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Top 8 Useful Must Have Apps For Expats in the Netherlands

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Life of an expat can be a bit challenging. But with a good support system it can be pretty awesome!! Here is a list of top Must Have Apps For Expats in the Netherlands that can help you survive your initial days in a new country.

DigiD

This app is essential for getting through the baffling Dutch bureaucracy. DigiD is an online identification that links to your BSN (social security) number and is used by almost every governmental body. You’ll need it if you are filling out your taxes, applying for residency, or applying for any benefits. Having this app will make your life here so much easier!

Buienalarm

Buienradar is pretty much a requirement in your Dutch life. It sends you a notification if it’s going to rain or snow, which is every five minutes in the Netherlands. Buienradar is really useful, especially if you’re about to head out somewhere and it tells you that you’re going to get wet. It also shows you a graph of how much rainfall there is going to be. It’s basically your most accurate weather partner who can show you detailed weather information.

Tikkie

This app is another must have in Dutch. You go out for some drinks with your new Dutch friends, rather than buying rounds at the bar, they will probably “send you a Tikkie” the following day.

This is an online payment app that allows you to send payment requests via WhatsApp or other messaging services. Once accepted, the money is transferred instantaneously between your bank accounts, making it super handy to streamline those IOUs.

NS.nl

NS is the Dutch train network, so this app is ideal for train information. Just as good as 9292 when it comes to public transport schedules, but the NS app also lets you access your train tickets on your phone. You can then use your phone to scan in through the gates and catch your train.

You don’t have to worry about buying the train ticket at the station, you don’t have to pay the surcharge for the disposable ticket, and it’s a lot harder to lose the ticket because it’s on your phone. Sometimes the tickets even come at a discount!

Bunq

When looking for opening a bank account, we recommend bunq due to the fact that their app is in English, you can open an account before your BSN arrives, and their bank is perfect for Dutchies or internationals.

That means you don’t have to make managing your money any more confusing because you don’t understand what it says. So not only does it save time, but it also prevents some silly mistakes and gives you peace of mind when it comes to managing your finances.

9292

The 9292 app is great as it has all public transport information in one place; it’s like your little travel companion. No need for opening multiple apps in a frantic attempt to try to find out when your next train is. With 9292, you can check times for trains, trams, the metro, and buses. You can also get up-to-date information on delays, cancellations, and weather disruption.

It’s really easy to use, which is always a bonus. You can also personalise it and save your preferences, making the synchronisation of your travel information easier than ever.

Flitsmeister

This app is great if you have a car. It will save you from getting a lot of speeding tickets. when you are driving in different countries (especially if you are doing a cross-border journey), it’s probable that things don’t go your way and might end up in trouble.

Flitsmeister tells you the current speed limit and also lets you know if there is a speed camera up ahead. This way there is absolutely no excuses for speeding (even slightly) and you can drive safely, easily, and save yourself money from those silly fines for not paying attention! Set for Dutch and Belgian roads, the app is a huge help. It informs you of traffic updates from A to B, speed cameras, speed traps, road reconstruction, incidents, closed roads and if you’re nearing emergency vehicles. Not bad, eh?

Google Translate

Google Translate allows you to copy and paste Dutch sentences and translate them into English (and other languages). You can also screenshot something on your phone, upload it to the app and it will translate it all for you. You can also hover over your chosen text or take a photo and it will translate it all. This is so helpful if you’re out shopping or when you receive an important letter in the post. Just take a picture of it and you’re away!

Must Have Apps For Expats in the Netherlands
Google Translate

All these apps will prove to be super helpful to you in the Netherlands. Make the best out of them.

A Guide to Utilities in the Netherlands

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When you move to the Netherlands, there are a lot of things you need to have knowledge about. You need to get your 4 important utilities sorted in the Netherlands on you own. Starting from gas, electricity, water, internet, TV, telephone, Sim operator and the list goes on. Looks like you have got a lot on your plate!! But there’s nothing to be worried about as we have got your covered.

In the Netherlands, here’s how to have your four most important utilities sorted: gas, water, and electricity.

Prerequisites

  • You need to have have proof of identity (ID card or passport),
  • proof of living arrangement (rental contract or similar),
  • a bank statement or proof of residency from your municipality and
  • a Dutch Bank account.

Getting Gas and Electricity connection

Mostly, gas and electricity are already connected to your property, you only need to choose a provider and transfer the services into your name.

Here’s the list of a few gas and electricity providers in the Netherlands:

Get Water connection in the Netherlands

When it comes to connecting water to your Dutch home, life is much simpler. 
In the Netherlands, water providers are decided by the region you live in, so you’re not faced with making another choice. There are 10 different water districts in the Netherlands and you must be living in one of those!!
Ask your landlord who the provider is or look it up by using your postcode. If you live in any of these major cities, here is the list of your water suppliers:

Get Internet connection in the Netherlands

The Netherlands is home to some of the fastest and most expensive internet in Europe, and the fifth-fastest in the world! However, your home internet speeds will depend on your provider, connection type, and the infrastructure near your house.

