Hybrid work is the norm in many Dutch companies, and when you first start working in the Netherlands as an expat, that becomes clear pretty quickly: there’s no such thing as a standard workday anymore.
Some mornings you’re cycling to the office, dealing with the wind or rain, grabbing a coffee or matcha on the way in. Other days you’re working from home, starting your day in a quieter way. It sounds like a good balance (and often it is), but in the beginning it can feel a bit all over the place. Especially when you’re also adjusting to a new country, a new team, and a different work culture.
Not every company runs the same way
One thing that often surprises expats is how different hybrid work can be depending on the company.
In the Netherlands, it is usually clearly defined. Most companies already have a set structure in place, whether that’s a fixed number of office days per week or specific team agreements about when people come in.
It’s not something that’s left completely open, and it’s also not something you’re expected to figure out entirely on your own. In most cases, the expectations are set from the start, and if you’re unsure, it’s something you can (and should) ask during the interview process.
Still, even with that structure in place, it can take a bit of time to understand how it actually works in your day-to-day within a team. And if you want to understand more about the wider work culture behind it, make sure to read this blog on Dutch work culture.
A small routine goes a long way
When your workdays keep switching between home and office, routine stops being something fixed and starts becoming something you create for yourself.
It doesn’t need to be strict or complicated. In fact, the simpler it is, the easier it is to stick to.
Waking up around the same time helps. Having a coffee or tea before you start your day gives a small sense of structure. Opening your laptop at roughly the same time, even if your location changes, makes the start of the day feel more consistent.
These are small things, but they matter more than you think. Especially when everything around you is still new.
Home days and office days don’t feel the same
One of the biggest adjustments with hybrid work is realising that office days and home days naturally feel different.
Office days are usually more social. You talk to colleagues, join meetings, and have those in-between conversations that don’t really happen online. It helps you feel more connected, especially when you’re still building relationships in a new country. Home days are quieter. There’s more focus, fewer interruptions, and often a better flow for getting work done. But if you have too many in a row, it can also feel a bit isolating.
Instead of trying to make both feel equal, it helps to accept the difference.
Use office days for connection and visibility. Use home days for focus and depth. Once you stop expecting every day to feel the same, things start to feel more manageable.
It’s easy to forget to move
This is something that often only becomes clear after a while. Without a commute or natural breaks in your day, it’s easy to stay in the same position for hours, especially when working from home.
That’s why small moments of movement matter.
Stand up between meetings. Take a short walk outside. Stretch for a few minutes. Step away from your screen when you can. It doesn’t need to be a big routine. Just enough to break the pattern of sitting still all day.
It takes time to find your flow
Hybrid work sounds simple on paper, but in reality, it takes time to figure out what it looks like for you personally. And when you’re an expat, you’re not only adjusting to a new way of working, but also to a new environment, new people, and new expectations.
Some weeks will feel smooth and balanced. Others might feel a bit off. That’s normal.
Over time, you start noticing patterns. Which days you prefer being in the office. When you focus best at home. How your week naturally starts to take shape.
And slowly, without forcing it, you find your rhythm.
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