Netherlands

denhaagenite · 01-07-2014 1:40pm

shortys94 wrote: »

Does anyone have any recommendations on cheap health insurance in netherlands for a student?

Btw I appreciate all the help

Check with your Student Services Centre. Depending on how long you're here for and your residency status there may be different rules, also universities tend to have insurers that they recommend to students. I think the least you'd have to pay per month is around €110 though, and being a student won't make a difference to that.

stickybookmark · 01-07-2014 2:11pm

http://www.expatica.com/nl/health_fitness/healthcare/Healthcare-in-the-NL.html

Students

Students from the EU/EEA/Switzerland are exempt from paying health insurance – unless they are working, even part time, or as part of a paid internship. Non-working students will be given an European Health Insurance Card (see below), or an international declaration form instead.

Students from outside the EU need insurance like everyone else.

Sometimes colleges and companies have a contract with a health insurer so that students and employees can enjoy discounted premiums.

You can follow this flowchart by Euraxess to determine if you need Dutch health insurance depending on your personal circumstances.

You can find more information on different aspects of the Dutch healthcare system on Expatica's healthcare page for the Netherlands

shortys94 · 02-07-2014 9:07am

So i can use my EHIC card from Ireland?

denhaagenite · 02-07-2014 9:38am

shortys94 wrote: »

So i can use my EHIC card from Ireland?

Again, check with your student services centre. We don't know if you're staying here for weeks, months, years, whether you plan to work or not. The university you're going to deal with this every day, they will know exactly what you need to do.

stickybookmark · 02-07-2014 10:24am

shortys94 wrote: »

So i can use my EHIC card from Ireland?

Well you are working but you're not being paid for it so not sure

. If I had to guess I'd say as it's not paid work, it doesn't count as work and yes you can use your EHIC. If you click on that link I posted I think there's a flowchart to help you to figure out if you can or not.

shortys94 · 02-07-2014 2:57pm

According to that flow chart I don't need Dutch Health Insurance, yes I am studying, doing unpaid internship as part of study.

stickybookmark · 02-07-2014 3:36pm

shortys94 wrote: »

According to that flow chart I don't need Dutch Health Insurance, yes I am studying, doing unpaid internship as part of study.

Back to the dreaded ex-pat doctor then :eek: As far as I know they are the only ones that take the EHIC card....

keithclancy · 02-07-2014 4:03pm

stickybookmark wrote: »

Back to the dreaded ex-pat doctor then :eek: As far as I know they are the only ones that take the EHIC card....

All doctors should take the card, they just claim against AGIS Zorgverzekering for EHIC and for S1 Cross border workers they claim against CZ Zorgverzekering.

Really they are just providing a shell insurance number and send the bill back to your insurer/health service, e.g. in Ireland the HSE and for myself it goes to my Krankenkasse in Germany.

I don't have Dutch Insurance and have had no problems, I don't think the place I go to even knows what an Expat is

IMO its more likely the Surgery told you this because it was full and they couldn't take any more registrations.

shortys94 · 03-07-2014 10:07am

I don't understand the EHIC card, I mean my medical card from Ireland expired, but now I have an EHIC card which doesn't seem bound by any terms...... So you move away and suddenly you are back to having free GP visits.....

Seems odd, but I guess if I get a call from any departmental guys in Ireland Ill show them the flowchart

keithclancy · 03-07-2014 11:18am

shortys94 wrote: »

I don't understand the EHIC card, I mean my medical card from Ireland expired, but now I have an EHIC card which doesn't seem bound by any terms...... So you move away and suddenly you are back to having free GP visits.....

Seems odd, but I guess if I get a call from any departmental guys in Ireland Ill show them the flowchart

Medical card has nothing to do with anything outside of Ireland.

You'll have to pay the first 360 euros own risk, the same as any Dutch Resident if you register at the surgery/GP with your address in the Netherlands.

You probably won't pay anything if you give your Irish address, however a lot of places will probably not accept you unless its an emergency since this is more for people travelling/on holidays.