In the Netherlands, service providers have started offering home internet i.e., packages. These often include other utilities such as your phone and TV.

Usually, once you have chosen a service provider, they will either send you an installation team to get your internet up and running, or they will provide you with the tools to do it yourself.

Here’s the list of some of the most popular internet providers in the Netherlands. 

TV Package in the Netherlands/Internet en TV Vergelijken

As an expat it is best to opt for cable TV. Many cable TV packages in the Netherlands also consist of expat-friendly channels such as the BBC.  Often, you can sign up for a cable TV package with your internet provider — but this may also be possible with, for example, your phone provider. It all depends on the provider and package you opt for! 

Here’s the list of some cable TV providers in the Netherlands:

Dutch Mobile phones in the Netherlands

Perhaps the most urgent of all utilities upon arrival in the Netherlands is your mobile phone. Most of the time, your phone and SIM will still work in the Netherlands — even if you’ve come from another country. 

4 Important Utilities Sorted in the Netherlands
Buy Sim Cards

When setting up your Dutch mobile phone, you have three options: 

  • A phone contract
  • SIM-only contract
  • Prepaid

After choosing what type of plan you need, take a look on the Mobile providers in the Netherlands.

Hope now we could get everything sorted for you. Welcome to the Netherlands!!!

To compare the best SIM Card providers in the Netherlands, Checkout Top 10 SIM Provider In The Netherlands and Europe

10 Best Restaurants in Netherlands where you would love to hangout

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If you’re looking for a meal out with friends or family, we’ve got you covered. If you want something cozy and romantic, we’ve got the perfect place. These 10 best restaurants in Netherlands are scattered across the country and represent one unique Dutch dish from each region.

Here’s the list of 10 best restaurants in Netherlands:

1. De Kas

Located in a transformed nursery in Frankendael Park, De Kas is next to a garden and nursery where a lot of its fixings are developed. The exquisite lounge area has a vista of the open-plan kitchen and is shielded by a high, glass-sheet roof. There is seating accessible in various outdoor dining in the patio or garden and in private rooms also. The dinner menu and a fixed price lunch are the provincial Mediterranean in methodology, focused on fresh ingredients and veggies, and changes day by day. A higher-priced menu is accessible to gatherings of up to four who wish to sit at famous chef proprietor Gert Jan Hageman’s table in the kitchen.

Address: Kamerlingh Onneslaan 3, 1097 DE Amsterdam, Netherlands

2. Fred

The Michelin Guide has awarded this fine dining restaurant in Rotterdam two stars since 2014 and before that assigned Fred with one star between 2010-2013. The restaurant’s head chef and founder is Fred Mustert tailors. His menu mainly revolves around French cuisine while employing a measured amount of modern touches and details.

Address: Honingerdijk 263, 3063 AM Rotterdam, Netherlands

3. Stads-koffyhuis

One of the best restaurants in Delft Netherlands, this is the perfect place to have a scrumptious breakfast in the Dutch sun. The place is flooded by morning diners who love their coffee with a little bit of sunshine and outdoors. The sandwiches, eggs, and salad are absolutely wonderful. You can also try their pancakes, pies and local beer. Looking over the canals, this is definitely one of the best places to eat in the Netherlands.

Address: Oude Delft, 133, Delft, The Netherlands

10 Best Restaurants in Netherlands

4. De Harmonie

This spot is especially known for its goose and duck liver served with Granny Smith apples and gingerbread. If you object to that sort of thing, the steak tartare is also delicious; or go for a full chef’s menu of three to seven courses. Though the food is worth a visit year-round, this inner-city townhouse restaurant becomes twice as popular in the warmer months, when the garden out back is open.

The chef, Sieberen Meerema, is truly an artist. We mean literally: those are his impressionistic landscape paintings all over the walls. But on the plate as well — his Harmonie cookbook was nominated for 2007 Cookbook of the Year, and the restaurant won a “Golden Ladle” for Best Restaurant in the Rijnmond Region in 2013.

Address: Westersingel 95, 3015 LC Rotterdam, Netherlands

5. Guts & Glory

The restrained structure of uncovered brick walls painted white and only single-bulb light installations don’t actually jive with the energetic food leaving the kitchen at this eatery. Always pivoting, themed menus are orchestrated around an alternate fixing or them, like to meat, pork, chicken, or fish, or foods like Dutch, Japanese, or Italian. You can pick a tasting menu of seven, six, or five courses, with the alternative to include some wonder with an enhancement of Persian Imperial caviar, smoked eel, Jamon Iberico, and some select cheeses. The idea sounds simple and straightforward, yet what arrives is cunningly plated and rich—yet not the slightest bit off-putting.

