Welcome to Brainport Guide

Transcription

Welcome
to Brainport
Working and living in one of
Europe’s top technology regions
The essential guide for international newcomers
moving to the Eindhoven region
third edition
Colophon
Welcome to Brainport
A publication of the Brainport Foundation
July 2009
Brainport Development
Emmasingel 11
5611 AZ Eindhoven
The Netherlands
P.O. box 2181
5600 CD Eindhoven
The Netherlands
T
F
+31 (0)40 – 751 24 24
+31 (0)40 – 751 24 99
E
W
[email protected]
www.expatguideholland.com
W
www.brainport.nl
The aim of the Brainport International Community (BIC) programme is to boost
the attractiveness of the Eindhoven region and the organisations located there
for international knowledge workers, so that it will be easier to recruit this
group of workers and retain them for a longer period of time.
Brainport International Community is a Brainport project. In implementing the
‘Brainport Navigator 2013 – beyond Lisbon!’ strategic programme, Brainport is
substantiating the aim and ambition to excel as an international top technology
region. The business world, knowledge institutes and government – the Triple
Helix – are collaborating on projects and programmes in the domains of People,
Technology, Business and Basics. Brainport Development is the executive
organisation of the Brainport Foundation.
Note: Information in this publication may be reproduced with written permission.
The Brainport Foundation accepts no liability for any information contained in this guide.
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The Welcome to Brainport Guide 5
1 Introduction
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1.1 Introducing the Netherlands
1.2 Introducing the Eindhoven Region 7
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2 Before Moving to the Eindhoven Region – the Preparation Phase
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2.1
2.2
2.3
2.4
2.5
2.6
2.7
2.8
2.9
Moving
Formalities
Transport
Banking
Housing: Deciding Where to live
Education
An Introduction to Dutch Healthcare
Social Security, Insurance and Tax
Checklist - the Preparation Phase (Before Leaving)
3 On Arrival 60
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3.1 Formalities
3.2 Transport
3.3 Banking
3.4 Housing
3.5 Utilities
3.6 Schools and Day-Care in the Eindhoven Region 3.7 Health
3.8 Social Security, Insurance and Tax
3.9 Checklist - On Arrival
4 Settling into the Eindhoven Region
4.1 Formalities
4.3 Transport
4.4 Expat Networks
Contents
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4.5 Sports, Culture, and Leisure in the Eindhoven Region
4.6 Children’s Activities
4.7 Further Education and Careers for Partners
4.8 Language Courses
4.9 Religion
4.10Checklist - Settling In
5 Finding More Information
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Appendices Appendix I Appendix II Appendix III Appendix IV Appendix V Appendix VI
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Brainport
Visas, Work Permits and Residence Permits
Pregnancy and Childbirth
Taxation
Consulates and Embassies
Town Halls and Community Websites in the Eindhoven Region
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Appendix VII Useful Search Terms
Appendix VIII Useful Telephone Numbers
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Brainport Arrival Checklist
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Brainport Eindhoven is becoming more and more famous as an
international top technology area. It is a hotspot of the Southeast
Netherlands top technology region and ranks among the leading European
top technology regions. Brainport is thus more than a regional endeavour
of the 21 municipalities in the SRE (Eindhoven Regional Government) area,
more than the regional endeavour of North Brabant and the Southeast
Netherlands. Brainport is an opportunity for the Netherlands to generate
additional economic and social development through investing in the
existing strengths. Balanced investments in people, knowledge/technology,
business, and infrastructure are essential to maintain and strengthen the
competitiveness of Brainport as a European top region. The region is an
ultimate combination of people, technology, business, and basics.
Dear Reader,
The people in Brainport: the core of this hotspot is formed by the 21
municipalities around Eindhoven, which are home to around 729,000
inhabitants holding around 400,000 jobs. Seventy thousand people work in
the innovative industry. Precisely this industry is extremely important to the
future of the Dutch economy, as the on-going innovation in which technology
and design play a key role, is a crucial economic advantage. The specialists
for these jobs are working in the Brainport region. This is one of the reasons
why Brainport, the Brainport municipalities including the City of Eindhoven,
the Province of Brabant, the Dutch government, and private partners
support the International School.
Brainport stands for: top technology, excellent knowledge and company
match (demand articulation and knowledge transfer), creativity in application
in an open innovation environment/culture. The High Tech Campus
Eindhoven is an extraordinary example where top research is carried out
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according to the ‘open innovation’ model. The economic development of
our region has long been strongly linked with innovation and R&D, and in
many respects, the region is already a stimulating location for international
knowledge workers. However, to achieve our ambition of becoming
Europe’s number 1 top technology region, we must attract and retain the
world’s finest brains. The Brainport International Community programme
ensures that we will fight this ‘Battle for Talent’ proactively.
When we talk about business, we talk about start-ups and business
development, about meeting and cooperating. Nowhere else in The
Netherlands, so many new companies start up and develop their work after
the first year. Young entrepreneurs are extremely active in Brainport.
Furthermore, we have the basics. An attractive residential climate, quality
of life, international orientation and a leading position in ICT (infra, services
and use) are key factors of the Brainport region. With a clear view on
sustainability and investments in green and clear air, this area is in the
frontline of a clean- earth-policy. This region also offers a wide range of
cultural and sports facilities such as PSV Eindhoven, which in the last
decade has been the most successful football club in The Netherlands, the
Pieter van den Hoogenband Swim Stadium, the Music Centre Frits Philips,
and the Van Abbemuseum of Modern Arts.
The most important element in the development of the Brainport region
is the characteristic way in which we organise our work. The Triple Helix
is the symbol of the efficient and effective cooperation between business
community, knowledge institutes, and government. Several high-tech
multinationals such as Philips, ASML, FEI, Neways, VDL, and Paccar (DAF
Trucks) are already well established in our region. These companies
work closely with a large number of specialist suppliers. In addition to the
multinationals, also the numerous smaller companies that are related
closely or less closely to the multinationals are important to the economy. In
the area of education, Brainport has a number of cutting-edge institutions
offering courses that are highly regarded worldwide, such as the Eindhoven
University of Technology, Fontys University of Applied Sciences, and the
Design Academy Eindhoven. Furthermore, we have our International School
and a whole host of high-performing regular primary and secondary schools.
In short: Brainport has a great deal to offer and we are delighted to welcome
you to our region!
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ROB VAN GIJZEL
MAYOR OF EINDHOVEN
CHAIRMAN BRAINPORT FOUNDATION
To support you through this hectic period, we are pleased to offer a
comprehensive guide that follows, in chronological order, the different
phases involved in moving to the Eindhoven region – preparation, arrival
and settling in.
The guide differentiates between general information, key facts and
what to expect, and provides checklists and contact details wherever
necessary. We have also indicated links and extra sources of information
and if the information is not in English we have supplied Dutch keywords
to help you.
The Welcome to Brainport Guide
Moving is always a busy time and there are so many things to be done.
You have to get the formalities in order, find a house and a school for your
children, and understand life in your new country.
When dealing with commercial suppliers we have chosen to mention
the most important in each area. You will find many other names in the
Yellow Pages (www.goudengids.nl), and we have provided the keywords
you’ll need.
The publication of this guide has been made possible by the regional
authorities, and it was written on behalf of the employers who are part
of the Brainport International Community project: ASML, Atos/Origin,
DAF Trucks, DSM, Essent, FEI Company, Fontys Hogescholen, NXP, Mars
Nederland, Océ Technologies, Philips Design, Philips Medical Systems,
Philips Research, Philips Semiconductors, TU/e, and many more.
Brainport would like to thank all these organisations for their input and
contributions to this guide.
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Any comments, questions and suggestions for additions can be sent to
[email protected], mentioning the ‘Welcome to Brainport’ guide. These
will be taken into account for the next edition.
We sincerely hope this guide is useful to you and your families, and
wish you a smooth moving period and a pleasant stay in the Brainport
International Community!
MRS. ELIES LEMKES-STRAVER
DIRECTOR BRAINPORT FOUNDATION
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1 Introduction
1.1 Introducing the Netherlands
The Netherlands has always been an outward looking nation. Its coastal location and
proud seafaring tradition have ensured that Dutch navigators and adventurers featured
prominently throughout history in international exploration, colonisation and trade,
giving the country a role in international affairs that has always been disproportionate
to its size. This has resulted in the cosmopolitan outlook and entrepreneurial attitude
that is visible to this day. The Dutch people also developed a taste for the exotic and have
embraced foreign cultures whilst maintaining their own unique identity.
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A short history of the Netherlands
The land that now forms the Netherlands has been inhabited for around
100,000 years. However, the country’s recorded history really began with
the Roman conquest, led by Julius Caesar in around 57 BC. The Romans
built the first military forts and cities, and introduced writing. Following
the decline of the Roman Empire, the Netherlands became part of the
Holy Roman Empire.
Much of what is now the western Netherlands was barely inhabited
swampland until around 1000 BC, when local farmers began draining
and cultivating it. This expansion in land use helped the country to
thrive, and higher productivity allowed workers to become tradesmen.
Guilds were established and markets developed as production exceeded
local demand. Towns and cities grew rapidly, and were home to a new
mercantile middle class. As the cities grew in wealth and power, they
became virtual independent republics, and were constantly at war with
one another. They were eventually united by the Duke Philip the Good of
Burgundy between 1430-1433. Prior to this time the local people usually
identified themselves by the town where they lived, or as subjects of the
Holy Roman Empire, but this unification is widely considered the moment
when the Dutch became a nation. The region’s trade developed rapidly,
especially in the areas of shipping and transport.
The Netherlands had become possessions of the Habsburg dynasty in
the 16th century, but in 1548, the Hapsburg ruler Charles V granted the
Seventeen Provinces of the Netherlands nominal independent status.
However, Charles’ son Philip II of Spain, a devout Catholic, was appalled by
the success of the Reformation in the region and the rise of Calvinism. In
1568 he passed a sentence condemning all three million inhabitants of the
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Netherlands to death as heretics. Unsurprisingly this prompted a revolt. Led by William
of Orange, an ancestor of the present Queen, the Dutch declared full independence from
Spain in 1579, as seven rebellious provinces formed the ‘United Provinces’.
The Spanish lost control of the Netherlands after 20 years, although the war dragged on
for another 60, until a peace treaty of Westphalia of 1648 confirmed the independence of
the United Provinces. The country would soon be known overseas as “Holland” (named
after the most dominant of the seven provinces).
During this time Holland became an important trading centre in Northern Europe, and
founded colonies around the world. The nation flourished during the 17th century, an
era known to the Dutch as the Golden Age. However, following full independence a slow
decline set in.
Napoleon Bonaparte occupied the country in 1795, encountering little resistance
from a nation that largely supported his republican ideals. In 1806 Napoleon restyled
the Netherlands into the Kingdom of Holland, with his brother Louis as king, but he
quickly annexed the fledgling nation into the French empire when Louis began to put
Dutch interests ahead of those of France. In 1815, following the defeat of Napoleon,
the country became an independent monarchy once more. This ‘United Kingdom of the
Netherlands’ originally consisted of what is now the Netherlands and Belgium, but the
Belgians declared independence from the North in 1830. In 1848, unrest all over Europe
prompted King William II to agree to democratic reform and the Netherlands became a
constitutional monarchy.
The Netherlands remained neutral when World War I broke out in 1914. The country
declared its neutrality again at the outbreak of World War II in 1939, but Nazi Germany
invaded in May 1940, it remained under German occupation for 5 years. Liberation Day is
still commemorated on May 5 each year.
In the 1950s and 60s the Dutch economy expanded rapidly. Demand for labour meant
immigration was encouraged, first from Italy and Spain, then from Turkey and Morocco.
Combined with immigration from former colonies such as Indonesia, Surinam and
Netherlands Antilles, the Netherlands became the multicultural society it is today. The
60s and 70s were also a time of social and cultural upheaval. Class and religious divisions
began to break down, and today, the Netherlands is regarded as a very liberal country.
The Netherlands was a founding member of both the European Union and NATO, and
participated in the introduction of the Euro in 1999. As a modern industrialized nation it
is also a large exporter of agricultural products.
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Government
The Netherlands is a constitutional monarchy: the position of the monarch
is laid down in the Constitution. The monarch is the Dutch head of state
and, together with the ministers, makes up the government. Queen
Beatrix has been the head of state of the Kingdom of the Netherlands
since 1980 (for more information: www.koninklijkhuis.nl/english)
The ministers together make up the Cabinet, which is chaired by the
Prime Minister. The Cabinet’s duties include the day-to-day business
of the government, preparing legislation and putting it into practice,
overseeing local government and maintaining international relations.
The Council of State is the Netherlands’ oldest High Council of State.
Founded by Emperor Charles V in 1531, it is still the government’s chief
advisory body.
All Dutch nationals aged 18 or older may vote and stand in elections for
the House of Representatives. Parliament, known as the States General,
consists of two chambers: the Senate (the upper house, with 75 members,
elected by the provincial councils) and the House of Representatives (the
lower house, with 150 members). All Acts of Parliament have to be passed
by both houses of parliament.
The Netherlands has many political parties, a state of affairs encouraged
by the electoral system. Like all Dutch democratic bodies, the House of
Parliament is elected by proportional representation. More information:
www.minbuza.nl (English – Welcome to the Netherlands)
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Culture and society
With a population of over 16 million in such a small country, efficient
planning is an essential way of life in the Netherlands. Planning,
regulating and organizing are of major importance to the Dutch.
Universal rules and regulations in society, combined with good internal
discipline, bring stability to life and reduce uncertainty. There is a
strong need for social and personal order. Equal rights for everyone
are guaranteed by law here, and egalitarianism forms a central tenet of
Dutch society.
A downside of this is that decision-making at governmental and business
level can often be slow and involved, since all peripheral concerns must
always be taken into account. However, the majority of the population
are happy with their quality of life, and the social welfare system is
internationally recognised as being excellent.
When socialising, the Dutch enjoy visiting bars and cafés, and cinemas
are also very popular. They are keen on sport and fitness, music, social
clubs and organised events. They also love flowers – Dutch homes are
often full of houseplants, and bunches of flowers are frequently given as
gifts when visiting friends or relatives.
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Insights:
>> Encounters Virtually everyone shakes hands in the Netherlands, both upon
greeting and upon departure. In informal situations, with friends or relatives,
women and men may also exchange three kisses, on alternating cheeks, men
only exchange three kisses with women, not with men.
>> Communication Many foreigners can find the Dutch direct and abrupt at first.
However, there is no intention to appear rude. Say what you mean and speak
your mind. >> Meetings If you come from a country where decisions are made by bosses and
meetings are short, you could be in for a shock. Dutch society puts great
emphasis on the need for people at all levels to have their say in decision
making processes, and on finding consensus. This can slow the decisionmaking process, but it ensures that everyone’s view is heard.
>> Punctuality The Dutch find it very important to be punctual. Call if you are
delayed, and avoid cancelling meetings at the last minute. Don’t forget that
meetings usually adhere to a strict agenda, finishing at an appointed time.
>> Dress code Many international managers find the Dutch very casually dressed
in the work place. In sectors as banking and law, Dutch Business dress codes
are formal and traditional, but in many other industries however, they are
casual. It’s useful to realize that even if outward appearance differs greatly,
the focus in the Netherlands is on content rather than form.
>> Work-life balance Dutch people value their personal time. Therefore, avoid
asking them to work late or over the weekend. Also, try not to plan business
dinners: lunch is usually preferred. If you want to motivate Dutch workers,
time off works better than money!
>> Dinner It’s very common to bring a bottle of wine and flowers if you visit
someone for dinner. However don’t expect the host to open the wine for the
meal, as they might do in some cultures. The bottle is very often put to one
side and will be enjoyed on another occasion.
>> Telephoning People say their name straightaway on the phone, at work or at home, both when answering and calling.
>> Common expressions There are two key expressions one should know.
Firstly ‘Gezellig!’ This is a bonding expression used in social situations, loosely
translated as ‘Isn’t this nice?’ Secondly, ‘Doe normaal!’ In a country where
hierarchy is frowned upon, this expression meaning ‘Just behave normally’ has
a strong resonance. This warning keeps kids and adults alike in check, and
prevents them from stepping out of line and being too outrageous.
If you want to learn more on Dutch customs and etiquette, there are several
organizations that offers cultural awareness training programs, for example:
www.kit.nl
www.stetrainingen.nl
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Climate
The Netherlands has a maritime climate. The relatively stable sea
temperature moderates many seasonal changes and generally prevents
extreme temperatures, hot or cold.
What to expect:
Summers are generally cool, with daytime temperatures generally
ranging between 18ºC and 25ºC. There are an average of 20 cloudless
days per summer. The weather at this time of year can sometimes be hot,
and temperatures occasionally soar above 30ºC for short periods.
Winters tend to be mild and wet, with daytime temperatures around 4ºC
to 8ºC, although there are usually several weeks each year when the
temperature drops below freezing. The cold wind can cause the air to feel
cooler than it is - this is called the wind chill factor. One upside of this is
that colder periods are often marked by dry and sunny days.
The Netherlands is sometimes called the low sky country, as cloud cover
can make winter days seem grey.
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Language
Dutch is the official language of the Netherlands. Most people here speak
English, and often very well, but most public information is published in
Dutch. As a result, it is a good idea to invest some time and energy into
learning to read and understand the language in order to get the most
from your stay. Many people say Dutch is a difficult language to learn,
but it actually has simpler rules than e.g. German. Any effort you put into
learning and speaking a few words of Dutch will be appreciated by your
hosts, and will help you fit more quickly into life in your new home. See
Section 4.8: Language Courses.
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More information
Most of the above is a summary of information given to foreigners by the Ministry of Foreign
Affairs. More information on these topics and more can be found on the Ministry’s website,
Welcome to the Netherlands / The Netherlands / General Information: www.minbuza.nl
Other useful websites:
www.government.nl - the Netherlands Government Information Service’s (RVD’s)
English-language site provides a daily selection of government news, plus background
information on government policies and members of the Cabinet.
www.history-netherlands.nl - for more detailed information on Dutch history.
www.koninklijkhuis.nl/english/ - the Dutch Royal House website provides up to date
information for royalty watchers.
www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/nl.html#Intro - the CIA’s World Factbook
provides all kinds of facts and figures about the Netherlands.
www.expatica.com - an English-language news and information source for expatriates
living in, working in or moving to the Netherlands.
www.access-nl.org - Non-for-profit organisation supporting the international
community since 1986.
Some interesting books on the Netherlands:
History, politics, and current affairs
The Holland Handbook - Xpat Media
The History of Holland - Mark Hooker
Culture and society
Dealing with the Dutch - Jacob Vossestein
Culture Shock Netherlands - Hunt Janin
The Art of Crossing Cultures - Craig Storti
At Home in Holland - American Women’s Club of The Hague
The UnDutchables - Colin White & Laurie Boucke
The Holland Handbook - Xpat Media
On Food
Food Shopper’s Guide to Holland - Ada Henne Koene
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1.2 Introducing the Eindhoven Region
What does the ‘Eindhoven region’ mean to you? Most foreigners will already know all
about the multinational electronics giant, Philips, and Eindhoven’s renowned football
team, PSV, one of Europe’s best. Culture buffs may also be aware of the Van Abbe
contemporary art museum, which has an outstanding international reputation, or the
Design Academy Eindhoven, renown as one of the world’s best design schools. But the
Eindhoven region also has far more to offer every new resident.
High-tech industries and services are located all over the 21 municipalities of the
Eindhoven Region. Eindhoven and Helmond are the largest cities, both cities have a
green character and form a thriving regional hub with a fine choice of restaurants, bars,
shops en culture venues. Café terraces are popular places to sit and watch the world go
by. And the surrounding area, the Eindhoven region, is dotted with picturesque villages
and there are plenty of forests for those who want a taste of the countryside.
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A short history of the Eindhoven region.
The site on which Eindhoven stands is the location of one of the oldest settlements in the
Netherlands, with a history that stretches back some 2500 years. The city of Eindhoven
is one of the oldest in the Netherlands, and was granted its town charter in 1232 by the
Duke of Brabant. At the time ‘Endehoven’ consisted of around 170 houses and a castle.
Over the centuries however, Eindhoven’s position located on key trade routes made it a
target of enemy armies, and it was burned to the ground on several occasions.
In the following decades, Philips (started in 1925 in Eindhoven) grew into one of Europe’s
largest companies, and Eindhoven’s position as an important manufacturing centre
became firmly established with the arrival of car and truck manufacturer Van Doorne’s
Automobiel Fabriek (DAF) in the 1920s. Unprecedented growth led to the annexation of
the neighbouring villages: Woensel, Gestel, Strijp, Tongelre and Stratum. They are all
now districts of Eindhoven.
During the Dutch Revolt against Philip II of Spain, Eindhoven changed hands several
times. The city eventually became part of the Netherlands in 1629. During the Industrial
Revolution of the 19th century, Eindhoven began to grow as the textile and cigar industries
flourished. But the real boom began when Philips, started by 1925, founded their first
light bulb factory in the city in 1891.
During World War II parts of Eindhoven were destroyed by heavy bombing and only few
old buildings survived. Significant reminders of the past are the 17th century Mariënhage
cloister and the gothic St Catharina church (19th century). Recent years have seen a
local renaissance, as Eindhoven moves into the 21th century as a forward looking city of
technology.
Business-services and industry are now two of the biggest employers in Eindhoven, with
37,000 and 18,000 people working in these sectors they strongly contribute in the total
employment of 151,000 jobs. Spearhead sectors for Eindhoven are medical technology,
lifetec, automotive, mechatronics, high-tech systems and materials, design and ICT.
Fourteen kilometres east of Eindhoven, Helmond is – with a population of 88,000 - the
region’s second largest city. Like its neighbour, it also received its town charter in 1232,
and grew rapidly during the Industrial Revolution – Helmond’s population trebled in the
first three decades of the 20th century. The depression of the 1930s and the Second
World War saw the local economy – which was heavily dependent on the textile industry
– go into steep decline, but prosperity returned in the post war years. The city expanded
in 1968, absorbing parts of Aarle-Rixtel, Someren, Bakel, Stiphout, Mierlo and Deurne.
In the 1970s the local textile and metal industries were going trough a tough period.
Since then the economic structure of the city has broadened. Helmond has changed
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from a traditional manufacturing town to a center of knowledge based
and R&D intensive industries. Important economic sectors include
automotive – in particular TNO automotive involving the Competence
Centre for Automotive Research –, food and mechatronics. Approximately
5,500 companies are currently established in Helmond, providing work
for 41,000 people.
The region’s turbulent recent history is mirrored in the appearance of the
cities. Buildings and factories dating from the twenties and thirties stand
next to contemporary office blocks for IT and service sector companies.
Despite its industrial heritage and recent growth, the Eindhoven
region has managed to stay a friendly place to live with a village-like
atmosphere. Even the city of Eindhoven is surprisingly green, with large
areas preserved as parkland. The area around Eindhoven and Helmond is
an attractive network of villages and natural scenery, with plenty of forest
and heath land between the traditional farms, making for a pleasant
escape from city life. It all shows that a high tech city and a rural area
can go hand in hand.
The Eindhoven region is part of the province of Brabant where also cities
like Breda, Tilburg and Den Bosch are situated. The five largest cities
(Breda, Den Bosch, Eindhoven, Helmond, Tilburg) form ‘BrabantStad’,
the second largest city network in the Netherlands, besides the Randstad
Holland (Amsterdam, Den Haag, Rotterdam).The region is widely
appreciated throughout the provinces of Brabant and Limburg for the
range and quality of its shopping and cultural facilities. See Section 4.5
for more detailed information.
The city region Eindhoven is located between the economic centres
of the Dutch Randstad conurbation, the Ruhr conurbation of Central
Germany, Brussels and Antwerp. The region covers an area of 1370 km2,
representing 3.3% of the total area of the Netherlands. The region has
729,000 inhabitants and 54,000 businesses. The economic structure is
characterised by the presence of a high quality industrial base, and a
service sector which is continuously undergoing steady growth.
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As in most other countries, the Netherlands have three levels of government: the state,
the provinces and the municipalities. The SRE is an intermunicipal co-operative union in
which municipalities co-operate in order to promote common interests in the Eindhoven
region; in other words government by the municipalities for the municipalities. The
working area covers 21 municipalities.
Brainport
The Eindhoven region, or southeast Brabant, has transformed since the late 19th century
from a mainly rural area to a strongly industrial one, and new technology has long been
its trademark. One of the initial driving forces for this was Philips, now one of the world’s
biggest electronics companies. Started in Eindhoven as a lighting producer, by 1925
Philips was involved with the first experiments in television and radio. Philips Research
in the 1970s made key breakthroughs in the processing, storage and transmission of
images, sound and data, which led amongst other things to the invention of the Compact
Disc. The region’s reputation for high-tech activities has attracted new companies to
invest here, and former Philips concerns have also grown into independent companies
such as ASML and FEI. Eindhoven University of Technology, founded in 1956, has also
contributed to this economic development. Brainport is an important breeding ground
for start-up companies.
As a result of its international reputation for cutting-edge R&D, the Eindhoven region has
become known as ‘Brainport’, a recognised hotspot within the Southeast Netherlands.
This area ranks high on the European Innovation Scoreboard and belongs to the top
technology regions of Europe. Brainport encompasses 21 municipalities around
Eindhoven, which between them are home to 729,000 people and 400,000 jobs. Annual
growth here is well above the national average. For more information about Brainport,
please see Appendix I.
Location
On a European scale, Eindhoven is an important crossroads. Other Dutch cities such as
Utrecht, Amsterdam, Rotterdam, and Maastricht are all within 1.5 hours by train or car,
and cities in neighbouring countries such as Brussels, Antwerp, Aachen, and Düsseldorf
are similarly close at hand. Looking further afield, Eindhoven’s fast-developing regional
airport means that destinations such as Paris, Milan, Barcelona, London, and Rome are
all within easy reach.