The premise of the EHIC is you're treated the same as a person in that country.

http://www.hse.ie/eng/services/list/1/schemes/EHIC/apply/Apply_for_EHIC.html

You can obtain the EHIC on the basis that you are normally resident in Ireland:
http://www.hse.ie/eng/services/list/1/schemes/EHIC/faqs/FAQs.html

When you are a student, your habitual residence is considered to be your home country (Ireland)

http://ec.europa.eu/ireland/the_eu_and_you/faq/health/index_en.htm

Does a student undertaking studies in another Member State have an entitlement to healthcare there?

Students are entitled to all health care benefits in kind e.g. healthcare and medicine during their studies in another Member State. To ensure that students can avail of these benefits, they should obtain a European Health Insurance Card from the health authorities in their home State prior to departure. Students are regarded as retaining their habitual residence in their home State and students are treated as “staying” in the country of study. In these circumstances, the Commission has taken the view that the EHIC issued to students by their home State is valid and it guarantees to students as persons insured in another Member State “any benefits in kind which become necessary on medical grounds during their stay, taking account of the nature of the benefits and the expected length of stay”.

If you earn income in the Netherlands then it becomes more complicated as you must pay into the Dutch Social Security system, which in principal means you must pay Dutch Health Insurance.

In short, if your normal residence is Ireland and you are in another EU Country for the purposes of study you never become resident in that other EU Country unless you finish your studies.

This means for example you could bring an Irish registered car and drive it in the Netherlands for the duration of your studies, so you wouldn't be required to register the vehicle on Dutch plates.

Another example if you go from Ireland to the UK for the purpose of study and buy a car in the UK, then return to Ireland, you are liable for Vehicle Registration Tax (Because you were never resident there). If you go to the UK to live and work and then return for a year then you do not have to pay Vehicle Registration Tax (Because you owned a UK registered car while resident there)

shortys94 · 04-07-2014 8:59am

Thanks alot guys

nbar12 · 25-08-2014 11:24pm

Has anyone purchased property in Holland? If yes, what location? Happy with your decision?

Cheers

CountingClocks · 28-08-2014 11:59pm

nbar12 wrote: »

Has anyone purchased property in Holland? If yes, what location? Happy with your decision?

Cheers

I bought an apartment in Amsterdam in 2002, sold it in 2007 and bought a bigger place which I sold in May.

In Amsterdam at least a mortgage is very often cheaper than renting, my last place was 125 square metres with 3 bedrooms and the mortgage was probably half of what I would have paid to rent in the free market.

So all in all, it worked well for me and if you plan to be there for a while you should look into it.

Nessel · 30-08-2014 9:31pm

Mortgage often is cheaper than renting but with this market take into account that you possibly cant sell if for the the same amount you put on it if you want to move again quickly.

Its more expensive than Ireland.
I lived in Delft and loved it though. Had 3bedrooms, 1bathroom, open kitchen, living room, washing room and study room.

irelandrover · 03-02-2015 11:29am

So hopefully someone can help me. Living in Eindhoven and looking to get teh pass for the coffeeshops.
What documents do i need for this?

denhaagenite · 05-02-2015 6:26pm

irelandrover wrote: »

So hopefully someone can help me. Living in Eindhoven and looking to get teh pass for the coffeeshops.
What documents do i need for this?

Go to the Gemeente and ask, I can't remember exactly what the document is called. I got it for studiegeld, my husband got it when buying a car- they use the same document for many different things, you have to specify when you're getting it what you need it for.

keithclancy · 05-02-2015 6:50pm

According to this page:

http://www.eindhoven.nl/artikelen/Wat-heb-ik-nodig-als-ik-een-wietpas-wil.htm

You may or may not need this:

http://www.eindhoven.nl/producten/Uittreksel-Basisregistratie-Personen-BRP.htm

Up to the Coffeeshop owner though.

murphaph · 05-02-2015 7:35pm

keithclancy wrote: »

The premise of the EHIC is you're treated the same as a person in that country.