Address:Utrechtsestraat 6, 1017 VN Amsterdam, Netherlands

6. Teppanyaki Restaurant Sazanka

Sazanka is currently the only teppanyaki restaurant in Europe to hold a Michelin star and is located inside Amsterdam’s towering Hotel Okura. At Sazanka meat, fish and vegetables are prepared in front of guests by experienced teppanyaki chefs on hot griddles and then served straight onto patron’s plates. There’s also an extensive range of sake and Japanese wine available at the restaurant which pairs wonderfully with their authentic menu.

Address: FerdinandBolstraat 333, 1072 LH Amsterdam, Netherlands

7. Brasserie Chapter

This small little restaurant in Hague surely one of the must-visit restaurants in the Netherlands. Steaks, ducks, sausages, tuna tartar, fresh salmon – every dish here is borne out of love for food and the city itself. The menu itself is limited, but very well thought out. The place is run by a local couple, the husband is the chef, while the lady looks over the seating and other parts of the affair. The plating is beautiful, textures melting and ambience is perfect for a sweet night out with your partner in the city of Hague. Their creme brulee and chocolate lava cake are absolutely to die for!

Address: Annastraat 17, The Hague, The Netherlands

8. Restaurant Jaimie van Heije

Three- to six-course and à la carte menu feature colourful, artistic plates like prosciutto with crispy red quinoa, freeze-cooked egg yolk, sweet-and-sour radish, croutons, and wasabi cream or chicken rolled around Indonesian stew with carrot, petai beans, corn cookies, and coconut meringue — and then semi-solid strawberry mojito skulls for dessert.

The edgiest restaurant on the list comes from one of the most picturesque settings: just a 30-minute bike ride from the center of Amsterdam, this photo-ready little village has somehow managed to not only avoid getting absorbed by the city but to even keep a rural buffer around it, too. Chef Jaimie van Heije’s menu, an Indonesian-led melting pot of different kitchens and cooking techniques, is anything but traditional, though.

Address: Kerkstraat 56, 1191 JE Ouderkerk aan de Amstel, Netherlands

9. Envy

Envy is one of the famousrestaurants in the Netherlands. Evaluated a Bib Gourmand eatery by the Michelin Red Guide, Envy is a creative eatery concentrated on creative, small dishes that are offered at the table. The unmistakable inside incorporates a long column of raised tables, lit by globed lights swung from the roof, where meals have an adequate vista of the open kitchen and a mass of transparent refrigerators. The menu at this waterway side eatery, among Amsterdam’s Nine Little Streets, flaunts an area devoted to charcuteries and cheese, while dishes like steak tartare with quail eggs and baked duck with hazelnut epitomize the kitchen’s high-style approach.

Address: Prinsengracht 381, 1016 HL Amsterdam, Netherlands

10. Gastrobar Hartig

One of the best restaurants in Rotterdam Netherlands, this is the place to hang out at with your friends. The food is tasty and the drinks amazing, the best tapas in town are available here. The artwork on the walls and in the neighbouring district make it the choices place of young and hip crowds to gather at. The lager beers available here are probably the tastiest in town and a must try!

Address: Hartmansstraat 20A, Rotterdam, The Netherlands

Hope now you won’t struggle to find the top restaurants in Netherlands. Happy Eating!!!

If you are planning on visiting Netherlands, plan your trip to experience the wide varieties of festivals celebrated in the Netherlands. Checkout 10 Most Celebrated Festivals in Netherlands

10 Famous Dutch Festivals

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Apart from being famous for its rich traditional history depicted in the various structural monuments, Netherlands is also famous for these 10 Dutch Festivals that are Celebrated every year throughout the Netherlands. 

Springtime festivals in the Netherlands celebrate the colourful blooms of tulips, daffodils, hyacinths, and bluebells, while wintery months see major squares blanketed with Christmas markets and celebrations of Saint Nicholas. 

The Dutch really know how to party, and they also know exactly what makes a festival work. Out of the many amazing festivals hosted by the country, here are 10 that you should definitely not miss on!

Amsterdam Dance Event

Amsterdam Dance Event is one of Amsterdam’s annual highlights. The Netherlands is known by many as the birthplace of electronic music and dance festivals and it truly lives up to its name.

For five days every year, the capital turns into an electronic music hotbed, with concerts, parties, workshops and industry events being held all over the city. The lineup is scattered with a seemingly endless list of your favourite DJs, from new-era chart-toppers to old school legends and underground icons. ADE attracts thousands every year to the historic city and is a favourite for like minded ravers and industry figures from all over Europe. 

10 Famous Festivals Celebrated in Netherlands
Amsterdam Dance Event

King’s Day (Koningsdag)

King’s Day, referred to as Koningsdag by Dutch is a day when the citizens celebrate the arrival of the Male monarch in the region. It is one of the national festivals in Netherlands. The first male Dutch monarch was welcomed in the year 2013 in the month of April. Before that, the citizens of Netherlands used to celebrate Queen’s Day.

King’s Day commemorates the birth of King Willem-Alexander with street parades, dance parties and live music on 27th April. One of the largest festivals in the Netherlands, where colourful boat parties decorate the 17th-century canals, and live bands perform along the streets of Rembrandtsplein and Prinsengracht. 

