Eigen Risico (“Own Risk”): the interesting Dutch Health Insurance System

15/11/2021 Conner

The health insurance system in the Netherlands works slightly differently from the social or health institutions of other European countries. This blog article will explain everything you need to know about the eigen risico (literally “own risk”, or deductibles) that all Dutch medical insurance companies mention in their policy.

If you decide to move to The Netherlands to live and/or work, it is compulsory to sign up for a Dutch health insurance plan. The monthly premium amount set by the government is a guideline for Dutch health insurance providers, who determine their own prices at the end of the year.

These insurance providers also need to adhere to the Dutch government mandates outlining what is covered in the basic package, which usually consists of general coverage and a compulsory deductible.

For more information check the following link: here

Eigen Risico: the legal amount

Every year, the government sets the fixed legal amount of insurance eigen risico. What this means is that you have to pay the first fixed legal amount in medical expenses yourself. Bills exceeding this amount will be paid directly via your insurer, depending on your chosen policy.

However, you can also negotiate these costs by choosing a voluntary deductible of up to €500 more. In this way, your monthly premium for basic insurance would initially become cheaper. Nevertheless, you could eventually incur more healthcare costs than the basic health insurance package!

You don’t pay excess deductible fees for the following expenses:

General Practitioner
Costs for nursing care
Maternity care
Obstetric care
Cost of integrated care for diabetes: There is an increasing number of healthcare providers who treat people with diabetes (DM2 or increased risk) in the Netherlands.
Vascular risk: addressing risk factors for cardiovascular disease
COPD: chronic lung disease
Check-ups for donors

We do recommend checking with your own health insurance company to clarify the details of your own policy and avoid any misunderstandings. Make sure to remember that changing your current Dutch health insurance to another one is only possible between December 15^th and December 31^st of the year.

For more information about Dutch health insurance, we recommend the following websites: https://access-nl.org/healthcare-netherlands/dutch-healthcare-system/

Abroad Experience International Recruitment wishes you the best of luck in your brand-new Dutch adventure!

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The great Dutch pension system 2023

14/11/2021 Conner

Before going deeper into the dutch pension system, it is important to understand the context. With the help of Delta Lloyd (a large Dutch insurer), GfK, the fourth largest market research institute in the world, has found that Dutch youths are not keen to work until they’re 70. The age of retirement has been increasing over the last few years in the Netherlands, but those who are just beginning their career journey are not so enthusiastic about this fact.

The Three Pillars of the Dutch Pension System

There are three pillars in the Dutch pension system, the first being the “pay as you go” option in which everyone between the ages of 15 and 65 in the Netherlands contributes to pension benefits through the workforce.

As stated, directly or indirectly, everyone contributes to pension costs whether they work or not.

The second pillar refers to collective pension schemes that are created for those working for companies of all sizes. Though it is not mandatory by Dutch law to become a member of such pension funds, more than 90% of employees have an arrangement with their employer.

The third pillar is for those who may be self-employed or are employees in sectors without a collective pension scheme. In article 2.3 of the system brochure provided by the Pensioenfederatie, it says, “Anyone can purchase a product in the third pillar to meet his/her requirements. In this way, people can save extra pension, often taking advantage of tax benefits.”

The Future of Retirement in the Netherlands

So let’s not jump the gun and worry about working for another 50 years, as this is not always the case. Certain circumstances may permit you to retire earlier, or even later if you choose. By 2021, it is expected that retirement will begin when one turns 67, but in 2022 the state pension will be linked to life expectancy. To see when you could expect to retire, check here.

Recent generations may not have begun looking into how they would go about retiring and what life is like after working, but thanks to the different options we are given in the Netherlands you are supported in any circumstance. It’s just another great benefit to working and living in the Netherlands!

For more information browse through other subjects related to the Dutch pension system!

Abroad Experience International Recruitment wishes you the best of luck in your brand-new Dutch adventure!

Do not forget to follow us on social media to be updated on new blogs, guides and job openings: Instagram, LinkedIn, and Facebook!

What is a collective labor agreement (CAO) and what does it mean to work as a CAO uitzendkracht?

07/11/2021 Conner

What is a CAO?

CAO stands for ‘Collectieve Arbeidsovereenkomst’ and can be translated to ‘collective labor agreement’. CAO’s are collective labor agreements between an employer and a trade union in regards to wages, working hours, probation, pension and other important rights & duties of the agency and temporary employee.

Abroad Experience works in accordance with the ABU’s collective labor agreement. The ABU, which is short for the Federation of temporary employment agencies Federation of temporary employment agencies. Their CAO Collective Agreement is for Temporary Employees working in The Netherlands.

