Each country has its own specific use of technology. An example of a distinct system is the card system: you may have gone to the supermarket before moving to the Netherlands and they don't accept the Romanian card. At the checkout counter you would be astonished to find that they do not accept the most popular types of cards in the world. All...
First, tell us a little about yourself. Who is Gabi Ungureanu? Gabi: Gabi is one of the Romanians who dreamed of a world full of possibilities, free of the frustrations and problems they faced for years in their homeland. Born in the last years of the communist period and raised in the chaos that followed, I still remember with...
On 15 March, provincial elections are held in the Kingdom of the Netherlands. On the same day, elections for the Water Council (Waterschappen) also take place. What are provincial elections? Provincial elections are held every 4 years. In these elections, voters elect the members of the Provincial Council. To be able to vote, you must have Dutch citizenship and be at least 18 years old....
The birth of a child is one of the most beautiful events in a family's life. We all know that bringing a child into the world involves some serious costs. The government of the Netherlands has announced that from 1 January 2025 there will be changes to childcare costs. Under the legislation...
Dealing with a problem or conflict at work is always difficult. Especially when you are in a new country and don't know what the correct procedures should be. In this article you will find guidance on how to deal with workplace conflicts and termination of employment in the Netherlands. Conflicts in the workplace...
Low interest rates on bank loans have made more and more people want to buy a home in recent years. Unfortunately, high demand and increasingly limited supply have made overbidding the norm in recent years, with large cities seeing prices over €50,000 above the purchase price. That said,...
If you get a Frenchman drunk and have him write a text in German and then read it in a British accent while gargling in the middle of a thunderstorm, the result might resemble the language that about 23 million people speak every day: Dutch. Learning a foreign language is always quite a process...
If you want a baby or are already pregnant, this guide explains antenatal care, childbirth, aftercare and parental leave in the Netherlands. Are you thinking about getting pregnant or are you already expecting? The Dutch healthcare system is one of the best in Europe and is one of the safest places to give birth, despite a...
In 2022, municipal elections in the Netherlands will be held on 16 March. If you're reading this article there's a good chance you're a resident of the Netherlands but not a citizen, so you might think you're automatically disqualified from the electoral process. Not necessarily! In fact, if you've managed to register with your local government in...
If you live in the Netherlands you've probably already been put in a situation like this: "it's okay, I'll send you a Tikkie" - a phrase that most likely has you in a fog. If you've ever experienced something similar, then you've come to the right place. Read on to find out everything you need to know about the fast transaction app that has...
Looking for the equivalent of a dollar store, euro shop or pound shop in the Netherlands? Here's what we know about cheap shopping in the land of kortingen (discounts). The longer you live here and look around, the more you'll learn about the best places to shop. Sometimes we all just need some guidance on budgeting...