Yep, so I find it strange that when we visit my family in Ireland and need to see a doctor (say the young fella gets sick), we show the Irish GP our kid's German issued EHIC and he is treated as if he had a full medical card (ie, completely free of charge). That's not really being treated the same as (most) people in Ireland, who have to fork out €50 to see the same GP. Maybe Ireland was compelled to treat visitors like that. Who knows?

keithclancy · 06-02-2015 3:39am

murphaph wrote: »

Yep, so I find it strange that when we visit my family in Ireland and need to see a doctor (say the young fella gets sick), we show the Irish GP our kid's German issued EHIC and he is treated as if he had a full medical card (ie, completely free of charge). That's not really being treated the same as (most) people in Ireland, who have to fork out €50 to see the same GP. Maybe Ireland was compelled to treat visitors like that. Who knows?

That's because you are visiting rather than resident.
If you are registered in the Netherlands then you are treated like any other Dutch Resident.

If you need more complicated treatment you will eventually run into problems once your situation becomes apparent, in that case if you cannot prove you have S1 Status you can end up with an expensive situation:

http://europa.eu/youreurope/citizens/work/social-security-forms/index_en.htm#s1form

S1
(formerly
E 106,
E 109
and
E 121)

Certificate of entitlement to healthcare if you don't live in the country where you are insured. Useful for cross-border workers, pensioners and civil servants and their dependants.

Health insurance authority

Submit it to any health insurance authority in the country where you live.

stickybookmark · 09-02-2015 4:28pm

murphaph wrote: »

Yep, so I find it strange that when we visit my family in Ireland and need to see a doctor (say the young fella gets sick), we show the Irish GP our kid's German issued EHIC and he is treated as if he had a full medical card (ie, completely free of charge). That's not really being treated the same as (most) people in Ireland, who have to fork out €50 to see the same GP. Maybe Ireland was compelled to treat visitors like that. Who knows?

You mean I could apply for a dutch EHIC card for my child and get free GP care in Ireland with it? (my child is registered here) I forked out 55 to take her to the GP there at Xmas when we were home in Ire

murphaph · 10-02-2015 1:20pm

stickybookmark wrote: »

You mean I could apply for a dutch EHIC card for my child and get free GP care in Ireland with it? (my child is registered here) I forked out 55 to take her to the GP there at Xmas when we were home in Ire

Yes. See here.

stickybookmark · 10-02-2015 4:06pm

Any idea which website to apply for dutch EHIC card? I know your got yours in Germany you said, so you probably don't know.

irelandrover · 10-02-2015 4:31pm

stickybookmark wrote: »

Any idea which website to apply for dutch EHIC card? I know your got yours in Germany you said, so you probably don't know.

I'd assume to qualify for a dutch ehic you would need to obey the laws in that country so would need to get dutch health insurance.

Something to look into first

denhaagenite · 10-02-2015 5:14pm

stickybookmark wrote: »

You mean I could apply for a dutch EHIC card for my child and get free GP care in Ireland with it? (my child is registered here) I forked out 55 to take her to the GP there at Xmas when we were home in Ire

The Dutch EHIC should be on the back side of your health insurance card. Same with German, we have both as our insurance is German but we reside in NL- much to the delight of the doctor I signed up to here a few weeks ago

. Can't speak for other countries, but I would assume that it is the same wherever you pay for your insurance. I don't think the Irish insurers are as joined up in their thinking yet but because insurance here is voluntary and not compulsory it might be a bit more difficult here.

Thanks for the HSE link aswell, I was wondering what the situation would be!!

stickybookmark · 12-02-2015 2:05pm

irelandrover wrote: »

I'd assume to qualify for a dutch ehic you would need to obey the laws in that country so would need to get dutch health insurance.

Something to look into first

ooooh harsh irelandrover...what are you trying to say!?