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Facts:
>> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> The Eindhoven region has over 729,000 inhabitants living in 21 municipalities
with Eindhoven and Helmond as the largest.
Eindhoven is the largest city in the southern Netherlands and the 5th largest
in the country.
The Eindhoven region is known for its ‘green’ character and has many parks
and nature reserves. The surrounding countryside is packed with nature
reserves, cycling and hiking routes, horse-riding and camping and holiday
resorts.
As a trendsetting centre of innovation and technology Eindhoven strongly
contributes to the 20th position of the region on the EU’s Lisbon Index for
innovation.
Eindhoven has internationally renown educational institutes such as the
Eindhoven University of Technology and the world-class Design Academy
Eindhoven.
36% of all R&D activities in the Netherlands take place in the Eindhoven
region.
Eindhoven is sometimes referred to as ‘Light Town’ – a reference to
Philips Lighting.
The closest big cities are Antwerp (Belgium) and Düsseldorf (Germany).
The distance to the Dutch capital Amsterdam is 125 km.
Its location on major transport routes and the presence of an airport make
the region an important crossroads.
Eindhoven is a city of sports: besides PSV’s football team the area also excels
in swimming and horse riding. There are excellent sports facilities, including
swimming pools, hockey fields, ice rinks, an indoor ski and snowboard centre,
a climbing wall, country clubs, and several spectacular golf courses.
The cultural climate in the Eindhoven region is diverse - the Van Abbe
museum is internationally recognised for its modern art collection. The Music
Hall (Muziekcentrum Frits Philips) offers a high-quality International Music
Master Program.
Eindhoven has a deserved reputation throughout the region for the quality
and diversity of its shopping facilities, from weekly markets to top designer
boutiques.
Useful links:
20
www.sre.nl www.hightechcampus.nl/netherlands/facts.html
www.vvveindhoven.nl www.expatguideholland.com www.helmond.nl
www.brainport.nl
www.brabant.nl
www.zobrabant.nl
Zoom +
Zoom ++
Zoom +++
Zoom ++++
21
2 Before Moving to the Eindhoven
Region – the Preparation Phase
Good preparation is essential before any international move. There are so many things
to do when leaving your country, and even more to arrange when getting ready for
somewhere new. No matter how well prepared you are, it is likely you will experience
some unexpected surprises in the first weeks. Remember that a sense of humor will
help to keep all this in proportion!
22
Arrangements for removals:
p
p
p
p
p
Arrange for a removal company and insurance.
Check if an exemption of duties form is necessary
(normally supplied by removals company).
Arrange disconnection of household utilities.
Arrange storage for any items you are not bringing with you.
Contact your local post office to arrange redirection of mail.
2.1 Moving
There’s a lot to consider before you move. These checklists may help.
What to bring:
p Transformers. Mains electricity is 220V and 50 Hz AC.
Most US (and some other non-European) electrical appliances
will not work without a transformer (North American electrical
supply for example is 110V and 60 Hz).
p Adaptor plugs. These are helpful while you settle in as it takes
time to change all the plugs. All Dutch electrical sockets use plugs
with two circular pins – standard throughout much of Northern
Europe (except the UK and Ireland).
p Lamps. If you move into unfurnished accommodation it is likely
that all the light fittings and bulbs will have been removed, so
bring a number of lamps with you to provide light until you have
installed new fittings. In Dutch houses ceiling lighting is often
limited. A flashlight may also prove useful.
p Light Bulbs. If you bring lamps with bayonet fittings, also bring
a good supply of light bulbs as you can only buy screw-in bulbs in
the Netherlands.
p Office equipment. If you want to use US format stationary, bring
stocks with you.
p Measuring. Dutch measurement tools are metric.
p Medication used, with a three-month supply.
p Any medical condition requiring attention: bring medical records.
What not to bring:
p
p
p
p
Appliances more than 60 cm wide – this is the standard space
in modern European kitchens.
Non-European appliances – spare parts may not be available if
they break down.
American electric stoves – they will require rewiring.
Electrical appliances designed to run on a 60 Hz cycle which
include a clock, e.g. microwave, clock radio, etc. – the 50 Hz
frequency means they will not keep correct time.
23
p
p
p
p
p
p
p
p
Non-European VCRs and televisions – Dutch standards are PAL.
Washing machines requiring hot water intake – Dutch homes
only provide connection to the cold water supply.
Clothes dryers – may exceed wattage limits.
Mobile phones that don’t work at 900 MHz or 1800 MHz.
Dutch SIM cards can usually be fitted in non-Dutch phones.
King-size beds that cannot be dismantled – Dutch staircases
are often narrow and steep.
New furniture and equipment from outside the EU – it must be
more than six months old to avoid import duty.
Large oven pans or storage containers – Dutch kitchens are often
small.
Cars owned and/or used for less then 6 months.
Bringing your pets
Relocating pets can be just as complicated as relocating people. Animals may
normally enter the Netherlands if they have had the required inoculations
within the correct timeframe, and you have the correct documentation.
Before you move:
p Contact your vet for pet registration, vaccination and export papers.
p Contact the transport company to arrange shipment.
p Arrange collection and transport in the Netherlands.
Useful links:
List of international movers and storage (NEVIM members)
www.nevim.com
24
2.2 Formalities
Moving is always a hectic time, and there are quite a few formalities to
be completed. The exact list of what you need to do depends on your
nationality, place of birth, family composition, and your employer’s
choice of work permit (in some cases). Consult your HR Manager or the
international office of your institution for details.
Whichever route you take, good preparation is vital.
What to expect:
p
p
p
p
p
Moving to a new country involves bureaucracy, the Netherlands
is no exception.
Some Dutch rules and procedures will be different from those in
your home country.
Plan time to attend meetings with Dutch organisations.
Plan time to prepare documents for these meetings.
Communication (information) is often in Dutch.
Depending on your country of origin you may need an entry visa, a work
permit and a residence permit (see Appendix II).
You will need to register with the Town Hall at your new address,
which will also issue you with a Citizen Service Number (Burger
Service Nummer or BSN):
p
p
p
p
p
Birth certificates (legalised) Check the website of the Dutch
Ministery of Foreign Affairs for legalisation procedures with your
country of origen.
Marriage certificates (legalised)
Valid passports (Tip! Make sure its valid as long as possible)
Valid drivers licenses
Dutch housing rental (or purchase) contract (or consent of het
principal occupant)
25
Legalisation conventions
The Dutch authorities and the authorities of other countries need to be
certain about the status of each other’s documents. It is often difficult
to establish that status. It is impossible to know precisely who the
authorised officials are in every country, what powers they have, and what
a particular document ought to look like.
Legalisation confirms that a document was issued by someone with the
authority to issue it and that the signatures it bears are genuine. Some
documents need to be signed by several different authorities in order to
be legalised. This is called the legalisation chain.
Some countries have entered into agreements streamlining the
legalisation chain. This means that certain documents from one of the
contracting states may be used in another contracting state with only a
single legalisation or even none at all.
The best-known legalisation convention is the Convention abolishing the
requirement of legalisation for foreign public documents, also known
as the Apostille Convention (5 October 1961). This convention does not
completely abolish legalisation but shortens the chain so that only a
single action is required, the addition of an apostille. A document bearing
an apostille does not require any further legalisation by the embassy or
consulate of the country in which it is to be used.
For more information on legalising foreign documents check:
http://www.minbuza.nl/en/welcome/comingtoNL,legalisation_of_documents
26
It is also advisable to bring:
p Copy of any residence permit you may hold
p A proof of your travel/health insurance
For some registration, such as obtaining a residence permit, you may need to provide
translations of the above documents if they are not already in Dutch, English, French or
German. If in doubt about what you need, consult the relevant office for clarification.
Planning (preparation phase):
a
b
c
Get your certificates legalised. Your HR Manager or the
international office of your institution can advise you on the
procedure.
Apply for and collect your entry visa (if applicable).
Your HR Manager or the international office of your institution
may do the application for you and/or can advise you on the
procedure.
Travel to the Netherlands.
People who don’t require a work permit (mainly EU citizens) can start work immediately
although they should apply for a Citizen Service Number (Burger Service Nummer or BSN)
right away. Those needing a Work Permit must obtain one before they can legally start
work. Getting a visa, work permit and residence permit can take between one and four
months for the complete procedure.
Diploma assessment
It is advisable to take your diplomas and professional/educational certificates (as well as
those of your partner) with you to the Netherlands, so that they can be assessed when
needed.
Useful links
www.minbuza.nl - Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Welcome to the Netherlands (has
information about visas and certificate legalization)
www.ind.nl - Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND)
www.nuffic.nl - Netherlands organisation for international cooperation in higher
education
27
2.3 Transport
Eindhoven Airport is served by several carriers including Transavia
and Ryan air, and has direct flights to and from a number of cities
around Europe. For destinations further afield you must travel first to
Amsterdam, Düsseldorf (Germany) or Brussels (Belgium).
Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport is under two hours by car, and an hour and
a half by direct train. Düsseldorf and Brussels are both about an hour and
a half away by car. Train connections to these airports are also possible,
but the journey times is longer (about two and a half hours) and requires
two (Düsseldorf) or three (Brussels) changes. Weeze Airport, just across
the German border, is another popular choice for those with their own
transport.
Eindhoven sits at the junction of several major motorways and railway
lines, and is easily reachable from other parts of Europe by train or car.
Useful links
www.eindhovenairport.nl
www.brusselsairport.be
www.schiphol.nl
www.dusseldorf-international.de
www.airport-weeze.de
www.ns.nl
If you want to travel by taxi or if you want to rent a car, then you can
also check the links above to find a local taxi Company or car rental
Company.
28
2.4 Banking
The Netherlands uses the Euro as its currency, along with many of the
nations of the European Union.
There are a number of banks in the Netherlands offering services to
private customers. The major banks are ABN AMRO, Rabobank, SNS, ING
and Fortis. All towns and most villages have local branches, which are
normally open during office hours. The services they offer include:
p
p
p
p
Personal and Internet banking
Insurance
Mortgages
Automatic cash dispensers at banks and everywhere in het city.
You will need a Dutch bank account if you are going to live here for some
time. In order to open the account you must go in person to the bank. For
further information, see under ‘On Arrival’.
When choosing a bank, check if they have a branch in, or good contacts
with, your home country. This can be handy for money transfers, etc. It is
also a good idea to keep your old bank account in your home country; and
if you do not already use Internet banking, then now may be a good time
to thinking about setting it up.
To open a bank account the bank will ask for your BSN number. The BSN
will be issued by Town hall after approval of the immigration authorities.
29
2.5 Housing – Deciding Where to Live
Choosing where to live can be a major headache if you don’t know an
area: the procedures may not be the same as you are used to, and the
information will be in a language you may not understand. In an ideal
world you will have been to the area a month or so before moving to select
your new home. But as this is not always possible you may need to stay in
a hotel when you arrive while you find somewhere to live. Unfortunately,
staying in temporary accommodation such as a hotel can delay your
registration at the Town Hall, and in some cases your application for a
residence permit – see the ‘Formalities’ section for more information.
Most people coming to the Eindhoven region will probably choose to live
in the area. However, Dutch transport networks are good and some prefer
to commute from other areas. The travel time by train from a number of
Dutch cities to Eindhoven Central Station are:
Helmond ‘s Hertogenbosch Tilburg Breda Utrecht Rotterdam Nijmegen Amsterdam The Hague 0:10
0:20
0:25
0:40
0:50
1:10
1:00
1:30
1:40
It’s also possible to commute from Belgium (Antwerp is 90 km away)
or Germany (Monchengladbach is also 90 km away). But if you want to
explore the idea of living outside the Netherlands whilst working here,
check the legal position first. For most EU citizens there are no issues, but
those needing a residence permit may have to live within the Netherlands.
30
Living outside the country may also have tax consequences, so consult your HR Manager.
Your institution might be able to help you with housing, so consult them.
Dutch housing
Dutch homes vary from studio apartments (a single room including sleeping area, living
area and cooking facilities), through more traditional apartments with multiple, separate
bedrooms, to larger houses (detached, semi-detached, and terraced).
With little available space, houses at the lower and middle end of the market tend to be
fairly compact out of necessity. How you see this depends on your experience in your
home country. Most Europeans comment that housing is expensive and the gardens
small. Americans used to the spacious properties frequently found there also feel that
the rooms themselves are small (particularly children’s bedrooms). They are more likely
to require the more luxurious end of the market in terms of decoration, fixtures and
fittings. Those coming from places such as Singapore however, where land is also at a
premium, may see things differently. Wherever you come from, it is essential to realise
that the housing available will probably not be the same as you are used to!
Insights:
>> >> >> >> >> The Netherlands is one of the most densely populated countries in Europe,
with almost 400 people per square kilometer..
The high population density explains why many houses are small and compact.
Dutch builders are extremely skilled in maximizing the use of space.
Houses in the Eindhoven area are (still) cheaper and/or more spacious than in
Amsterdam, Utrecht or Rotterdam.
The Eindhoven area offers wide diversity in housing types and environments –
from the city feel of Eindhoven to village life in the surrounding countryside.
31
The Eindhoven region
The Eindhoven region, Southeast Brabant, consists of the city of
Eindhoven, the city of Helmond, and another 19 surrounding communities.
The villages surrounding Eindhoven are Asten, Bergeijk, Best, Bladel,
Cranendonck, Deurne, Eersel, Geldrop- Mierlo, Gemert-Bakel, HeezeLeende, Laarbeek, Nuenen, Oirschot, Reusel-De Mierden, Someren, Son
en Breugel, Valkenswaard, Veldhoven and Waalre. A number of these are
described below. Eindhoven with its 212,000 inhabitants, is the largest
city of South East Brabant.
32
A
4
E
2
3
[1] Eindhoven North (Woensel North and South)
Woensel lies north of Eindhoven centre, with one of the main routes into the city,
Kennedylaan, running through it. This road continues north as the A50 motorway, giving
access to Boxmeer and Nijmegen. The area is well supplied with shopping facilities,
including the recently expanded ‘Winkelcentrum Woensel’ – Eindhoven’s largest
shopping area away from the city centre. Sports facilities include the Bokt and Woensel
sporting complexes. There are also several churches, the Catharina and MMC hospitals,
Henri Dunant Park, the Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e), Fontys University of
Applied Sciences, and the Eindhoven International Secondary school (ISSE). Here you’ll
find various types of housing, mostly apartments and terraced houses suitable for those
with somewhat tighter budgets. But larger properties are also.
[2] Eindhoven East (Tongelre)
Tongelre lies to the east of Eindhoven centre. It is greener and more open in some
parts than Woensel, particularly in the north, which contains the Karpendonkse Lake
and Eckart Forest. Various sports facilities are available including mini golf, tennis and
outdoor swimming. The DAF Museum is also located here. The area has a wide range of
ages and types of housing to fit every budget. The area is bordered by the inner ring road
to the west, and the A270 gives quick access to Helmond.
[3] Eindhoven South (Stratum and Gestel)
Southeast of the centre, Stratum is bordered to the north by a canal and industrial area
(including the DAF Trucks plant). The Genneper Park lies nearer the city centre, while
the south even includes farms and other open areas. There are several churches and
sports facilities (hockey, tennis, golf, riding). As in Tongelre, housing in Stratum comes
in a wide range of ages and types. There are major road junctions with the A2 going south
towards Maastricht and the A67 going east to Venlo and the German Ruhr region, and
west towards Antwerp.
33
Gestel is home to the High-Tech Campus, where Philips maintains a
major presence, and also the International Primary School (RIS). A large
open area includes the Open Air Museum, extensive parks, and the
Environmental Education Centre. There are also several sports facilities,
including Tongelreep Swimming Centre, the Ice Sports Centre and various
playing fields. The area is bordered to the south by the A67 (see Stratum,
above) and has the A2 north going to Tilburg, Breda and Amsterdam.
Various types of housing are found here.
[4] Eindhoven West (Strijp)
Strijp is geographically the largest district in Eindhoven. A large part of
this is taken up by Eindhoven Airport and surrounding industrial areas.
To the north are the Tegenbosch and De Herdgang sports centres, and
open areas including the Philips-De Jongh park. The Evoluon conference
centre, Beukenlaan railway station and Welschap golf course are also
found here. More recently a new project started in het Strijp area: StrijpS. No less than 66 acres are turned into an inspiring environment with
a mix of living, working and recreation. Strijp’s proximity to the A2 gives
good access to the north, south and west. Housing is primarily modern.
[5] Eindhoven Centre
Eindhoven town centre is a lively place. The shopping area has many
outlets particularly for clothes and electronics, and there are also
supermarkets, specialist food stores, CD stores, bookshops, etc. Most of
the main hotels and restaurants are found here, as are the railway and bus
stations, PSV’s football stadium, the central library, various museums,
and the Town Hall. You can find residential areas with accommodation to
suit most tastes (mainly apartments), though as in most major cities, the
convenience of the central location pushes prices up.
34
Helmond
Helmond, 14 km east of Eindhoven, is, with almost 87,500 inhabitants, the second largest
city in South East Brabant. It is a thriving economic centre in its own right, focusing on the
food and automotive industries. For accommodation Helmond is best known for its new
city districts: Dierdonk and Brandevoort, both fine examples of innovative architecture
designed to create a harmonious living environment. Brandevoort in particular is a new
settlement on the fringes of the Brabant countryside, between Eindhoven and Helmond,
where the existing landscape and traditional architecture in a variety of styles have
combined to create a unique and picturesque community.
The following municipalities are immediately adjacent to Eindhoven.
Best
Situated 13 km northwest of Eindhoven, Best has 29,000 inhabitants. The town claims a
long history (dating back to 1700 BC according to some sources) and has developed from
an agricultural centre into an industrial one (there was a major clog maker here in the
19th century) with residential areas. Sports such as badminton, basketball, scuba diving,
hockey, martial arts, tennis, golf, football and swimming are all found in the town, and
the central high street has a good selection of shops.
Geldrop-Mierlo
Geldrop-Mierlo has about 38,000 inhabitants, is 7 km from Eindhoven. It was once home
to a thriving textile industry, but most people now work elsewhere. The community
has a number of sports clubs, including badminton, basketball, scuba diving, hockey,
Taekwondo, tennis, football and swimming. Basic shops are available, but most people
go to nearby Eindhoven for major items, such as clothing, etc.
35
Heeze-Leende
Heeze-Leende has about 15.190 inhabitants, spread over three villages:
Heeze (9560), Leende (4300) and Sterksel (1330). The community is
situated 10 km southeast of Eindhoven and is well connected with other
parts of the region. Great landscapes dominate the panorama in which the
three villages are spread out. Over 900.000 people yearly visit the forests,
the heath and come to the municipality for walking, cycling, or just to
enjoy one of the several burgundian terraces. Heeze-Leende is also well
known for its annual historical and cultural festival the ‘Brabantse Dag’
(in Heeze).
Nuenen
Around 8 km northeast of the city centre, Nuenen has 23,000 inhabitants.
The village has existed for nearly 1500 years, and although much of the
housing is modern it prides itself on being a quiet and green place to live.
Nuenen was once home to Vincent van Gogh, and he painted the famous
‘Potato Eaters’ while living there. The range of available sports includes
athletics, golf, gymnastics, riding, squash, tennis and swimming. Basic
shopping can be done in the village, although most people go to Eindhoven
for major items.
Son and Breugel
About 7 km north of Eindhoven, Son and Breugel has 15,000 residents.
The old village has been around since about 1000 AD, but a large
population increase during the 20th century means most people live in
relatively modern housing. There is a large (by Dutch standards) area of
forest around Son, which is pleasant for walking and cycling. There are
also several sports clubs, including badminton, cricket, dancing, hockey,
riding and soccer. As with several other villages, although some shops
are found in Son, most people go to Eindhoven for major items.
36
Veldhoven
With its centre just 7 km from Eindhoven, Veldhoven is virtually a western suburb of the
city. It is however a separate entity in political terms, and has its own modern shopping
centre, with a library and a cinema. There is also a museum and a music school, as well
as all the sports facilities mentioned for other villages above. Around 43,000 people live
in Veldhoven, and around 25,000 work there.
Waalre
Waalre, 6 km south of Eindhoven, has about 17,000 inhabitants. The village was founded
in the 8th century, but as elsewhere in the region, the real growth took place in the 20th
century. It prides itself in having 600 hectares of forest open to the public for walking,
cycling and riding. Other sports available include badminton, basketball, gymnastics,
rowing, fencing and volleyball. Waalre has some basic shops, but with Eindhoven close
by, most people choose to shop there for major items.
Information about and useful links to the other municipalities in the Eindhoven region
are listed in appendix VI.
Useful links
www.sre.nl
www.funda.nl
37
2.6 Education
Schools in the Netherlands offer high quality of education. The philosophy
behind Dutch education reflects Dutch society and aims to encourage
students to be open-minded, and able to think and learn in a creative
manner.
An important decision all parents of school-age children have to make
when they move internationally is whether to place their children in
local or international education. The choice may depend on a number of
factors, e.g. your planned duration of stay. Whichever route you opt for
there are several pros and cons.
Advantages of local education:
p
p
p
p
Better integration into local society opens up opportunities for
social interaction.
Children can become bilingual.
There is a far wider selection of educational institutions available
for Dutch-speaking students.
Financial contributions by the parents are lower than at
International Schools.
Insights:
>> Pre-school childcare – nurseries, playgroups and kindergartens – are
available, but many have waiting lists. Finding English-speaking childcare will
depend on the area where you are living.
>> Children may begin school on their 4th birthday, and it is mandatory from the
time they turn 5. They normally move from lower school to upper school at 12,
and most stay until they are 18.
>> Standard education is generally in Dutch, but Dutch/English bilingual
education is becoming increasingly popular throughout the Netherlands.
>> International education is available. Most international schools use the
curriculum and exam structure of the International Baccalaureate
Organisation or International Primary Curriculum.
38
Advantages of international education:
p
p
p
p
p
Social interaction is with people from the broad spectrum of the international
community.
Dutch schools often have interrupted schooldays and children come home for
lunch.
International schools offer Dutch as second language, and sometimes even a
Dutch stream.
International schools link better with other educational systems – an important
consideration for those who plan to return to their home country or elsewhere
after a couple of years.
International Schools are experienced in taking care of children that are only
there for a short time.
Dutch primary education
Education begins at the age of 4 (and is mandatory from 5). Primary schools are
state-owned (openbaar) or faith-based (Protestant, Catholic, Muslim, Jewish, or
nondenominational). The curriculum is broad, and progress is monitored by standard
testing (CITO). The school year starts in August and is broken up by holidays. The school
week is normally 08:30-15:30 Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday; and 08:30-12:00
on Wednesday.
Dutch secondary education
Secondary education normally starts at age 12 and continues to the age of 18. In the final
year of primary school, parents, children and teachers decide together, with the help of
standardised national tests (CITO), which type of secondary school is most appropriate.
The options are:
VMBO (pre-vocational secondary education)
HAVO (senior general secondary education)
VWO (pre-university education).
The Dutch system streams children earlier than elsewhere, not only in terms of academic
ability but also in terms of future career. It also offers relatively little in terms of sports
facilities or extra-curricular activities. Most Dutch children belong instead to sports
clubs outside the school that have excellent facilities.
The school year is similar to that at primary school. The school week is more dynamic
than in many countries, with students starting and ending their day at differing times
according to their timetable.
39
An increasing number of Dutch schools offer bilingual education to their
more academic students. In this system about 50% of subjects are taught
wholly in English.
School holidays
For primary schools summer holidays last six weeks; for secondary
schools they last seven. Holidays are staggered across three national
regions (northern, central and southern). The dates of shorter holidays
(autumn, Christmas, spring and May) are decided by the competent
authority of the school (usually the school board).
A good source of information about the exact dates of holidays is the
Ministry of Education, Culture and Science website. It is not available in
English, but is fairly easy to understand:
www.minocw.nl/schoolvakanties/572/Vakantiedata-2007-2010-envoorlopigedata-daarna.html
An overview in English of school holidays in 31 European countries can
be found at Eurydice:
www.eurydice.org
Alternatively, check with the school of your choice.
More information on Dutch education system
Go to the Education Ministry’s website (www.minocw.nl) and click through
to their English language pages. There you will find links to other relevant
organisations, such as CITO, which administers tests.
40
For information about the Dutch education system from a European perspective, see the
information file on Eurydice, the European education information network:
www.eurydice.org
The International Review of Curriculum and Assessment Frameworks (INCA) provides
descriptions of the education systems for pre-school, primary and secondary education in
several countries including the Netherlands:
www.inca.org.uk
International schools
There are about 25 international schools in the Netherlands. Publicly funded primary
and secondary international schools have a Dutch stream and an international stream.
In general, private international schools only have English language education, but
check with the school to make certain. The publicly funded international education
(Internationaal Georiënteerd Onderwijs, or IGO) is education in English within the Dutch
educational programme intended for specific ‘international’ target groups.
International school students are either the children of expat parents who may only be
in the Netherlands for a few years, or the children of Dutch parents who may be moving
abroad in the near future or are returning from an expatriate assignment. International
schools subsidised by the Ministry of Education are bound by ministry rules, while others
are privately operated. Privately operated schools are generally more expensive than
government-funded schools and Dutch schools (which are also government-funded and
largely free). Parents should speak to a tax consultant regarding tax exemptions and
implications of school fees. Fees vary from school to school, but employers sometimes
(partly) contribute to the cost of educating their employees’ children.
Many international schools employ remedial teachers and have facilities for children
who need extra attention. International schools linked to a Dutch school can also help
long-term expat children foster contact with Dutch students.
International primary education
The curriculum framework in international primary schools meets the Dutch educational
legislation. However, within this framework schools can use either the International
Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme (IBPYP), the International Primary Curriculum
(IPC), or the British system. Private schools such as British or American institutes can
choose to follow the curriculum and exams used in their country of origin - check with
each school to be sure.
