Do you want to leave Switzerland and have decided to move to the Netherlands? We are sure that you have not just made this decision overnight, but have already given some thought to this life-changing decision.
We can guarantee that you have already made a few moves in the past. But a change of your place of residence to a foreign country is associated with much more effort than within Switzerland.
So that you are not confronted with unexpected challenges, we would like to assist you with this article. In the following, you will learn everything you need to know about your move to the Netherlands.
Interesting cities to live in after your move to the Netherlands
There are some great livable cities in the Netherlands where you can build a new life. If you don’t know the Dutch language, you should focus mainly on the larger metropolitan areas. There you will rarely have problems getting by even with English. Especially among the younger generations, you will meet many people who have an excellent command of this language.
The largest city in the Netherlands is the capital Amsterdam, followed by the port city of Rotterdam and The Hague, where the country’s government is based. Of course, you can move to other cities or even a small village. But so that we do not go beyond the scope, we limit ourselves here to these three most populous cities.
Amsterdam
The capital Amsterdam has almost 900,000 inhabitants. It is not only a popular tourist destination, but also a popular place to live for all people who decide to move to the Netherlands.
Amsterdam is located in the province of North Holland, right on the Amstel River. The Dutch capital is world famous mainly because of its canals. This is a system of canals, which were laid out in a ring in the city.
Another special feature is the red light district of Amsterdam. However, don’t think that everything here revolves exclusively around venal sex. It is also the center of the city’s nightlife. In addition, in the middle of this neighborhood you will find the oldest church in Amsterdam. Accordingly, a visit is definitely worth it.
Rotterdam
Rotterdam has about 650,000 inhabitants, making it the second largest city in the country. It has the largest commercial port in Europe, making it an important hub for European freight traffic.
The cityscape of Rotterdam is very different from that of Amsterdam. You can expect mainly skyscrapers, which gives the Dutch port metropolis a particularly modern flair.
Den Haag
Although Amsterdam is the official capital of the Netherlands, the country’s government meets in The Hague. This city in South Holland has about 550,000 inhabitants.
At the same time, The Hague is the seat of the Dutch royal family. You can expect to encounter plenty of history and culture. In addition, many famous Dutch artists have settled in the third largest city in the Netherlands. Especially the elegant squares and promenades make The Hague an attractive place to live.
Typical dishes to try after your move to the Netherlands
Stamppot
Translated into German, “Stamppot” means something like “mashed pot”. This is a stew made of mashed potatoes and various vegetables. Especially popular ingredients are sauerkraut, cabbage, onions, sauerkraut and spinach. The whole thing is then served on a plate together with a brown sauce and some sausage or some meatballs.
Rijsttafel
In this dish you will notice the strong influence of Indonesian cuisine on the Netherlands. This is because Indonesia used to be a Dutch colony.
It is a series of smaller dishes. These were served by the people of Indonesia to their colonial masters during the colonial period to introduce them to Indonesian cuisine.
Broodje Haring
Since the Netherlands has direct access to the North Sea, fish is of course a must on the menu. In particular, broodje haring with herring is one of the most popular snacks of the Dutch. In addition, there are onions and pickles.
The herring rolls are particularly tasty from May to July. According to connoisseurs, this is when the fish tastes especially sweet.
Is a visa necessary for your move to the Netherlands?
There is a bilateral agreement between Switzerland and the Netherlands. So you do not have to apply for a residence permit for the Netherlands. Moreover, you are allowed to live there as long as you want. You only need to carry a valid ID document when you enter the country.
If you need a new ID card, you must apply for it at the Swiss diplomatic mission in the Netherlands. This is located in The Hague and has the following address:
Lange Voorhout 42
2514 EE The Hague
However, if you want to work in the Netherlands, you will need a Citizen Service Number – BSN for short – and a DigiD.
You will receive the BSN as soon as you register with a municipality in the Netherlands. You will need a valid ID card for this. Immediately after registering at your new place of residence, you will receive your BSN.
You need the BSN to apply for your DigiD (Digital Identity). You will need this to use the online services of the Dutch authorities. After applying for your DigiD, a letter will be sent to you with further instructions on how to activate it.
Thanks to the information we have compiled for you in this post, you are now well prepared for your move to the Netherlands. Now you know if you need a visa and where it is worth living.
Do you still have unanswered questions despite our blog post? Of course, we will be happy to answer them as well. All you need to do is to send us a message.