Budgeting for your move to the Netherlands: Planning ahead and cutting costs

Relocating to the Netherlands is an exciting step, but it does bring with it a lot of planning. The reality is that moving involves costs that are not always immediately visible, even though getting your budget in order is often the most important stage of organising your move. 

From shipping personal belongings to arranging housing and language training, the expenses can add up quickly. However, with careful planning and informed decisions, it is possible to manage these costs without compromising on quality. Here are the best areas in which you can save money without even noticing.

Shipping your belongings: The value of groupage

One of the largest relocation expenses is transporting household goods. Many expats assume they will need a full container, but this is not always the case. Groupage shipping offers a practical solution to what would otherwise result in paying for empty space. With groupage shipping, your belongings simply share container space with other clients relocating in the same direction.

This means you may have to wait a little while for your belongings to arrive, but containers depart on regular schedules, so waiting times are limited, especially to popular locations such as the Netherlands. Reducing the amount of empty space that is being moved around the world also reduces the environmental impact of the move.

For expats moving with a modest amount of belongings, groupage often represents the most efficient balance between cost and practicality.

Find out how Schmidt Global Relocations can bring your move in on budget

Housing costs

Securing accommodation is one of the most challenging and costly aspects of relocation. In cities such as Amsterdam, Utrecht, and Rotterdam, demand is high and prices reflect this. Many expats engage rental agents, known as makelaars, whose fees are typically equal to one month’s rent. That is in addition to the deposit required by landlords, which is also usually one to two months' rent. This means budgeting for at least two to three months of rent before moving in.

The best way to reduce your costs here is by starting early. If you aren't in a rush to find a place, you can discount those places that are a bit out of your budget and wait for the right price in the right place to come on the market. Families in particular should begin the housing search early, as larger properties are in high demand.

Registration and administrative requirements

All new residents must register with their local municipality (the gemeente). While registration itself is free, supporting documentation can involve costs, such as official translations of birth or marriage certificates or obtaining residence permits. These administrative expenses form an important part of a relocation budget.

The requirements will vary depending on the document type, where it was issued and what language it was issued in. For instance, documents in English do not need translating; however, a British birth certificate will need to be legalised by an apostille before it can be used in the Netherlands, while a document issued by the British consulate doesn't.

It is almost always easier and cheaper to get your documents legalised in your home country before moving, so make sure you arrange that early on. However, you don't want to waste money translating or notarising documents that don't require it, so make sure you visit the IND (Dutch immigration) website to find out exactly what you need to arrange. 

Learning Dutch and integrating

Although English is widely spoken, learning Dutch provides significant benefits in daily life and professional integration. Language training varies in cost depending on the provider and format, ranging from group classes to private lessons. Families may also need to consider the expenses associated with school registrations, particularly for international schools.

If you are moving from outside of the EU, you may need to complete an integration exam (inburgering). You usually get three years in which to complete these exams, but you need to be spending that time taking courses and practising your Dutch, so make sure you give yourself enough budget to pass those exams, and don't leave it all until the last minute.

Additional costs to consider

Relocation budgets often overlook secondary but essential expenses, including:

• Buying bicycles for daily transport
• Public transport cards (OV-chipkaart)
• Connection costs for the internet
• Health insurance, which is mandatory for all residents in the Netherlands
• Weather-appropriate clothing, especially for the colder months

Individually, these costs may seem manageable, but together they can make a noticeable impact on your disposable income during the first months after arriving.

Making relocation more manageable

A relocation is a big undertaking, and it's about more than just the practical aspect of moving; it is also about building a new home and life abroad. To ensure your new life gets off to the strongest start, consider working with an experienced relocation partner. A relocation expert is an investment, but they often help to reduce costs elsewhere, as well as provide valuable guidance.