a Visa and Resident Permit?

A long-stay visa (MVV) is a must before traveling to the Netherlands if candidates are from countries other than the EU, Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea, or the US. A residence permit is also needed to apply if they stay longer than 3 months or decide to work in the Netherlands.?

An application for an MVV visa can be submitted in person at the nearby Dutch embassy or consulate, or their company or a Relocation agency can do so through the Netherlands' Immigration and Naturalization Service (IND). But they can't apply for a residence permit at the IND by themselves; their employer must do it.?

In addition to the expats, their spouse, partner, and minor children can apply for residence permits.?

They must present a passport to the embassy or consulate where they submitted the application if the IND's decision is positive. Within 10 working days, their passport will include their MVV visa.?

#2 Find temporary accommodation?

Finding housing should be a first priority. It is advised to book lodging before departing for the Netherlands.?

Spare at least three weeks to look for a permanent apartment as it could be challenging to locate one right away owing to the high rental demand and the requirement to obtain all the required paperwork.?

An organization could facilitate short-term housing for the first period.?

#3 Register with local municipality?

International employees must register with the municipality ("gemeente") where they want to live in the Municipal Personal Records Database (BRP) as soon as they arrive in the Netherlands.?

The following document are needed:?

• Passport?
• Birth certificate?
• Marriage certificate, if they are married?
• Lease or purchase agreement for their new house. They can utilize an Address Registration Permission Form and a copy of the primary occupant's passport/ID if they don't have a permanent address in the Netherlands (some of the newcomers register at the address of the company where they work)?

#4 Obtain a Resident Permit?

A residency permit ("verblijfstitel") will be issued by the Immigration and Naturalization Service (IND) of the Netherlands within two weeks of their arrival. A letter telling exactly when to pick up the permit will be sent. To visit an IND office, make sure to schedule a time online.?A residence permit will serve as the primary form of identification.?

#5 Housing?

Finding a place to live in the Netherlands may be the largest problem expats encounter while relocating there. The housing market is extremely competitive and demands time, effort, and the ability to act quickly.?

#6 Apply for the 30% ruling grant?

Expats can lower the amount of taxes to pay in the Netherlands by requesting the 30% ruling. To request the 30% ruling, employees and their employers must both apply. They can do this by filling out the application form or by requesting an information pack via the tax information line.?

The following documents and copies need to be delivered to the Dutch tax office:?

• Passport or another valid photo ID?
• Employment contract or job offer letter?
• BSN number?
• Dutch residence permit?
• Details of their address in the Netherlands?
• Proof of residence in another country before being hired?
• Company details including company tax number?
• A written agreement stating that the employee and its employer have consented to the application for the 30% ruling?

If approved, the 30% ruling will take effect on the first day of employment if their application was submitted within 4 months of their first day of employment in the Netherlands. If not, it will be on the first of the month after the month in which they submitted their application.?

That’s one devil of a job?

In conclusion, relocating is a time-consuming process that requires patience and expertise. At the same time, recruiters and companies struggle to understand this complex process due to the mountains of paperwork, tight deadlines, and differences in culture and language.?

Leave it to the pros.?

At Your Talent Agency we excel in recruiting and relocating foreign candidates. We handle every aspect of the relocation from A to Z.??

We go above and beyond for new recruits by assisting in creating customized packages that are ideal for them. Plus, there will always be a relocation consultant available to help your expats as much as possible.??

Are you a scale-up looking to hire tech talent now or within the next six months? We’re here to help you finding - and relocating - international talent. Get in touch with us by sending an email to [email protected].