41
In the Eindhoven region, international primary education is offered at the
RIS Regional International School. For contact details see Section 3.6.
International secondary education
In the public secondary school system, students prepare over four or five
years for the International General Certificate of Secondary Education
(IGCSE) examination, or take part in the International Baccalaureate
Middle Years Program (IBMYP). Students who pass this stage can then
embark on the two-year International Baccalaureate (IB). Private schools
might differ on both early and senior secondary years, so check with
the school of your choice. After the IB or equivalent exam, students are
qualified to take part in English-language education abroad, or can opt to
study at Dutch higher education institutes.
International education is not synonymous with ‘bilingual education’.
Where English in international departments is mainly the language of
instruction, the use of English is not an aim in itself (as it is in bilingual
education), but rather the means of educating specific groups for
internationally recognized qualifications.
International secondary education in Eindhoven is offered at the ISSE
(International Secondary School Eindhoven). For contact details see
Section 3.6.
More information on international education
A list of all international schools in the Netherlands can be found at the
Foundation of International Education in the Netherlands.
www.sio.nl
42
Information and the list of publicly funded international schools can be found at:
www.intschools.nl.
For information on the International Primary Curriculum visit:
www.internationalprimarycurriculum.com
www.stichtingnob.nl/
Information on the International Baccalaureate Organisation is at:
www.ibo.org
Further education
The Netherlands has first-class colleges and universities that provide a wide variety
of courses, many available in English. The Eindhoven region is home to the Eindhoven
University of Technology (TU/e), The Design Academy Eindhoven and Fontys University
of Applied Sciences. The Tilburg University, only 35 kilometres from Eindhoven, offers
education in e.g. economics and law. The region also offers an good quality of upper
secondary vocational education with the ROC Eindhoven and ROC Ter Aa in Helmond.
Elsewhere in the Netherlands, Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Utrecht, Leiden, Wageningen,
Nijmegen, Maastricht, Groningen and Twente all have top universities with specific
orientations.
For more information:
www.minocw.nl/english/education/higher.html
www.vsnu.nl
43
Childcare
A new law deals with the quality, management and finances of childcare in the
Netherlands. It starts from the principle that childcare is a matter for parents,
employers and authorities. You sign a contract with a childcare organisation and pay
the bill. Employers can reimburse (tax-free) one third of the costs. You can also ask for
reimbursement from the national authorities. In that case your childcare centre must be
accredited and registered in the place where you live.
www.expatax.nl/taxnewschildcare
www.toeslagen.nl/particulier/kinderopvangtoeslag.html
There are many options to choose from:
Private child-minders (look at the moms&tots newsletter)
Gastouderbureaus (care-givers in your home or at their home, via an agency)
Kinderdagverblijven (crèches)
Peuterspeelzalen (play groups via the city councils)
For more information about this, and the childcare possibilities at your place of work,
ask your HR manager.
Education - to do in the preparation phase
Get your child’s reports, test results and other important information from your children’s
current school - in English if possible. Check if there is a waiting list for you child’s year
at the international schools in the Eindhoven region. See:
www.riseindhoven.nl
www.isse-school.nl
www.esmol.be
Consult a tax consultant regarding tax exemptions and the implications of school fees.
44
Understanding the Dutch healthcare system
The role of the family doctor or General Practioner (huisarts) in the Dutch
healthcare system is central. For many newcomers the single most
important difference between the medical practice in the Netherlands
and that of their home country is this predominant role.
Another difference is the medical culture. In the Netherlands, antibiotics
and other medications are prescribed with greater reserve than you may
be accustomed to.
This has resulted in a very low incidence of antibiotic-resistant infections.
Tests are not done automatically and annual check-ups are not part of the
basic service. In general, these extra services are only provided if there
is evidence they are necessary. There are private clinics now offering this
service but are expensive and not covered by Dutch insurers.
2.7 An Introduction to Dutch Healthcare
The Netherlands has a high level of healthcare.
Another cultural difference concerns childbirth: since pregnancy
and childbirth are considered a natural condition, pain relief is used
infrequently. Pain relief is possible, but only in hospital.
Many women prefer to give birth at home but this does not mean you
will have a homebirth. Midwives work according to a strict protocol. You
can choose to have your baby in hospital, under the care of your own
midwife. All Dutch women start with a first line (primary) midwife. Only
with a medical indication do you get referred to a second line midwife in
a hospital. Then you are under the care of a gynaecologist but will mostly
45
be seen by and cared for by the second line midwife. Remember too
that many hospitals are training hospitals and you may also be exposed
to doctors/midwives in training. Also, there are no private hospitals or
obstetricians. Even if booked in with a specific obstetrician, it does not
mean he/she will be at your delivery.
A major benefit of first line midwives is that in your last three months, you
will be rotated to see the other midwives so that, when the time comes,
you will not be seen by a stranger. Midwives in the Netherlands train for
four years and all they do is midwifery.
Facts:
>> >> >> >> >> Life expectancy at birth m/f (years): 78/82
Child mortality m/f (per 1000 below age 5): 5/5
Adult mortality m/f (per 1000 aged 15-60): 81/59
Total health expenditure per capita (Intl $): 3.383
Total health expenditure as % of GDP: 9.3
(Source: The World Health Statistics 2008: www.who.int/countries/nld/en/)
As in many other countries, the relationship between patient and
medical services is constantly changing and responding to individual
patient needs. In the Netherlands you should not be afraid to ask for the
46
information/services that you want or feel comfortable with. Your insurance company is
a good source of information about what is possible and what is not.
The family doctor treats patients for non-surgical problems – with many now doing minor
surgical procedures as well – and can answer most general health questions. He/she
will also serve as your link with other medical services, such as hospitals, specialists,
home nursing, etc. On his/her referral, you can visit a specialist in one of the hospitals
in the area. Remember that you can always go to the specialist of your choice instead of
the one you are sent to, provided your insurance company has an agreement with that
specialist; if not, you will have to pay for it yourself. The doctor’s surgery will usually be
near your home, making visits easy to arrange (for you visiting the surgery, or for the
doctor visiting you if needed). You need to register with the doctor once you know where
you will be living. You are entitled to an orientation consultation before deciding which
practice you would like to join. Be careful in that, especially in the smaller towns, once
you have registered, it can prove difficult or near impossible to change. In Eindhoven, you
often have to accept what you can find as not all practices are taking on new patients.
After that you should normally call the doctor to make an appointment. Since he or
she will play an important role in your stay, please choose carefully (see ‘On arrival’
for information on how to do this). Be aware that registering is not always as easy as it
seems since many doctors have waiting lists.
There is a 24/7 medical coverage throughout the community. In practice this means that
outside regular hours you need to call the CHP (Centrale Huisartsen Post) to consult a
doctor. This coverage system also applies to pharmacists.
There is a special student doctor in Eindhoven: V.J.G.M. de Kort, Weverstraat 1,
5612 CW Eindhoven (040-2438215).
Emergencies
Ambulance, fire and police services use the 112 emergency telephone number. Dialing
this number will connect you to a central operator who will inquire what services are
needed and transfer you locally to someone who can help. Also see ‘On Arrival’.
Pregnancy and childbirth
Pregnancy and childbirth are culturally influenced and probably different from what you
are used to.
Antenatal care is usually provided by midwives (you may be referred by your GP), who will
support you up to and during delivery. Some screenings such as blood tests, ultrasounds
47
or amniocentesis are done in specialist centres. They are not standard your GP will tell you if you are part of a high-risk group and can apply for
the tests – although testing is becoming more common.
You also have to choose the place of birth: home births (thuisbevalling)
are still common in the Netherlands, and comparative health statistics
(WHO) show this poses no increased risk to mother or baby. However,
more and more women are opting to give birth in hospital, either with a
midwife (poliklinische bevalling) or a gynaecologist (ziekenhuisbevalling),
based on medical advice. You always have the option to go to the hospital,
but check first that your insurance company covers this.
After delivery in a hospital you are normally sent home relatively quickly.
However, you are entitled to home nursing (kraamzorg). Remember
to register with the Home care association or with private nurses
(kraamverzorgingscentra).
For more information on pregnancy and childbirth
www.parentinginholland.com/pregnancy/pregnancy-and-birth/prenatalcare/
The ACCESS Guide to having and caring for children in the Netherlands:
www.access-nl.org
Babies and toddlers (ACCESS). Please also refer to Appendix III
www.careforwomen.nl / (Denise Dommerholt 06-50500577)
Native English speaker.
www.kraamzorg-homecare.nl/en/index.html
All in English!
www.babyechoson.nl
Native English speaker, also French and German
www.doula.nl
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Dental care
Finding a dentist in the Netherlands is much like finding a doctor, although you do not
need to find one located in your neighbourhood. After you have registered your dentist
will generally call you for inspection every six months or yearly. He will perform most
routine interventions himself. Note that anaesthesia is usually only given on request and
dental cleaning is often not part of the basic treatment.
For special dental care, orthodontists and oral surgeons have waiting lists. Be prepared.
Pharmacies and medication
There is a difference between a drugstore or chemist (drogist) and a pharmacy (apotheek).
Drugstores (such as Kruidvat and Etos) supply non-prescription medications and
baby equipment, general toiletries, cosmetics, etc. Pharmacies are the only outlet for
prescription drugs. They also sell over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, special baby
foods, etc., and will provide advice and ensure that medications do not interact with any
other drugs you may be already taking.
There is no standard with regard to which medications one can buy with or without
a prescription, but the Dutch system is rather restrictive and you may find you need
prescriptions for things you were able to buy over the counter at home.
You do not have to register with a specific pharmacy but it makes life easier if you do,
as they will then send the bill for prescription drugs direct to your health insurance
provider in most cases. The easiest time to register is at the same time as you register
with a doctor.
Pharmacies have 24/7 coverage, based on the same system as doctors.
Alternative medical services
Alternative medicine is becoming increasingly popular in the Netherlands as a
complement to traditional (Western) medicine. The various forms of alternative medicine
(acupuncture, homeopathy, chiropractic medicine, manual therapy, traditional Chinese
medicine, etc.) are organised in associations.
To be sure you are dealing with a regulated practitioner, consult the association of
alternative medicine:
www.aag-artsen.nl (in Dutch only).
49
More and more alternative treatments are being covered by medical
insurance companies. Check with your insurer, as they can provide
you with a list of which alternative doctors they cover. Many alternative
medications are sold in ordinary drugstores.
Home care
Home care (thuiszorg) associations are umbrella associations for all
domestic medical services. They are often organised as kruisverenigingen
(home nursing associations) where you can borrow medical equipment
as well as hire nurses. Baby health clinics, or consultatie bureaus, are
often part of these associations. In these clinics every newborn baby and
young child is checked regularly by specially trained doctors who provide
immunisation programmes and other pediatric care.
For specific problems the child will be referred to a specialist.
Homecare maternity centre:
0900-2064444
Post-natal home nursing /post-natal doula care
www.kraamzorg-homecare.nl/en/index.html
All in English!
Health screening
A nationwide programme screening women for cervical cancer once
every five years covers women aged 30-60. Screening for breast cancer
occurs every two years for women aged 50-75.
Screening for other cancers is not routine in the Netherlands. However, if
you are in a high-risk group (due to family history, previous illness, etc.)
you will be monitored and screened regularly. This must be discussed with
your family doctor. He or she will send you to a specialist if necessary.
www.careforwomen.nl
-menopause health checks
As well as pre/peri/post menopause care
www.careforhuman.nl
www.zilverenkruis.nl
- do male and female health checks
50
There are private medical centres where you can have total body scans done, etc. But be
aware, these are private. Insurers will not cover the costs unless you have expat insurance
from your own country.
www.prescan.nl
www.privatescan.nl
More information:
www.minvws.nl/en/
- The official Ministry of Healthcare site.
The ACCESS Guide to Healthcare in the Netherlands can be found at:
www.access-nl.org
Healthcare ‘to do’ at the preparation phase:
Check your health insurance cover.
Request medical records – make sure you get your children’s full vaccination records.
Local Hospitals:
www.mediwijzer.nl/zhnbrabant.html
There are also Academic medical Centres for more complex diseases and you may ask to be
referred.
www.rivm.nl/en/healthanddisease/
When making an appointment, you can phone the general number and ask for ‘patient
informatie’.
Here you can ask if there is a specialist who can speak your language. Then you can phone
the clinic and make an appointment with a specific specialist. Useful to know is that
certain hospitals have ‘super’ specialists and all can speak English. This may influence
your decision as to which specialist you choose to go. For instance, the Catharina hospital
for Heart Disease in Eindhoven and the MMC Veldhoven, which has a NICU (Neonatale
Intensive Care Unit). There are also interpreters available in the hospital. These can be
present at your consultation but you need to ask for this service.
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Social security
The Netherlands has a fairly typical European Social Security system: i.e.
it is expensive to run, but offers good benefits to those in need.
The first Dutch social legislation dates from 1800. This was only a minor
law that set down rules for employing young people and women, but
it was the first in what would become the world’s most extensive and
generous body of social legislation. Today however, the social system is
under extreme pressure because it has become too expensive to run. In
recent years it has undergone radical reform to prevent abuse and reduce
sick leave. Nevertheless, the current system is still regarded as one of
Dutch society’s finest achievements.
The main principle underpinning the Dutch social system is that everyone
should be able to play an equally active role in society. Some people need
help in doing so: the old and disabled, families on low incomes, young
people without qualifications, ethnic and other minorities.
In some cases it is possible for expats to opt-out of paying for social
security in the Netherlands. Form E101 or certificate of coverage should
be obtained before departure.
In general, the following conditions apply:
a The employee must be covered by social insurance legislation in
their country of origin immediately prior to their secondment.
b The employee must be a national of a country that has a treaty with
the Netherlands. This includes: the EU, Switzerland, Norway,
Australia, Bolivia, Canada, Chile, Israel, Morocco, Tunisia, Turkey,
US, South Korea, Liechtenstein, Iceland, Bosnia, Macedonia, Cape
52
Verde, Croatia, New Zealand and Serbia.
c The employee must have an employment contract with the seconding employer
(i.e. the employer in the host country).
d The employer in the country of origin remains liable for all costs related to the
secondment. This means, among other things, that the employer must arrange
for payment of social insurance contributions in the country of origin.
e a. The secondment may not last more than 12 months. In some cases this can
be extended.
b. The purpose of the secondment must not be to replace another seconded
employee.
c. The employer must carry out ‘substantial activities’ in the home country.
If you do not have an E101 or certificate of coverage you will be insured in the Netherlands.
This means the following social security items.
AOW (national old age pension)
ANW (national survivor’s benefit)
AWBZ (public insurance of extraordinary costs of sickness)
AKW (child benefit)
WIA (Disability Act)
WW (Unemployment Act)
Zvw (National Health Insurance Act)
The premiums for AOW, ANW, AWBZ and AKW are included in the first 2 income tax
brackets. The WIA premium is paid by the employer. The WW premium is paid partially
by the employer and partially by the employee. The premium for the National Health
Insurance Act is paid by the employer.
More information:
www.svb.nl
The SVB provides brochures on social security in several foreign languages.
53
Insurance
The type and amount of insurance you need to purchase is largely a
personal decision. The following main types of insurance are available:
Health insurance (mandatory)
Vehicle insurance (mandatory for those with a vehicle)
Personal (third party) insurance
House (bricks and mortar) insurance
House contents insurance
Legal costs insurance
Health insurance
All adults living in the Netherlands and paying income tax here
(premieplichtig) are legally obliged to take at least basic cover. Every
adult must therefore have their own policy, and will have to pay for it.
Children (under 18 years) receive the basic cover free of charge. They
need not have their own policy, but must be named on the policy of one of
their parents. They will receive the same optional cover as that parent.
Students can get a special student insurance via the international office
of their university.
Types of policy
There are two types of policy:
54
p The “standard policy” (naturapolis) – bills are paid directly to the
healthcare provider by the insurer, and the insurer can select the
healthcare provider.
p The ‘refund policy’ (restitutiepolis) - the bill must first be paid by
the customer and claimed back from the insurer, but (within limits) the patient
may choose where care is received.
The type of policy will affect the premium - the refund type is more expensive.
The following things are included under the basic cover:
p Medical care (including your local doctor and medical specialists)
p Medication
p Hospital costs
p Limited dental care (only surgical dental care for adults)
p Equipment
p Pregnancy care
p Ambulance transport
There are restrictions. Exceptions that are not covered include:
p Flu vaccinations
p Basic dental care (children are covered)
p Extended physiotherapy
Own-risk
Everyone can choose to carry part of the costs of healthcare themselves (yearly
subscriptions charged by local doctors do not count as costs in this case).
From 1 January 2008, a national own-risk system becomes obligatory. An own-risk
charge of €150 per year per person (from 18 years upwards) has to be paid to the health
insurance supplier.
In some cases (if foreign social security applies to you), you are exempted from mandatory
Dutch health insurance. If you are a EU citizen and can provide an E106 from your home
country you can get a treaty policy and will be insured up to the level of Dutch basic
coverage. With a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) you will also have access to
Dutch health care. Check with you HR manager.
Medical insurance ‘to do’ list
p Check your health insurance cover.
p Check with your HR manager for possible collective insurances.
More information on the healthcare insurance system
The system described above is a “new” healthcare insurance system that was introduced as
of 2006. Up to date information can be found at the Ministry website:
www.minvws.nl/en/
55
Other insurance
Vehicle insurance
Third-party insurance is a legal requirement for vehicle use in the
Netherlands. Fully comprehensive insurance cover and variants between
the two extremes can also be purchased. Note that insurance
in the Netherlands is on the car not the driver. Once the vehicle is insured,
anyone who meets the specifications of the policy in terms of age, etc. is
insured to use it. Conversely, the driver may therefore NOT be covered to
use other vehicles.
Personal insurance
Although not a legal requirement, many people in the Netherlands have
personal third party insurance. This covers circumstances where you or
your family may accidentally injure a third party or damage their property,
e.g. if a tree falls in your garden and damages a neighbors’ house.
House (bricks and mortar) insurance
Building insurance is usually paid by the owners of furnished rented
properties (confirm this with the owner), but tenants will still need
contents insurance for their personal possessions.
House contents insurance
This covers personal possessions inside the house. Even in furnished
accommodation it is normal to take extra insurance for unusual items.
Check your insurance policy for details of what is covered.
Legal costs insurance
In the case of litigation, this insurance covers legal fees and provides
legal support when needed.
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Taxation
The Netherlands is a relatively high taxation country. Foreigners however, often qualify
for an advantageous income tax regulation called the ‘30% tax facility, whereby 30%
of their taxable income can be paid as a tax free expense allowance. Consult your HR
Manager for more information.
Everyone living in or having wages from the Netherlands needs a Citizen Service Number
(Burger Service Nummer or BSN).
The main taxes are:
p Wage withholding tax
p Income tax
p Value Added Tax (BTW)
p Road tax
p Vehicle purchase tax (BPM)
p Local taxes
p Home owners tax
p Nursery and childcare tax issues
More information and useful links
The official website of the Ministry of Finances provides all relevant information in English:
www.minfin.nl
More information can also be found in Appendix IV.
57
2.9 Checklist - the Preparation Phase (Before Leaving)
58
p Update your passport: make sure it is valid for at least one year
after arrival in the Netherlands, and for the full duration of your
planned stay if possible.
p Update your driver’s license: make sure it has at least one year
before its expiry date. If it has no expiry date make sure it is not
more than nine years since it was issued.
p Legalisation: get your birth and marriage certificates legalised
or apostilled. Documents may also need to be translated if not
already in English, French, German or Dutch. Different rules
apply to different nationalities, so check with your HR Manager for
information pertaining to your personal situation.
Financial arrangements: to do at this stage:
p Arrange with your bank how accounts are to be handled during
the assignment.
p Cancel standing orders as necessary.
p Inform your income tax office of the move and complete any
necessary forms.
Children: to do at this stage:
p Collect examples of your child’s current schoolwork and reports,
test results, etc. (in English where possible).
p Check if there is a waiting list for your child’s year at the
international schools in the Eindhoven region and apply for a
place. Also do this for childcare organisations if needed.
p Speak to a tax consultant regarding tax exemptions and the
implications of school fees.
p Take photos of family, friends and familiar places.
p Check that children have the addresses of friends with whom
they want to stay in contact.
p Ensure that favourite toys, personal items, special food, books and games for
the journey and the moving-in period are put aside to go with the hand
luggage.
Healthcare: to do at this stage:
p Request medical records – make sure you get your children’s full vaccination
records.
Social security, insurance and taxation: to do at this stage:
p If applicable, get an E101 form if you wish to pay social security in your home
country.
p Check your health insurance – make sure there will be no period when you are
not covered.
p Check with your employer for possible collective insurance.
Housing: to do at this stage:
p Start looking at housing websites to get a feel for prices, sizes, and locations.
p Check with your HR manager / International Office for possible housing
assistance.
Pets: to do at this stage:
p Check that animals have appropriate identification (chip or tattoo) and
documentation.
p Get vaccinations up-to-date (some must not be done too early).
Vehicles: to do at this stage:
p Consider whether to bring your car with you.
p Dutch purchase taxes are high, and vehicles for personal use may be imported
tax free under certain conditions (the most important is that you have had and
used the car for more than six months).
p It may be difficult to get vehicles over 10 years old through environmental
testing.
p Get a no-claims statement from your current insurance company.
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3 On Arrival
Once you are in the Netherlands there are some essential things you must do soon after
your arrival. This section describes what needs to be done and how to do it.
60
Non-EU citizens must also apply for a residence permit. EU citizens do
not need a permit. Valid ID must be carried at all time by everyone over
the age of 12 in the Netherlands. All Migrants (see Appendix II) will make
their permit application directly to the Immigration and Naturalisation
Service, with help from their employer.
3.1 Formalities
By the time you arrive in the Netherlands you should have had your
certificates legalised and will have an entry visa if you need one.
Everyone must visit their local Town Hall soon after arrival to register
in the Population Register (Municipal Personal Records Database) and
collect their Citizen Service Number (Burger Service Nummer or BSN).
See Appendix VI for addresses.
Depending on your country of origin and requested residence status you
may also need a work permit (see Appendix II).
During your registration at the Town Hall you will automatically be
registered for a BSN number.
Planning (arrival phase):
a Apply for and collect your work permit (if applicable). Your employer
will make the application so consult your HR Manager for details.
b Register at the Town Hall where you will be living. See Appendix VI
for contact details.
c Apply for your residence permit (if applicable). In some cases this
application can be done before the work permit has been issued. d Consult your HR Manager/International Office for details.
e Collect your BSN number at the local Town Hall (if applicable).
f Start work / study (if given authorization by the Dutch authorities
– this depends on nationality, type of work and residence permit).
g Receive confirmation by post that your residence permit will be
issued (if applicable).
h Start work (if not previously given authorisation).
People who don’t require a work permit (mainly EU citizens, Knowledge
Migrants and Researchers) can start work immediately although they
should apply for a Citizen Service Number (Burger Service Nummer or
BSN) right away. Those needing a Work Permit must obtain one before they
can legally start work. Getting a visa, work permit and residence permit
can take between one and four months for the complete procedure.
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3.2 Transport
Importing and registering a vehicle
Foreign-registered vehicles may be used by tourists for up to three
months, but residents must register their car immediately.
The costs associated with import and registration vary according to the
age, origin and condition of the vehicle. In general, if you have owned the
vehicle in your home country for at least six months and have driven more
than 6000 km in it you may import it free of Dutch tax. However, there are
still costs associated with vehicle importation.
These include:
p Recycling tax.
p Vehicle upgrades (if required to meet EU regulations).
p Registration fee.
You cannot sell the car within one year of immigration without becoming
liable to pay import duties.
Who to contact?
To start the importation process, contact Dutch customs (Douane) on 0800
0143 to request tax exemption forms. Once these have been completed
call the Road Authorities RDW (Rijksdienst voor het Wegverkeer) on 0900
07 39 to set up a testing appointment.
Buying a car
Cars can be bought new or second-hand. Every town has a number of
dealerships with both new and used vehicles. There can be significant
differences in prices and it is wise to compare several companies as
62
well as researching prices on the Internet. You need proof that you are
registered at your address in order to buy a car. This can be issued by the
Town Hall.
Where to look
You will find Dealerships in the Yellow Pages (www.goudengids.nl) under
auto verkopers.
Bicycles
Thanks to the flat landscape and an excellent network of bike paths,
cycling is a safe and popular way of covering short distances in the
Netherlands. You are not required to wear a helmet. Please see Section
4.3 for more information.
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3.3 Banking
A number of banks offer services to private customers in the Netherlands.
These include ABN AMRO, Rabobank, SNS, ING Bank and Fortis. All
the main banks have a number of branches in the Eindhoven area. The
addresses of the local head offices are given below. Opening hours may
vary, so check your local bank for exact times. In general they are open
09:00-17:00 Monday to Friday. Some larger branches are also open
10:00-16:00 on Saturday.
Banks - main branches
ABN/AMRO Vestdijk 18, Eindhoven
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Fortis Bank ING Bank Rabobank SNS Bank Kasteeltraverse 66, Helmond
Tel.: 0900 0024
www.abnamro.nl
Hoogstraat 39, Eindhoven
Markt 24, Helmond
Tel.: 0900 8172
www.fortisbank.nl
Schimmelt 34, Eindhoven
Kasteeltraverse 9, Helmond
Tel.: 0800 7011
www.ingbank.nl
Kronehoefstraat 87, Eindhoven
Tel.: 040 293 60 00
Kerkstraat 33, Helmond
Tel.: 0492 594594
www.rabobank.nl
18 Septemberplein 23, Eindhoven
Tel.: 040 265 91 59
Noord Koninginnewal 24, Helmond
Tel.: 0492 50 94 11
www.snsbank.nl
For more banks see: Yellow Pages (www.goudengids.nl)
Opening an account
Many people prefer to make an appointment at the bank, but this is not always necessary
– ask at the information desk to see an advisor.