There’s also a vrijmarkt (free market), where you can shop for second-hand goods and Dutch delicacies during the event. The dress code for King’s Day is anything and everything orange, from shirts, pants and dresses, to wigs, hair ties, and face paint. 

Koningsdag

Amsterdam Gay Parade

This is one of the gay pride festivals which is the largest in the world and is celebrated publically in the grandest fashion. Amsterdam is a gay-friendly city and is known to be this way for the longest time ever. Annually, people in thousands swarm the streets of the city with colorful banners and confetti and parade through the main pathways in Amsterdam. This is one of the top festivals in Netherlands and the major highlight of this event is “Canal Parade”, where several colorful and well-decorated boats cruise via the canals in the city.

The Canal Parade on Saturday sees around 80 decorated boats with DJs, go-go dancers, and drag queens sailing through the historical canals from 12:30pm until 6pm. For about 2 weeks, dance parties and DJ sets take place at numerous open spaces and nightclubs in the city, and the parties keep going right through the night and into the morning.

Amsterdam Gay Parade

Bloemencorso Zundert Flower Festival

This is known to be the largest flower festival in the world. This is one of the best festivals in Netherlands and is held annually in the month of September in the wonderful town Zundert. All the wonderful exhibits here are crafted by volunteers. These volunteers are known to be Hamlets who are a group of people from a small builder community of the area.

These people work hard for almost 3 months straight to get the exhibits ready which are then paraded through the streets of Zundert town. The flowers on the exhibit are decorated just a week before the parade as they have to be fresh. Different themes are set for every year and the decorations are made accordingly.

Bloemencorso Zundert Flower Festival

Chinese New Year

Being a multicultural destination that the Netherlands is, Chinese New Year will be one of the most vibrant and colorful Netherlands festivals. Chinese New Year is one of the most celebrated festivals in the Netherlands by virtue of the Chinese community dominating the numbers in this country. Those who plan their vacation around the time of this festival can witness the ever so beautiful and awe-inspiring celebrations complete with a dragon parade, fireworks, and a lion dance.

These events are exactly what makes Chinese New Year one of its kind. One can also be a part of various musical performances, tea ceremonies, calligraphy workshops, and such. Do not forget to indulge in street food and try some authentic Chinese!

Chinese New Year in The Netherlands

Step In The Arena Graffiti Festival

Over 200 graffiti artists show their skill at one of the largest graffiti festivals in Europe every year. The 2015 edition, held in the Berenkuil (“bear pit”) crossing in the main road in Eindhoven at the Insulindelaan, had artists come from all around the world: Spain, Australia, Italy, UK, France, Denmark, Germany, Austria and the Netherlands, and the result was gorgeous as hell.

This festival has left its mark on a number of walls in Eindhoven. With a whole lot of exciting things happening, the festival goes on for ten days in a row, and the city is completely under the spell hip hop and breakdance, skateboarding and BMX, graffiti and street art.

Redhead Day (Roodharigendag)

Roodharigendag is known as the quintessential gathering for redheads from all over the world, making it one of the most unique festivals in the Netherlands. It takes place every 1st weekend of September in Breda, a quaint city about 50 km south of Rotterdam. 

There are many family-friendly activities throughout the 3-day festivity, including exhibitions, fashion shows, and workshops – mostly free of charge. Roodharigendag’s main event involves a photoshoot with all the red-haired attendees – over 6,000 proud redheads of various nationalities. 

Rotterdam International Film Festival

This is one film festival you absolutely have to attend, especially if you’re into cinema. The festival is known for attracting an audience that consists of all kinds of people, because its cinema promotes diversity, as well as building a relationship between directors and viewers. Aside from red carpet events and screenings, there are also opportunities for audiences to mingle with filmmakers.

The festival showcases some of the best of local and international cinema, and the films go on to compete in bigger festivals. The Dutch spirit of non-judgement and diversity comes through in the way the festival is conducted, and if you’re in Rotterdam at the time, this is something you should not miss.

Scheveningen International Fireworks Festival

During the month of August every year, Scheveningen city sky is lit up offering colorful breathtaking views. This festival is actually a competition in which the teams are judged based on who put up the most beautiful fireworks display. Scheveningen itself is an amazing tranquil beach town which is located near Hague city, and the fireworks in the sky add that extra charm to this place.

This festival is carried on for four days where the firework producers from every part of the country participate. Every night there are a total of two shows and on the third night, the winner of the firework competition is announced. The beachfront cafes are the best locations to enjoy these firework shows while munching on a delicious meal.

Firework in the Netherlands

Terschellings Oerol Theatre Festival

Creating site-specific theater and arts projects on a small island, Terschellings Oerol Festival is one of the most cutting-edge theater festivals in the world. The island of Terschellings, since 1982, has been transformed into Oerol, a unique natural stage for dance, theater, street theater, music, and site-specific art installations.