:D
FYI I have an A1 cert which means I'm exempt from the mandatory dutch health insurance requirement

But........ I recently went and got dutch h.i anyway coz of the babby - don't trust the dodgy expat Doc in Amsterdam with her care (it was grand when it was just for ourselves) and I don't think dutch GPs will take you on without dutch health insurance - well I didn't try I just had visions of some receptionist saying 'Computer says NO' if I tried.

I have 2 questions I'm hoping you fine people can help me with today. The first one is for a friend that has just moved here:
1. Can you top up an anonymous OV Chipkaart online here or only at machines?
2. This qn is for me - I recently signed up for a personal OV chipkaart (yellow one wiht my picture on it) I also signed up for and activated Automatic Reload. I want that when I am running for the train to Schipol on a Fri eve I don't have to go to the machine to top up - that there will always be enough to travel with NS on the card is that possible? Coz it looks like my card will only top up when it gets to 0 euro, but I need it to never drop below 20 euro to be able to travel with NS.

Thanks!!

stickybookmark · 12-02-2015 2:10pm

denhaagenite wrote: »

The Dutch EHIC should be on the back side of your health insurance card. QUOTE]

Nope it's not just checked. I'll contact the H.I company and see if I can get new cards with the Dutch EHIC on the back - would be handy to get free GP in Ire!

Tuesday_Girl · 12-02-2015 2:37pm

stickybookmark wrote: »

ooooh harsh irelandrover...what are you trying to say!? :D
FYI I have an A1 cert which means I'm exempt from the mandatory dutch health insurance requirement

But........ I recently went and got dutch h.i anyway coz of the babby - don't trust the dodgy expat Doc in Amsterdam with her care (it was grand when it was just for ourselves) and I don't think dutch GPs will take you on without dutch health insurance - well I didn't try I just had visions of some receptionist saying 'Computer says NO' if I tried.

I have 2 questions I'm hoping you fine people can help me with today. The first one is for a friend that has just moved here:
1. Can you top up an anonymous OV Chipkaart online here or only at machines?
2. This qn is for me - I recently signed up for a personal OV chipkaart (yellow one wiht my picture on it) I also signed up for and activated Automatic Reload. I want that when I am running for the train to Schipol on a Fri eve I don't have to go to the machine to top up - that there will always be enough to travel with NS on the card is that possible? Coz it looks like my card will only top up when it gets to 0 euro, but I need it to never drop below 20 euro to be able to travel with NS.

Thanks!!

Anonymous cards can be topped up online but then you have to go to a machine to activate it so easier to just use a top-up point in the first place
https://www.ov-chipkaart.nl/reizen/ovchipkaartopladen/

If are are using the chipkaart to travel by train your minimum balance will automatically be EUR20. Info is here but in Dutch: http://www.ns.nl/reizigers/ovchipkaart/opladen--activeren/index.html

stickybookmark · 12-02-2015 2:44pm

Tuesday_Girl wrote: »

Anonymous cards can be topped up online but then you have to go to a machine to activate it so easier to just use a top-up point in the first place
https://www.ov-chipkaart.nl/reizen/ovchipkaartopladen/

If are are using the chipkaart to travel by train your minimum balance will automatically be EUR20. Info is here but in Dutch: http://www.ns.nl/reizigers/ovchipkaart/opladen--activeren/index.html

Ledge Tuesday_Girl thanks a mil.
I have already gone through that dutch page that you posted and even though I understand dutch I could not find anywhere that it stated that with automatic upload your min balance will always be 20 euro - could you perchance copy and paste the lines (in dutch) from that page where it says that?