For students: the international office of your university might be able to open a bank
account for you. Please ask them for more details.
You will need your passport plus the following:
p Proof of address (confirmation of registration from the Town Hall or
rental contact).
p Letter confirming employment from employer or a copy of your work contract.
p Your BSN number.
PIN card/credit card
Credit cards are less widely used in the Netherlands and they are accepted in fewer outlets
than PIN cards. It is generally not possible to pay with credit cards in supermarkets. Credit
cards are mainly used for bigger purchases, or in restaurants, airports, clothing shops,
etc.
A PIN card is a card with a Personal Identification Number, issued for use with your bank
account. The amount spent is transferred directly from your account to the payee account.
A maximum daily limit can be negotiated with your bank when you open your account.
PIN cards are widely accepted in most shops, garages, restaurants and cash dispensers.
However, it is always a good idea to check first in restaurants and shops. Cash dispensers/
automatic teller machines (ATMs) do not always accept all cards, so check the signs on
the machine.
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Cheques/eurocheques
Personal cheques and eurocheques are not commonly used in the Netherlands. Most
payments are made using cash, on PIN/credit cards, electronically, or by acceptgiro (see
below).
Chipknip
In this system, your Chip card is loaded with an amount pre-paid from your account, using
the phone or chip ATM, and used for paying small amounts, e.g. parking, bus tickets,
coffee, etc. This system is not available in all shops.
Paying bills
Payment in shops is generally by PIN card or cash, while restaurants frequently also accept
credit cards. In some towns parking must be paid for by Chip card, although cash is also
usually accepted.
Payment of household bills is by direct debit, electronic (Internet) banking, or by acceptgiro
(the company selling the item or service sends a paper invoice to the customer, who fills it
in and sends it to the bank).
Internet banking
All banks offer Internet banking. Some also offer this service in English.
International money transfer
To enable your Dutch bank to arrange money transfers to your foreign account, you need to
provide them with your international banking codes (ABA number for the US, IBAN or BIC
for European banks) – these are printed on your bank statements.
Safety deposit boxes
The Netherlands is a safe country to live in, but like anywhere it is not crime-free. Keeping
precious and valuable items at home risks them being taken if you are broken into. Several
Eindhoven banks have safety-deposit boxes available to customers (for a fee).
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3.4 Housing
Housing stock in the Eindhoven region and across the Netherlands
varies from studio apartments (a single room including sleeping area,
living area and cooking facilities), through more traditional apartments
with multiple, separate bedrooms, to larger houses (detached, semidetached, or terraced).
Houses for rent are available in three different states of furnishing:
p Bare (kaal). There are no carpets, curtains, light fittings, etc.,
though there probably will be a fitted kitchen. Built-in appliances
such as a cooker and possibly a fridge or dishwasher may be
present.
p Soft-furnished (gestoffeerd). The fittings will include everything
in the ‘bare’ category, and also carpets and curtains.
p Furnished (gemeubileerd). Completely furnished – generally
including furniture, appliances, cutlery, crockery, bed linen, etc.
What to expect (a typical home in Eindhoven):
p
p
p
p
p
p
p
Houses are smaller and more compact than in many countries.
One bathroom in the Netherlands is the norm. The toilet is
often separate and on the ground floor.
Showers are more common than baths in most houses and
apartments.
Dining rooms are a luxury – normally there is an open kitchen
and living room with a dining area.
Kitchens generally have four gas rings with a microwave. Ovens
are not always standard.
Washing machines are often located in the kitchen or the
bathroom. Utility rooms are found only in larger houses.
Garages tend to be used as storage space in the Netherlands.
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p
p
Parking permits are needed in some areas, particularly if you
are living in central Eindhoven.
Houses are well insulated, and newer buildings will be doubleglazed.
Renting a house
Municipal housing agencies:
Municipal housing is not very common in the Eindhoven region. The only
municipal housing agency in the Eindhoven region that is still in operation
is “Woningbedrijf Oirschot”. You can only register for local authority
housing after arrival in the Netherlands and must wait for a house to be
allocated to you. Be aware that the average waiting time is four years at
least. Housing is relatively cheap (€ 300 to € 1200 per month, unfurnished).
However, to qualify for this type of housing your income must be within
certain limits. In case your income is relatively low in proportion to the
rent costs of your house, there is a rent benefit that is granted by the
government as a compensation to your costs. This arrangement can also
be applied to the possibilities of housing that are described below, as long
as the monthly rent costs do not exceed a certain amount.
Housing Associations:
These provide slightly more expensive housing than the municipal
agencies and again have long waiting lists. You need to register on arrival.
The average waiting time in the rural areas is about 3 years. In the urban
area the waiting time is even longer and is somewhere in between 4-7
years. Housing is more expensive than renting a house at a municipal
housing agency, but still relatively cheap (€ 300 to € 900 per month,
unfurnished).
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Private rentals:
Estate agents and ‘high street’ housing agencies manage private rental housing. The
rental price for these houses is considerably higher than accommodation found through
a municipal agency or an association, but in general these houses are available for
immediate tenancy.
Rents vary widely, but in the private market you could expect to pay the following
(excluding service costs and utilities) based on the most recent market information:
Type of housing Rental price per month (indication)
Studio apartment € 300 Two-bedroom apartment € 600 Three-bedroom terraced house € 1000 Semi-detached house Detached house - € 800
-€ 1200
-€ 1450
> € 900
> € 1200
Source: several brokers
Dutch housing rental contracts generally consist of the actual contract plus ‘General
Terms and Conditions’. The latter document is standard for all properties rented by the
agency in question. Major points to look for in the contract are:
The correct rental price (whether it includes service charges and energy bills, etc.).
p The correct deposit (one or two months rent is normal).
p The correct date of entry.
p Duration of the contract. Most are fixed for one year, with a notice period of one
month from either party thereafter. If the house belongs to someone who might
want it back at an inconvenient time (e.g. someone on assignment outside the
Netherlands), it may be better to fix the contract for a longer period.
p Who is responsible for maintenance and repairs? Make sure it is
clear who looks after the garden as well as the building.
p The ‘diplomatic clause’. It is advisable for expats to insist on a
clause allowing them to break the contract quickly if they need to
return to their home country unexpectedly.
Who to contact
The three biggest rental agencies in the Eindhoven region are all private rental agencies
(all websites are available in English)
Vesteda
Stoit Rots Vast
www.vesteda.com
www.stoit.nl
www.rotsvast.nl
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Direct Wonen Huurinc www.directwonen.nl
www.huurinc.nl
Other house rental organisations can be found in the Yellow Pages
(www.goudengids.nl) under woningbureaus or woningverhuur.
Buying a house
Although it is probably better to rent for a while before buying a house,
the difference in monthly payments can make purchasing an attractive
option for those staying longer. The difference comes largely from the
fact that (for the time being at least) the Dutch government repays some
of the mortgage interest as tax relief.
After a while most expatriates realise that it is more attractive to buy
property (real estate) in the Netherlands instead of staying in a rented
house or apartment. After a chat with their friends or tax accountant they
found out that:
Buying a property is the first step for building up (personal) assets. Due
to savings and tax regulations in the Netherlands it’s possible to save
money for your house on a tax free basis.
The Real Estate Market in the Netherlands shows, looking at historical
figures, that it grows more than the inflation, which creates an attractive
investment. Secondly, due to the inflation your mortgage debt will slightly
decrease as well.
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The Dutch tax authorities is providing an annual tax benefit for house owners as well;
owners of a (residential) property will receive a tax refund on the interest paid for the
mortgage used for the purchase of this particular house up to a maximum level of 52%
(i.e. highest tax bracket). This is one of the major reasons why tax accountants (advisers)
will advice you to buy residential property in the Netherlands while expatriates most of
the time will get tax refund on the highest possible level.
Before you acquire your new property you need tot go through a time consuming process
with quite a lot of third parties involved like the real estate agent (property broker), the
mortgage of granting you a mortgage (loan) (e.g. bank or insurance company), the civil
law notary and the tax consultants.
Because of this it’s likely that you will get lost at a certain stage of the process. Some
parts of the process are: starting to look around for the house (research), doing the
negotiations with the selling estate agent and make sure that the right conditions for the
purchase are accepted, taking care of the technical survey, making a proper judgment
on the (legal) contents of the purchase agreement, taking care of the mortgage with the
requested conditions, collecting the required documents for the mortgage, contact the
civil law notary for setting up the legal deeds for the deed of delivery you the property
and the mortgage deed (including translations) and take care of the involved tax matters.
For expatriates it’s also a complicating fact that they are often not accustomed with
Dutch law (continental law) which is quite different from e.g. Anglo-Saxon law.
Source: H&N Associates (www.hnassociates.com)
The amount of interest repaid by the government depends on the level of income tax you
pay. This in turn will depend on factors such as the 30% ruling (see the section on tax)
as well as gross salary. This is a complex field and it is advisable to seek help from a
professional financial advisor before going ahead with any purchase.
You should also be aware when buying a house that costs of purchase (including taxes)
total around 10% of the cost price, and are paid by the buyer. Dutch house prices have
risen relatively slowly over the last few years, averaging around 3% per year.
Type of housing Purchase price (x1000) Mortgage per month/net.
(indication, incl. tax refund)
Studio apartment € 120 Two-bedroom apartment € 140 Three-bedroom terraced house € 170 Semi-detached house € 220 Detached house -
-
-
-
>
€ 160 € 375 € 200 € 425 € 250 € 450 € 540 € 625 € 500 -
-
-
-
>
€ 475
€ 525
€ 575
€ 1075
€1100
Source: several brokers
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Who to contact
p A complete list of rental agencies with telephone number and website can be
found in the Yellow Pages (www.goudengids.nl) under woningbureaus or
woningverhuur.
p House purchases are generally made through a real estate agent (makelaar).
There are many agents in the Eindhoven area, each with its own housing stock.
The website www.funda.nl lists most houses available for purchase.
p Check with your HR Manager for housing assistance from your company.
p If you need to furnish a new home, Ekkersrijt and Kanaaldijk in Eindhoven are
good places to look for furniture stores. For cheap second-hand furniture, the
‘Het Goed’ recycling company has two outlets in the region, at Meerenakkerweg 2
in Eindhoven and Van Linschotenstraat 22 in Valkenswaard. In Helmond you find
an outlet called ‘Kringloopwinkel Helmond’ at Engelseweg 106. Other outlets you
will find in the Yellow Pages.
High Quality Housing Solutions
When it comes to finding a comfortable home, Vesteda is always there to provide you.
With a range of more than 28,000 luxury rented homes at its disposal, Vesteda offers a
lot of possiblities. And, of course, these homes are readily available in a variety of price
ranges (€ 600 - € 7,000). If you prefer a home withfull soft-furnishings and/or a fully
furnished home, just tell us exactly what you require. It is also possible to rent a home
in your companies’name. Vesteda can provide that too.
Would you like to know more about homes that are immediately available or make an appointment with one of our (resident) consultants?
Please check our website www.vesteda.com/corporatehousing.
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3.5 Utilities
Utilities (gas, water, electricity, phone, Internet, TV)
The Netherlands has excellent infrastructure. Practically every home has
mains electricity, potable water, central heating, fixed-line phones, and
mobile phone and high-speed Internet coverage. In urban areas most
properties have piped gas for cooking and heating, mains drainage, and
cable TV.
Facts:
>> >> >> >> >>
>>
>> >> Electricity is 220 V, 50 Hz.
The most common heating fuel is natural gas.
Water is usually metered.
Telephones in the Netherlands use different connector plugs to many other
countries, which means phones bought outside the Netherlands may not work
without an adaptor or a new plug.
The mobile phone system in Europe uses the GSM standard.
There are many telephone companies offering cheap international calling.
Internet – computers made to use mains power systems other than 220 volts
and 50 Hz will not work without adaptors.
Television in Europe uses the PAL standard.
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The utilities market
Most utilities in the Netherlands are sold in a ‘free-market system’. This
means there are a number of suppliers competing with each other to
supply private and business customers.
Exceptions to this are water, where each property has a designated
supplier, and the hardware (cables, etc.) used for fixed-line telephony and
cable TV. Both the latter are owned by the company that installed them
and there is a charge for their use even if the signals passing through the
cables come from another supplier.
Whilst this system gives the advantage of lower prices and improving
service, it also means that new arrivals may find choosing suppliers
complicated.
Getting connected
What to expect:
Getting connected to utilities suppliers is often time-consuming and
sometimes difficult for people moving to the Netherlands. The main
problem is simply language: although most Dutch people speak English,
you may need to navigate through several Dutch-language telephone
menus before you can speak to an operator. Be patient and ask for help
if you need it.
Electricity and gas
It’s possible to buy these energy sources separately, but is easier to buy
them together. Most suppliers offer price discounts if you do.
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When you move in to your new home the power and gas meters need to be read and a
supplier contracted to supply you. Your real estate agent can usually help you complete
the necessary forms.
If you decide to change supplier you should call your preferred option (numbers are
listed in the Yellow Pages (www.goudengids.nl) under energiebedrijven in Regio Eindhoven.
You will need your address, date of birth and meter readings.
Water
Each address has a single supplier. When you move in to your new home the water meter
needs to be read, and the supplier informed that you are the new resident. Your real
estate agent can usually help you complete the forms required. If you need to contact the
supplier yourself you will need your address, date of birth and meter readings.
Fixed-line telephones
It is not always necessary to have a fixed-line phone. Nowadays, quite a few expats
moving to the Netherlands are choosing to live without one, and use their mobiles to
stay in touch.
If you do need a telephone line it’s worth applying for one as soon as you know your
address as connection can take up to a week. There is no choice of supplier for the phone
line itself – KPN was the Dutch state monopoly and still owns nearly all the hardware,
though this situation is changing. Call 0900 0244. Have an address and the date when the
connection should be made.
You can also organise your telephone line by visiting an official KPN shops, called
Primafoon (listed in the Yellow Pages (www.goudengids.nl). Take your passport, residence
permit, work contract, bank account number and address.
Mobile phones
All GSM mobile phones will work in the Netherlands. Even if you have a GSM phone
however, it is still advisable to switch to a Dutch SIM card when you arrive, otherwise you
will pay more for your calls.
Go to a mobile phone supplier in town to get a new card and phone if required. Most shops
are run by the supplier of the card/call time. Exceptions to this include Bel Company
and Debitel, who sell services from various suppliers. Take your bank account number,
passport and address.
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Cable TV
At any address there is one single cable supplier. Ask the outgoing
resident or your real estate agent who this is. Call them to set up an
account (numbers are listed in the Yellow Pages - www.goudengids.nl).
Have your address and date of birth ready.
Be aware that most cable suppliers sell not only basic TV, but also digital
TV, Internet and telephone services. In order to take any of these services
you must purchase basic cable TV.
Internet
Internet is available through the telephone or the television cable. In
each case there are a number of different suppliers, but all take around
three weeks to send the equipment and set up the connection. Once you
have called the supplier they will send the modem to your address. If
you would like an engineer to assist you, you should ask the supplier
(remember also to check how the engineer should be paid). Payment for
Internet will always be by direct debit, so you must have a bank account
first. In Nuenen and Tongelre a unique fiber to the home network (100
Mbit/s full duplex internet, telephony and radio/tv) has been installed by
the cooperation ‘Ons Net’.
For Internet through the telephone network you must have contracts with
two companies:
p The supplier of the physical network (usually KPN).
See ‘fixed-line telephony’.
p The Internet service provider (ISP).
Set up a fixed telephone line. Then call the Internet service provider
you wish to use. Phone numbers are available from the Yellow Pages or
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through the Internet. Have your address, date of birth, phone number and bank account
details ready. For a list of Internet providers see: www.nlip.nl/ledenlijst/
For Internet through the cable you must have a contract with the cable supplier as they
also act as the Internet service provider. See ‘Cable TV’.
Addresses
The list below gives the biggest suppliers of each service in the Eindhoven region.
This is not a complete list - you will find more suppliers in the Yellow Pages
(www.goudengids.nl).
If you can work things out from a Dutch website (or can get someone to assist you), a visit
to www.huisaansluitingen.nl will help you get connected to gas, water, energy, cable and
telecoms at the same time.
In general, electricity, water, gas, and cable companies are best contacted by phone;
Internet providers through the web (at work in this case); and mobile phone companies
via the web for comparison, and then by going to a shop to buy.
Service Electricity Biggest suppliers in the Eindhoven region
NRE Netwerk BV: tel. 040 238 3344
www.nrenetwerk.nl
E-on: tel. 0900 0601
www.welkombijeon.nl
Essent: tel. 0900 1550
www.essent.nl
Eneco: tel. 0900 0201
www.eneco.nl
Nuon: tel. 0900 0808
www.nuon.nl
And others
Natural gas See electricity providers, plus:
Intergas: Oosterhout, tel. 0162 481200
www.intergas.nl
Obragas Net: Helmond, tel. 0492 594740
www.obragasnet.nl
And others
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78
Water Brabant Water: ’s Hertogenbosch, tel. 073 683 8000
www.brabantwater.nl
WML: Maastricht, tel. 0800 023 3040
www.wml.nl
TWM: Tilburg, tel.: 013 584 0400
www.twm.nl
NRE Netwerk BV: Eindhoven, tel. 040 238 3344
www.nrenetwerk.nl
And others
Fixed-line telephony
KPN: tel.: 0900 0244, www.kpn.com
Trilink: www.trilink.nl
And others
Mobile telephony Debitel: www.debitel.nl
Hi: www.hi.nl
KPN: www.kpn.com (mobiele abonnementen)
Telfort: www.telfort.nl
T-mobile: www.t-mobile.nl
Vodafone: www.vodafone.nl
And others
Cable UPC: www.upc.nl
Essent: www.corp.home.nl
Casema: www.casema.nl
KBG: www.kabeltv-kbg.nl
And others
Internet XS4all: www.xs4all.nl
KPN: www.kpn.com
Telfort: www.telfort.nl
Het Net: www.hetnet.nl
UPC (cable): www.upclive.nl
Scarlet One: www.scarlet.nl
Ons Net: www.onsneteindhoven.nl and
www.onsnetnuenen.nl
And others
For a complete list of all suppliers look in the Yellow Pages
Waste and recycling
As in other developed nations, the Dutch are keen to lessen their impact on the
environment by reducing landfill and energy use. Several recycling (kringloop) schemes
are in existence, although these may vary slightly depending on the community in which
you choose to live. Homes in Eindhoven region, for example, are issued with two bins
by the municipality, which are emptied on alternate weeks. A green bin is used for
biodegradable kitchen and garden waste, and a grey bin for other household waste. Also
in Eindhoven region, paper is collected on a fortnightly basis, and a mobile van visits
every neighbourhood every two weeks to collect small chemical waste (klein chemisch
afval), such as light bulbs, batteries, and harmful cleaning products.
Bottle banks for recycling glass can be found outside many supermarkets, as can
collection points for unwanted clothes and shoes, and sometimes also batteries. When
you buy most bottled beers and soft drinks (but not canned drinks), you will pay a small
deposit, which is refundable when you return the empty containers.
Check your local Community Guide for more information about what is available in your
area.
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3.6 Schools and Day-Care in the Eindhoven Region
As already mentioned, international schools offer an immediate
advantage to expats compared with Dutch schools: lessons are in English,
and in some schools also in Dutch. International education is designed to
ease the educational transition of a move abroad. Parents come from all
walks of life, though most come from the business community.
If you wish to stay longer in the Netherlands or want your children to go
to a school in your neighbourhood, then a regular Dutch school is also
a possibility. Whatever your choice the Eindhoven region offers a broad
range of possibilities.
Here are the contact details to help you find the right school for you.
Regional International School
The RIS is a publicly funded international school linked to a Dutch primary
school, and gives education in English and Dutch to children from 4 to 11
(international stream) or 12 (Dutch stream). It also has an independent
international nursery class. The school operates the IPC curriculum
for both language departments. The school has about 450 pupils of 40
different nationalities.
www.riseindhoven.nl
International Secondary School Eindhoven
The ISSE is the secondary international school in Eindhoven and part
of the Stedelijk (City) College Eindhoven. It operates the Geneva based
International Baccalaureate as its seven-year curriculum.
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The school currently has approximately 260 students aged 11 to 19.
www.isse-school.nl
The Eindhoven region has plans to form one international school offering
pre-school, primary and secondary education. This will be called the
International School Eindhoven (ISE). When this happens both RIS and
ISSE will be integrated into the new school. For more information visit:
www.internationalschooleindhoven.nl.
European School Mol (Belgium)
The European school in Mol (Belgium) offers nursery, primary and
secondary education. The curriculum can be followed in four different
languages: Dutch, German, French, or Italian. There are also English and
Portuguese groups. All pupils prepare for the European Baccalaureate,
but fees are considerably higher than the schools in Eindhoven. A bus
service operates from Eindhoven. See
www.esmol.be.
Dutch schools in the Eindhoven area
For the list of Dutch schools in Eindhoven and other communities in
the region, see the Community Guides or websites (Appendix VI) and
search for Onderwijs (education), Basisonderwijs (primary schools), or
Voortgezet Onderwijs (secondary schools).
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Day-care
Day-care centres can be found at the Eindhoven University
www.tue.nl/tuimelaar/english.html
The International nursery class at the RIS
www.riseindhoven.nl
For other centres please refer to the Community Guides/websites or Yellow Pages
(www.goudengids.nl) under ‘kinderopvang’. Or visit
www.kinderopvang.net and search under postal code (in Dutch).
Higher education
The Eindhoven region offers excellent higher education possibilities.
The Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e) is a research-driven, design-oriented
university that provides academic education within the engineering, science and
technology sectors. TU/e is the 3rd highest rated technical university in Europe, and
offers many of its programmes in English. It is a very international institution and many
of its current students and PhD’s are non-Dutch. With its conceptual and project-oriented
approach to industrial design education, the Design Academy Eindhoven is amongst the
most influential design institutes in the world, and ranks 5th on the ICON list. The Design
Academy has close ties with TU/e.
At Fontys University of Applied Sciences (Fontys Hogescholen), it is possible to follow almost
all higher professional education programmes at bachelors and masters level. They offer
programmes in Healthcare and Social Work, Economics, Business and Communication,
Technology, Visual and Performing Arts, Logistics and Transport, and Education.
ROC Eindhoven and ROC Ter Aa offer a broad variety of programmes for vocational
education.
For more information visit:
www.tue.nl
www.fontys.edu
www.designacademy.nl
www.vsnu.nl (association of universities in the Netherlands)
www.roceindhoven.nl (Eindhoven)
www.roc-teraa.nl (Helmond)
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3.7 Health
We have explained how the healthcare system in the Netherlands works.
It’s now time to find and register with a doctor.
Choosing a doctor
Each doctor has a catchment area, and as a general rule you should pick
one close to your home. Select a practice based on the postal code –
ideally it should be within one number of your postal code. Be prepared
to call several practices as many are full. In general it is easier to join a
large consortium such as the Association of Health Centres in Eindhoven
(Stichting Gezondheidscentra Eindhoven SGE).
All local doctors have the same education and are approved by the Dutch
authorities, but you can make an appointment to meet a GP and discuss
your personal requirements before deciding whether to register with
them. It is always useful to take along your medical records from your
home country.
Some questions you may consider asking are:
p
p
p
p
p
p
Do both the receptionist and the doctor speak a language you
understand?
What is the policy on house visits?
What detection screening tests are done, and how regularly?
Do patients always need an appointment or is there an open
consultation (spreekuur)?
Is there a specific time when patients can phone?
What should you do if you need a doctor at weekends or during
the night?
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When going to register, take:
p Your address.
p Details of your health insurance.
p Medical records, if possible.
How to find a doctor
You can find a list of doctors for your area in your Community Guide
(gemeentegids), which is available from the Town Hall (Gemeentehuis) and/
or attached to the White Pages. Doctors are listed under Gezondheidszorg
or Artsen and in the Yellow Pages (www.goudengids.nl) under artsen.
There is a special student doctor in Eindhoven: V.J.G.M. de Kort,
Weverstraat 1, 5612 CW Eindhoven (040-2438215).
Using your doctor
If you need emergency care you should call 112 for an ambulance or go
directly to your local hospital emergency centre. For less urgent issues
you should contact your family doctor.
p Call to make an appointment or to find out when the open
consultation hour is.
p If your own doctor is unavailable an answer phone may give a
standby doctor’s number.
p If the standby doctor is unavailable call the central doctors post
(CHP Centrale Huisartsen Post) - the telephone number for the
Eindhoven region is 0900 8861. They are located at the Catharina
Ziekenhuis Eindhoven, Michelangelolaan 2, Eindhoven.
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Emergencies (spoedeisende hulp)
The emergency services operate under the 112 telephone number. A central operator
will ask you what services you require and transfer you locally to someone who can send
help.
You can also go to a first aid department (EHBO) at a nearby hospital. Try to take your
insurance details with you – it will make things easier and quicker.
Hospital (ziekenhuis)
If you need emergency care you should call 112 for an ambulance or go directly to your
local hospital emergency centre. In a non-emergency situation your doctor will organise
your treatment and hospitalisation – you will have an appointment at the hospital.
On your first visit you need to take identification and details of your health insurance.
You will then be given a plastic identification card (ponskaartje) – all your appointments
and treatment are registered with this card. You will need this card for any subsequent
treatment at that hospital, so keep it safe!
If needed, the hospitals in the region will send you through to a university hospital (such
as in Maastricht, Nijmegen, Utrecht or Amsterdam).