The shows create awe-inspiring experiences, and are conceptualised to match the surroundings. They’re both communal and intimate, so while you’re there you could possibly see a string quartet in underwear under a tree in one spot, a modern dance company set against the ocean backdrop, or a gripping play in a historic barn. It’s affordable, accessible, and absolutely worth every bit of time and money.

The Netherlands is a culturally rich country and the people here take every Netherlands holidays and festivals very enthusiastically. To know more about the rich culture of the Netherlands, Read Netherlands Culture and Traditions Since 17th Century “Rich and Diverse” – Dutch Pride

Elevate Your Career With These 8 Best MBA Programs in Netherlands

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After a certain number of years in their career, business executives usually feel the need to go for better study options in order to give a boost to their career and what’s better than going for a MBA program. Studying in these 8 Best MBA Programs in Netherlands for MBA is a logical step for many business executives – both expats and Dutch.

Netherlands is considered best country for students considering its good environment, diversified population, common language, quality education and affordable education fee. So, let’s take a look at the best Master of Business Administration programs offered by universities and business schools in the Netherlands and nearby countries. You will want to get admissions in them.

Amsterdam Business School (University of Amsterdam)

The Amsterdam Business School is part of the University of Amsterdam and belongs to the 1% of business schools worldwide that is Triple Crown accredited. What a great hub of quality education!! Lectures are given in small interactive classes to enhance ideas of individuals, in the vibrant city center of Amsterdam.

› The Amsterdam MBA (full-time and part-time)
› MBA Big Data & Business Analytics (part-time)
› Executive Programme in International Finance (MSc)
› Executive Programme in Management Studies (MSc) (part-time)

Nyenrode Business University

Pursuing an MBA at Nyenrode Business University means developing your personal and professional skills through intense and rigorous academic programmes. Better personal and professional skills go a long way in the field of business.
› Executive MBA (21 months)
› Full time MBA (12 months)

The Hague University of Applied Sciences

The Hauge University of Applied Sciences provide internationally geared MBA courses in English that prepare you for the global market. With around 80 per cent of their MBA students from overseas and staff from different nationalities, you can start developing your international network from day one to day n!
› Full Time MBA (12 months)
› Part Time MBA (24 months)

Webster Leiden Campus

Webster’s program provides a broad overview of business across all functional disciplines, prepares for entrepreneurship and offers unique networking opportunities with professors and fellow students.

› Masters in Business Administration (Full-time:14 months | Part Time | Leiden Campus/Online)

› Masters in Management and Leadership (Full-time:14 months | Part Time | Leiden Campus/Online)

8 Best MBA Programs in Netherlands

Maastricht School of Management (MSM)

MSM’s MBA programs provide state-of-the-art management education to managers and mid-career professionals. Their MBA degree is internationally accredited & highly ranked globally.

› Full Time MBA (Full time | 12 months)
› Executive MBA (Part time | 30 months)
› Online MBA (Part time | 24 months)

TIAS School for Business and Society

We develop leaders who serve society by transforming business. Our MBA and Master programs are for ambitious professionals who want to grow to the highest level. Together we will target key areas of development, making you an accomplished leader, both professionally and socially.

› Full Time MBA (Full time | 12 months)
› Executive MBA (Part time | 24 months)
› (Executive) Masters (MSc, Full time and Part time) 

Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam

At Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam we have a long tradition in Executive Education, right at the heart of Amsterdam’s vibrant Business district Zuidas. Our programmes bridge high-quality science and practice for upcoming thought leaders who ask the bigger questions and want to leave a lasting imprint on business and society.
› Executive MBA: Leading with Purpose (18 months)
› MBA in International Business (18 months)

Rotterdam School of Management (RSM)​

With us, you’ll drive your career further than you’ve ever imagined. Succeeding in business is about having a global perspective, an innovative mindset and a focus on collaboration.

› International Full time MBA (12 months)
› Part time Executive MBA (22 months)
› Global Executive OneMBA (21 months)

If you are still in doubt about studying in Netherlands, Checkout Why Netherlands attract international students and take that step!!

Change in Covid-19 Rules Netherlands

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With the existing rules for Covid-19 in action, the Netherlands government has come up with new and useful facts on Covid-19 rules Netherlands. In the press conference held by Netherlands government, some new travel and quarantine rules have been finalized which have come into effect in the Netherlands on September 22. There are lot of changes and relaxations in the new rules which will open doors for new opportunities for the citizens of Netherlands. Here’s what you need to know about the new rules and their implementations.

Relaxation in travel restrictions and quarantine rule

Under the current rules, the Dutch government has been using the EU travel white list to determine the travel rules for countries outside of the EU. All travelers arriving from very high-risk areas were required to quarantine for at least five days upon arrival in the Netherlands. 


