Everything an American Expat Should Know When Moving to Amsterdam

So, You Plan on Moving to Amsterdam? Here’s What to Know About The Netherlands Before Leaving

Relocating to the Netherlands is possible with an international moving company that provides professional relocation services for anyone looking to move across the world. Considering that the Netherlands is one of the best European countries to move to, we’d say that the idea is better than just good. You could experience the ultimate European life without sacrificing too much.

Before you move to this world-famous capital, it would be wise to learn more about the country it’s located in. Some basic facts to know are:

• The Netherlands (NL) is a relatively small country in Western Europe with a population of around 17,6 million,
• The largest cities in the country are Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Utrecht, and The Hague,
• The population of the capital is around 820,000 people,
• Amsterdam’s nicknames are Venice of the North because of its many canals, Jerusalem in the North, because of a once large Jewish population, and shortened versions of the name, like Dam and A’dam,
• The NL has a monarch and a Prime Minister – the King’s name is Willem Alexander, and the Prime Minister is Mark Rutte,
• The official language is Dutch,
• The main currency is Euro (€1 = $1,15),
• According to a 2019 census, around 54% of the population declared themselves without religion; approximately 38% belong to Christianity,
• There are three special municipalities in the Caribbean that belong to the Netherlands – the islands Sint Eustatius, Bonaire, and Saba,
• The average temperature in the summer months is 64°F and in winter 40°F.

How to Move to the Venice of the North and Live as an Expat

It’s not enough to learn how much rainfall there is when researching how to move to Amsterdam. Sure, it’ll help you when you book international packing services to help you with moving overseas with the most suitable outfits. Still, there’s something way more important to look into, including the necessary documents for going abroad.

The Netherlands is a part of the EU – European Union. There are 27 states in the union, and people who hold passports from any of these countries can relocate easier than others, with minimal paperwork required. Luckily, American citizens don’t need to apply for a visa to emigrate there but do need to apply for residence and work permits. Get informed and get more details about this at the Dutch embassy in the US.

Is Amsterdam Easy to Move to? Living as a Resident in The Netherlands

If you follow a coronavirus guide and stay careful when moving internationally, all that’s left is to visit the Immigration and Naturalization Service (IND) in the Netherlands. In Dam, you have to register with the municipality when you move for the first time; there, they’ll give you a burgerservicenummer or BSN.

The BSN allows you to open a bank account, get employment, and use health institutions. Additionally, you can use the BSN to apply for certain benefits or allowances. The documents you submit won’t need you to learn a new language since you can provide them in English; the only vital thing is that you provide originals, not photocopies.

You can bring a pet but count on the process to last up to 12 months when you start preparing. You must look into all the necessary documents, vaccinations, and requirements for relocating with a furry friend.

Moving to Amsterdam for Employment Will Have You Draw Your Competitive Claws

There are plenty of jobs for Americans in Europe, but it’s important to remember that most EU countries accept expats who can immensely benefit the economy. Currently, the types of workers they need the most in NL are:

• IT and data science,
• Hospitality,
• E-commerce,
• Education,
• Health workers,
• Manufacturing,
• Finance and business.

Working in Europe as an American can also be made easier if you apply at one of the international companies stationed in Dam. Some of them are:

• Nike,
• Adidas,
• Tesla Motors,
• Netflix,
• Tommy Hilfiger,
• Under Armour,
• Heineken,
• Phillips,
• Shell,
• Panasonic Europe,
• Booking.com.

Now you must be wondering is it expensive to live in Amsterdam. According to Numbeo, the average monthly salary is around €3,200, and rent ranges from €1,500 in the city center to €2,600 on the outskirts (depending on the type of realty). Most of your salary will go towards rent and groceries. Paying for private health insurance is mandatory, too, which could cost you up to €150 per month.

The video below shows a realistic overview of an expat’s budget while living in Dam. You can look at your savings overall and calculate how much your regular life might cost you there.

Education and Healthcare Accessibility for an Average American Moving to Amsterdam

Whether you plan to be living in Amsterdam as an American alone or with family, you have to look into the available health insurance options. Dental care is publicly funded and available – in fact, NL has the most dentist visits per year globally. However, when it comes to general healthcare and access to hospitals and treatments, you have to pay up.

This isn’t just applicable to expats; even locals have to cash out between €100 and €150 per month to access healthcare. The overall impressions are that the hospitals have the necessary modern equipment for treatments, that the examinations are accurate, and the staff is friendly and supportive. There’s nothing scarier than having to go to hospitals in a foreign country, but with NL, you’ll be more than pleased.