I can see where it says your min balance has to be 20 to travel with NS 'Let op: Om te kunnen reizen bij NS dient u minimaal het instaptarief van € 20 op uw kaart te hebben staan ' but I don't see anywhere that it says with automatic upload that you min balance always will be 20. Do you have actual experience of this?

like here it says: Altijd de zekerheid dat er voldoende saldo op uw OV-chipkaart staat zonder daar ooit nog moeite voor te hoeven doen? Kies dan voor automatisch opladen. Zodra uw saldo lager is dan € 0 wordt er via uw bankrekening automatisch een vast bedrag op uw kaart bijgeschreven. Automatisch opladen kan alleen met een persoonlijke OV-chipkaart. Ook bij reizen met de trein zorgt u bij automatisch opladen voor voldoende saldo en kunt u dus altijd in- en uitchecken. Het opladen gebeurt automatisch bij de in- en uitcheckpaal.
So it says it will top up when your saldo gets to 0, not 20?
Cheers!!

Tuesday_Girl · 12-02-2015 10:32pm

Once your card is enabled for "Automatisch Opladen" and for travelling by train the card will automatically be loaded with credit as soon as it goes under the EUR20 minimum.

So the minimum opstaptarief applies as mentioned below, but it happens automatically instead of you manually doing it.

https://www.ov-chipkaart.nl/reizen/tarieven/instapenbasistarief/

I travelled for years like this, never had an issue.

diograis · 13-02-2015 7:33pm

What's the job situation like here at the moment for casual work, anyone know? Avoiding the obvious Amsterdam, like in Rotterdam, Utrecht, Eindhoven etc. Thanks !

shortys94 · 20-02-2015 10:05am

Lot of my mates here seem to be finding jobs easy in most cities!

I applied for three part time jobs, in Amsterdam though, and got accepted for all three. So it's positive for sure from my point of view

I think I've mentioned this before but there seems to be a lot more activity on this thread now and wanted further opinion on people's experience with Dutch Nationals, personally.

I am quite dismayed that my view of them is tarnished more and more, they are really such unfriendly/cold people! I have a few Dutch mates now but again majority international expats. I just find that days you have experience in stores, streets or anywhere in public, their lack of manners and friendliness really puts you in a bad mood. Am I the only one who finds this very pronounced? It really affects me, I hate that I have to just stay in expat circles, it doesnt seem worth it to try with locals to become friends.

pajor · 20-02-2015 10:08am

shortys94 wrote: »

I think I've mentioned this before but there seems to be a lot more activity on this thread now and wanted further opinion on people's experience with Dutch Nationals, personally.

I am quite dismayed that my view of them is tarnished more and more, they are really such unfriendly/cold people! I have a few Dutch mates now but again majority international expats. I just find that days you have experience in stores, streets or anywhere in public, their lack of manners and friendliness really puts you in a bad mood. Am I the only one who finds this very pronounced? It really affects me, I hate that I have to just stay in expat circles, it doesnt seem worth it to try with locals to become friends.

My gf (who is from Gelderland) has remarked on the opposite of this a few times in Ireland. How polite and friendly people working in shops are. Surprised me a bit at first, but I do see what she means now!

Alun · 20-02-2015 12:12pm

I think you're mistaking unfriendliness for just being more direct and businesslike in their dealings. When I moved here from the Netherlands I had to get used (again, being English born) to having to engage in a bit of chit-chat first about the weather or whatever when dealing with people, whereas the Dutch attitude is more to get down to the business at hand straight away. They also don't beat around the bush when it comes to personal dealings either, if there's something they want to tell you they'll tell it to you straight, and not attempt to clothe it in subtleties or woolly language.

Another thing I found when I was there was that although I found it quite easy to make casual acquaintances, making close friends was much more difficult. Dutch people seem to form their 'vriendenkring' or circle of friends fairly early in life and it can be difficult to break in to that as an outsider later on. Beware though that once you do, I found they can become quite the opposite, i.e. very clingy.

keithclancy · 21-02-2015 11:04am

Alun wrote: »

I think you're mistaking unfriendliness for just being more direct and businesslike in their dealings. When I moved here from the Netherlands I had to get used (again, being English born) to having to engage in a bit of chit-chat first about the weather or whatever when dealing with people, whereas the Dutch attitude is more to get down to the business at hand straight away. They also don't beat around the bush when it comes to personal dealings either, if there's something they want to tell you they'll tell it to you straight, and not attempt to clothe it in subtleties or woolly language.