However, with the summer holidays coming, this quarantine rule is changed in the new rules, vaccinated travelers from high-risk areas are no longer required to quarantine. Even the government wants the people to enjoy their holidays to the fullest!! Good news for the travelers, isn’t it?

useful facts on Covid-19 rules in Netherlands
Covid-19 Rules Netherlands

Coronavirus certificates introduced

After a year and a half social-distancing norms, the Dutch government has finally lifted the 1.5-metre distance rule. This means the businesses will no longer have to enforce social distancing rules at their establishments, and will be able to welcome customers / visitors at full capacity of their establishments. 

The lifting of the rules by the government, however, does come with its conditions. Coronavirus certificates are now mandatory, and these are the items in the checklist for citizens:

  • Everyone over the age of 13 will have to present proof of vaccination / recent recovery / a negative test via the CoronaCheck app
  • Certificates will be mandatory for bars, restaurants, cinemas, theatres, concert halls, nightclubs, and (professional sporting) events

Amendments in rules for events, festivals, and nightclubs

With the introduction to vaccination and decreasing pace of the spread of virus the government of Netherlands has uplifted more restrictions during events and festivals. Keeping that in mind, Rutte and De Jonge also announced new COVID-19 rules for events and festivals:

  • Multi-day events are permitted again, may it be indoor or outdoor event
  • Seated and non-seated events are permitted at 100 percent capacity
  • Maximum 75 percent capacity is allowed all for indoor non-seated events i.e., concerts or exhibitions.
  • Event organizers must request coronavirus certificates from those in attendance at multi-day events, coronavirus certificates must be checked every 24 hours to make sure that no attendee is Covid positive.
  • The attendees must adhere to the enforced opening times i.e., close at midnight.

New coronavirus rules for schools in the Netherlands

Schools are the place of a lot of gathering and here the Covid-19 norms must be strictly followed. Government has also applied new rules to schools in the Netherlands.

These are as follows:

  • Sticking to the advice set out by the Outbreak Management Team (OMT), whole classes will no longer be sent home to isolate if one student tests positive for COVID-19. Instead, only students who have been in close contact with the infected child will have to isolate. Isolating the whole class results in the academic loss of all students.
  • Face masks are also no longer mandatory in secondary education and universities, and the rule for a maximum group size of 75 people also won’t apply.
    Looks like Netherlands has made its mind to tackle with coronavirus in best possible ways!!

People who are affected by the Coronavirus are always struggling on how to pay their hospital bills and tackle with healthcare expense. To avoid such problems checkout the article on Health Insurance in Netherlands, 5 Minutes Info | What All You Should Know?

Top 7 Content Marketing Strategies to take your business to newer heights

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Top 7 Content Marketing Strategies

There are all different kinds of businesses around but what makes one shine brighter than the other? Why one kind of TV is preferred more than other, even if both have same features? This is where the magic of good content begins. Famous writer and content creator, Ann Handley once quoted:

“Good content is not storytelling. It’s telling your story well.”

These words can’t be more appropriate. Everyone in the industry is selling their stories, but the ones who tell it perfectly gets the better results. For writing better content, there exists some insightful strategies which businesses can follow:

1. Get into the Mind of your Audience

It’s always all about your audience! Get into the mindset of your audience and dig deeper into it. Ask yourself questions. What do people value? What are their benefits? What do they need to know to get closer to getting what they want? Speak to your customers and audience and ask them directly. Post polls, take surveys and share open questions via social media to get to the pain points of your audience.

2. Your content should have an aim

Content should always be created with a purpose. Is your aim to earn links? Are you trying to drive social engagement? Do you want to increase your organic traffic by a certain percentage within six months? Whatever your goals, you need to know them before you let your clients know about it.

3. Quality trumps quantity in content marketing.

People share and spread a message not because they’re constantly exposed to it. They share it because it touches them or improves their life!

Marketers that publish lots of content get traffic, but even great content can get lost in the sea of information. If a piece is getting a lot of feedback and starting a conversation, don’t let it to fall by the wayside after just a few days. Instead, keep promoting it through social media and encouraging others to share.

4. Make shareable content.

The most effective content is the shareable content. But what makes content shareable? It all comes down to social currency. In other words: What will the reader gain from sharing your content?

Think about the types of comments, posts, and articles that you share online. What do they do? They often back up your position on a topic, feature something you care about, or make you look smarter or more important.

Types of content that gets shared often:

  • Informative and helpful. 
  • Disprove a common theory. 
  • Show that you care. 
  • Nostalgia helps make content shareable.
  • Current events.

5. Educate you audience

Content should always educate the audience and drive them one step (or several steps) up the customer journey to your solution. Truly educate your users and tell them exactly when this is the solution and when it’s not; this is called demarketing, and it helps qualify your audience. Then, tell them exactly what to do to take the next step and what the benefits are by ending with “Call us” or “Book an appointment” statements.

6.  Target Keywords That Are Driving Traffic

Target keywords that are already driving traffic to the top pages in Google’s organic search results. You should target a primary keyword for each content piece. Beyond that, though, be sure to confirm what’s already ranking on page one of Google’s search results, and then confirm the ecosystem of keywords that are driving traffic to those pages. Incorporate some of those keywords to improve your organic performance. 

