Living in the Netherlands as a foreigner – How to survive? 7 Tips!

Are you planning on living in the Netherlands? Yes? Then, of course, you’re not the first.

In the last couple of years, I’ve been in touch with a lot of foreigners trying to start a life or actually living in the Netherlands. My contact with them gave me a lot of insight into the Netherlands and living here as a foreigner.

In this blog I will show you the things you need to know to survive as a foreigner in the Netherlands.

The first and most important thing you must do, and coincidentally my favorite, is that you have to learn Dutch!

Learn Dutch to survive in the Netherlands

As you can read in this blog, learning Dutch, the official language of the Netherlands, is essential to survive in the Netherlands. And yes, you can manage to survive with English, but that would be survival on the most basic level. There are so many advantages to learning Dutch when you are in the Netherlands.

Learning Dutch is not only important for your daily life, but also for getting to know Dutch culture. Learning about Dutch culture is the second point on my list on how to survive in the Netherlands as a foreigner.

Learn about Dutch culture to survive in the Netherlands

If you want to survive it’s essential to learn about Dutch culture. Not only that but it is nice to know it about when you have time off work. For example, it’s good to know that May 5^th (Bevrijdingsdag, Liberation Day) is a public holiday once every five years.

And you also don’t want to be the ignorant tourist who dresses up for Koningsdag on the wrong day…

But also knowing about other habits, routines and specifics of the Netherlands and the Dutch people helps you survive. As an example, don’t get angry if you want to walk on the escalator and it’s totally packed. The Dutch don’t do the escalator etiquette where those on the right stand and on the left walk.

Most people just stand and wait.

Learn about the climate to survive in the Netherlands

The third point on my list is the weather in the Netherlands. The climate in the Netherlands is one of cool summers and mild winters. This means you won’t experience extreme conditions.

If you are lucky you can get a lot of sunny days in the summer. Autumn can be rainy and also very windy. So be careful and check the buienrader (rain radar) before you get on your bike.

If you are a foreigner, you will probably find winter to be pretty long and grey. But then… then comes spring and this, along with the summer, is my favorite time of the year. The last couple of years the weather in April and May has been very good. And you will see the Dutch really appreciate this. The first day that the temperature rises above 20 degrees, you will see people in T-shirts, people lying in the park and barbecues everywhere.

Talking about the weather is hobby of many Dutchies. Learn words to talk about the Dutch weather .

Be prepared for Dutch food to survive in the Netherlands

For survival you need food. And for some people this is a tricky part of living in the Netherlands.

Many of the foreigners I met, needed some time to, how would I say… adjust.

A couple of years ago a student asked me if we eat anything else for lunch other than a ‘boterham met kaas’ (cheese sandwich). And yes, we do! You see people eating their sandwiches behind their computer, walking to the train, and, why not, on their bike.

Know what to expect with the social life to survive in the Netherlands

Survival in the social jungle of the Netherlands!

First some reassurance:

I’ve heard that it’s not difficult to make contact with Dutch people. Speaking English is sometimes an advantage for getting to meet Dutch people, who are not shy about speaking English. But it changes if you want to get them know a little better. What I’ve heard is that this is a bit more difficult.

I have an example of this from a Spanish student I met last year. At that time he was working in his office with a Dutch colleague, and during work hours they had a great time. But the Spanish guy found it really strange that work was work and outside that, they didn’t have any contact.

Pick up important tips about work and its culture to survive in the Netherlands

As a foreigner you will probably have to work at some point. What is important to know about Dutch work culture is that they are straightforward. Compared to other cultures the Dutch are pretty direct, it’s normal to say what you think.

I’ve heard from different students that, after living and working in the Netherlands for a couple of years, they know not to expect a lot of small talk during meetings…