Another thing I found when I was there was that although I found it quite easy to make casual acquaintances, making close friends was much more difficult. Dutch people seem to form their 'vriendenkring' or circle of friends fairly early in life and it can be difficult to break in to that as an outsider later on. Beware though that once you do, I found they can become quite the opposite, i.e. very clingy.

Exactly my experience as well. The random chats about anything can become a bit disconcerting if you are not used to it anymore

Although I do find people working in shops and restaurants in Eindhoven a bit more outgoing than in the Hague or Amsterdam.

stickybookmark · 23-02-2015 2:02pm

Alun wrote: »

They also don't beat around the bush when it comes to personal dealings either, if there's something they want to tell you they'll tell it to you straight, and not attempt to clothe it in subtleties or woolly language.
.

you're certainly right there! I'm still recovering emotionally from the conversation I had at the coffee machine last week where a guy said to me 'Oh you already had a baby? Really, coz I thought you look pregnant now' (points at stomach)

keithclancy · 23-02-2015 2:41pm

stickybookmark wrote: »

you're certainly right there! I'm still recovering emotionally from the conversation I had at the coffee machine last week where a guy said to me 'Oh you already had a baby? Really, coz I thought you look pregnant now' (points at stomach)

He just sounds like a pr!ck.

shortys94 · 24-02-2015 10:44am

I like small talk and beating around the bush, I feel like those can be the instances where you make new friends/relationships. I feel as if there is no spontaneity in Dutch culture.

I can message the expats and ask hey wanna meet up for a coffee or beer and most of the time its go. But with the Dutch they check their Google Calender or have to make an appointment. I know your argument will be that in this way you keep social appointments, but its so rigid!

stickybookmark · 24-02-2015 1:59pm

shortys94 wrote: »

Lot of my mates here seem to be finding jobs easy in most cities! I applied for three part time jobs, in Amsterdam though, and got accepted for all three. So it's positive for sure from my point of view

I think I've mentioned this before but there seems to be a lot more activity on this thread now and wanted further opinion on people's experience with Dutch Nationals, personally.

I am quite dismayed that my view of them is tarnished more and more, they are really such unfriendly/cold people! I have a few Dutch mates now but again majority international expats. I just find that days you have experience in stores, streets or anywhere in public, their lack of manners and friendliness really puts you in a bad mood. Am I the only one who finds this very pronounced? It really affects me, I hate that I have to just stay in expat circles, it doesnt seem worth it to try with locals to become friends.

I don't believe in stereotyping any nation, based on my experience of living in different countries all nations have sound people, nasty people and everything else in between. From what I've heard making appointments far in advance and sticking to your agenda is a very dutch thing alright and I certainly agree with you regarding customer service or lack thereof in restaurants etc however I don't agree that dutch people are cold and unfriendly - I work with mostly dutch and they are very friendly, good craic - ok yes definitely blunt! - but by and large I find them quite similar to the irish.

keithclancy · 24-02-2015 10:18pm

stickybookmark wrote: »

I don't believe in stereotyping any nation, based on my experience of living in different countries all nations have sound people, nasty people and everything else in between. From what I've heard making appointments far in advance and sticking to your agenda is a very dutch thing alright and I certainly agree with you regarding customer service or lack thereof in restaurants etc however I don't agree that dutch people are cold and unfriendly - I work with mostly dutch and they are very friendly, good craic - ok yes definitely blunt! - but by and large I find them quite similar to the irish.

It also depends a lot on the part of the country .. Just like the big smoke vs the sticks

pajor · 25-02-2015 4:16pm

shortys94 wrote: »

Lot of my mates here seem to be finding jobs easy in most cities! I applied for three part time jobs, in Amsterdam though, and got accepted for all three. So it's positive for sure from my point of view.

What sort of work? More importantly, in English or Dutch?