The Dutch Education System Supports the Children and Parents Alike

Wondering how much is it to move to Amsterdam is common, but if someone’s relocating with kids, they should have other things in mind, like education. You’ll be happy to hear that your little ones can attend various schools since the curriculum is taught in English in many of them.

Preschool is optional, but if you decide to enroll your child, the earliest age is two. At four years old, they start primary school and attend it for eight years, after which they enroll in secondary school. You can choose to enroll your children into an international school or opt for a public one that has newcomers’ programs that teach Dutch to expat kids.

Survive the Culture Shock in Dam by Learning More About It

Moving abroad and living in another city is bound to cause culture shock. It doesn’t matter where you go; you’re never fully prepared to move to another country and fit in immediately. Your new home in Dam may have you initially gear up for one kind of life but end up living a completely different one.

The city is notorious for things like the Red Light District, marijuana shops, and wild nightlife. While these places exist, locals don’t call Dam their home because of them; most of them like the city because it has more bicycles than residents, museums and support for the arts on every corner, and the fact that they live in the capital of one of the safest countries for women and LGBTI population.

Nevertheless, Dam’s infectious energy and unusual architecture win over anyone looking to live abroad. Here are some more fun facts about the Venice of the North:

• The canals in Dam are all protected by UNESCO’s Heritage Program,
• If you see a black home in Dam, then you’re looking at a historical site in some way. The houses that are painted black honor the residents who lived there and died from the plague a long time ago,
• 180 different nationalities are working in Dam and calling it home,
• There are around 1,200 bridges and 165 canals,
• There are 207 paintings of Van Gogh in the city,
• Even the Schiphol airport has a museum,
• Dam’s sister cities are Manchester, UK, and Zapopan, Mexico.

Cycle Everywhere and Fit In Right Away

Dam’s population of 820,000 people has the luxury of having around a million bicycles in the city area. Around 63% of the population bike daily, and not just for working and commuting. It is their chosen mode of transport at any given time. If you’re into living healthy, then getting car shipping services from an overseas shipping company may be redundant here.

Because of the healthy habits of the locals, Dam has long been on the list of the best places to live abroad. The great part about it is that embracing cycling shouldn’t be that difficult, and it’ll be the most affordable and easygoing solution for adjusting to a different culture.

Just in case you haven’t learned how to ride a bicycle yet, take the alternative, public transportation solution. Remember the essential part – bikes have an advantage over cars and pedestrians in traffic, so mind your step.

Safety and Tolerance Are at the Forefront of Dam’s Lifestyle

Besides having numerous expat communities and the rising title of one of the coolest vegan cities, Dam is also the gay capital of the world. Not only is the local population and law protective of its LGBTI residents, but members of this community can report crimes against them to a special police department called ‘Roze in Blauw.’

The workers of the Red Light District have legal working rights in Dam. They have to register their employment at the Dutch Chamber of Commerce, and the minimum age for any woman looking to work there is 21. They have limited shifts of 11 hours per day, and with constant supervision, the workers are safe and operate in a full legal capacity (they pay taxes, too).

Will Speaking English be Enough as a Foreigner Living In Dam?

Moving internationally for love is one of the most beautiful reasons to relocate. There won’t be a need to break the language barrier with your partner or coworkers in NL, but living in a foreign nation will likely require any expat to learn at least basic vocabulary in the native language. This is why it is highly recommended to start taking Dutch lessons even before you move.

The language can seem a bit rough and coarse at first, but as with every habit, it becomes muscle memory and stops sounding bizarre the more you use it. The City of Amsterdam offers free language courses to expats, as long as they are eligible; that’s something you can check online since most of the language course websites are developed for English speakers.

Other ways are to download mobile apps, look online for courses, or simply ask your new colleagues to help you out with communicating. Keeping in touch with friends won’t be a problem, but keeping up with Dutch might be, so start working on it as soon as possible.

If You Want the Best of Europe, Head to the Netherlands and Its Capital

Now that you’ve looked into shipping overseas to magical and wondrous Amsterdam, why not hire an overseas moving company to help you relocate to one of the best cities to move to in Europe? Not only will the relocation stress be minimal when you land into the capital of a thousand canals, but it’ll be worth it, too. You’ll fit in quickly and wonder why you haven’t taken a leap of faith and made Dam your new home before.