List of hospitals in and around Eindhoven
Hospital Address
Catharina Ziekenhuis, Eindhoven Elkerliek ziekenhuis, Deurne Elkerliek ziekenhuis, Helmond Máxima Medisch Centrum, Eindhoven Máxima Medisch Centrum, Veldhoven Michelangelolaan 2,
5623 EJ Eindhoven
http://www.catharina-ziekenhuis.nl/
Henri Dunantweg 16,
5751 CB Deurne
www.elkerliek.nl
Wesselmanlaan 25,
5707 HA Helmond
www.elkerliek.nl
Ds. Th. Fliednerstraat 1,
Eindhoven
www.mmc.nl
De Run 4600,
Veldhoven
www.mmc.nl
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St. Annaziekenhuis, Geldrop (part of St. Anna Zorggroep)
Bogardeind 2,
5664 EH Geldrop
www.st-anna.nl
Dentist (tandarts)
Your dentist can be located anywhere convenient for you, so you are free
to choose any practice.
p Ask if they operate an emergency service.
p Ask about the use of an anaesthetic. Many people in the
Netherlands choose not to have anaesthetics for routine work.
However, you can always ask for it.
p Dentists have no catchment area.
How to find a dentist
Dentists are listed in the Community Guides and Yellow Pages
(www.goudengids.nl) under tandartsen.
In an emergency call your own dentist, who will try to see you that same
day. If you have no response from your dentist, call the General Dentist
Emergency Service (Algemene Tandarts Spoedgevallendienst), listed in
the Community Guide (gemeentegids) under Tandarts: 0900 543 7745.
Be prepared to pay cash (and recover it later through your insurance, if
covered).
Pharmacy (apotheek)
In the Netherlands it is a good idea to register with a pharmacy in the
same way as with a doctor or dentist - choose one that is convenient for
you.
Pharmacists in the Netherlands are highly trained. The pharmacist
can advise you on medicines you use at home, and you can make an
appointment to discuss any questions you have.
It is not necessary to register until you go to get medicines. In order to do
so you will need:
p Name and address of your doctor.
p Details of health insurance.
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How to find a pharmacist
You can find a nearby pharmacy by asking your GP, or by looking in the Yellow Pages
(www.goudengids.nl) under apotheken. Look at the postal code to find one convenient to
you.
Opticians and eye care
You can visit an optician on any high street without an appointment. They will test your
eyes and can prescribe glasses. They will also test for glaucoma. An optician can neither
treat eye diseases nor make referrals. If you have problems with your eyes go to your
doctor.
How to find an optician
See the Yellow Pages (www.goudengids.nl) under opticiens.
Alternative medicine
A list of local practices for alternative medicine can be found under Natuur- en alternatieve
geneeswijzen in your Community Guide.
Municipal and Regional Health Service (GGD)
The GGD is the municipal health organisation for preventive healthcare. The services
they offer include screenings, check-ups for school age children, immunisation, etc.
They are also responsible for the medical screenings that are sometimes required to
obtain a residence permit, such as chest X-Rays to check for tuberculosis.
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Once you have registered at the Town Hall, the GGD will let you know
automatically which immunisation programme (if any) that you need to
follow.
For more information visit:
www.ggd.nl (in Dutch)
Pregnancy and Childbirth (zwangerschap en geboorte)
There are several practical things to know and do.
You do not need to see a doctor. You may go straight to your local midwife.
These are first liners (‘eerstelijns’) which means no referral is needed.
You have to consult your local doctor after four to six weeks pregnancy.
He/she will give you all the information you need for the follow-up.
Most Dutch midwives and doctors prefer not to interfere with the natural
process of labour and delivery.
Medical pain relief is normally not used. Talk to your practitioner early in
the pregnancy about your preferences, especially concerning pain relief.
Courses are organised to educate women in the process of childbirth and
to teach pain relief through breathing techniques and massage. ‘Samen
Bevallen’ see healthcare section.
Right up to being in labour, you can still decide to give birth at home or
in hospital; however, you should decide early in the pregnancy where you
want to deliver. Remember, home delivery is advocated but by no means
compulsory!
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After the baby is born the Home Care Association (Thuiszorg) will provide home nursing
and care for both mother and baby. This includes monitoring for the first eight days.
You can choose between four, six or eight hours a day. The maternity nurse will provide
personal nursing care for mother and baby, and also practical support in the household,
such as cooking and cleaning, watching siblings and making tea/coffee for visitors. Make
an appointment with the maternity care coordinator (kraamzorg manager) for the seventh
month of your pregnancy. Make the appointment well in advance if you can. You will be
able to ask for the services you would like to receive and will be told what the maternity
care team need from you. It is important to inform the Homecare (Thuiszorg) organisation
that you require support. ‘Homecare’ has everything in English.
The midwife will visit you at home in the first week after the baby is born. If you have
seen a gynaecologist instead of a midwife you must go to their clinic for appointments
or arrange for your doctor or midwife to visit you at home. You will have a final postnatal
check up 6 weeks after the baby is born. Your baby will be monitored and get further
immunisations via regular visits to the ‘well-baby’ clinic (consultatie bureau). An English
version of the ‘well-baby’ booklet is available on request.
Pregnancy and childbirth - where to find what you need
It is easiest to get the information you need from your family doctor or GP. In case you
wish to find the information yourself, here are some search terms:
p
p
p
p
p
Midwives, search under Zwangerschap, Verloskundigen.
Obstetricians – look on the website of the hospital you choose.
Post natal care – search under Zwangerschap, Kraamzorg.
Home Care associations – look under Thuiszorg.
Well-baby clinics – see Consultatiebureaus.
You can also contact
www.iwce.nl (International Womens Club Eindhoven)
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The Dutch social-security system
The employment insurance scheme includes unemployment benefit (WW)
and disability benefit (WIA). The national insurance laws provide for oldage benefits (AOW) and child benefit (AKW). Health insurance is arranged
in the National health Insurance Act (ZVW). There are also social security
benefits relating to bereavement and long-term illness.
In general you are covered by the Dutch social security system if you legally
reside in the Netherlands, have a valid work permit (if required) ), have
an income and are not exempted based on treaty regulations between the
Netherlands and your home country. Employee insurance schemes apply
to people legally employed in the Netherlands and national insurance
relates to anyone with a Dutch residence permit.
Your employer will pay the majority of your contributions for the
employment insurance schemes, but you also pay a proportion, which is
deducted directly from your salary. Contributions to national insurance
schemes are income-dependent, but there is a ceiling for contributions
just as there is for benefits. The tax office collects the national insurance
scheme contributions.
What to do
Nothing. Your employer will register you with the Dutch authorities. If
you have two or more jobs in different countries, check what is applicable
with your employer.
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Insurance
The type and amount of insurance you will want to purchase is largely a personal decision.
The following main types of insurance are available:
p Health insurance (mandatory)
p Vehicle insurance (mandatory for those with a vehicle)
p Personal (third party) insurance
p House (bricks and mortar) insurance
p House contents insurance
p Legal costs insurance
Setting up health insurance
Most people will be covered by their employer’s scheme. In this case your HR Manager
will be able to advise you on the correct procedure. Those who need to take out their own
cover should contact an insurance company.
Health insurance when already legally insured abroad (E106, European Health
Insurance Card (EHIC))
With the E106 you can arrange registration via CZ Zorgverzekeraars (PO Box 90152,
5000 LD Tilburg) to receive the treaty policy. If you have a so-called EHIC, registration
with CZ is not necessary. The EHIC replaced the previously used E128 form.
Setting up other insurance
Insurance is supplied by banks as well as insurance companies. Most companies that
supply company health insurance policies also supply other types of insurance.
How to find an insurance company
See the section ‘verzekeringsmaatschappijen’ in the Yellow Pages
Taxation
Everyone living in the Netherlands needs a Citizen Service Number (Burger Service
Nummer or BSN).
Every resident must be registered at the Town Hall, after approval by the immigration
authorities the Town Hall will issue the BSN number.
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What is a Citizen Service Number?
The Citizen Service Number – in Dutch written as Burger Service Nummer
or BSN – is a unique personal ID number of every citizen who is registered
in the Population Register (the Municipal Personal records Database) of
the municipal authorities.
How to obtain a Citizen Service Number or BSN?
You will automatically obtain a Citizen Service Number, when you are
coming to live in the Netherlands and when you register yourself with the
municipal authorities.
Cross border workers
When you are not registered in a Town Hall in the Netherlands (because
you reside in another country) and you do receive wages from a Dutch
employer you will need tax and social security number. This you can apply
for with the tax office in Eindhoven: 0800-0543.
Visiting address: Karel de Grotelaan 4, 5616 CA Eindhoven.
Post address: P.O. box 90056, 5600 PJ Eindhoven.
The 30% tax ruling
Foreigners may be eligible for an advantageous income tax regulation
known as the ‘30% ruling’, whereby 30% of their income is entirely free of
tax for a certain period of time. According to the ruling an employer may
provide a tax-free allowance of 30% of the total salary of an employee.
Any application for the 30% ruling must be made by the employer and
the employee.
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How to apply for the 30% tax rule
Each case is specific and not all information is relevant. In practice it is easiest to see
your HR Manager and discuss your case with him/her.
Because every
expatriate
is different
The Expat Desk of Mazars offers a complete range of services and support in cross
border situations. We can assist you with work permits, 30%-ruling, tax issues,
social security, payroll services, income tax returns, relocation and pension issues.
If you require solutions that go beyond the traditional approach, contact Linda
Meyer, + 31 40 85 18 275. www.mazars.nl
Go fur ther with Mazars.
0475.00.730 adv 148x105.indd 1
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09-06-2009 16:55:57
3.9 Checklist - On Arrival
Formalities: to do at this stage:
p Apply for and collect your work permit (if applicable).
p Register at the Town Hall where you will be living.
p Apply for your residence permit (if applicable). In some cases
this application can be done before the work permit has been
issued.
p Collect your BSN number at the local Town Hall.
p Receive confirmation that your residence permit will be issued
(if applicable).
p Collect your residence permit from IND (if applicable).
Transport: to do at this stage:
p Register imported vehicles with the Dutch authorities. People
registered as living in the Netherlands may not own and drive a
‘foreign’ vehicle here.
Children: to do at this stage:
p Start children between the ages of 5 and 16 years in full-time
education.
p Register with a local doctor and dentist.
Social security, tax and insurance: to do at this stage:
p
p
p
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Set up health insurance.
If you have an E101 ask your insurer for an E106 (or E128 or
EHIC) and arrange registration.
Register with the Dutch authorities. Your employer will do this
for you.
p Set up vehicle insurance.
p Apply for the 30% tax ruling (if applicable).
Housing: to do at this stage:
p Identify accommodation.
p Have measurements of ‘must take’ furniture to see if it will fit in the
new home.
p Agree and sign contracts.
p Organise utilities (water, gas, electricity, phone, Internet, etc.)
p Check which day(s) your bin(s) and other waste items are collected.
Call your Town Hall, or simply ask a neighbour.
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4.Settling into the Eindhoven Region
There are many essential things that need to be arranged in the first few days and weeks
after your arrival. Once they are complete you can start to relax and enjoy life in your
new home. But there are still some things you need to do. This section describes what
they are and how to go about them.
You should also be aware that settling in any new place takes time. Moving to a new
country also combines a number of the most stressful of life’s events, and you should
be prepared for this.
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4.1 Formalities
What to expect
p
p
p
p
Most people go through the ‘culture shock curve’.
Your arrival and the first few weeks are exciting – this is the
‘tourist phase’.
After the tourist phase many people feel their mood dipping –
the honeymoon period is over but lots of things are still
difficult, and ‘not like they were back home’.
Happily this dip doesn’t last forever. You will come out of it,
and then life in the Netherlands can really feel great!
Drivers license regulations
Anyone aged 18 years or over holding a valid drivers license issued in
their own country may drive in the Netherlands whilst here with tourist
status (i.e. not registered as being resident). Residents who hold a nonEU driving license should exchange their existing license for a Dutch one,
and some may need to take a driving test. This must be done within six
months of becoming a resident. EU citizens and employees who benefit
from the 30% tax facility may exchange their driving license without
having to do a driving test.
What to do
Ask your HR Manager for the rules governing your case. For more
information visit: www.rijbewijs.nl/nl/english.
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Social security
All families with children under 18 years of age are eligible for child
benefit payments if the Dutch social security scheme is applicable.
Contact the Sociale Verzekeringsbank at www.svb.nl for more information.
Tax: how you will be taxed?
The employer is obliged to withhold wage tax on your salary. In standard
situations this will be sufficient and you do not have to pay extra or get a
refund. However, in the following situations (among others) a tax refund
may be possible:
p in your arrival year, if you do not work the full 12 months.
p in your departure year, if you do not work the full 12 months.
p if you own a house in the Netherlands and pay interest on your
mortgage; or
p if you have extraordinary burdens above a certain level.
Note that the Dutch tax year runs from January 1 to December 31.
Even if you do not have to pay additional income tax or are not eligible to
receive a refund, the tax authorities may still approach you and ask you to
complete an income tax return. In this case you are obliged to complete
the form they will send you and return it to the tax authorities.
After several months (but within 3 years) the tax inspector will send you a
tax assessment, which will state the amount to be paid or received by you
(often nil). If there is anything to be paid you must transfer the amount
within two months – the tax authorities will give you the bank details. If
you are eligible for a refund the tax authorities will pay the money into the
bank account you stated in your tax return.
Since the completion of a tax return is complicated, and the official form
is in Dutch, many employers support their international employees with
this issue. Alternatively you can make use of a tax advisor of your choice
(for a fee).
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4.3 Transport
When many foreigners think of the Netherlands, they often imagine a
land full of bicycles, and when you arrive you will discover that this is
certainly the case. Almost everyone in the country owns at least one bike,
and many people cycle regularly, whether to get to work or school, or for
fun during weekends and holidays. It is an enjoyable and healthy way of
getting around, a network of bicycle lanes covers Eindhoven, Helmond
and the entire region, making getting around relatively safe, and best of
all the flat landscape means you do not even have to be fit to join in.
Besides new bicycles also second-hand models are widely available.
Make sure you also invest in a good lock however, as bicycle theft is
common and may catch out the unprepared. You can also rent bikes from
most railway stations and several bike shops. Look in the Yellow Pages
(www.goudengids.nl) under Fietsverhuur.
Despite this love of pedal power, the levels of car ownership in the
Netherlands are very high and continuing to grow. The road system is
good, with a network of major highways connecting all the major towns,
but as in many developed countries, roads are often filled with traffic and
traffic jams occur regularly during rush hour. Nevertheless, the car can
be a convenient way to cover long distances, particularly where young
children are involved or when visiting places difficult to reach by public
transport.
The public transport system in the Netherlands is excellent, reasonably
priced (by Western European standards), and many people use it every
day to avoid the frustrations of rush hour traffic jams.
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Dutch road-rules
Dutch road-rules conform to most European regulations. Vehicles drive
on the right, you must give way to traffic approaching from the right when
on minor roads, and the maximum speed in town is 50 km/h (120 km/h on
motorways except where otherwise stated).
The comprehensive bike-path systems around Eindhoven, Helmond and
elsewhere, add an element that may be new to non-Dutch drivers. They
run down each side of most roads and around roundabouts. When turning
(or leaving a roundabout) ALWAYS look out for bicycles crossing your
path. In most cases they have the right of way, so take care!
An English guide to Dutch traffic rules can be found at www.verjo.nl (Traffic
manual, driving license B).
Traffic in the Eindhoven area
Getting around the city is easy, and major access roads into and around
Eindhoven are wide and direct. During the rush hour (08:00-09:30 and
16:00-17:30), roads can become very busy and queues often form.
Nevertheless, except when there are major disturbances such as road
accidents or construction work, traffic usually flows smoothly and it is
possible to cross the city in about 30 minutes.
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Public transport
As elsewhere in the Netherlands, public transport in the Eindhoven region is very good.
The country is small, rich by world standards and, with the exception of the major rivers
which cross the landscape, has few significant barriers to land-transport systems. The
country is well served by bus, train, taxi and air services, which will take you anywhere
you need to go.
How to find information on public transport
There is a single contact number for advice on all (ground-based) public transport on
0900 9292. Stay on the line to be connected to an operator. Or visit: www.9292ov.nl for
comprehensive information.
Bus transport
Both Eindhoven and Helmond have extensive urban bus networks that connect outlying
districts and nearby villages with their city centres. Buses on most routes run at least
once, and often several times, every hour. Most other communities in the Eindhoven
region are served by regional buses that run between villages, and also connect to
Eindhoven and/or Helmond.
Nice to mention is the Phileas bus (see picture above) connecting Eindhoven CS with
Airport Eindhoven, a futuristic bus concept that combines the capacity of a tramway and
the flexibility of a bus. A nice example of high-tech innovation developed and deployed in
the Eindhoven region.
The entire Eindhoven region (along with the rest of the country) is divided into zones. The
fare you pay depends on the number of zones you travel through. Most journeys within
Eindhoven or Helmond will cover one or two zones. It is possible to buy a bus ticket on
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the bus with cash, and on most routes you can also pay with a Chip card.
The driver will not appreciate large notes in payment however, as he is
unlikely to have change. Many people use a strippenkaart (see below) to
travel by bus. This must be bought in advance, but is cheaper than buying
a ticket with cash when you travel.
Paying by Chip gives the same discount as a strippenkaart, but is not
available on all routes.
A strippenkaart, literally a ‘strips card’, is a card that allows you to make
several journeys. Each time you travel by bus the driver will stamp the
appropriate number of strips, depending on the number of zones you
travel through on that journey – the strips fare is always ‘the number of
zones plus one’. You can buy a strippenkaart from supermarket cigarette
kiosks, newsagents, or railway stations. They are available with either 15
or 45 strips - the larger card gives a slightly better discount per journey.
As well as the strippenkaart system you can also buy a Bus Pass, which
allows travel for a set period. These can be bought from train stations,
post offices, supermarkets (at the cigarette counter), newsagents and
tobacconists.
OV-chipkaart
The OV-chipkaart is the smart card that will soon replace all other public
transport tickets in The Netherlands. The OV-chipkaart is the new means
of payment for the public transport system in The Netherlands. The
smart card is the size of a bank card and contains an invisible chip. The
OV-chipkaart can be loaded with credit in euros with which you can travel
anywhere within The Netherlands, or with a travel product such as a single
or season ticket. For more information check: http://www.ov-chipkaart.nl/
allesoverdeov-chipkaart/watisdeovchipkaart/eennieuwbetaalmiddel/
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Train transport
The Netherlands has a comprehensive train timetable to most locations, and prices are
competitive (by Western European standards).
See www.ns.nl or telephone 0900 9292 for travel advice. You can ask for printouts of your
journey at the information centre in the station.
Trains run between Eindhoven and Helmond several times every hour during the day,
and the journey takes around 10 minutes. Within the Eindhoven region, Best, Deurne,
Heeze-Leende and Geldrop-Mierlo also have stations that are served by local trains – for
longer journeys to other parts of the Netherlands and beyond, you will need to change to
an Intercity train in either Eindhoven or Helmond.
Tickets can be bought at the station. You have to pay an extra fee if you purchase your
tickets from the manned ticket office, so use the ticket dispensing machines found in
every station wherever possible. If you travel a lot by train, a yearly discount card can
be obtained that gives you a 40% reduction on train fares, although there are a few
restrictions (e.g. you may not use the 40% card to travel during the morning rush hour
before nine a.m). Monthly and annual season tickets are also available for frequent
travelers.
If you buy an undated ticket, it must be stamped in the yellow machine on the platform
before you travel. You can be fined if you travel with unstamped tickets. Tickets bought
for travel the same day will already be stamped.
Taxis
Taxis can be recognised by the lit signs on the roof. They also have blue license plates (the
majority of vehicles have yellow plates). They cannot be hailed in the street, but there are
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taxi ranks at most stations and by hotels. If you want one to collect you from your home,
phone a local company – the numbers are in the Yellow Pages (www.goudengids.nl).
When travelling to or from railway stations, the treintaxi (train taxi) can be a cheaper
alternative to normal taxis. You may have to share the taxi with others, but you pay a
fixed price per ride, regardless of the distance travelled (up to 8 km from the station).
When arriving at a station, the treintaxi stand is located near the normal taxi rank. If one
is not immediately available a push-button call system located by the stand will connect
you to the treintaxi operator. Buying a ticket in advance (from the train ticket dispensing
machines) is cheaper than paying the driver. For trips to the railway station call 0900 873
4682 at least half an hour prior to being collected.
Parking
In metered parking areas (P zone) you must purchase a parking ticket from a machine
that can be usually found by the side of the road. You pay cash or use your Chip card.
Tickets must be displayed in the front window of your car. Fines for failing to do this are
expensive.
In parking garages you pay with cash (before leaving) or with Pin/Chip cards.
How to find transport
Public transport Tel: 0900 9292, or visit
www.ns.nl or www.9292ov.nl
International trains Tel.: 0900 9296
www.ns.nl
Tickets to some destinations in Germany and Belgium can be
bought online.
Car rentals and choose Eindhoven under ‘Kies regio’ and autoverhuur
under ‘activiteit’.
www.goudengids.nl
Taxi Telephone numbers for the Eindhoven region are in the
Yellow Pages
Treintaxi Tel.: 0900 873 4682 or visit
www.treintaxi.nl
ANWB Tel.: 088 269 22 22
(Dutch Touring Club) www.anwb.nl
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4.4 Expat Networks
Now could be a good moment to start finding some friends that have
been through the same hectic time as you and who live in the Eindhoven
region. From bars favoured by expats to formal expat organisations,
Eindhoven has plenty to offer those in search of friends from around the
world.
Which route you will choose depends on your situation and what you like,
but here are a number of options:
Clubs and groups
Mothers and Toddlers Expat group running various activities for
mothers with children in and around
Eindhoven.
www.mumsandtoddlers.org
North American
Informal group. Meets on the first Tuesday
Women’s Club
of every month.
www.flyswatter.com/nawc
International Women’s Promotes networking between EnglishClub Eindhoven
speaking women of many ages, cultures and
backgrounds.
Meets every third Thursday of each month.
www.iwce.nl
Genootschap Nederland/Promotes links between Britain and the
Engeland
Netherlands
www.gne-eindhoven.nl
The Indo-Dutch Association
Association for Indian people in the
Eindhoven area
Tel.: 040 261 9005
[email protected]
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Regional French speaking group Welcoming Committee RIS Amigos de la Cultura Hispano-Americana Association for French (speaking) people
in the Eindhoven area
Tel.: 040 255 55 61
Welcoming group per nationality at the
International Primary School Eindhoven
Tel.: 040 251 9437
www.riseindhoven.nl
Spanish and Latin American
association
Tel.: 040 246 5005
[email protected] and [email protected]
Some national expat organisations also provide useful information.
ACCESS is a not-for-profit organisation intended to bridge the gap between
the international community and English-speaking services available in
The Netherlands. They supply free information from their database; offer
publications, courses, and events; and have a professional counseling
referral service with about 150 volunteers, a management team, and a
board of directors.
Email: [email protected]
Website: http://www.access-nl.org
Expatica is an English-language news & information source for
expatriates living in, working in or moving to the Netherlands. They
publish eight websites and five country-oriented Survival Guides for
European countries.
www.expatica.com
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The Netherlands prides itself on being a sporting nation, and if you want
to get active you are sure to find what you are looking for. In the Eindhoven
region you can indulge in over 70 different sports, either in an active or a
recreational way, within a club or individually.
PSV (Philips Sports Club) is the largest club in the region, and organises
many sports (not just the football team for which it is world famous),
including swimming, athletics, field hockey, and many others. There are
also good sports facilities in and around Eindhoven, including sports
parks, two combi-swimming pools, an indoor ice rink, indoor sports
centres, indoor tennis centres, a climbing wall, many neighbourhood
sports grounds, and even an indoor ski centre! Eindhoven region also has
several golf courses, horse-riding centres, etc.
Eindhoven is host to a variety of major sports events. Some are held
only occasionally, while others take place every year, and Eindhoven
city council is often a promotional, facilitating and financial partner of
the organising committee. An important annual event is the Eindhoven
Marathon. In recent years the European Volleyball Championships, the
World Baseball championships, the national table tennis championships,
and the European Swimming Championship have all been held here. The
Concours Hippique equestrian event takes place in Eindhoven every year.
In Deurne you’ll find the horse Academy Foundation, a top institute for
horse riding and training.
4.5 Sports, Culture and Leisure in the Eindhoven Region
Sports
107
Where to find your favorite sport
Cricket
Many expats are surprised to discover there’s a thriving cricket club in
Eindhoven, called PSV Tegenbosch. The club welcomes expats and their
skills with open arms! Contact Martin Hancock, Centiemhof 16, 5551 XV
Valkenswaard, or call 040 201 4591 for more information.
Football (Soccer)
The best-known professional sports team in the Eindhoven area is the PSV
football (soccer) team, which has won many trophies at both national and
European level. PSV is independent from the city council and is sponsored
by Philips. There are also many local soccer clubs for the enthusiastic
amateur whose skill levels may not quite reach international standards!
Look under voetbal in the Sports section of the Community Guide.
Swimming
Eindhoven is famous for the PSV swimmers, who train in the brand new
Tongelreep National Swim center. The Eindhoven region also offers
natural pools and other (indoor) swimming pools.
Hockey
Hockey is very popular in the Eindhoven region, and every commune has
its own club. There are usually teams appropriate for all skill levels, not
just for top players. Hockey can be a fun way to mix with Dutch people.
Look in the Community Guides under hockey.
Golf
For golf lovers, Eindhoven and its surroundings offer 7 golf courses with
9 or 18 holes.
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Most courses are also open to non-members, and golf clinics are available for
inexperienced golfers.
Ice Sports Centre
The centre houses three individual rinks: an ice hockey rink, a training rink and a
400metre rink, and organises countless activities.
