IN Amsterdam
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
IN Amsterdam A BRIEF INTRODUCTION IN Amsterdam provides a one-stop shop service for international companies and their highly skilled migrant employees, as well as for startup entrepreneurs, international students and scientific researchers. IN Amsterdam is a joint initiative of the cities of Amsterdam, Amstelveen, Almere, Diemen, Haarlem, Haarlemmermeer, Hilversum and Velsen, along with the Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND). With simplified procedures, IN Amsterdam aims to better meet the needs of internationals working in the Amsterdam Area and the companies involved. IN Amsterdam’s website (www.inamsterdam.com) contains a wealth of useful information for internationals, including our most frequently asked questions, covering essential topics from residence permits to finding a job, childcare, or an apartment. Stay up to date with the latest news and information from IN Amsterdam by subscribing to the newsletters via our website. We hope that this booklet serves as a helpful tool for new international talent in the Amsterdam Area. Within it you will find general information on subjects such as public transportation, driving licences, healthcare, housing and important contact numbers. The second section of this booklet contains, amongst other things, information about 1 ––––– our strategic programme 'Open Amsterdam' and the cooperating cities. All of IN Amsterdam’s partners that offer convenient services are also included. IN Amsterdam’s team is ready and able to answer questions and provide information on a wide range of topics and government services. Whether you’ve just arrived or made yourself at home, IN Amsterdam is here to help! Let us help you settle in, simply. Sign up to the newsletter to stay tuned to what’s happening in town, from updates on Amsterdam’s bustling cultural life to information about city life for locals and invitations to informative seminars. Sign up for our newsletter at www.iamsterdam.com/inamsterdamnewsletters We hope you enjoy your stay in the Netherlands! CONTACT US OR VISIT OUR WEBSITE +31 (0)20 254 7999 [email protected] www.inamsterdam.com Index Starting GETTING STARTED LISTINGS FROM OUR IN AMSTERDAM BUSINESS PARTNERS ––– ––– Starting in Amsterdam . 03 Childcare . .76 ––– Facts & Figures . 04 Community . 76 ––– Language . 05 Co-working . 76 ––– Arrival Checklist. .06 Employment . 77 Living in Amsterdam . .07 Family services . .77 ––– Housing . 08 Finance . 78 ––– Getting Around . .11 Health . 78 ––– Driving Licence . 13 Housing. .79 ––– Healthcare System . .16 Language . 80 ––– amsterdam inbusiness . 20 Legal services . 82 Working in Amsterdam . .22 Media . 83 ––– Finding Work. .23 Relocation . 84 ––– 30% Tax Reimbursement Ruling . 26 Tax . 84 Learning in Amsterdam. .27 Transportation . 85 ––– Local Dutch Education . .28 Utilities . 85 ––– International Education . 30 ––– Higher Education. .32 ––– ACCESS . 33 ––– Students . 34 Frequently Asked Questions . .40 Public Holidays 2017 . 42 Amsterdam Metropolitan Area . 43 Open Amsterdam . 44 ––– Amsterdam . 46 ––– Almere . 48 ––– Amstelveen . 52 ––– Diemen . .54 ––– Haarlem . 56 ––– Haarlemmermeer. .58 ––– Hilversum . 60 ––– Velsen . .62 Amsterdam City Hall & Districts . 64 International Groups & Clubs . .66 Partnership Programme . 73 Essential Numbers & Resources . 88 IN Amsterdam Contact Details . 91 Facts and Figures Language A CITY OF CANALS HELPFUL WORDS AND PHRASES Founded in the late 12th century, Amsterdam’s name originates from a dam on the The majority of Amsterdam’s residents speak English well and are often fluent in one or Amstel River. The city is also often called the ‘Venice of the North’ due to its many two languages on top of that. One can usually get by effortlessly in Amsterdam without canals. knowing a word of Dutch. For those keen to try, learning a few words or phrases will always go a long way with the locals. AMSTERDAM IN NUMBERS Tip: the Dutch ‘g’ is normally pronounced mid-throat, sounding similar to the ‘ch’ 834,713 Residents 180 Nationalities Last Updated: October 2017 in loch or Bach. 2,388,318 Inhabitants in the Amsterdam Metropolitan Area ––– 58% of people cycle daily 881,000 Bicycles (Estimated) SPREEKT U ENGELS? JA ("yah") Do you speak English? Yes 1,281 Bridges 80 Bridges in the Canal Ring 165 Canals HALLO NEE ("nay") ––––– 4 Hello No 5 ––––– 40 Parks 213 Trams 9 Ferry routes 2,500 Houseboats GOEDEMORGEN LEKKER Good morning Tasty 8 Wooden Drawbridges 8 Windmills 32 Markets 6,159 Shops GOEDEMIDDAG MOOI Good afternoon Lovely 654 Gable Stones 8,863 16th, 17th and 18th Century Buildings GOEDENAVOND GEZELLIG 42 Historic Church Organs 23 Paintings by Rembrandt Good evening Cosy DAG OR DOEI (informal; "do-wee") INGANG 207 140 Paintings by Van Gogh Wax Statues at Madame Tussauds Goodbye Entrance 44 Museums 9,000 Concerts and Theatrical Performances Per Year PARDON UITGANG Excuse me Exit 141 Art Galleries 25 Concerts and Theatrical Performances Per Day DANK U OPEN Thank you Open 900 Species of Animal at Artis Royal Zoo ALSTUBLIEFT ("alst-u-bleeft") GESLOTEN