Moved to the Netherlands — now what? Here's everything nobody told you before you arrived: the admin you can't skip, the tax benefits most expats miss, and the unwritten rules that make Dutch life actually make sense.
We help you with the paperwork. You enjoy the stroopwafels.
Get the free checklistWhat we cover
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First steps
Step one: get your BSN. Without it, you basically don't exist in the Netherlands. We walk you through what to arrange first — and in what order — so you don't end up back at square one.
BSN number: how to get it → DigiD: what it is and how to apply → -
Work & tax
The 30% ruling could save you serious money. Most expats don't know if they qualify. We explain what it is, who gets it, and what to watch out for when you file your taxes here.
30% ruling explained → Opening a Dutch bank account → -
Culture & daily life
Dutch directness isn't rude — it's actually refreshing once you get it. Plus: how to find a GP, survive public transport, and understand why meetings start exactly on time.
Health insurance explained → Finding a rental as an expat → Exchanging your driving licence → Schools and childcare for expat families → -
Language
You don't need to speak Dutch to live here. But a handful of words — BSN, DigiD, OV, huisarts — come up constantly. We explain them all, so you stop nodding and pretending you understood.
Dutch public holidays explained →
What expats say
"Finally someone who explains BSN and DigiD without the fluff. Saved me a lot of time."
— Expat, Amsterdam
"I wish I'd had this in week one. No more standing in the wrong line at the gemeente."
— International professional, Rotterdam
More stories coming soon. Been through the Dutch admin maze? Tell us on TikTok or drop it in our newsletter.
Your first 30 days — free checklist
We've done the research so you don't have to. Download the checklist and know exactly what to tackle, and when — before you end up waiting three weeks for an appointment you didn't know you needed.
Get the free checklistUseful links
- About Dutch Survival Hacks — who runs this site and how to use it
- government.nl — official government info, in English
- belastingdienst.nl — the Dutch tax authority (yes, they have English too)
- @dutchsurvivalhacks on TikTok — short videos on the stuff that trips people up