Other Sports
The Eindhoven region has much to offer in many other sports. There are too many sports
and sports facilities to name them all, but you will find them listed in the Community
Guides or on their website.
www.sport-in-nederland.com
Look in the Sports section (sportverenigingen) under the following headings:
Angling hengelsport
Athletics atletiek
Badminton badminton
Basketball basketbal
Climbing klimsport
Cycling wielersport
Field sports
veldsporten
Football (soccer) voetbal
Golf golf
Gymnastics gymnastiek & turnen
Horse-riding maneges or paardensport
Ice skating ijssport
Martial arts vecht- & zelfverdedigingssport
Motor sport auto- & motorsport
Racket sports
racket sport
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Rugby Shooting and archery Squash Tennis Water sports rugby
schietsport/boogschieten
squash
tennis
watersport
There are also many student associations (also specially for international
students): http://w3.tue.nl/nl/navigatie/portals/studentenverenigingen/
Culture and leisure
The Eindhoven region is a great place for arts and leisure. Theatre
performances are sometimes in English, films are nearly always
shown in their original language, and you can dance or listen to music
in any language you like. For those who prefer the great outdoors, the
countryside in the region is surprisingly green, and is a lovely area for
those who like to bike, or walk, or simply drink a beer on a picturesque
terrace on a small Brabant village market square.
In the following sections we will try to give you a taste of just some of what
the Eindhoven region has to offer in terms of culture, nightlife, and other
things to do. Don’t forget that the region is also close to other fascinating
cities such as Antwerp, Amsterdam, Maastricht, Aachen and Brussels,
all of which can be great places to go for concerts, cultural events, or
sightseeing trips.
The most complete guide to look for in terms of local cultural events is
‘Eindhoven Info’, or visit the local tourist office site, www.vvveindhoven.nl,
where you will find full information in English.
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You can also visit the Tourist Office (VVV) shop at Stationsplein 17, outside Eindhoven’s
central railway station, which provides information and brochures, not only for the
Eindhoven region but for the whole of the Netherlands. They are a good source of useful
information for new residents as well as for tourists. They have maps and guides, can
make hotel reservations, sell gifts and souvenirs and sell tickets for events, concerts
and for the larger theme parks in the Netherlands and neighbouring countries, such
as: De Efteling, Six Flags, Walibi, Sea Life, Madurodam, Warner Brothers Movie World and
others.
Music
There are music performances in many places and of many different kinds to suit all
tastes. The Frits Philips Muziekcentrum offers a wide choice of classical and world
music concerts, and offers an international programme (the International Music Master
Programme). Also the succesfull Brabants Orchestra performs at the Muziekcentrum
on a regular basis. Churches are often another venue for music concerts or choral
performances. For opera you might want to visit the opera houses in Antwerp, Brussels
or Amsterdam. The City Theatre Eindhoven (see below) also hosts occasional operas
performed by travelling opera companies.
For modern music lovers, De Effenaar is the top venue in Eindhoven for pop, rock and
dance music. Events are held most evenings (visit www.effenaar.nl for a complete agenda),
and internationally famous bands and artists often play here (see the Wall of Fame on
their website for a list of past visitors). Their brand new building, opened in 2005, is close
to Eindhoven railway station.
Several bars and cafés around the region host regular musical events by lesser known
artists, many of them local acts. Most of these events are free to enter.
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Theatre/ballet
The City Theatre Eindhoven (Stadsschouwburg Eindhoven) has undergone
a major rebuild, and is now called Parktheater Eindhoven, with seating
for 1500 visitors. This theatre offers a wide range of performances, with
a focus on dance and ballet, popular music and theatre, and occasionally
opera. They also present an annual Winter Circus - a family event children
will not want to miss.
The Theater ’t Speelhuis in Helmond hosts similar events to the City Theater
Eindhoven, and is distinguished by its striking modern architecture and
atmosphere.
It was completely renovated in 2002, and now features every contemporary
convenience designed to satisfy the needs of the most demanding
theatergoer.
Several other places around Eindhoven, for example Valkenswaard,
Veldhoven, Nuenen, Geldrop, Son, Someren and Bergeijk, all have their
own smaller but equally charming theatres. See your local Community
Guide for details.
Cinema
Cinemas in the Eindhoven region offer mainstream movies as well as
art-house productions, and even movie-theatre performances in smaller
venues such as Eindhoven’s Plaza Futura. Complete film listings can be
found at www.uitinbrabant.nl under film. There are also weekly guides to
local events, including cinema choices, that can be found in many bars
and restaurants.
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Most films are shown in their original language and subtitled in Dutch. A few foreign films
aimed at younger children are shown in two versions: the original (subtitled) version, and
a version dubbed into Dutch for those who may be too young to read. Make sure you
specify which version you want to see when buying tickets.
Museums
After PSV, the Van Abbemuseum contemporary art museum is probably Eindhoven’s bestknown asset, which enjoys an enviable reputation within the art world. Its vast collection
includes works by Picasso, Chagall, Kandinsky, El Lissitzky, Mondriaan and Appel. A
huge expansion and renovation project, completed in 2003, quadrupled the exhibition
space and enabled the works to be displayed to their full effect in specially designed
galleries. The new building itself is almost as impressive as the art within. Exhibitions
are held here on a regular basis. The Van Abbemuseum also contains an auditorium, a
bookshop, a unique multimedia library, and an airy restaurant with a terrace overlooking
the Dommel River.
The Gemeentemuseum in Helmond always has something for both adults and children. You
can be transported back in time in the cellars of the castle, can study the wonderfully varied
collection of old and modern art, or visit one of the regularly-changing exhibitions.
The Designhuis has regularly changing exhibitions, events, symposiums and a gift shop.
The Designhuis forms a platform where design is connected to art and technology. Goal
is to stimulate international networking and exchanging of knowledge and cooperation
between creative sectors, knowledge centres and the business world.
In Nuenen the Van Gogh Information Centre houses a permanent exhibition that gives
you an impression of the life and work of Vincent van Gogh in the period 1883 to 1885
by photographs, reproductions of his paintings, drawings and letters. Van Gogh painted
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several of his famous works in the Nuenen-area, for example ‘The potato
eaters’ (De Aardappeleters). In Nuenen you can also make a tour to see
the places he painted.
Several other museums in Eindhoven are more regionally focused, and
can give you a good overview of the region and its history. These include
the Kempenland museum, which focuses on local culture and history; the
first ever Philips factory (now restored to its original 1891 appearance);
and the DAF Museum. The latter has a collection of the company’s trucks
and cars through the ages that is a must for transport lovers.
The Centrum Kunstlicht in de Kunst is small but fascinating art gallery
inspired by Eindhoven’s links with the electric light industry.
On the south side of Eindhoven, the Historisch Openluchtmuseum
Eindhoven (HOME) is part recreated Iron Age settlement, part medieval
village. The older thatched dwellings are an interesting experiment to
discover how people lived 2500 years ago, and visitors are welcome to join
in. This unique ‘living museum’ even produces some of its own food!
If you want to use your weekends to visit some other places, do not forget
the Rijksmuseum, Stedelijk and Van Gogh museums in Amsterdam; the
Open Air museum in Arnhem; the Kröller-Müller museum near Arnhem;
the Boymans van Beuningen and Kunsthal in Rotterdam; the Bonnefanten
museum in Maastricht; the Rubenshuis or Muhka in Antwerp; and many
more. See also www.holland.com.
If you plan to visit a lot of museums in the Netherlands, consider buying
a Museumkaart, which will get you unlimited free access for one year to
most museums in the country, including nearly all of those mentioned
here.
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It costs € 17.50 for under 25s, and € 35.00 from 25 years and up. The Museumkaart can
be bought from any participating museum.
Public libraries
Public libraries are great places, not only to find books in your own language (many
libraries have sections in English, French, German, and other languages), but also to
access the Internet and to find information on culture in general. The Central library
in Eindhoven (at the Witte Dame, Emmasingel) also organises book reviews and hosts
foreign literature clubs. Visit www.obeindhoven.nl, or to find a library near your home see
www.bibliotheek.nl or look under openbare bibliotheken in your Community Guide. The
central library in Helmond is located at Markt 43 (www.bibliotheekhelmondpeel.nl)
Various cultural centres have their own websites, and more and more are including pages
in English. Listed below is a selection of the biggest cultural centres in the Eindhoven
region. For a complete list look under theatres, cinemas, or concert halls in the Yellow
Pages (www.goudengids.nl) or Community Guide.
Restaurants, cafés and bars
Eindhoven and the surrounding region has a large number of restaurants, cafés, bars,
and other places to go out and enjoy yourself. There are far too many to mention them
all here, so take potluck, or follow recommendations from friends and colleagues. Café
culture is very popular, and many people enjoy sitting on terraces year round (many
are heated in winter and awnings protect you against the rain or sun), with a drink and
maybe a light meal. The restaurants and cafés serve a wide range of regional, European,
Asian, and other ethnic cuisines, and you will generally be spoilt for choice. Depending
on what you opt for, you can pay anything for a meal from a few Euros upwards. Several
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top restaurants in the region have been awarded Michelin stars, and have
prices to match their spectacular food! See www.viamichelin.com and
www.iens.nl for more information.
For all useful addresses check in ;Eindhoven Info;, the English magazine
of the local tourist office, or check www.vvveindhoven.nl under restaurants
and nightlife. There are also other guides and selections aimed at specific
targets groups (usually the young and fashionable), and a number of
Dutch language restaurant guides. See www.dinnersite.nl.
Shopping
Eindhoven is also known throughout the region as a great place to shop,
with the Heuvel Galerie, the new Piazza Centre, and the well-known
Bijenkorf department store all being particularly popular. There are
plenty of top-end fashion boutiques in the city centre, as well as a range
of ethnic and health food stores for those looking for unusual ingredients.
Flowers are plentiful and cheap in the Netherlands.
All over the region, weekly markets set up in different locations every day
(except Sunday), selling a wide range of food and other items at lower
prices than you will find in the shops. The markets are popular, and this
is where to head if you want to mix with the locals.
Opening hours vary slightly. Many shops are open from 9:30 to 18:00
Monday to Saturday. A few open later (usually at 11:00 or 13:00) on
Mondays, while some may close an hour earlier on Saturday. Shops in
larger communities stay open late (until 21:00) one evening each week
(koopavond). In both Eindhoven and Helmond this occurs on Fridays.
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Sunday opening was once a rarity in the Netherlands, but is becoming more popular.
Many shops now open on one Sunday each month (koopzondag).
Supermarkets are open longer hours than other shops Monday to Saturday, but do not
open on Sundays.
Special events and agendas
Eindhoven and the surrounding region hosts many annual events, gastronomic
weekends, open air music performances, golf tournaments, and many more. Among
the most popular events is carnival, held in the days before Lent every year, when the
whole region lets its hair down in a festival of music and colour with events for adults
and children. The annual Dutch Design Week in October shows the latest developments
in Dutch design by a diverse selection of events, exhibitions and lecturers in different
locations throughout Eindhoven. The international light festival GLOW in November is
an exhibition of art and design installations in public spaces using light as material, tool
and/or object. The STRP-festival is an unique festival at the intersection of art, music,
technology and popular culture. In Helmond the ‘Artimond artfestival’ presents a lively
cultural weekend in May each year. The annual Jazz festival ‘Jazz in Catstown’ takes
place in August. Weekly and/or monthly programmes on cultural events in and around
Eindhoven are available, though not yet in English. The Uit Cultuurkrant gives the full
agenda for South East Brabant, while the weekly Uitloper gives events for Eindhoven
(both in Dutch).
On the Internet, full programmes can be found www.uitineindhoven.nl or
www.uitinBrabant.nl both are in Dutch only, but the sites are simple to use.
Also try www.zobrabant.nl (in Dutch).
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Culture - a selection
Pathé Eindhoven Cinema: Dommelstraat 27, Eindhoven
Tel.: 040 296 1099
Pathé Helmond Cinema: Frans Joseph v Thielpark 5, Helmond
Tel.: 0492 509 161
www.pathé.nl
Service Bioscoop Zien
Cinema: Keizersgracht 19, Eindhoven
Tel.: 040 297 4747 or 0900 9363
Plaza Futura Film and Theatre Centre:
Leenderweg 65, Eindhoven
Tel.: 040 294 6848
www.plazafutura.nl
Speelhuis Theatre: Speelhuisplein 2, Helmond
Tel.: 0492 587000
www.theaterspeelhuis.nl
Parktheater Eindhoven Theatre: Elzentlaan 50, Eindhoven
Tel.: 040 211 1122
www.parktheater.nl
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Frits Philips Muziekcentrum Concert hall: Heuvel Galerie 140, Eindhoven
www.muziekcentrum.nl
or www.masterprogram.nl
De Effenaar
Rock, pop, and dance music venue:
Dommelstraat 2, Eindhoven
Tickets: 0900 300 1250
www.effenaar.nl
Van Abbemuseum Museum for Contemporary Art:
Bilderdijklaan 10, Eindhoven
Tel.: 040 238 1000
www.vanabbe.nl
DAF Museum Museum: Collection of antique cars and trucks.
Tongelresestraat 27, Eindhoven
Tel.: 040 244 4364
www.dafmuseum.nl
Gemeentemuseum Helmond Van Gogh Information Centre Municipal Museum: Kasteelplein 1, Helmond
Tel.: 0492 587716
www.gemeentemuseumhelmond.nl
Papenvoort 15 (next to the council offices), Nuenen
Tel: 040 2839615
www.vangoghvillagenuenen.nl
Historisch Openluchtmuseum Eindhoven (HOME)
Eindhoven Open Air Museum, containing an Iron
Age settlement and a medieval village:
Boutenslaan 161b, Eindhoven
Tel.: 040 252 2281
www.historisch-openluchtmuseum-eindhoven.nl
Philips First Factory Philips began producing lamps here in 1891:
Emmasingel 31, Eindhoven
Tel.: 040 232 3180
www.philipsfabriek1891.nl
Centrum Kunstlicht in de Kunst Artificial Light in Art Centre. In the same building as
Philips First Factory:
Emmasingel 31, Eindhoven
Tel: 040 275 5183
www.kunstlichtkunst.nl
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Trips outside Eindhoven and Helmond
The Eindhoven region has plenty of green spaces, and lovely natural scenery
can be found in places such as the Genneper Parks just a few minutes from
the city centre. For those who want to venture further afield, biking and
walking routes through the surrounding countryside will take you through
beautiful and unspoilt areas such as Kampina Heide (near Oirschot), the
Bakelse bossen (near Helmond-Bakel) the Strabrechtse Heide (Heeze), or
the Malpie Vennen (near Valkenswaard). More information can be found
through the Tourist Office (www.vvveindhoven.nl, www.vvvhelmond.nl), or by
visiting their office near Eindhoven railway station to get assistance. They
sell maps with recommended cycling and walking routes.
The ANWB (the Dutch motoring association) also produces many
interesting route maps for both bicycle and car excursions. They are
located in the Witte Dame (close to the Public library) on Emmasingel.
Or visit www.anwb.nl.
Eindhoven region is an excellent base from which to explore other places
in the Netherlands or even neighbouring Belgium or Germany (both of
which are only a short drive away). The Deltaworks in Zeeland, low-lying
Holland’s most important achievement in the ongoing battle against
the sea, is reachable in just one and a half hours, as is the Hoge Veluwe
National Park, or the internationally-acclaimed flower gardens of the
Keukenhof.
For city visits, Amsterdam, Rotterdam and The Hague are all easily done
in a day trip. Why not take advantage of your time in the Eindhoven region,
take a boat tour on the Amsterdam canals, discover the history of the royal
family in Delft, or wonder in awe at one of the world’s biggest harbours
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in Rotterdam? Need more European culture? You can drive to Paris in 4.5 hours, or to
Brussels or Cologne in about 1.5. And flying to London, Barcelona, Berlin, Milan, Rome
or even Istanbul for a short break has become very affordable since several low cost
carriers began flying to and from Eindhoven’s regional airport, just 8 km from the city
centre.
Here are just a few of our suggestions for places to visit.
Culture and city trips - a selection outside the Eindhoven region
Amsterdam Capital of the Netherlands, and home to canals
and Anne Frank.
www.visitamsterdam.nl
Rijksmuseum The largest museum of art and history in the Netherlands, known for its collection of 17th century Dutch masters.
www.rijksmuseum.nl
Van Gogh museum
The world’s biggest collection Van Goghs.
www.vangoghmuseum.nl
Stedelijk museum
Modern art museum.
www.stedelijk.nl
Rotterdam: A dynamic, modern harbour city.
www.vvv.rotterdam.nl
Boymans van Beuningen,Two of its museums.
www.boijmans.rotterdam.nl
and Kunsthal The Hague www.kunsthal.nl
International city of peace and justice, and political centre
of the Netherlands.
www.denhaag.com
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De Hoge Veluwe Kröller-Müller Arnhem
TEFAF, Maastricht Deltaworks, Zeeland Keukenhof, Lisse Brussels Antwerp Leuven Aachen Rome 122
One of Netherlands’ oldest and largest
national parks.
www.hogeveluwe.nl
A world famous art collection (including
works by Van Gogh) in the beautiful natural
surroundings of the Hoge Veluwe.
Tel.: 0318 591241
www.kmm.nl
Internally famous annual art fair in Maastricht
(MECC).
www.tefaf.com and www.vvvmaastricht.nl
Complex of defenses in the Maas/Rhine delta,
including the barrier dam, Zeeland .
www.deltawerken.com
Flower gardens (mainly tulips), near Haarlem.
www.keukenhof.nl
Capital of Europe and Belgium.
www.brucity.be and
www.brusselsinternational.be
Flemish city famous for shopping and
restaurants, only one hour from Eindhoven.
www.visitbelgium.com
The capital of the province Flemish Brabant
(Belgium).
www.leuven.be
Aachen is situated directly on the border with
Belgium and the Netherlands.
www.aachen.de
Capital of Italy, centre of classical history.
www.romaturismo.com
Milan London Paris Barcelona Berlin Cologne Italy’s centre of fashion and design.
www.milanoinfotourist.com
Capital of the United Kingdom.
www.visitlondon.com
Capital of France.
www.parisinfo.com
City of Gaudi.
www.barcelona-tourist-guide.com
Capital of Germany.
www.berlin-tourist-information.de
The 4th largest city of Germany.
www.koeln.de/tourismus/en/
More information
For flights to and from Eindhoven Airport, visit www.eindhovenairport.com. One of the biggest
low-cost carriers using Eindhoven as a base is Ryanair (www.ryanair.com). The Eindhoven
region also has many travel agencies that offer personal service in English on request.
Visit www.holland.com, the website of Netherlands Tourist Board for more ideas for day trips
and longer visits.
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4.6 Children’s Activities
Eindhoven and the surrounding area is packed full of organised and nonorganised opportunities to keep your children busy.
Non-organised activities
The region has many attraction parks and zoos. The most famous theme
parks within easy reach of Eindhoven are the Efteling and Toverland, but
Bobbejaanland in Belgium is also nearby. All of these provide a range of
thrill rides for children of all ages. For animal lovers, the Beekse Bergen
safari park is near Tilburg, while other nearby zoos include Antwerp
(Belgium) and Arnhem (Burgers Zoo).
Closer to home for younger kids, children’s farms such as the ones in the
Philips van Lennep and Genneper Parks are perfect, and offer youngsters
the chance to pet a few furry friends. They will also enjoy a visit to the
zoo in Mierlo (Dierenrijk Europa), or the parrot centre in Veldhoven
(papegaaiencentrum), and will certainly love the chance to cuddle a
newborn lamb on the nearby Cor Adriaans sheep farm.
If you want to take the children with you to visit a museum, they needn’t
be bored. The Van Abbemuseum (Modern Art) museum and Centrum
Kunstlicht in de Kunst (KLIK) both run children’s tours, which bring art to
life to fascinate the younger minds. You may also want to visit the Nature
and Clock museum in Asten (just 15 minutes from Eindhoven), which has
full information in English and other languages. Or one hour to the north
by car or train, the National Railways Museum (Het Spoorwegmuseum) in
Utrecht is guaranteed to entertain everyone aged from 4 to 104!
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Don’t forget how much pleasure can be had from a walk in the many parks in the region,
or make a rollerblading tour outside the city. There are many skating routes (and cycling
routes) that are marked and easy to follow. This can be a fun way to discover green
areas outside the towns and cities with your children. The tourist office website (www.
vvveindhoven.nl) indicates skate paths.
Typical Dutch and regional events especially for children are the arrival of Sinterklaas at
the end of November; the children’s carnival (before Lent, usually in February); a tour
of Christmas stables in the villages surrounding Eindhoven; and the Lichtjesroute, the
annual illumination of a marked route around Eindhoven.
For agendas and special activities, visit www.uitinbrabant.nl. Though in Dutch it is easy
to navigate and gives you up-to-date information on activities and events, and offers
suggestions for what to do on Sunday afternoon.
Organised activities
In general schools in the Netherlands, especially local Dutch schools, offer fewer
organised after-school activities than you may be used to. To find music lessons, sports
(other than gymnastics and swimming lessons), drama, art, etc., you will usually need
to locate an appropriate club in your neighbourhood. Why not visit the music schools,
scouting clubs, or sports club (hockey, tennis, horse riding, ballet) near to where you
live, or ask neighbours where their children go? This can also be a great way to integrate
with the locals!
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Culture and recreation for children - selection
Safari park Safari park with more than 1000 animals. Take a bus,
Beekse Bergen
boat or car through the park, or walk. Near Tilburg.
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Tel.: 0900 233 5732
www.beeksebergen.com
De Efteling An amusement park for all ages, including a
Fairytale Park for the younger ones. Kaatsheuvel.
Near Tilburg.
Tel.: 0416 273535
www.efteling.com
Aqua Best Swimming and beach fun and activities, including
waterskiing and a children’s play centre. Near Best.
Tel.: 0499 392236
www.aquabest.nl
Toverland Theme park with indoor and outdoor activities,
open all year. Sevenum.
Tel.: 077 467 7050
www.toverland.nl
Het Spoorweg-
museum
The National Railways Museum, featuring trains,
and a series of rides. Fun for the whole family.
Maliebaanstation, Utrecht.
Tel.: 030 231 8286
www.spoorwegmuseum.nl
Kunstijsbaan Ice skating, Eindhoven. Tel.: 040 238 1200
www.ijssportcentrum.nl
Dierenrijk Europa Zoo. Mierlo. Tel.: 0492 668240
www.dierenrijkeuropa.nl
Museum De Speeldoos
Mini Toy Museum, Asten. Tel.: 0493 692743
Natuur en Beiaard Nature and clocks museum, all in English
museum
Ostaderstraat 23, Asten. Tel.: 0493 697079
www.museumasten.nl
Best Zoo Zoo, Best. Tel.: 0499 371706
www.bestzoo.nl
Zoo Antwerpen Zoo set in a beautiful historic atmosphere.
Kon Astridplein 26, Antwerpen (Belgium).
Tel.: 00 32 3 202 4540
www.zooantwerpen.be
Genneperparken Farm, nature museum (Milieu Educatie Centrum), herb garden,
and a historic museum, Eindhoven.
Tel.: 040 238 1111
www.genneperparken.nl
Children’s farm Kinderboerderij De Hazenwinkel,
De Twijnder 40, Veldhoven. Tel.: 040 255 4250
Sheep farm Cor Adriaans Sheep farm where you can see (and hold) lambs
each February/March. Doolstraat 7, Eindhoven.
Tel.: 040 281 3474
Centrum voor de
Kunsten Eindhoven Centre for the Arts – runs various art and drama courses for CKE
children, Eindhoven.
Tel.: 040 216 3263
www.cke.nl
Van Abbe Saturday course on art for children (currently in Dutch), Eindhoven.
Children’s Arts Club Tel.: 040 238 1042
www.vanabbe.nl
Music schools Eindhoven and elsewhere. Almost all municipalities have their
own music schools.
Tel.: 040 216 3263
www.cke.nl
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Regio Scouting Eindhoven Various scouting organisations are located in Best,
Eindhoven, Nuenen, Son and Breugel, and elsewhere.
www.eindhoven.scouting.nl
www.wegmetdekids.nl/Zoekresultaten.html
– click on ‘dierentuinen’ for zoo, ‘speeltuin’ for play-parks, ‘pretpark’ for amusement
parks.
www.uitmetkinderen.nl/zoeken/zoekregio.htm
– another easy-to-use site using your postal code.
Other kids info
Every village has its own music school (muziekschool) for individual and groups tuition
on virtually any instrument. It is also very common to arrange private music teachers
for home lessons through your school, by placing an advertisement locally, or via the
Internet. For a list of music schools and cultural centres, visit
www.cultuurnetwerk.nl/adressen/noord-brabant.
With so much water in the Netherlands, swimming lessons are common, and children
usually learn to swim from the age of 5. Baby swimming is also popular. Accredited
swimming schools teach courses for national diplomas. At most schools, children get
an extra year of lessons when aged 7 to 8. Look under zwemscholen in the Yellow Pages
(www.goudengids.nl) or in your Community Guide.
The Eindhoven region is publishing a Children’s Guide (Kids Gids), with selections of
various activities. This is available from Spring 2006 (in Dutch). You can also find all the
information you need at
www.vvveindhoven.nl, under children’s activities.
The international primary school (RIS) has a Blue Book in English that offers a selection
of the information available. Contact the RIS at
www.riseindhoven.nl, or by calling 040 251 9437.
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For most people there are many opportunities available for rewarding
work or study – but you may need to be open to considering some things
you might not have done at home.
For some, the main hurdle to overcome may be getting a work permit.
Check with the working partner’s HR Manager whether both are allowed
to work under the terms of your existing permit. If not, a separate permit
may be required, but you could also consider taking a sabbatical to do
unpaid work, or to study.
For others the biggest problem may be getting their non-Dutch
qualifications accepted by the Dutch authorities (for instance to work in
medicine). This issue is recognised by the Dutch authorities and a
range of international qualifications will be accepted once the certificates
have been verified.
