Living in the Netherlands

Students setting up their new life in the Netherlands will need to open a Dutch bank account to receive their salaries, rent an apartment or to just take a trip down to the supermarket where they can "pin" for groceries.

Before you go to open your bank account, you need to choose which bank suits your needs or principles. You should also take into account that most banks charge a yearly fee for having an account with them.

Once you have selected your bank you should check out the details of the accounts offered to see whether they suit your needs and requirements. To open a private bank account in the Netherlands you will need to either make an appointment online, or simply walk into your nearest branch with all of your details. In some cases, it is possible to have a bank employee come and meet you at home or at work to set up the account.

To open a bank account in the Netherlands you will need the following:

• Your BSN number (Burgerservicenummer).
• A valid form of ID (passport or identity card — often a drivers license is not acceptable).
• Proof of address (i.e., a rental contract).
• Residency permit if you come from outside of the EU.
• Once all the details have been processed, you will wait until your account is approved and your new pinpas is sent to you.

The first point of contact in getting healthcare in the Netherlands is to register with a doctor (huisarts in Dutch) or general practitioner (GP), which is important to do when you arrive in the Netherlands. If you have not registered with a GP, and you then become ill, you may have difficulty finding a nearby doctor who is taking patients, as their practice may already be full.

To search and find a doctor near you, go to the Doctena website and enter your location. You can also visit your Gemeentehuis (town/city hall) and ask for a gemeentegids (a booklet issued by your municipality containing information about doctors, sports groups, day care, etc.), which will have a list of all the local GPs. There is also a listing in the Yellow Pages (Telefoongids / Gouden Gids) under Artsen – Huisartsen. Please note, you may not be able to register with the GP of your choice if they are not accepting new patients or you live too far away from the practice.

The Role of the GP in the Dutch Healthcare System

In the Netherlands, the GP holds a central role when it comes to healthcare. If you have any questions regarding your physical and mental health, your GP is the first one to ask. In addition to answering any health questions you may have, a GP in the Netherlands can also perform minor surgical procedures and carry out pediatric and gynecological examinations. Generally, a GP does not provide dental treatments.

How to Register With A GP in the Netherlands

When you have found a GP to your liking, you will need to register with said GP. Some GP practices allow you to register online. Generally, you will need the following documents when you register with a GP: valid ID, BSN and health insurance details.

Your GP may wish to have a consultation appointment with you to go over your medical history. This is a good opportunity to have any questions about healthcare in the Netherlands answered. If it is your first visit, you should also bring your medical records you have from your home country and, if applicable, a list of medications you are using.

Hello Doc offers a telehealth service for when you arrive in a new country like The Netherlands and need a GP. They also give advice and treatment in case you are not able to register with a GP and require non-urgent medical care.

Generally speaking, the Dutch public transport network is clean, efficient, and relatively cheap. The local train network — operated by NS (Nederlandse Spoorwegen) — covers much of the country, and you can move between towns and cities cheaply. Other towns and villages are connected by bus links, while the northern islands have ferry access.

In larger cities, you’ll find either a tram or a metro system (or both), while smaller cities and towns will have bus networks connecting suburbs with central areas. These networks are operated locally. However, wherever you are in the Netherlands you’ll be able to use your OV-chipkaart, the national smart-card payment system for public transport. Disabled travelers are generally well-catered to, and public transport stops and stations are usually near each other. This lets you seamlessly move between transport modes during your journey.

The first thing you need to know when it comes to taking public transport in the Netherlands is the OV-chipkaart. The OV-chipkaart (OV stands for openbaar vervoer, or public transport) is the Dutch smart-card payment system that operates across the country for all public transport options. There are two types of OV-chipkaart: anonymous and personal. Anonymous cards can be bought and topped-up from machines and ticket offices at train and metro stations. Personal cards need to be purchased online, and you will need to provide a photo for the card. These cards can be topped-up online or at a ticket machine. Alternatively, you can sign up for automatic top-ups when your balance falls below a certain amount.

Journey costs are determined by distance. When you check in, a boarding fare is debited from your card. This fare varies depending on the mode of transport. When you check out at your destination, you will then be refunded this boarding fare, minus the charge for the kilometers you’ve traveled. If you fail to check out, you will have to pay the whole boarding fare, which could be up to 20 euros. For more information, visit the OV-chipkaart website.