Financial Planning For UK Expats in Netherlands - Blacktower Financial Management EU (2024)

The Netherlands is one of the world’s great cosmopolitan countries; and is often referred to as the Gateway to Europe, as it’s linked together with Belgium, France and Germany.

However, it’s so much more than just a “gateway”. In fact, the Netherlands has one of the richest artistic heritages in the world; with Van Gogh, Rembrandt, Vermeer and Mondrian amongst its finest cultural exports.

Expatriate life in the Netherlands makes for an exciting, welcoming and varied experience. There are thought to be around 75,000 expats currently calling the Netherlands home, with one in four of all high-wage staff in the Netherlands hailing from Britain or Germany.

Although expats in the Netherlands find life is – for the most part – enjoyable and inspiring, the Dutch bureaucracy can present challenges, so it’s a good idea for the expat to have an experienced adviser to help them cut through the red tape.

With a lowunemployment rate of just 4%,expats come flocking to the country to help out with the skills shortage in the engineering, IT and healthcare sectors – and of course, to reap the many benefits of living and working in the Netherlands.

High standards of living

You’ll get to enjoy a good quality of life if you choose to move to the Netherlands. Whilst property prices may be higher than other countries in Europe, the standards reflect this: for the most part, you won’t need to worry about the likes of damp issues or substandard appliances.

Low crime rates

The Netherlands has one of the lowest levels of crime rates in the world – credited due to the low levels of poverty, the Dutch’s drugs policies, and their system preferring rehabilitation as opposed to incarceration.

Great base to explore

If you prefer to spend your weekends exploring, the Netherlands offers you a great base to do so. Not only do you border Belgium and Germany, you can also easily catch the Eurostar to the UK, or catch a train through to central and eastern Europe. With 20 days of holiday plus bank holidays a year, you’ll have a lot of time to explore.

Whether you favour bustling city life, or a quieter country abode, rest assured that there will be the perfect place in the Netherlands for you…

Amsterdam

• Average house price: 507,475 EUR (£458,575)
• Pint of beer: 5 EUR (£4.50)
• Cappuccino: 3.38 EUR (£3.05)
• Meal in a restaurant: 16 EUR (£14.50)
• Monthly public transport pass: 97.50 EUR (£88.11)
• Population: 1,149,000

The capital of the Netherlands and home to 821,752, Amsterdam is popular amongst professionals and singles alike. The largest sectors here are tech, marketing and communications and engineering – although the entrepreneurial scene is growing, withStartUpAmsterdamsupporting local start-ups.

Amsterdam is nothing if not a city of contrasts: despite its quaint streets with winding canals and pretty buildings, it still offers a big city feel, with lots of cultural attractions, including the Anne Frank Museum, the Rijksmuseum, and Vondelpark. However, its easy access to the Dutch countryside means you can escape the hustle and bustle whenever you need to, to enjoy some much-needed peace and quiet.

Rotterdam

• Average house price: 297,294 EUR (£322,796)
• Pint of beer: 4 EUR (£4.05)
• Cappuccino: 2.95 EUR (£2.67)
• Meal in a restaurant: 13 EUR (£11.75)
• Monthly public transport pass: 80 EUR (£72.30)
• Population: 1,009,000

Located one hour south of Amsterdam, the Netherlands’ second biggest city’s main drawing point is its lower housing costs – not to mention a larger availability of properties to rent. Hugely popular amongst expats, Rotterdam has an international and diverse feel; and its modern architecture ensures it has a distinctly different atmosphere when compared to Amsterdam.

Energy, logistics, food and chemicals are some of the leading industries in Rotterdam. The city itself is centred around its port, with other top attractions including its Cube Houses, the Erasmus bridge (often nicknamed ‘The Swan’), and the Market Hall.

The Hague

• Average house price: 357,217 EUR (£268,647)
• Pint of beer: 3.78 EUR (£3.42)
• Cappuccino: 2.72 EUR (£2.46)
• Meal in a restaurant: 10 EUR (£9.05)
• Monthly public transport pass: 65 EUR (£58.74)
• Population: 698,000

A common phrase amongst the Dutch is: “Amsterdam to party, Rotterdam to work, and The Hague to live.”. Situated on the shores of the North Sea, many expats that live here are diplomats, due to the sheer number of embassies located in this city. However, there are many opportunities in the oil and gas, life science, and aerospace sectors too.

The Hague isn’t short of things to do on your days off – from visiting the Mauritshuis Museum, to drinks at one of the outdoor bars by the Scheveningen seaside, to admiring the views from The Hague Tower, there are lots of things to keep you occupied. Plus, with the Netherlands boasting great transport links, you can reach Rotterdam by high-speed train in 25 mins, and Amsterdam in 40 minutes.

The standard of living in the Netherlands is very high, so it’s a good idea to have the kind oftax, inheritance,pensionsandwealth managementadvice in place that can help you enjoy its benefits in confidence.

Situated close to The Hague City Centre and Den Haag Centraal station, our experts are able to help you confidently negotiate all cross-border issues to ensure the best possible asset protection, expat wealth management and retirement planning advice.Contact us todayfor more information.

If you would like a member of the team to call at a time to suit you, why not fill in our contact form above. Or, to call the offices directly, please dial +31 70 800 2098.

Alternatively, find out more aboutDutch nationals with UK pensions.