4.7 Further Education and Careers for Partners
When someone moves from abroad to start a new assignment in the
Netherlands, the partner frequently does not have a job waiting for him
or her. Studies have shown that the leading cause of assignment failure is
related to a family’s inability to adjust to this new situation. Partners who
may have given up a career to relocate with their family can sometimes
feel lost and invisible at first.
Language can also be an issue, as many jobs require good Dutch. This
can be the spur that makes language training really worthwhile, although
many people take the opposite route and put their ‘foreignness’ to good
use, by doing work that requires their specific language and cultural
skills – work such as teaching or, import/export for example.
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Where to find what you need
For general information, visit the Eindhoven Gemeente (Municipality)
website, which has lots of information (in Dutch and English) and gives
contact details of various local organisations:
www.eindhoven.nl
For verification of qualifications, go to
www.ib-groep.nl/InternationalVisitirs/Diploma_assessment/Coming_to_the_
Netherlands/s40_diploma_evaluation.asp#/
www.idw.nl/index2.html
www.beroepserkenning.nl
For your specific functional area, please refer to the professional
associations in the Netherlands. They can be found using any Internet
search engine.
Often it is best to start with Dutch lessons. Please see under Language
Courses, below.
Some recruitment agencies offer support to internationals. Undutchables
specialises in placing non-Dutch speakers:
www.Undutchables.nl,
www.paragonrri.com,
www.boxx-expat.eu
or look under uitzendbureaus in the Yellow Pages (www.goudengids.nl).
The UWV WERKbedrijf is the official organisation to approach for workrelated questions. Visit them at Smalle Haven 111, Eindhoven, or call 040
851 4000. Alternatively, look under ‘arbeidsbemiddeling’ in the Community
Guide.
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4.8 Language Courses
The Dutch nearly all speak good English. If they hear you speak with a
foreign accent it may be difficult on occasions to practice your fledgling
Dutch. Nevertheless learning some of the local language is highly
recommended – not only will it help you in your daily life, but the locals
will appreciate that you have made the effort.
If you want official recognition of your Dutch language skills (in order to
work for instance) you will need to follow a course that offers exams within
the NT2 (Dutch as a Second Language) structure. This is administered by
the Dutch Ministry of Education, Culture and Science. See
www.minocw.nl.
There are many language training organisations in the area. Here is a
selection:
Language training
TU/e – Centrum voor Taal en Techniek
http://w3.ieis.tue.nl/nl/centrum_voor_
communicatie_taal_techniek/?id=14938
De Eindhovense
Volksuniversiteit
P.O. box 117, 5670 AC Nuenen
Tel.: 040 284 2409
Studiecentrum Talen Heggeranklaan 1, 5643 BP Eindhoven
Eindhoven Tel.: 040 245 2860
www.stetrainingen.nl
WYO Talen Nederland Weegschaalstraat 3, 5632 CW Eindhoven
Tel.: 040 216 3813
www.wyo.nl
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ROC Eindhoven P.O.box 6101, 5600 HC Eindhoven
Tel.: 040 269 4444
www.roceindhoven.nl
ROC Ter Aa www.roc-teraa.nl
Parasol Van Aelstlaan 24, 5503 BD Veldhoven
Tel.: 040 253 5532
www.de-parasol.nl
Taleninstitiuut Regina Coeli
P.O. box 2055, 5260 CB Vught
Tel.: 073 684 8790
www.reginacoeli.nl
More information
www.onzetaal.nl/koppling/dutch.htm
www.minocw.nl
www.nederlandsalstweedetaal.nl
For other language courses, see under talenonderwijs in the Yellow Pages
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4.9 Religion
The Netherlands is a tolerant nation and all the major religions are well
represented. In the Eindhoven area there are many places of worship.
Those listed below are of particular interest to expats.
Christian - multi-denominational
Trinity Church, Pensionaat Eikenburg, Aalsterweg 289, 5644 RE
Eindhoven Tel.: 040 283 1962
Services: Trinity Church Eindhoven is a multi-denominational church,
serving English-speaking people in the Eindhoven area. Services are
held at 10:30 every Sunday morning.
Christian - Catholic
Stadskerk St.Cathrien, Stratumseind 2, Eindhoven. Tel.: 040 244 8897.
There is a service in English on every first and third Sunday of the
month at 12:15.
Services are organized by Frans Wijnen and Chima Anyaeze.
Christian - Baptist
International Christian - Baptist Church of Eindhoven
(www.ibc-eindhoven.nl).
Services are held in English. Tel.: 040 245 2554
Chinese Christian
Chinese Christian Church Eindhoven, Heezerweg 127, Eindhoven.
Tel.: 040 844 3284
Services are on Sunday at 09:00 (in Chinese).
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Hinduism
Meetings are held every second and fourth Saturday of the month, in English,
Hindi and Dutch, at Zeelerstraat 186 in Eindhoven.
Muslim
Fatih Mosque, Willemstraat 67, 5611 HC Eindhoven,
or Anwar-e-Medina, Kastelenplein 169a, 5653 LP Eindhoven.
For more religious institutes, look under religieuze instellingen in your Community Guide.
134
p
p
p
Exchange your driver’s license for a Dutch one (if applicable).
Return foreign license via home country (make a copy!).
Note expiry dates of all permits and licenses – make sure you
re-apply on time!
p Register with a doctor, dentist and pharmacy if you have
not already done so.
4.10 Checklist - Settling In
Formalities: to do at this stage:
Social Security, tax and insurance: to do at this stage:
p Apply for Child Benefit if applicable.
p Apply for spouse tax credit if applicable.
135
5.Finding More Information
This guide is already a thick document, and it would be very easy to make it even bigger.
However, for any information not in the guide there are other ways to find what you
need.
136
Common sources of information in the Netherlands are:
p Community Guides (stadsgidsen or gemeentegidsen) are places
where all public services in your community can be found. They
give full listings of doctors, libraries, pharmacies, hospitals, etc.,
in the area. They also provide invaluable information you may
wish to refer to in your daily life as a resident of Eindhoven. This
includes details about garbage collection, recycling facilities, and
other community schemes. You should be given a guide when you
register in your community. If not, ask for one from the Town Hall.
Sometimes it is attached in the White Pages. Please use it – we
have translated the most common search terms for you.
p The Yellow Pages (Gouden Gids) is the place where all other
(commercial) information can be found, including the names and
details of shops, car dealerships, businesses, services, Internet
providers, and so on. Again, we have provided you with the most
used search terms. See www.goudengids.nl
p Expat Guide Holland, a practical guide for internationals moving
to the Eindhoven Region. Supporting international knowledge
workers and their partner and family to make the transition to a
new home in a new country as smooth as possible so newcomers
can concentrate on settling in and enjoy living there. Our practical
online guide for internationals: www.expatguideholland.com
p Tourist offices (VVV’s) are a great source of information on
upcoming events, leisure activities, culture, nightlife, shopping,
etc. You can either visit their website or go to the tourist information
office.
137
p For any questions related to formalities, immigration procedures, your financial
and insurance situation, it is always recommended that you talk to your HR contact
person. Much of the information you need can be accessed, but may be dependent
on your individual case (e.g. nationality). Your national embassy is another reliable
source of information - see Appendix V for addresses.
p Should you require further personal assistance on any other matter not covered
by your employer, you can also use relocation consultants. Check the Yellow
Pages (www.goudengids.nl) under ‘relocation’.
p We have also mentioned several expat groups and clubs in the Eindhoven region.
Many of them are nationality based and could be useful in answering your
questions. Remember, whatever problems you may experience when you move
in, there is probably someone out there who has already been through exactly the
same thing, and will know the solution!
p The Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND). You will be required to visit
the regional office in order to:
- Apply for a temporary residence permit.
- Collect your residence document.
- Collect a residence sticker.
- Seek information about regular residence in the Netherlands.
For information, call 0900-1234561.
Visit www.ind.nl for opening times and the latest information regarding the IND
office in your region.
138
Appendices
139
Appendix IBrainport
Brainport is a wide-ranging concept. ‘Brainport Eindhoven’ is the striking description
given to the Southeast Brabant region by the Ministry of Economic Affairs at the end
of 2004 in two national policy documents (‘Nota Ruimte’ and ‘Nota Pieken in de Delta’)
based on the importance of our region to the national economy and the position we have
acquired on the European Innovation Scoreboard. Brainport is where the knowledge
industry resides in an environment of open innovation and with an eco-system of
suppliers. This makes Brainport a distinctive statement for the region’s economic
position. But Brainport is more than just a region; it is a network of organisations that
extend beyond the region’s borders. In Brainport, manufacturing industry is transformed
into the knowledge industry, with key sectors being High-Tech Systems & Materials,
Food, Automotive and Life Sciences (medical technology) and Design. Brainport is
synonymous with its unique collaboration within a triangle of companies, knowledge
institutes and (semi-)public institutions. The name Brainport underlines the ambition to
improve competitiveness by gaining strength through being a European top technology
region with a similar image internationally. The Brainport brand stands for creating the
industries of the future.
Creation
In 1993, Southeast Brabant was hit by an economic crisis that led to mass redundancies
among major employers such as DAF and Philips, with many suppliers in the region
falling victim in the wake of this recession. At the initiative of the Eindhoven City Region
(SRE: the municipalities around Eindhoven and Helmond that together form Southeast
Brabant), business, knowledge institutions and public authorities joined forces to get out
of the economic malaise. The 21 SRE municipalities created a joint fund to strengthen
the economic structure of the region and set up the Stimulus programme. This laid the
foundations for the Brainport of today. As the pivot of a network that extends across
Southeast Netherlands and beyond the national borders, the Brainport region now forms
a significant European top technology region. Business, educational and knowledge
institutions together with the public authorities work closely to boost this internationally
competitive position. Projects within the areas – People, Technology, Business and
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Basics – focus on concrete results by and for young entrepreneurs, one of the keys
to success. The Brainport mission builds on the objective of that time: to develop the
region’s economy successfully and sustainably in order to safeguard the welfare and
prosperity of its residents.
Region: enterprising and innovative
Many technological discoveries have seen the light of day in the Brainport region:
electronic music for instance, the music cassette, the CD and the first overseas radio
transmission. And we do not rest on our laurels. Again and again Brainport companies
bring much trumpeted innovations to the market – such as the CDROM, Blu-ray Disc,
LED lighting or world-leading production systems for chips, embedded systems and
innovative public transport systems. Innovation is part of the mentality of Brainport’s
729,000 residents, who enjoy a very high level of education and are very entrepreneurially
minded compared with the national average. They are open to new concepts, work hard
and collaborate closely on tomorrow’s products.
The strong relationship with technology has historical roots and determines in large part
the picture of the region that exists today. Of the 400,000 jobs, around 70,000 are in the hightech, automotive and manufacturing industries. Many people in Brainport are involved
in creating, researching, developing, designing, producing and selling (internationally)
innovative products and technologies. Key sectors are High-Tech Systems & Materials,
Food, Automotive and Life Sciences (medical technology) and Design. Thanks to major
investments made by Brainport companies in research and development, the region is
the country’s number one in R&D. Moreover, Brainport ensures that North Brabant has
the highest ranking of all the Dutch regions on the European Innovation Scoreboard.
But it is not engineering alone that scores highly. Around this blossoming technology
sector is a growing framework of (business) services with design at its forefront. Since
1955, design – especially industrial design – has been at the forefront with engineering.
A well designed product ensures better product sales, determining in part its success.
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This added value has a positive impact on the creative capacity of the region. Thanks to
this eco-system or framework, creative Brainport entrepreneurs have the knowledgeskill till chain in their blood.
Brainport companies often combine their strengths with research institutes and
knowledge institutions, and this manner of working is facilitated by the government,
thus producing a successful cluster of activities in the Brainport region as the puller of
the Dutch (knowledge) economy.
The Brainport eco-system
Entrepreneurs, researchers and inventors do not feel hindered by political or national
borders. Brainport is the hotspot in a much larger whole. Brainport forms a central
axis in a network that extends worldwide. High-tech industry continues to exchange
knowledge and experience with large technology clusters all over the world. An equally
important basis of close contacts and fruitful collaboration is the Eindhoven, Leuven and
Aachen triangle. The so-called ELA-triangle (ELAt) has a strong position in the field of
High-Tech Systems & Materials, Life Tech, Automotive, Design and Food. The region can
be compared with an eco-system in which original equipment manufacturers (OEMs),
suppliers, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and knowledge institutes
form a powerful collaboration. The leading multinationals and knowledge institutes
in Brainport and ELAt jointly provide a significant contribution to the area’s innovative
capacity. The strength of Brainport is the quality of the network. All components in the
knowledge skill-till chain are represented: from fundamental and industrial research to
engineering, design and manufacture.
Ambition: creating the industries of the future
Brainport has all the required competences and features for a cast-iron internationally
competitive position: enterprising and creative residents, innovative companies,
renowned knowledge institutions and a cooperative mentality. Keeping and extending
that position is important, both for Brainport and for the Dutch economy. We continue to
142
need knowledge, but the real strength of Brainport goes a step further. The technology
and design sectors in Brainport are highly developed and world leaders. Developments
do not stand still. Open Innovation is the credo under which new innovative projects,
creative collaboration and out-of-the-box initiatives occur in Brainport. The (knowledge)
industry is flourishing and generating new ways of working, dwelling and living. Brainport
is creating the industries of the future.
Competitive strategy
The willingness to cooperate is in the region’s DNA. In Southeast Brabant, you walk in
through the back door. People like to help each other and relate to each other easily and
informally. There is an atmosphere of cooperation, win-win: giving each other credit.
The success of Brainport is based to a large extent on the intensive cooperation among
residents and among companies. It has led to strong groups and solid networks. The
government recognises the strength of this and is increasingly acting as a facilitator
of collaboration. A feature is the development of a single agenda from the market, a
concrete programme that is actually being implemented, by setting parameters, bringing
companies together or through participation in initiatives. In Brainport a unique form of
cooperation has thus emerged in the triangle of business, knowledge institutions and
public authorities. Policymakers have termed this as ‘new governance’.
Facilitating growth – the Brainport Foundation
The willingness to cooperate in Brainport is high. With so many players aiming for
strong growth, that willingness benefits from some coordination. Business, knowledge
institutions and public authorities have joined together in the Brainport Foundation to
make these ambitions happen. Together they have charted the course in the strategic
programme: Brainport Navigator 2013; beyond Lisbon!
The Brainport Foundation develops and implements this programme, and creates ties
with and among European, national and regional business, knowledge institutions and
public authorities. The Foundation stands for the continued development of the strategy
143
and implementation of the programme that is being conducted by many players in the
market. The Brainport Foundation facilitates this joint course, helping those in the
market that are taking initiatives to develop their plans. This is made possible through
developing business and project plans, project management, finding appropriate funding,
lobbying, bringing parties together, supervising project pilots, monitoring results and
taking care of communications.
More than a hundred projects are defined in the Brainport Navigator. The strategy focuses
on four domains – People, Technology, Business and Basics – within which projects are
developed and conducted to strengthen the Brainport position as a top technology
hotspot in Europe.
‘People’ involves projects focusing on a balanced employment market, the development of
knowledge and entrepreneurship. ‘Technology’ focuses on attracting research centres and
knowledge workers, stimulating innovation and knowledge transfer. ‘Business’ concerns
projects in the field of starter supervision, initiating business communities and attracting
new (international) business. ‘Basics’ focuses on improving the conditions for a habitable
region, such as infrastructure, an attractive climate to locate and the quality of life.
Goals
The main goal is a balanced employment market, a successful knowledge-skill-till
chain, a competitive R&D position, a variety of business options, an attractive climate for
location and a cast-iron international positioning.
The board of the Brainport Foundation comprises a well balanced representation of
business, knowledge institutes and public authorities in Brainport. The Board is formed
by the Mayors of the municipalities Helmond, Eindhoven and Veldhoven, and the chairmen
of Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e), Fontys University of Applied Sciences, ROC
Eindhoven, Brabant-Zeeland Employers Federation, Philips Electronics Nederland and
the Chamber of Commerce.
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Brainport Navigator 2013; beyond Lisbon!
The Brainport 2013 agenda is part of and supports the Triple Helix. For Brainport this
means continuing on its successful course:
With this objective:
p To create a continuum for economic and social development
With these sub-goals:
p To create balance in the job market
p To innovate through the marketing of applied knowledge
p To reduce sensitivity to market fluctuations through diversification
p To boost international profile and reputation
p To create a stimulating environment for companies and individuals
With this mission:
p To achieve sustainable, successful economic competitiveness at a global level thanks
to an innovative knowledge industry
And this ambition:
p To excel as a European top technology (knowledge) region in which innovation is
the engine for sustainable economic and social development
For more information please visit:
www.brainport.nl
www.elat.org
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Brainport: facts and figures
PATENTS - TOP 20 REGIONS IN EUROPE
Source: KU Leuven LRD based on EPO patents
Oberbayern
Noord-Brabant
Stuttgart
Stockholm
Etelä-Suomi
Rheinhessen-Pfalz
Île de France
Hamburg
Darmstadt
Karlsruhe
Luxembourg
Tübingen
Vorarlberg
Köln
Hovedstaden
Freiburg
Unterfranken
Düsseldorf
Inner London
Mittelfranken
0
100
200
300
400
500
600
700
800
900
1000
Average number of patents per million population 2000-2005
TOP 10 R&D BUSINESS EXPENDITURE (MLN EURO) 2008
Source: Technisch Weekblad, Brainport research 2009
800
700
600
500
400
300
200
100
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Brainport International Community (BIC)
The economic development of our region has long been strongly linked with innovation
and R&D. In many respects it is already a stimulating location for international
knowledge workers. But to achieve our ambition of becoming Europe’s number 1
top technology region, we must attract and retain the world’s finest brains. With the
Brainport International Community (BIC) programme we will approach this ‘Battle for
Talent’ proactively. The program develops projects related to three relocation phases.
Phase 1 Coming to:
Supporting companies in attracting international knowledge workers by focused
promotional activities and more efficiency in matching processes. Examples are the
roadshows we hold abroad, to help employers and educational institutes find new
147
international knowledge workers, but also the ‘Plaza’ we are building on the internet to
inform about the career opportunities in our Top Techonolgy Region.
Phase 2 Settling in:
Supporting international knowledge workers and their partner and family to make the
transition to a new home in a new country as smooth as possible so newcomers can
concentrate on settling in and enjoy living here. You can find our practical online guide
for internationals on the web: expatguideholland.com. We also support this Welcome guide,
to help newcomers find their way in the region.
Phase 3 Living in:
Supporting international knowledge workers to feel at home and helping them and their
partners to find next career opportunities in the region.
Talent for Top Technology
People are our key asset and we give a warm welcome to talent. Join the South-east
Netherlands and be part of creating success! Our region offers you:
Challenging jobs
Top institutes and companies
Great opportunities for personal & professional growth
Ample career opportunities
Superb educational institutions
Bilingual education and working environment
Jobs for your partner
And an excellent living environment!
Interested in studying and working in Brainport?
If you have any questions please mail to [email protected] or surf to
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Brainport Development: personal assistance for foreign investors
Brainport Development, a government agency, provides information and practical
assistance to foreign investors (free of charge). Services, all provided on a confidential
basis, include providing insight and data on site selection and logistics strategies and
intensive, personal guidance on such matters as available incentives, permit procedures
and tax structures. Brainport Development introduces corporate investors to a variety of
Dutch networks and service suppliers in business, to government authorities at national
and regional levels, to academic and private sector consultants, and to others central to
the investment process.
On a provincial level we cooperate with the Brabant Development Agency (NV BOM) and
on a national level with The Netherlands Foreign Investment Agency ( NFIA), which is part
of the Dutch Ministry of Economic Affairs. Combined we will be able to get a maximum of
service to your company in guiding you towards your new operation.
Brainport Development explores, in cooperation with other organisations, a cohesive
package of activities geared towards stimulating investment in the Brainport region.
Our aim is to bring the location and investment advantages as well as other economic
potential of the region to the attention of organisations and companies with the intention
of attracting them to the region and retaining them. Active acquisition of companies that
are part of the High Tech Industries, Automotive, Lifetech, Food and Design chains.
We advise and inform companies wanting to (re)locate about the options open to them in
the region and promoting and optimising the business climate.
For more information: [email protected]
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Appendix II Visas,
Work Permits and
Residence Permits
Visas
Citizens of some countries can enter the Netherlands with the purpose of residing
without a visa. This includes: citizens of the EU, Australia, Canada, Japan, Norway, the
US and South Korea.
Most other nationalities need a visa, a so called Authorization for Temporary Stay (MVV).
Check with your HR Manager, International Office or local Dutch Embassy if unsure.
Applying for a voluntary visa can be advantageous even for those who do not need them.
This is because people with visas have had basic checks on their documents completed
before entering the Netherlands, and can therefore start work immediately after entry.
Work permits
In order to work in the Netherlands, employees from countries outside the EU and
Iceland, Norway, Switzerland, Liechtenstein) must either have a work permit or be
accepted into the Knowledge Migrant scheme. Or accepted as a researcher according to
EU regulation 2005/71/EG.
This also applies to citizens from the new EU member states: Romania and Bulgaria.
All work permits are specific to a given job and the company usually makes the application.
There are a number of different types:
a Work permit – new hire
A. It is possible to hire people requiring work permits and who have not
previously worked for the Dutch company outside the Netherlands.
B. It must be proven that there is no one within the EU able to fill the position.
150
b Work permit – internal transfer
A. An employee already working for the same company outside the
Netherlands may work in the Netherlands if they obtain an internal
Transfer work permit.
c Short stay assignments
A. The employee must already be employed by the company outside the
Netherlands and must be paid in the Netherlands.
B. The employee must be giving or receiving training.
C. Technical Designers in Training (TOiO), postdoctoral researchers (Postdoc)
and Assistant Professors
d Praktikant (Internship)
A. Employees who are studying abroad (e.g. in the US) may work in the
Netherlands on a placement if this is related to and benefits their study.
B. Evidence must be provided by the educational body abroad.
C. A placement programme needs to be provided by the Dutch employer,
in order to obtain the internship status.
The Knowledge Migrant scheme
This scheme allows highly qualified people to work in the Netherlands for Dutch
companies without a work permit. The organisation must first apply for the scheme and
then individual employees can join the scheme for that organisation.
Commercial employees must have a gross annual salary of above € 35.997,00 if they are
under 30 years and above € 49.087,00 if they are 30 years or older.
For university staff different rules apply. If the person employed as part of the scientific
staff and receives a salary according to the Collective Employment Agreement for Dutch
Universities there is no income requirement.
151
This also applies to employed PhD students and TOiOs..
The Knowledge Migrant salary levels given above are applicable for 2009.
Researchers
If you are an scientific researcher (employed or unsalaried) and you want to come to the
Netherlands for longer than 3 months, you might be eligible to a residence status as a
researcher in the sense of Directive 2005/71/EC.
A scientific researcher is someone who has obtained a certificate of higher education
which must give the holder access to a doctoral programme. In addition, the scientific
researcher must have been selected by a research institution (which is registered with
the Dutch immigration authorities), to implement a project for which the certificate in
question is required.
It’s not necessary to have a salary paid by the Dutch institute. Posted scientist can also
apply. It’s even possible to bring your partner and children if you are able to provide for
them.
For further details contact your HR manager.
Planning:
a Get your birth and marriage certificates legalised. Your HR Manager /
International Office can advise you on the correct procedure.
b Your employer applies for your entry visa and you can collect it (if applicable).
Your HR Manager / International Office can advise you on the
correct procedure.
c Travel to the Netherlands.
d Apply for and collect your work permit (if applicable). Your employer will make
the application so consult your HR Manager for details.
152
e Register at the Town Hall where you will be living. See Appendix VI for contact
g
h
i
j
details.
f Apply for your residence permit (if applicable). In some cases this application
k
l
can be done before the work permit has been issued. Consult your HR Manager /
International Office for details.
Take a test for tuberculosis (if applicable). The test is required for specific
nationalities and is carried out by the Municipal Healthcare Services (GGD).
Consult your HR Manager / International Office for details.
Collect your BSN number, at the local Town Hall (if applicable).
Start work (if given authorisation by the Dutch authorities, this depends on
nationality, type of work and residence permit) or your studies .
Receive confirmation by post that your residence permit will be issued
(if applicable).
Start work (if not previously given authorisation) ) or your studies.
Collect your residence permit from IND (if applicable).
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Appendix III Pregnancy and Childbirth
(information in detail, paragraphs 2.7 and 3.7)
Antenatal care
Care is generally provided by midwives (verloskundigen) within the community. Midwives
have clinics outside the hospital. A woman registers with the midwife at the beginning
of her pregnancy and makes regular visits for check-ups. The midwives co-ordinate
the necessary tests and ultrasound scans, which are carried out in the hospital. At the
beginning of the pregnancy these visits are monthly, increasing to three-weekly visits in
the sixth and seventh months. In the eighth month visits increase again to every fortnight
and in the ninth month visits are weekly.
It is also possible to register with a gynaecologist at the local hospital. You will be
monitored in the hospital antenatal clinic and your visits will be of the same frequency
as when you see a midwife. With each visit to the midwife or gynaecologist, the following
checks are made:
p Weight (not always done)
p Blood pressure
p Iron levels
p Physical examination (yours and the baby’s)
p Urine protein levels (not always done)
p You are invited to ask any questions you have about the pregnancy and birth
during these visits.
Genetic testing is carried out when a pregnancy is considered to be in a high-risk
category. A high-risk category might be defined by either parent’s family history, or if the
mother is older than 36 and the father older than 55 years of age.
Place of birth
There are three options for the place of birth:
154
Midwife care with home birth – thuisbevalling
A home birth used to be the most common choice made. Statistics show this is a very safe
option in the Netherlands. The midwife carries out regular checks at a clinic throughout
the pregnancy and supports the mother at home during the birth. If complications arise
the mother is moved to hospital. Midwives are highly trained and experienced in home
birth. Their regular checks involve very careful screening to anticipate problems. However,
more and more women choose for a poliklinische or hospital delivery nowadays.
