Welcome Guide to the North 2018 - 2019 The International Welcome Center North (IWCN) is a one-stop shop for international people living and coming to live in the provinces of Groningen, Friesland, and Drenthe. We offer services in three areas: • Streamlined government formalities Residence permits and municipal registration and BSN • Information Practical information and referrals to reliable service providers • Social activities A chance to start building a social and/or business network Feel free to contact us by telephone or e-mail, or come by for a visit. We are open five days per week from 10:00 to 17:00 at: Gedempte Zuiderdiep 98 9711 HL Groningen The Netherlands Phone: +31 (0)50 367 71 97 Email: [email protected] Website: www.iwcn.nl 1 TABLE OF CONTENTS FOCUS ON THE NORTH Climate .................................................................................................. 9 Multilingualism .................................................................................... 10 OFFICIAL MATTERS Obtaining a Residence Work Permit .................................................. 12 Registering with the Local Municipality and Obtaining a BSN ............ 12 Dutch Tax System ............................................................................... 14 30% Tax Ruling ................................................................................... 17 Benefits (Toeslagen) .......................................................................... 19 Essential Tax Contact Information ...................................................... 22 SETTLING IN - HOUSING Location .............................................................................................. 24 Renting ............................................................................................... 25 Purchasing a House ........................................................................... 28 Moving House ..................................................................................... 30 SETTLING IN - SETTING UP YOUR HOME Gas and Electricity .............................................................................. 31 Water Services .................................................................................... 32 TV, Internet, and Telephone ................................................................ 33 Laundry ............................................................................................... 34 Refuse Removal ................................................................................. 35 SETTLING IN - CHILD MATTERS Child Benefit ....................................................................................... 39 Childcare ............................................................................................. 40 Vaccinations ........................................................................................ 41 Family Assistance for General Matters ............................................... 41 SETTLING IN - EDUCATION International Schools in the North ..................................................... 45 Absence and Truancy ......................................................................... 45 School Holidays .................................................................................. 46 2 SETTLING IN - PETS Pets in the Netherlands ...................................................................... 48 Lost Animals ....................................................................................... 48 SETTLING IN - POSTAL SERVICE ......................................................... 49 SETTLING IN - BANKING Getting a Bank Account ...................................................................... 52 Bank Cards ......................................................................................... 53 Bill Payments ...................................................................................... 54 Foreign Currency ................................................................................ 55 Checks/Cheques/Cash ...................................................................... 55 SETTLING IN - HEALTH MATTERS General Practitioner or Family Doctor ................................................. 58 After Hours and Emergency Healthcare ............................................. 59 Pharmacy and Prescriptions ............................................................... 60 Dentist ................................................................................................. 61 Home Care ......................................................................................... 62 Mental Health ...................................................................................... 62 Eye Care ............................................................................................. 62 Hospitals ............................................................................................. 63 SETTLING IN - TRANSPORTATION Public Transport .................................................................................. 65 Cycling ................................................................................................ 69 Cars and Driving ................................................................................. 71 Car Insurance ..................................................................................... 73 Parking ................................................................................................ 74 Drinking and Driving ............................................................................ 75 Taxis .................................................................................................... 75 SETTLING IN - INSURANCE Health Insurance ................................................................................. 77 Vehicle Insurance ............................................................................... 79 Other Types of Insurance .................................................................... 79 3 SETTLING IN - FINDING A JOB Orientation Year Highly-educated ........................................................ 82 Starting a Business via the Start-up Permit ....................................... 82 Top Dutch Talent Program ................................................................... 83 SOCIAL & LEISURE - MEET & GREET ................................................... 86 SOCIAL & LEISURE - MEETING PEOPLE IN THE NORTHERN NETHERLANDS Manners .............................................................................................. 92 SOCIAL & LEISURE - CELEBRATIONS .................................................. 93 SOCIAL & LEISURE - EATING & DRINKING The Dutch Kitchen ............................................................................... 96 Eating .................................................................................................. 98 Drinking ............................................................................................. 100 SOCIAL & LEISURE - LEISURE TIME & HOLIDAYS School Holidays ................................................................................ 102 National Holidays .............................................................................. 103 SOCIAL & LEISURE - LEISURE Shopping ........................................................................................... 105 Festivals ............................................................................................ 106 Sports ................................................................................................ 107 SOCIAL & LEISURE - ORGANIZATIONS & ASSOCIATIONS Volunteering ...................................................................................... 109 SOCIAL & LEISURE - RELIGION .......................................................... 110 SOCIAL & LEISURE - WHAT TO DO IN THE PROVINCES Groningen ......................................................................................... 112 Friesland ............................................................................................ 115 Drenthe .............................................................................................. 116 4 SERVICE PARTNERS Relocation Services ........................................................................... 117 Houng Agents .................................................................................... 120 Home Services .................................................................................. 124 Legal & Payroll .................................................................................. 125 Finance & Insurance ......................................................................... 128 Tax Consultants ................................................................................. 131 Health & Child Care .......................................................................... 133 Travel & Leisure ................................................................................ 134 Education .......................................................................................... 137 Jobs & Career Support ..................................................................... 139 FOUNDERS OF THE IWCN .................................................................... 140 SUPPORTERS OF THE IWCN ............................................................... 141 PROVINCES / MUNICIPALITIES Province of Drenthe ...................................................................... 145 Province of Friesland