Working as a CAO uitzendkracht via Abroad Experience Recruitment

If you are working as a temporary employee via Abroad Experience and come to our office for your contract signing, then you are working in accordance with the collective labor agreement of the ABU. You are a CAO Uitzendkracht.

Do you want to know more about how many holiday days you have? Do you want to know more about your pension? Your holiday allowances? Your overworking hours? What to do when on sick leave?

When working with Abroad Experience you will receive an English version of a PDF file with the Collective Labor Agreement of the ABU. You can also find the link to this PDF file below:

ABU CAO English 2019-2021

Do not forget to follow us on social media to be updated on new blogs, free guides and job openings: Instagram, LinkedIn, and Facebook!

The 4 best banks for expats’ bank accounts.

25/10/2021 Conner

Photo by Expect Best

The Netherlands is home to some of the world’s largest banks, ABN-AMRO, ING and Rabobank, just to name a few of the most popular and known ones. Some of these banks offer a full range of services in English, including apps, translated manuals, and ATMs all over the country (for further details, see further below).

It is not only essential to open a Dutch bank account for your salary processing but also for when you sign a housing contract or want to “pin” in your local shops. (Dutch: pinnen = to pay by card- in the Netherlands people tend to “pin” all their groceries or even smaller amounts, such as when they buy a coffee or purchase something on the market).

How do I open a Dutch bank account and which ones are the best options?

Before opening up a Dutch bank account it can be useful to research the most typical Dutch banks, as well as the newest options: Mobile banks. Most Dutch banks charge a fee either per month or per year, which is something that will be worth comparing. Also, as an expat, if you don’t speak Dutch (yet), you will likely find it important to choose a bank with high-quality English customer support.

ING = The ING is the largest retail bank in the Netherlands. They offer fantastic English customer support, not only when walking into one of their physical banks but also when calling their customer support line. Furthermore, their website has an English option and their banking app can also be set in English. Open a bank account by making an appointment at your closest ING bank location.
ABN-Amro = They also have excellent customer service for English speakers. They offer options to open accounts in advance, before arrival in the Netherlands. You can apply for a Dutch bank account within their app and have your Bank account details within 4 hours- if you have a BSN number & Dutch address.
Rabobank = Rabobank promotes its services for expats by offering an international client team. In large cities, like Leiden, they have a special information desk for expats. They are proud to call themselves a community bank and have a lot of international staff to serve their international customers.
Bunq = Bunq is a full online/mobile bank. If you don’t have a BSN number yet, it is possible to set up a bank account. For the first 90 days, you are able to use the Bunq app without having to provide your BSN number yet. Their app is available in every language and so is their customer service. Please note that they do not have any physical bank locations.

For more information about Bunq, please visit https://dutchreview.com/expat/financial/new-to-the-netherlands-7-reasons-why-bunq-is-the-perfect-bank-for-expats/

What do I need to open a bank account?

Document of identity: Ideally your passport. Often EU identity cards are also accepted. Another option is a residence permit card.
Your BSN number, as we’ve mentioned before, you will not get far without this number in the Netherlands. Unless you make an account at Bunq where you can hand in your BSN number within 90 days of signing up for an account.
Proof of address: Either a rental contract for your house/apartment or a recent utility bill will suffice.
Proof of income: An employment contract or recent salary slips.

You can expect a service charge either every month or every few months- this is automatically taken from your account. If you want to go online shopping, and don’t have a Paypal account or Credit Card, and wish to purchase a product online from a Dutch company, you’re able to pay for it with your debit card and the online payment tool: iDeal.

Credit cards are slowly becoming more accepted within retail stores, but don’t be surprised if they say no. In general, you need to be a customer of your chosen bank for a while before being able to get a credit card. Credit cards are usually more expensive, and it is highly encouraged to pay off the account quickly and consistently. Restaurants often accept credit cards but in shops, such as supermarkets, it is most of the time not possible to pay with a credit card.

With most banks, it is possible to close your account at any time if you decide to relocate to another country.

If you have any further questions about opening a bank account in the Netherlands, do not hesitate to reach out to us!

Looking for more tips on what to take care of when moving to the Netherlands? Follow us on our Youtube channel and the Instagram page (@abroad.experience.recruitment) for valuable further advice!

Dutch taxes & Dutch tax system in a nutshell

22/10/2021 Conner

If you work in the Netherlands and receive an income, you are required to pay Dutch taxes. No matter if you are a Dutch citizen or an expat with a work permit, you will need to pay your taxes for your income. If you work for an employer, then your income tax will likely already be taken from your monthly salary. However, in most cases, you still need to fill in the annual tax return form online (in Dutch: aangifte inkomstenbelasting). The Dutch tax authorities (in Dutch:Belastingdienst) will inform you by mail (In Dutch: Aangifte brief) if this is the case.