Content Marketing Strategies

7. Use your content more than once.

It takes time and/or money to create your own content, and marketers publish great content once and then never using it again. If you have great content, you can continue promoting and sharing it. Repurposing helps you get the most out of your content. Turn it into a podcast, combine content into downloadable reports, use it for social media posts, emails and newsletters, or turn it into YouTube videos. (And that’s just a few ideas.)

Of course, you’ll have to slightly modify and adapt your content to the different mediums, but the hard work of creating the content is already done.

Content marketing is not a new thing. We are witnessing this from decades in the form of magazines, newspaper advertisements, TV advertisements and a lot more. It is just the matter of proper thinking into the content. It’s all in your brain. Dig Deeper Folks!!

To give your business a digital makeover, Checkout about Progressive Web Apps | Move Toward Digitization – Be Aware “How Progressive Web Apps Will Impact Business In 2021?”

BSN Number Netherlands: How, where and when can you get a Citizen Service Number

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Dutch beers are one of the Best in the world whether it's 'Heineken', Twente based 'Grolsch' Amstel, 'Bavaria', 'Brand', and 'Hertog Jan'. Till date many specialty beers are produced by local breweries.

BSN Number Netherlands

The citizen service number (BSN) is a unique number for everyone who has dealings with the Dutch government, for example, for healthcare and tax purposes, in dealings with your municipality, the hospital, schools, your employer or benefit agencies. With the citizen service number, the Dutch government wants to improve the services it provides to its citizens, combat fraud and improve protection of their privacy.

When you can register for Citizen Service Number?

You have to register with a Dutch municipality when you move to the Netherlands, whether or not you’ve lived here before. Personal data will be registered or updated in the Personal Records Database (BRP) within 5 days of your arrival in the Netherlands. When you register you will be given a citizen service number (BSN) if you did not already have one. 

If you will be staying in the Netherlands to work or study for less than 4 months, you can register at any of the 19 RNI municipalities.

BSN in Netherlands
Belastingdienst Letter

How can you get Citizen Service Number?

There are various ways you can get your BSN. They are:

BSN via Municipality

If you are coming to the Netherlands for less than four months to study or work, you can register in the BRP. Your personal data will be registered Non-residents Records Database (RNI) and you will receive a BSN.

If you come to the Netherlands for more than 4 months, you must register with the municipality where you will be living. Your personal data will be registered in the Personal Records Database and you will receive a BSN.

BSN via the Social Insurance Bank to receive Dutch state pension

If you live outside the Netherlands and are applying for a Dutch state pension (AOW) but do not have a BSN, the SVB will take care of your registration in the BRP so you can receive one. You do not need to be present in the Netherlands for this.

BSN for your benefit partner via the Tax and Customs Administration

If you would like to apply for or make changes to your benefits but your benefit partner does not have a BSN, you can apply for a BSN for your benefit partner via the Tax and Customs Administration.

BSN for inheritance tax via the Tax and Customs Administration

If you need a BSN in connection with inheritance tax, you can apply for one via the Tax and Customs Administration.

Where can I find my citizen service number?

Your citizen service number (BSN) can usually be found on your Dutch passport, identity card or driving licence. You can also look it up online on MijnOverheid.nl. Dutch payslips, annual salary statements, health insurance cards and health insurance policies have your BSN on them too.

Need Help?

You can also contact the BSN-point via telephone number 1400 or you can read on www.government.nl. The BSN-point is part of the Public Information Service (only available in Dutch).

To know about how can you complete tax process after getting BSN, Read, How to do Taxes in The Netherlands: A Guide on How to Avoid Tax Fines & Manage Your Finances in 2021 & Beyond

https://digitify.nl/can-you-save-money-in-netherlands/

The Top 8 Irresistible Investment Opportunities in the Netherlands

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Are you living in the Netherlands and you want to “Make your money work for you”? It’s time you start investing.

Invest in the Netherlands

Have you ever wondered that your hard-earned money is getting wasted by just sitting idle at one corner, although it can do wonders for you if you allocate it some work? Ahh!! A lot of personification!! It is quite interesting to know that we can make our money work for us and investment is a means to make it possible.

An investment is an asset or item acquired with the goal of generating income or profits.

So, what are the different investment options we have in our bucket?

Stocks

Stocks are the traditional investment method. You pick a company, and buy a given number of their stocks. With that you become partially an owner of the company. The advantage of investing in stocks is that you can do stock picking, choosing which company you want to buy. There are several (free) tools out there which can help in the process, like Yahoo Finance , Finviz or GuruFocus .

The Top 8 Irresistible Investment Opportunities in the Netherlands
Stock Market

Some of the popular strategies for investing in stock market are:

Long term investment

Treat this as your long-term investment option like 10–30 years, meaning you should only buy and hold stocks. Do not ever get into day trading, call options, timing the market, buy & sell games. Betting money on luck is a bad idea.