Please Closed Arrival Checklist Living GETTING STARTED Moving to another country can be an overwhelming experience, however proper organisation can help make it a smooth process. Below is our basic checklist to help you once you’ve arrived in the Netherlands. More detailed information about all the items below can be found in this booklet and on our website: www.inamsterdam.com MANDATORY ON ARRIVAL Register with the local municipality Collect and/or arrange residence permit and/or work permit * Arrange local health insurance Get a tuberculosis screening (only obligatory for people ––––– 6 from specific countries. For more information, see page 18) * Only mandatory if you’re from outside of the EU OPTIONAL ON ARRIVAL Arrange a local bank account Register with your local embassy or consulate Obtain a driving licence or exchange your current licence Get connected: arrange telecom, internet and utilities Register with a local doctor and dentist Find short-term/long-term accommodation Investigate schooling/childcare possibilities SETTLING IN Learn the local language Join a group, club or association to meet people Get active in the local and/or international community Housing FURTHER INFORMATION www.iamsterdam.com/housing HOUSE HUNTING It is important for everyone who buys or rents a home in the Amsterdam Area to know what their rights are. What do you do if there is a conflict with your landlord? What are your rights? Finding a place to live in the Amsterdam Area can be a challenge. However, with research and the right advice, you can find your perfect home. WHAT TO LOOK OUT FOR WHEN RENTING ––– The supply of residential accommodation in the Amsterdam Area fluctuates greatly. RENTING IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR At times there is a shortage of housing, which can lead to elevated rental prices. It is therefore important to know your rights. Always make sure to read your tenancy The most common option for internationals is renting property in the private sector. agreement carefully before signing; six months into the contract many rights may have Private rental accommodation is not subsidised and there are no pre-conditions for your or could soon expire. Should anything go wrong, the Dutch law has many rules in place eligibility. In most cases, however, you will need a residence permit. To help find a rental to protect you as a tenant. For example, a landlord cannot simply evict you from your property, we suggest you try: home. If you do not reach an agreement, only a court can terminate the lease. Online housing sites. In the private sector, landlords usually ask for a deposit, which is typically the equivalent Estate agents (makelaars). of one or two months’ rent. As for contracts, tenancy agreements can be concluded for Rooftrack. fixed periods of time. You should always read your tenancy agreement carefully. ––––– 8 Ask around in your network or check MVA (see below). 9 ––––– !WOON is an excellent contact for information relating to tenancy rights and people Websites as Marktplaats and Huurwoning (in Dutch) allow you to search listings from looking for housing. It is an independent organisation that offers free information, private owners and agencies. Pararius and Funda are available in English. Rooftrack advice and support regarding renting and housing. For advice on all rental matters, is an initiative from WoningNet and offers a wide range of available properties in the !WOON’s full contact information is available online at www.wooninfo.nl. You can ask non-subsidised rental market. Rooftrack’s website displays rental properties from both questions via their website or speak to an advisor in person by making an appointment housing corporations as well as professional property management firms in the cities of or visiting during their walk-in times. Remember to take your rental contract with you. Amsterdam, Almere, Haarlem and Utrecht. The Rooftrack website is free of charge and Source: !WOON. available in English. www.huurwoningen.nl/in/amsterdam IN THE EVENT OF PROBLEMS WITH A LANDLORD www.pararius.com/english www.funda.nl/en In the Netherlands there is an independent organisation that deals with problems between www.expatica.com/nl/housing tenants and landlords: the Rent Tribunal (huurcommissie). The Rent Tribunal can also rule www.rooftrack.nl/en on disputes between you and your landlord. Further information: www.huurcommissie.nl. When viewing a property, it is a good idea to prepare the necessary documents such as your passport and recent payslips. This speeds up the process and enhances your WHAT TO LOOK OUT FOR WHEN BUYING chances. Please be aware that internationals are sometimes targeted by housing scams and are advised to be cautious of any suspicious activity. If you are planning on staying in the Amsterdam Area for three years or more, you might want to buy a property. Despite strong competition in the current economic climate, you’ll find there are significant tax incentives and long-term benefits of owning your own home. If you want to buy a house or apartment, seek the advice of an expert.