Midwife care with hospital birth – poliklinische bevalling
With this system you see the midwife at a clinic, just as for a home birth. The midwife
will support the mother in hospital during the birth. If the midwife anticipates a problem
during pregnancy, labour or delivery, a gynaecologist may be called for a consultation. If
all goes well, mother and baby can go home within a few hours.
A hospital birth with a gynaecologist – ziekenhuis bevalling
The gynaecologist will see you in the antenatal clinic during the pregnancy and support
the mother during the birth. You may need a referral from your doctor, and not all types
of insurance cover this care. It is also possible that another doctor will be on duty when
you have your baby.
Most likely you will be seen and cared for by a second line midwife.
155
Appendix IV Taxation (Year 2008)
You can have three types of taxable income: in Box 1, in Box 2 and in Box 3. You calculate
the amount of tax you owe by applying the tax rates to these taxable incomes.
The tax amount you calculated on the basis of the tax rates should subsequently be
reduced by one or more tax credits. This is because all taxpayers are entitled to a
general reduction of the tax owed: the general tax credit. In addition, you may qualify for
supplementary tax credits, depending on your personal situation.
Tax rate for income from employment and home ownership (Box 1)
The rate for income from employment and home ownership is a progressive rate that is
charged over four ‘brackets’. As a result, you will pay a proportionally higher amount of tax
as your income increases. The following table shows the brackets and the corresponding
tax rates in 2008.
Bracket Income tax
Up to €17,878 2.35%
€ 17,878 to 32.127 inclusive 10.85%
€ 32.127 to € 54,776 inclusive 42.00%
€ 54,776 and more 52.00%
If you are also insured under the statutory pension insurance (AOW), surviving
dependants’ pension insurance (ANW) and exceptional medical expenses insurance
(AWBZ) schemes, you will also pay national insurance contributions on the Box 1 income.
These contributions are owed on the taxable income in Box 1 up to € 32.127 inclusive.
The percentage for national insurance contributions (AOW, ANW and AWBZ) is 31.15.
In addition, the mortgage interest on your own house, if situated in the Netherlands, may
be fully deductible after adding 0.60% of its economic value; in certain cases (when you
live outside the Netherlands, but work in the Netherlands) this deduction is also possible
for houses situated outside the Netherlands.
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Tax rate for income from a substantial interest (Box 2)
The income from a substantial interest is taxed at a fixed rate of 25%.
Tax rate for income from savings and investments (Box 3)
The income from savings and investments is taxed at a fixed rate of 30%.
A non-working partner may also claim up to € 2,074 a year from the tax authorities. This
is called the General Tax Reduction (Algemene Heffingskorting). In order to claim this, the
relevant form must be filled in. Please ask your HR Manager for help. Anyone needing to
pay tax or wishing to apply for the General Tax Reduction must apply to the Tax Office.
Your income will be taxed on a monthly basis by means of a wage withholding tax if you
are an employee.
The 30% tax ruling
The purpose of this regulation is to attract highly skilled professionals from foreign
countries with skills and experience that are scarce in the Dutch labour market.
According to the 30% ruling, an employer may provide a tax-free allowance of 30% of
the total salary of an employee. The 30% is meant to cover the extra territorial costs
incurred as a consequence of living abroad. This means that extra cost linked with being
an expatriate may not be compensated on a net base together with the 30% rule.
Under the 30% ruling you can opt for being treated as non-resident taxpayer; in that case
you do not have to pay income tax on income from your possessions.
Value Added Tax (BTW)
The Dutch standard VAT rate is 19% and applies to most goods and services. The Dutch
rate is average in comparison to the rate in other EU member states.
157
A 6% rate applies to some items, including food and beverages for human consumption
(excluding alcoholic beverages), water, pharmaceutical products and medical aids for
persons and animals, books and magazines, passenger transport, hotel accommodation,
and entrance to sporting events, theatres, cinemas, music performances, and zoos.
A 0% rate applies to exports and intra-community (EU) supplies.
Road tax
When buying or importing a vehicle it is worth bearing in mind that road tax depends
on:
p Type of vehicle
p Weight (the heavier, the more expensive)
p Fuel used (petrol, diesel, LPG or LPG/petrol)
p The province in which you live
You have to pay road tax from the time your name is transferred to the vehicle registration
certificate. As an example, a medium-sized estate car (station wagon) will normally be
taxed at around €30 per month.
Vehicle Purchase Tax (BPM)
New vehicles or those being imported (except for personal use, see section Cars and
Driving) are subject to a special tax - BPM. This can be as high as 45.2%. Depending on
the fuel type deductions are applicable.
Local taxes
Local taxes are paid once or twice a year (your choice) and include:
p Property rates - paid by the owner (Onroerende-zaakbelasting, eigenaar)
p Refuse disposal (Afvalstoffenheffing) - in some areas this depends on how many times 158
you put your bin out for collection each year!
p Dog Tax (Hondenbelasting) (if applicable)
p Sewage disposal (Rioolrecht)
p Street lighting (straatverlichting)
Contact your Town Hall (stadhuis) for specific information.
Real Estate Transfer Tax
If you buy a house in the Netherlands, you will be taxed with real estate transfer tax (6%
on the economic value). This is not deductible for income tax purposes and is usually
included in the total amount of the mortgage loan that the bank will offer.
Nursery and childcare tax Issues
Childcare costs may be subsidised by the Dutch authorities when both parents are
working or are otherwise unable to care for the children (for instance during training).
The Tax Office can provide a claim form (you need to ask for a kinderopvangtoeslag
aanvraagformulier).
Where the employer offers subsidised childcare this will be taxed at around 50%.
For more information on all tax issues, visit
www.belastingdienst.nl
159
Appendix V Consulates and Embassies
These contact details can also be found at www.minbuza.nl All addresses embassies:
www.embassiesabroad.com/embassies-in/Netherlands#3099
160
Argentina
Javastraat 20
2585 AN, The Hague
Tel.: 070 311 8411
www.embassyargentina.nl
Brazil
Mauritskade 19
2514 HD, The Hague
Tel.: 070 302 3959
www.brazilianembassy.nl
Australia
Carnegielaan 4
2517 KH, The Hague
Tel.: 070 310 8200
www.australian-embassy.nl
Bulgaria
Duinroosweg 9
2597 KJ, The Hague
Tel.: 070 350 3051
www.embassy-bulgaria.nl
Austria
Van Alkemadelaan 342
2597 AS, The Hague
Tel.: 070 324 5470
www.bmaa.gv.at/denhaag/
Canada
Sophialaan 7
2514 JP, The Hague
Tel.: 070 311 1600
www.canada.nl
Belgium
Alexanderveld 97
2585 DB, The Hague
Tel.: 070 312 3456
www.diplomatie.be/thehague
Chile
Mauritskade 51
2514 HG, The Hague
Tel.: 070 312 3640
www.echile.nl
China
Willem Lodewijklaan 10
2517 JT, The Hague
Tel.: 070 306 5061
www.chinaembassy.nl
Columbia
Groot Hertoginnelaan 14
2517 EG, The Hague
Tel.: 070 361 4545
www.colombiaemb.nl
Cyprus
Surinamestraat 15
2585 GG, The Hague
Tel.: 070 346 6499
www.msa.gov.cy
Czech Republic
Paleisstraat 4
2514 JA, The Hague
Tel.: 070 313 0031
www.mfa.cz/hague
Denmark
Koninginnegracht 30
2514 AB, The Hague
Tel.: 070 302 5959
www.ambhaag.um.dk/da
Finland
2517 EG, The Hague
Tel.: 070 346 9754
www.finlande.nl
France
Smidsplein 1
2514 BT, The Hague
Tel.: 070 312 5800
www.ambafrance-nl.org
Germany
Houthorststraat 36-38
1071 DG, Amsterdam
Tel.: 010 574 7700
www.duitse-ambassade.nl
Greece
Amaliastraat 1
2514 JC, The Hague
Tel.: 070 363 8700
www.greekembassy.nl
Republic of Hungary
Hogeweg 14
2585 JD, The Hague
Tel.: 070 355 3319
www.hungarianembassy.nl
India
Buitenrustweg 2
2517 KD, The Hague
Tel.: 070 346 9771
www.indianembassy.nl
Ireland
Dr. Kuyperstraat 9
2514 BA, The Hague
Tel.: 070 363 0993
www.irishembassy.nl
161
Israel
Buitenhof 47
2513 AH, The Hague
Tel.: 070 376 0500
thehague.mfa.gov.il/mfm/web/main/
missionhome.asp?MissionID=82&
Italy
Alexanderstraat 12
2514 JL, The Hague
Tel.: 070 302 1030
www.italy.nl of www.amblaja.esteri.it
Japan
Tobias Asserlaan 2
2517 KC, The Hague
Tel.: 070 346 9544
www.nl.emb-japan.go.jp
Luxembourg
Nassaulaan 8
2514 JS, The Hague
Tel.: 070 360 7516
Mexico
Nassauplein 28
2585 EC, The Hague
Tel.: 070 360 2900
www.embamex-nl.com
New Zealand
Carnegielaan 10, Level 4
2517 KH, The Hague
Tel.: 070 346 9324 (General Enquiries)
Tel.: 070 365 8037 (Visas)
www.newzealand.com
Norway
Lange Vijverberg 11
2513 AC, The Hague
Tel.: 070 311 7611
www.noorwegen.nl
Poland
Alexanderstraat 25
2514 JM, The Hague
Tel.: 070 360 2806
www.haga.polemb.net/
Macedonia
Laan van Meerdervoort 50C
2517 AM, The Hague
Tel.: 070 427 4464
Malta
Scheveningseweg 2
2517 KT, The Hague
Tel.: 070 356 1252
Portugal
Bazarstraat 21
2518 AG, The Hague
Tel.: 070 363 0217
Russian Federation
Andries Bickerweg 2
2517 JP, The Hague
Tel.: 070 345 1300
www.netherlands.mid.ru/netherlands/
eng.html
162
Serbia and Montenegro
2517 EG, The Hague
Tel.: 070 363 6800
Spain
Lange Voorhout 50
2514 EG, The Hague
Tel.: 070 302 4999
www.claboral.nl/
Slovakia
Parkweg 1
2585 JG, The Hague
Tel.: 070 416 7777
www.atue.mfa.sk
Sweden
Jan Willem Frisolaan 3
2517 JS, The Hague
Tel.: 070 412 0200
www.swedenembnl.org
Slovenia
Anna Paulownastraat 11
2518 BA, The Hague
Tel.: 070 310 8690
South Africa
Wassenaarseweg 40
2596 CJ, The Hague
Tel.: 070 392 4501
Switzerland
Lange Voorhout 42
2514 EE, The Hague
Tel.: 070 364 2831
www.eda.admin.ch/denhaag_emb/e/
home.html
www.zuidafrika.nl
163
Appendix VI Tinown
Halls and Community & Websites
the Eindhoven Region
The sites are mostly in Dutch only. For electronic guides if available, see under
‘gemeentegids’.
The Eindhoven region, also known as the SRE-area, is an intermunicipal co-operative
union in which municipalities co-operate in order to promote common interests; in other
words government by the municipalities for the municipalities. The working area covers
21 municipalities.
164
Asten Koningsplein 3, 5721 GJ Asten P.O. box 290, 5720 AG Asten
Tel.: 0493 671212
Fax: 0493 671213
E-mail: [email protected]
www.asten.nl/prod/asten/asten.nsf
Bergeijk
Burgemeester Magneestraat 1,
5571 HB Bergeijk
P.O. box 10000, 5570 GA Bergeijk
Tel.: 0497 551455
Fax: 0497 551499
Cranendonck
Capucijnerplein 1, 6021 CA Budel
P.O. box 2090, 6020 AB Budel
Tel.: 0495 431222
Fax: 0495 431200
www.cranendonck.nl
Deurne
Markt 1, 5751 BE Deurne
P.O. box 3, 5750 AA Deurne
Tel.: 0493 387711
Fax: 0493 387555
www.deurne.nl
www.bergeijk.nl
Bladel
Markt 21, 5531 BC Bladel
P.O. box 11, 5530 AA Bladel
Tel.: 0497 361636
Fax: 0497 361600
Eersel
Dijk 15, 5521 AW Eersel
P.O. box 12, 5520 AA Eersel
Tel.: 0497 531300
Fax: 0497 531350
www.eersel.nl
www.bladel.nl
Best
Raadhuisplein 1, 5683 EA Best
P.O. box 50, 5680 AB Best
Tel.: 0499 360911
Fax: 0499 360232
www.gemeentebest.nl
Eindhoven
Stadhuisplein 10, 5611 EM Eindhoven
P.O. box 90150, 5600 RB Eindhoven
Tel.: 040 238 6000
Fax: 040 243 3585
www.eindhoven.nl
www.eindhoven.eu
165
Geldrop-Mierlo
Stadhuis
Hofstraat 4, 5664 HT Geldrop
Dorpstraat 210, 5731 JL Mierlo
P.O. box 10101, 5660 GA Geldrop
Tel.: 040 289 3893
Fax: 040 289 3800
Laarbeek
Koppelstraat 37,
5741 GA Beek en Donk
P.O. box 190, 5740 AD Beek en Donk
Tel.: 0492 469700
Fax: 0492 469701
www.laarbeek.nl
www.geldrop-mierlo.nl
Gemert Bakel
Ridderplein 1, 5421 CV Gemert
P.O. box 10000, 5420 DA Gemert
Tel: 0492 378500
Fax: 0492 366325
www.gemert-bakel.nl
Heeze Leende
Jan Deckersstraat 2, 5591 HS Heeze
P.O. box 10000, 5590 GA Heeze
Tel.: 040 224 1400
Fax: 040 224 1450
www.heeze-leende.nl
Nuenen, Gerwen en Nederwetten
Jan van Schijnveltlaan 2,
5671 CL Nuenen
P.O. box 10000, 5670 GA Nuenen
Tel.: 040 263 1631
Fax: 040 283 3165
www.nuenen.nl
Oirschot
Deken Frankenstraat 3,
5688 AK Oirschot
P.O. box 11, 5688 ZG Oirschot
Tel.: 0499 583333
Fax: 0499 574235
www.oirschot.nl
Helmond
Frans Joseph van Tielpark 1,
5707 BX Helmond
P.O. box 950, 5700 AZ Helmond
Tel.: 0492 587777
Fax: 0492 587400
www.helmond.nl
Reusel – De Mierden
Kerkplein 3, 5541 KB Reusel
P.O. box 11, 5540 AA Reusel
Tel.: 0497 650650
Fax: 0497 650699
E-mail:
[email protected]
www.reuseldemierden.nl
166
Someren
Wilhelminaplein 1, 5711 EK Someren
P.O. box 290, 5710 AG Someren
Tel.: 0493 494888
Fax: 0493 494850
www.someren.nl
Son en Breugel
Raadhuisplein 1,
5691 AL Son & Breugel
P.O. box 8, 5690 AA Son & Breugel
Tel.: 0499 491491
Fax: 0499 472355
www.sonenbreugel.nl
Veldhoven
Meiveld 1, 5501 KA Veldhoven
P.O. box 10101, 5500 GA Veldhoven
Tel.: 040 258 4411
Fax: 040 254 1395
www.veldhoven.nl
Waalre
Koningin Julianalaan 19,
5582 JV Waalre
P.O. box 10000, 5580 GA Waalre
Tel.: 040 228 2500
Fax: 040 221 7395
www.waalre.nl
Valkenswaard
De Hofnar 15, 5554 DA Valkenswaard
P.O. box 10100,
5550 GA Valkenswaard
Tel.: 040 208 3444
Fax: 040 204 5890
www.valkenswaard.nl
167
Appendix VII
Useful Search Terms
Sports
Angling Athletics
Badminton Basketball Climbing Cycling
Field sports Football (Soccer) Golf Gymnastics Horse-riding Ice skating Martial arts Motor sports Racket sports Rugby Shooting and archery Squash Tennis Water sports Hengelsport
Atletiek
Badminton
Basketbal
Klimsport
Wielersport
Veldsporten
Voetbal
Golf
Gymnastiek & turnen
Maneges or Paardensport
IJssport
Vecht- & Zelfverdedigingssport
Auto- & Motorsport
Racketsport
Rugby
Schietsport/Boogschieten
Squash
Tennis
Watersport
Medical
Care Baby Health Clinic Dentist Doctor Drug Store/Chemist Home Care Association Gynaecologist 168
Zorg
Consultatie Bureau
Tandarts
Huisarts
Drogist
Thuiszorg
Gyneacoloog
Maternity Assistant Midwife Pharmacy Specialist Vet Kraamhulp
Vroedvrouw
Apotheek
Specialist
Dierenarts
House/utilities
(Building) Contractor Carpenter/Joiner Electrician Electricity Fault-clearing Service Furniture Store Garden Centre Gas Housing – Rental Housing – to buy Locksmiths
Painter Plumber (Real) Estate Agent Utilities Companies Waste/Garbage Water Window Cleaner Aannemer
Timmerman
Electricien
Electra
Storingsdienst
Meubel winkel
Tuincentrum
Gas
Huur huizen
Koop huizen
Sleutelservice
Schilder
Loodgieter
Makelaar
Nutsbedrijven
Afval
Water
Glazenwasser
Education
Education advice Higher education Middle School Primary Education Secondary Education Testing Bureau Onderwijs advies
Hoger onderwijs
Middelbare school
Lager onderwijs, or Basis onderwijs
Voortgezet onderwijs
Test bureau
169
Culture
Cinema
Concert Hall Library Museum Theatre Bioscoop
Muziekcentrum or Concertzaal
Bibliotheek
Museum
Schouwburg or Theater
Religion
Churches/Religious Societies Kerken/Religieuze genootschappen
Leisure/activities
Playgrounds Theme Parks Swimming Pools Ice Skating Rinks Sports Parks Dance Schools Music Schools Cultural Education Centres Language Course Speeltuinen
Attractie parken
Zwembaden
IJsbanen
Sport parken
Dansscholen
Muziekscholen
Centra voor culturele vorming
Taalonderwijs
Transport
Airline companies Airports Bicycle Rental Bicycle Shops Car Dealership Car Rental Companies Driving School Dutch Railways Garages Taxi Call Centres Travel Agencies
170
Luchtvaart maatschappijen
Luchthavens
Fietsen verhuur
Fietsen winkels
Auto dealer
Autoverhuur bedrijven
Auto rijschool
Nederlandse Spoorwegen
Garages
Taxi centrales
Reisbureaus
Other services
Accountant Asset Advisors/ Managers Banks Beauty Specialists Employment Offices Employment Offices (Temping) Fire Station Immigration Consultants Insurance Companies Kennels Lawyers Legal Aid Notary Police Stations
Post Offices Removals Companies Tailor/Dressmaker Tax Advisor Tax Office Accountant
Vermogensadviseurs/vermogensbeheerders
Banken
Schoonheidsspecialisten
Arbeidsbureaus
Uitzendbureaus
Brandweer
Immigratie consultants
Verzekeringsbedrijven
Kennels, dierenpensions
Advocaten
Bureau voor rechtshulp
Notaris
Politie bureaus
Postkantoren
Verhuisbedrijven
Kleermaker
Belasting adviseur
Belastingkantoor
171
Appendix VIII Useful Telephone Numbers
Emergencies (police, ambulance, fire alarm) 112
In non life-threatening situations
Police Fire department Animal ambulance Central Doctors Post South East Brabant (CHP) Student doctor
Central Dentist number 0900 8844
040 260 8608 (Eindhoven)
0492 587888 (Helmond)
040 252 3188
0900 8861
040-243 8215
0900 543 7745
Municipal healthcare Services (GGD) 040 238 9444 (Eindhoven)
0492 584888 (Helmond)
Legal Support (Rechtshulp Eindhoven) Tax info Customs (Belasting Tel. Douane) Car declaration (BPM aangifte punt) Municipality info Eindhoven (Algemene en
Publiekszaken) Municipality info Helmond 040 265 2400
0800 0143
040 254 9285
040 238 6000
0492 58 77 77
For other municipalities see the Town Halls Appendix VI
UWV WERKbedrijf Public transport International trains Tourist office 172
040 851 4000 (Eindhoven)
0492 786780 (Helmond)
0900 9292
0900 9296
040 297 9100
Utilities disorder number
Brabant Water Essent UPC
National gas and electricity number 073 683 8000
0900 1550
0900 1580
0800 9009
173
An at-a-glance ‘to do’ checklist on reaching the Eindhoven region
The following list should help you through your first weeks in the Eindhoven region. Not
every point is relevant to everyone – a few depend on your nationality and family
composition – but to complete the necessary paperwork you will need some or all of
the following (and may need to provide translations if they are not in Dutch, English or
German): birth certificates (legalised); marriage certificates (legalised); valid passports;
extra ‘passport-sized’ photos taken in the Netherlands (not from a booth); valid drivers
licenses; employment contract; and Dutch housing rental (or purchase) contract. It is
also advisable to bring a copy of any residence permit you hold, and proof of your travel/
health insurance. Please refer to the ‘Welcome to Brainport’ guide for more details, or
consult your HR Manager. Note: although correct at the time of writing (April 2009), the
situation is always prone to change – so to ensure a stress-free arrival, always try to be
flexible and ‘go with the flow’!
Arriving in Brainport
174
Accommodation q
q
q
Register with housing agencies (if applicable) / Ask your
international office for help.
Agree and sign contracts for accommodation.
Arrange for the utilities (gas, water, electricity, telephone,
Internet, TV, etc.). Note that many expats in the Netherlands
today use their mobiles to stay in touch, and do without a
fixed-line phone.
q Buy a Dutch SIM card for your mobile phone; otherwise you
will pay more for your calls.
q Check with neighbours or the Town Hall on which day(s)
your household waste is collected.
Registration
q
q
q
q
q
q
q
q
q
Apply for and collect your work permit (if applicable, and not
previously arranged).
Register with the Town Hall at your new address.
Everyone must do this soon after arrival.
Apply for a residence permit (if applicable).
Collect your Citizen Service Number (Burger Service
Nummer or BSN) at the local Town Hall at your new address.
You will automatically be registered with the Tax Authority (if
applicable).
You need this number before you can start work.
Receive confirmation by post that your residence permit will
be issued (if applicable).
Start work / studies.
Collect your residence permit from INDl (if applicable).
Some nationalities must also pass a medical screening –
IND will inform you if you require this.
Banking
q Open a bank account. Make sure you have money to cover
you until the account is set up, and until your first salary
payment is made (often in arrears).
Health and
Insurance q Arrange health insurance – required by everyone resident in
the Netherlands. If you have an E101 form, ask your insurer
for an E106, and contact the regional insurer.
q Register with a local doctor. Be prepared to call several
practices as many are full.
q Register with a dentist. Your dentist can be located
anywhere convenient for you.
q Register with a pharmacy. Again, you are free to choose
one convenient for you.
175
q Arrange additional (optional) insurance as required, such
as personal (third party), house (bricks and mortar), house
contents, or legal costs insurance.
Vehicles q
q
q
q
If importing a foreign-registered vehicle, register the car
as soon as you become resident.
Arrange vehicle insurance.
Pay road tax on your vehicle (if applicable).
Exchange your existing drivers license for a Dutch one this must be done within six months of becoming a resident.
Some nationalities may need to take a driving test.
Education and
Religion q Enroll your children in a local school, and/or arrange for
childcare if needed.
q Consider enrolling on a Dutch language course. Although
many Dutch speak English, many jobs require at least a
working knowledge of Dutch. This may be particularly
useful for partners wishing to work.
q If your partner wishes to work in the Netherlands,
certificates of foreign qualifications may need to be verified
by the Dutch authorities.
q Find a local place to worship if required - all major
religions are represented in the Eindhoven region.
Tax benefits q
q
Finally
176
Check whether you are eligible for the ‘30%’ income tax
ruling (applications are made by the employer).
Apply for Child Benefit and the Spouse Tax Credit
(if applicable).
q Visit the local tourist office (VVV) to get some ideas for
leisure activities and days out - after you’ve completed all
these formalities, you’ll deserve the chance to relax and
unwind!
Notes
177
Notes
178
Production
Thanks
This edition is created with the assistance of: Marion Hinderdael, Geoff Mills (Paragon Relocation)
and Tim Skelton (authors), Erik van Beers (University Tilburg), Nicole van Rongen (SRE), Kara de Rooy
(TU/e), Jan van der Steen (Box2 expat solutions), Denise Dommerholt (Care for Women) Rachel Bird
(Eindhoven International Womens Club) and Jos Steegmans (Fontys University of Applied Sciences).
Photographs
ASML, Bibliotheek Eindhoven, Boudewijn Bollmann, Bram Saeys, DAF Museum, De Efteling,
Dutch Design Week, Eindhoven Airport, Fotomedia, Frank Heiligers, Rein Heiligers, Gemeente Eersel,
Gemeente Eindhoven, Gemeente Helmond, Gemeente Laarbeek, Gemeente Nuenen, High Tech
Campus Eindhoven Patrick Meis, Historisch Openlucht Museum Eindhoven (HOME), NV REDE, Philips,
Regional International School (RIS), Stichting Van Gogh Village Nuenen, Frank Tielemans, TU/e,
Van Abbemuseum, Ministerie van Verkeer en Waterstaat, VVV Eindhoven/Paul Veltman and stock images.
Layout:
Mariëtte van Oort
Print:
*van de garde I jémé, Eindhoven
Disclaimer
In the compilation of this guide various sources have been consulted and a number of organisations have lent
their cooperation and provided information. The Brainport Foundation has verified this information as far as
possible with authorities and experts. Nevertheless we remain dependent on external sources. We cannot,
therefore, accept any liability for any errors and their consequences. We advise you at all times to get advice
from your HR department or the relevant official bodies.
sponsored by

Welcome to Brainport Guide

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