March 2025: 7 things expats in the Netherlands need to know
By Simone Jacobs
As the weather in the Netherlands slowly gets warmer, it’s time to welcome a new - and hopefully sunnier - month. Apart from the change in seasons, there are several other important changes happening in the third month of the year. Here are some key things expats need to know about March 2025 in the Netherlands.
1. IamExpat Fair returns to Amsterdam
It’s back! The IamExpat Fair in Amsterdam is returning bigger and better than ever - and in a brand new venue - on March 8. Taking place at the Beurs van Berlage, visitors will be able to interact with over 90 exhibitors offering their expertise on everything an expat could need.
Whether you’re looking for a Dutch language course, planning on buying a house in the Netherlands or are on the hunt for a job, you’ll have the opportunity to get advice on almost any topic you can think of as an international living in the Netherlands. You can also attend one of the workshops at the fair, where experts go into more detail about a variety of subjects from Dutch taxes to getting a mortgage and more. The IamExpat team looks forward to seeing you there!
2. Start of the Dutch tax season
The Dutch tax season has come around again. As of March 1, residents in the Netherlands can file their annual tax returns for 2024 until the deadline of May 1. With your DigiD ready, you can fill all your information in online by yourself or you can consult a tax advisor for guidance.
3. Eurostar between London and Amsterdam to see disruptions
Direct Eurostar trains between London and Amsterdam resumed in February. However, further renovations at Amsterdam Centraal mean that disruptions to the international line will return. From March 29 to April 23, passengers travelling from the Netherlands to the United Kingdom will once again have to change trains in Brussels so that passport controls can take place.
4. Schools in Southern and Central regions to reopen after spring break
After having a nice little break, children will return to class as schools in the southern and central regions of the Netherlands open their doors again. The spring holidays will come to an end for Dutch schools in these parts of the country from March 2.
5. Daylight savings time begins
You have surely noticed the sun rising earlier and setting later - these times will change slightly again. March marks the start of Daylight Savings Time (DST) in the Netherlands, with the clocks set to go forward by one hour. This means that on March 30, while you may lose an hour of sleep, you’ll be rewarded by longer evenings with more hours of sunlight.
6. Spring arrives in the Netherlands
As the days get longer, spring will arrive with colourful blooms and warmer weather. The spring equinox is on March 20, ushering in the new season. While summer is the favourite season for many, there are many events and activities to celebrate the springtime, from boating in canals to strolling between cherry blossom trees in Dutch cities.
7. Keukenhof to open its doors
What better way to observe the beginning of the spring season than frolicking among blossoming tulips? Keukenhof, one of the Netherlands’ most popular attractions, will open its doors to the public on March 20. Showcasing some of the country’s most beautiful flowers for only two months of the year, the gardens provide the perfect outing to celebrate the new season.
Thumb image credit: Allard One / Shutterstock.com
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Editor for the Netherlands at IamExpat Media. Simone studied Genetics and Zoology at the University of Pretoria in South Africa before moving to the Netherlands, where she has been working as a writer and editor since 2022. One thing she loves more than creating content is consuming it, mainly by reading books by the dozen. Other than being a book dragon, she is also a nature lover and enjoys hiking and animal training. Read more