Here is a quick insight into Dutch taxes, where they come from, why you are paying them and how to go about them when working through Abroad Experience Recruitment.

Overview of the types of dutch taxes and why you need to pay them:

The IamExpat website link https://www.iamexpat.nl/expat-info/taxation/dutch-tax-system offers a good additional overview of all the different types of taxes.

Dutch taxes Information line

There is a general information line you can call in regard to all tax-related questions: 0800 0543 (if you call within the Netherlands).

When you call this number, but you don’t speak Dutch (yet), please ask the operator to transfer you to an English-speaking colleague.

Dutch Taxes returns

At the beginning of February each year, tax authorities (in Dutch: Belastingdienst) start sending invitations to submit your income tax return form. If you have not received a letter and are in doubt if you need to pay taxes, please call the information line, that is mentioned above. You fill in your income tax return form online by visiting www.belastingdienst.nl. Here you log in with your personal DigiD number. The tax income form should be filled in between March 1^st and April 30^th. Although you can request an extension, we strongly advise you to fill in the form in time, to avoid penalties.

How does the tax system work?

Payroll tax is withheld from your salary when you work in an employment situation. The income tax calculation looks something like this, see the example below:

Salary: EUR 100,000
Income tax due on salary: EUR 42,000
Less payroll tax of salary: EUR 42,000
Balance: EUR 0

In this case, if you were employed for the whole year, you would not need to pay additional income tax. You won’t receive a tax form from the authorities, nor would you be obliged to submit a tax return. However, you may be entitled to a tax refund due to any incurred tax-deductible expenses. Therefore it is recommended that you submit a form.

Important: You are legally obliged to request a form and file a tax return if you have received income that hasn’t been taxed.

Types of forms

P Form – Most common form for those in a regular employment situation and have resided in the Netherlands for the full year

M Form – For those who became a resident of the Netherlands sometime in the course of the year, and for those who used to live in the Netherlands but relocated within the same year.

C Form – For those who do not live in the Netherlands but have Dutch-sourced income

W Form – For self-employed residents

F Form – For relatives of a deceased person

Filing your taxes

Most people file their taxes through the Belastingdienst website. However, as the website is all in Dutch, it’s advised for those who don’t speak Dutch to contact a tax advisor or a Dutch acquaintance/partner/colleague who can offer support.

Important: The DigiD is an identity management platform that government agencies of the Netherlands can use to verify the identification of a Dutch resident. This is used for Tax and Customs Administration, Pension, and Dienst Uitvoering Onderwijs. It can take a few weeks to set this up, so whatever you do, do not leave this to the last minute. If you don’t have one already, request for it here.

After Submission

After submitting your tax return, you will receive a preliminary assessment from the tax authorities. This assessment will take between 6 to 12 weeks after the return has been submitted. When it comes to M Forms, it can take up to 24 weeks before an assessment is made. Once the tax authorities have checked the return, you will receive the final assessment along with the payment or refund information.

Taxes while working through Abroad Experience Recruitment:

If you are working as an employee contracted through Abroad Experience, you will receive a yearly income statement from us at the end of January, which is related to the previous year’s salary and deductions. You need this form to fill out your tax return form.

If you have more questions regarding your taxes or questions about work-related topics, don’t hesitate to let us know. We are happy to hear from you about what topics you’d like to know more about.

Also, don’t forget to follow our Youtube & Instagram channels for additional job-related tips & resources!

Abroad Experience BV is an international recruitment agency that offers unique career opportunities to multilingual job seekers. See our vacancies.

Do I need a work permit to work in the Netherlands and if so, how can I apply for it?

21/10/2021 Conner

Photo by Ylanite Koppens

You wish to work in the Netherlands- fantastic! Do make sure to ask yourself, before you apply or attend interviews, whether you still need to arrange a work permit to start the next chapter in your new home country.

Who needs a work permit to be able to work in the Netherlands?

Are you a citizen from within the EU, the EEA, Switzerland or Croatia? Then you do NOT need a work visa or residence permit to work legally in The Netherlands. You have the ”freedom of movement”. Since 2018 Croatia was added to the list of countries that are granted the right to work in the Netherlands without a permit.

Are you a citizen from a non-EU country? Then you will need to obtain a permit to work in the Netherlands.

Please be aware that Abroad Experience cannot assist you with obtaining a work permit. We cooperate with international companies that only accept applications from candidates who already have a valid work permit! For more information, please scroll to the bottom of the blog article.

Other situations in which somebody does not need to apply for a work permit:

1. You are in a registered partnership with a Dutch or EU citizen who is legally able to work in the Netherlands.

2. You have a one-year working holiday visa: If you are from Australia, New Zealand or Canada and you are between 18-30 years old, you can work for one year in the Netherlands.

