We have gathered some information on working and living in The Netherlands. Follow the links or scroll down to get to know the country, which is also affectionately called Holland, a little bit better.
>> An introduction to the netherlands
>> dutch economy and job market situation
>> working in the netherlands
>> Cost of living
>> living in the netherlands
>> europe
>> links
>> An introduction to the netherlands
The Netherlands is a constitutional monarchy. Queen Beatrix is the head of state. The capital city is Amsterdam and the seat of government is The Hague.
Amsterdam , the Dutch capital, is one of the world's best hangouts, a place where you can immerse yourself in history, in art or its nightlife. Amsterdam is a cosmopolitan city, which has been enticing migrants and nonconformists for decades.
The Netherlands is largely a flat and green plain. It is bordered by Germany , Belgium and the North Sea . Its central position makes The Netherlands a perfect spot for exploring all European countries.
Most of its land has been reclaimed from the sea over the centuries and the drained polders are protected by dykes. More than half of the country lies below sea level. The Netherlands has a temperature maritime climate with cool winters and enjoyable summers.
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>> dutch economy and job market situation
How is it that a small country like the Netherlands , with only 16 million inhabitants, is the 15th largest economy in the world? Passengers flying into Amsterdam Schiphol Airport will begin to understand something of the economic strength of this small country on the North Sea.
The Netherlands is number six in the world rankings of export and investment nations. Its most important trading partners are Germany , Belgium and Luxembourg , France and the United Kingdom.
Because of the country's strategic location on the North Sea and the Rhine , trade, exports and distribution are in the Dutch genes. The Port of Rotterdam is among the most important transport centres in the world. Amsterdam Schiphol Airport occupies a similar position in Europe . Their geographic location and function as international hubs in Europe are seen as a major advantage. The ports of Rotterdam and Amsterdam have outstanding infrastructure and logistics services. The telecom facilities and the broadband Internet connections are among the best in the world. Another major factor is the presence of important clusters of companies and research institutes in the fields of chemicals, high-tech and innovative materials, food and flowers, life sciences and health, water management and maritime (offshore) engineering, the creative industry and financial services.
The Dutch are business people. The population is highly educated, internationally oriented and largely multilingual. And there is the attractive cultural climate. Dutch people are still anti-authoritarian, innovative and open-minded. This explains why the Netherlands has proved attractive for foreign companies in recent years. A number of companies recently established their European head offices in the Netherlands and with that creating more (international) job opportunities.
The Netherlands was ranked fifth, behind Denmark , Finland , Canada and Singapore , in the Global Business Environment Rankings 2006-2010 published by the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU). There has been a remarkable improvement in business confidence for the coming years. Companies are more optimistic about the prospect of making profits in the Netherlands than at any time since 1985. We can safely say the outlook on economy in general and the job market specifically is good.
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>> Working in the netherlands
The Dutch economy is flourishing and there are many job opportunities to be found. To attract international employees, the government is working hard to make employment contracts more flexible. In 2006, the rules on admitting highly skilled migrants to the Netherlands were relaxed. A highly skilled migrant is a migrant who comes to the Netherlands to be employed, and has a gross annual income of at least €46,541 or €34,130 if he/she is under thirty.
>> cost of living
Cost of living is lower than the UK . Transport is cheap with often the company paying for the cost of travel to and from work and restaurant bills are cheaper. Tax rates are also beneficial to foreigners as there are tax incentives to relocate there - up to 30% reduction in your taxable salary. Accommodation costs vary. The center of Amsterdam is fairly expensive but companies are aware of this and very helpful to people relocating.
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>> living in The Netherlands
Amsterdam is a canny blend of old and new: radical squatter art installations hang off 17th-century eaves, BMWs give way to bicycles and triple-strength monk-made beer is served in steel and glass 'grand cafés'. Amsterdam combines a huge case of big city exuberance with small-town manageability; it doesn't take much more than chaining your bike to a bridge to feel like you've got a handle on the place. It's a thriving city and one of the hardest for people to leave as it is relaxing and people place an emphasis on enjoyment outside work. The number of expats trying to bike around like locals underlines this!
Amsterdam 's quintessential Dutchness shines through: the 17th and 18th century architecture, the fleets of bicycles, the tree-lined canals and scattered parks all contribute to the mood of the city.
The Dutch do delightful dairy products and superb (sweet) snacks, but traditional main course Dutch gastronomy gets a bit heavy and meaty. Thanks to the sizeable Indonesian, Chinese, Surinamese, Turkish and Italian communities there are plenty of alternatives.
The Randstad translates as 'Urban Agglomeration'. It's The Netherlands' most densely populated region, spreading in a circle from Amsterdam , incorporating The Hague , Rotterdam and Utrecht , and smaller towns like Haarlem , Leiden and Delft.
The area's most spectacular sight are the bulb fields which explode into colour between March and May. Even from the window of a train they're intoxicating, but a back-roads bicycle trip is the best way to enjoy the sights and smells. The Keukenhof, south of Haarlem , is the world's largest garden. It attracts a staggering 800,000 people during its eight-week season each year, but its beauty is something of an enigma. Nature's talents are combined with Dutch precision to create a garden where millions of tulips and daffodils bloom every year, perfectly in place and exactly on time.
Other Randstad attractions include the stately mansions, palatial embassies and prestigious art galleries of The Hague , the country's seat of government; the distinctive blue-and-white pottery of Delft ; the experimental postwar architecture of Rotterdam ; and the vibrant and attractive city of Haarlem.
But there is more to explore. Beautiful forests and nature parks. Sailing, surfing and endless bicycle tours. Long stretched beaches and wide spread dunes. High class museums with internationally famed treasures. Exclusive nightlife with some of the best restaurants and clubs in Europe.
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>> europe
The Netherlands makes a perfect jumping platform for travels and trips in Europe ! Europe offers some of the world's finest culinary delights: French cheese, Belgian chocolate, German sausage, Italian pizza, the list is endless. Luxembourg is the proud holder of more Michelin stars per square mile than any other country. Made up of 45 countries, Europe is also home to a multitude of iconic landmarks – castles, towers, fortresses, arcs, cathedrals – not to mention the chateaus, vineyards, chalets and windmills. And it's produced some hordes of talented writers, artists, architects, singers and poets.
>> Links
Of course, it is impossible to summarize it all on one page.
To make it a little bit easier on you, we selected some informative websites:
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