Index Fund or ETF (exchange-traded funds)

Don’t get excited and buy all the fancy stocks you see. Instead of buying 10–20 stocks & managing it, for starters it’s good to go for Index Funds or ETF. By owning one share of an ETF, you indirectly own a small portion of several different companies.

Some of the highly recommended ETFs are

  • VWRL (Total Market, covers 3455 stocks, 0.22% expense ratio)
  • VUSA (tracks S&P 500, covers 505 stocks, 0.07% expense ratio)

Even you can buy fractional shares of these ETFs so you can start investing from as low as €1 them.

Trading212

Trading212 is by far most favourite platform of investors for investing in the stock market. Once you start using this platform, it feels too good to be true but it is. Their mobile UX is so great and very easy to use, they also got Apple Pay, Fractional Shares etc and is beginner-friendly.

Degiro

Degiro is a very good investment platform found in 2013. It is a decent mobile application and is supported in multiple European countries and offers commission-free transaction if you buy an ETF from their commission-free ETF list. It provides investor protection for assets (€20,000)

Mutual Funds

A mutual fund is a type of financial vehicle made up of a pool of money collected from many investors. Mutual funds are operated by professional money managers, who allocate the fund’s assets and attempt to produce capital gains or income for the fund’s investors

Mutual funds give small or individual investors access to professionally managed portfolios of equities, bonds, and other securities. Each shareholder, therefore, participates proportionally in the gains or losses of the fund.

Invest in Cryptocurrencies

Digital currency which first became a buzz word on the internet, is becoming more and more real in recent times, and many payment providers are considering supporting cryptocurrencies in their platform. Many companies are backing their cash with cryptocurrencies.

Recently Paypal (one of the largest payment providers) announced that it will offer and accept cryptocurrency for all online payments.  So, if you are interested in this space then here are some options to buy cryptos:

P2P Lending

Peer-to-peer (P2Plending enables individuals to obtain loans directly from other individuals, cutting out the financial institution as the middleman. This is a speculative space since your investments are not secured, borrowers credit rating requirements might be less when compared to borrowing from the banks. Some trusted platforms for P2P Lending are:

Having financial education proves to be a great support system in the marathon of investment and is a must have. Investing is a steady process and holds great benefits if done patiently and with awareness. Happy Investing!!

There are a lot more options to save money in Netherlands, Checkout Save money in Netherlands – Tax Deductible: Top 8 expenses you didn’t are tax deductible for more insightful grasp over your money.

Digital Healthcare Netherlands: How Covid-19 Pandemic boosted the Healthcare game

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Deadly Omicron Variant in the Netherlands

Digital Healthcare Netherlands

Have you ever thought how our healthcare system has evolved in the past decade? With digital transformation spreading roots in every sphere, it has reached to the healthcare world too.

Digital health applies digital transformation to the healthcare field, incorporating software, hardware and services. Under its umbrella, digital health includes mobile health (mHealth) apps, electronic health records (EHRs), electronic medical records (EMRs), wearable devices, telehealth and telemedicine, as well as personalized medicine.

Further fanning the flames of change, the COVID-19 pandemic has helped further fuel the ongoing digital transformation in healthcare. According to Research, the most impactful COVID-19 technologies include patient-facing tools, such as online symptom checkers, patient portals, remote patient monitoring tools and telehealth.

Mobile health (mHealth) apps

MHealth apps and mobile technology that provide access to health care support and monitoring, is experiencing growth, particularly for helping manage long-term, chronic conditions. The COVID-19 pandemic has led to a rise in demand for personal health monitoring devices such as mobile apps for keeping track of calorie intake, keeping track of movement in a day and lot more, which straddle the line between consumer and medical devices.

Vendors of such apps added features for heart rate variability, pulse oximeters, electrocardiography and continuous glucose monitoring and lets one know about their health status.

Most popular mHealth apps for the people of Netherlands:

Fitness Bands

During the time of pandemic people have been so concerned about their health that they made another awesome gadget a part of their lives. Fitness bands can be seen on every second wrist you see on the street. Studies show that people don’t want to have their phones with them all the time but want to keep track of their fitness. Thus, comes the use of fitness band. Also, it looks really cool on the wrist.

digital healthcare netherlands
Fitness Band

Most popular Fitness bands used in Netherlands in 2021 are:

  • Fitbit Charge 4
  • Garmin Vivosmart 4
  • Huawei Band 4 Pro
  • Xiaomi Mi Band 5
  • Fitbit Inspire 2

Online Doctor Consultation

With all the Covid-19 norms in place, everyone prefers social distancing as much as possible, and in the tough times of covid, Online doctor consultation has come to rescue all!! You can find your doctor in Netherlands at https://en.doctena.nl/

Digital healthcare has improved the healthcare system deeply and now we can call it as the new normal i.e., “the era of digital healthcare”.

To get information about health insurance in Netherlands, Check out Expats Health Insurance Netherlands, 5 Minutes Info | What All You Should Know?