HardyBuckFan · 01-03-2015 10:00pm

South Holland - can anyone advise?
Hi all, have read through all the pages, very interesting.
My girlfriend (Dutch) lives in Maastricht and I am here in Dublin
Am considering the move over there
Have been there about 6 times and like it as a city
Can anybody advise whether it would it be easy for me to get a job over there (or within an hour commute of there) considering I don't speak a word of Dutch
I am a qualified accountant by trade with 5 years post qualified experience
Thanks in advance all

dissed doc · 01-03-2015 11:31pm

HardyBuckFan wrote: »

South Holland - can anyone advise?
Hi all, have read through all the pages, very interesting.
My girlfriend (Dutch) lives in Maastricht and I am here in Dublin
Am considering the move over there
Have been there about 6 times and like it as a city
Can anybody advise whether it would it be easy for me to get a job over there (or within an hour commute of there) considering I don't speak a word of Dutch
I am a qualified accountant by trade with 5 years post qualified experience
Thanks in advance all

I think without Dutch you will have a lot of difficulty outside of North or South Holland. IN Holland you have a chance due to the volume of English speakers to set up independently, but Limburg is a different kettle of fish.

pajor · 02-03-2015 8:27am

HardyBuckFan wrote: »

Can anybody advise whether it would it be easy for me to get a job over there (or within an hour commute of there) considering I don't speak a word of Dutch
I am a qualified accountant by trade with 5 years post qualified experience
Thanks in advance all

You'd probably be able to find more opportunities in Belgium or Germany than in Limburg. But that could still be easy commuting.

keithclancy · 02-03-2015 10:14am

pajor wrote: »

You'd probably be able to find more opportunities in Belgium or Germany than in Limburg. But that could still be easy commuting.

The only problem is the cross border transport down around those parts totally sucks. Its only really feasible if you have a car.

denhaagenite · 02-03-2015 10:15am

pajor wrote: »

You'd probably be able to find more opportunities in Belgium or Germany than in Limburg. But that could still be easy commuting.

Only with a car really, it's an hour by bus to Aachen from Maastricht (30/ 40 mins by car) and the train connections can be a bit patchy to Belgium. The only direct service to Maastricht is Liege and I haven't heard that there are many opportunities there. Noord Brabant is also an option though, living in Roermond and commuting to Eindhoven by train would be very viable.

Zuid Limburg is great because you're so close to the Drielandenpunt as long as you have a car but they have basically limited the border crossings for public transport to Venlo for Germany and Roosendaal for Belgium.

pajor · 02-03-2015 10:51am

I suppose I did mean by car, considering how sparse public transport is around where I am.

stickybookmark · 02-03-2015 10:55am

HardyBuckFan wrote: »

South Holland - can anyone advise?
Hi all, have read through all the pages, very interesting.
My girlfriend (Dutch) lives in Maastricht and I am here in Dublin
Am considering the move over there
Have been there about 6 times and like it as a city
Can anybody advise whether it would it be easy for me to get a job over there (or within an hour commute of there) considering I don't speak a word of Dutch
I am a qualified accountant by trade with 5 years post qualified experience
Thanks in advance all

I was going to suggest Belgium as well. For example a friend of mine was living in Antwerp for the last 5 years working there and he doesn't speak a word of dutch. Obviously Brussels would be grand. There's also lots of non-dutch speaking irish working in Wavre (GSK)

HardyBuckFan · 03-03-2015 9:22pm

Thanks for all the replies
Any job sites anybody could recommend so I could have a search

pajor · 03-03-2015 9:35pm

HardyBuckFan wrote: »

Thanks for all the replies
Any job sites anybody could recommend so I could have a search

Indeed.nl
Expatjobs.eu

denhaagenite · 03-03-2015 9:39pm

I think Monster.nl is probably a start, but ask your gf what she thinks- it can be really dependant on your area of expertise, number of languages spoken and your experience level. Maastricht is mostly academia, health and some IT in Eurocontrol. Eindhoven is IT, Physics and Engineering.

Netherlands

Comments