3. You are enrolled in a Dutch university program and came to the Netherlands for education as a non-EU citizen, then you are able to work on the side of your studies for a maximum of 16 hours during the academic year and full-time in the months between June-August. You will need to apply for a TWV work permit to do so. A work permit is not required if you do an internship as part of your studies.

4. You had a work permit for the Netherlands in the past: If you worked in the Netherlands in the past for at least 5 years and had Dutch residency (3 years for Turkish citizens), then your employer does not need to apply for a work permit again.

I have Dutch residence but how do I know if I need an additional work permit?

Your residence card will state on the backside that you are free to work in the Dutch labor market without a work permit (it will state in Dutch: Arbeid vrij toegestaan. TWV is niet vereist).

What are the different kinds of work permits and which one do I need?

There are different kinds of work permits:

An employment permit (TWV)
A single permit which is also known as a combined residence and work permit (GVVA)
A highly skilled migrant permit
A search year visa (zoekjaar visa) for expat graduates
A holiday working visa

Depending on how long somebody is aiming to stay in the Netherlands, they need to apply for a TWV or GVVA. Only the GVVA is a permit that job seekers can apply to themselves. A TWV can only be applied to by an employer.

For more detailed information about different work permits, we advise you to check the following websites:

https://www.government.nl/topics/foreign-nationals-working-in-the-netherlands/question-and-answer/what-permits-do-foreign-workers-need

https://www.iamexpat.nl/expat-info/official-issues/work-permit-netherlands

Below you can find an overview of all the types of work permits that our recruitment agency and clients consider:

EU Citizens

EU/EEA/Swiss nationals do not require a work permit to work legally in the Netherlands.

Dutch Citizens

There are three ways to acquire Dutch citizenship: by means of naturalization, option procedure, or by law (birth or family ties).

Family

You are able to stay in the Netherlands when you are married or in a registered relationship, should you wish to stay with your unmarried partner or are a minor who wishes to stay with your parent(s).

Highly Skilled Migrant

In order to receive this permit, you will need a residence permit or provisional residence permit (mvv). Only a recognized employer is able to submit an application on behalf of the highly skilled migrant.

Recognized sponsorship companies that can offer support with residence permits + work permits:

If none of the above situations applies to you, please check the link below where you can find a list of companies that offer sponsorship visas. The Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND) publishes a list each year with recognized sponsorship companies.

https://ind.nl/en/Pages/public-register-recognised-sponsors.aspx

Abroad Experience BV is an international recruitment agency that offers unique career opportunities to multilingual job seekers. See our vacancies.

How to come back to work after a long absence? 3 tips

27/05/2020 Conner

https://youtu.be/yJXm3nf3hDw

This blog is written during a time that the lockdown of the COVID-19 pandemic is starting to be less restrictive, which means people are starting to go back to work little by little. The return from 3 months at home with your family or alone to an environment which is ’the new normal’ will be strange for all of us, but it does not have to cause you any anxiety. Verder lezen →

Remote work: how to create the perfect work environment?

29/04/2020 Conner

As we know, COVID-19 is forcing us to stay at home as much as possible and for a lot of workers, this means continuing working from home. This environment can be challenging and not everyone likes it. However, a large number of people already choose to work remotely from time to time, 43% in the USA in 2019, and this number will increase even more in the next few years.

In this blog, we will give you our 3 best tips to make remote work pleasant for you! Verder lezen →

Covid-19 and recruitment, how do we deal with it?

24/03/2020 Conner

https://youtu.be/yJXm3nf3hDw

This is a very unusual time that we are all living in currently. The pandemic of Covid-19 spread so rapidly that most of us were forced to stay home.

This disease is drastically changing our society since the world’s economy is suspended and recruitment processes are affected. Most shops are closed, all businesses need to take action to avoid the virus spreading within their offices and people work now remotely when they can.

Abroad Experience is also affected by it. Especially because being a recruitment consultant is a job requiring extensive contact with candidates or clients. In this blog, we are going to tell you how the virus is affecting the recruitment market and how we deal with it at Abroad Experience. Verder lezen →

The relationship between sport and work performance

02/03/2020 Conner

Photo by cottonbro studio

It is already very well known that sport is one of the factors of wellbeing at work. Indeed, our life is more and more sedentary since we don’t work in the countryside anymore. Most of our jobs are office jobs which means less sunlight during the day and less physical exercise. This can lead to many problems and diseases such as heart disease, obesity, diabetes, chronic fatigue and so on. In the article, we will see how sport can help you be more productive at your job and how to implement it in your company. Verder lezen →