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8 best mobile apps in the Netherlands

8 best mobile apps in the Netherlands

Smartphones are an essential aspect of daily life, and these days apps can be used for everything from ordering food to learning a new language. But apps can also be used to make life as an expat or tourist in a new and unfamiliar country a lot more manageable. Make your life a bit easier by trying out some of these really handy apps for life in the Netherlands!

The leading apps for life in the Netherlands

The Netherlands has a wide variety of amazing apps that are very useful for people living here or visiting for just a few days. Here are our picks for some must-have apps for everyone in the Netherlands:

1. Too Good To Go

Too Good To Go is a really cool app that connects people to stores and restaurants that have unsold food surplus. Not only does this app offer great deals for fresh food, but it also helps to reduce waste. Everything on the app is reduced by a third of its original price, making it great to get some amazing food on a budget. Thanks to its customisable features, it's also accessible for people with dietary restrictions. Other great food-related apps to check out are Gorillas, Flink, and UberEats.

2. 9292

9292 is an app that allows people to plan their trips on Dutch public transportation, providing information about everything from metros to ferries. It lists all the various public transportation options, making it vital for life in the Netherlands, and can sync your phone's current location, so if you’re new and happen to get lost, it can take you back to your hotel or apartment. You can also buy e-tickets directly in the app. Other apps that help with transportation in the Netherlands are Google Maps and NS.

3. Google Translate

Google Translate is necessary if you’re going anywhere where you don’t speak the local language. While English is commonly spoken in the Netherlands, a lot of signs and labels can be written in Dutch, making the instant camera translation feature very useful. Lastly, languages can be downloaded offline, so you can translate without being connected to the internet. Other language apps that are useful for learning a language, especially if you’re going to be living in the Netherlands for a while and want to learn Dutch, are Duolingo and Babbel.

4. Tikkie

Tikkie is a very commonly used app among locals in the Netherlands. If you are a new expat, it will make splitting bills for just about anything a lot easier. Tikkie lets you send and receive payment requests via WhatsApp for free, and it works with banks from across the EU. Tikkie also offers unique deals that allow you to get money back from major brands by scanning a QR code in select stores or on promotion pages. Paying for drinks with your friends from university has never been easier! Other useful banking apps are Wise and PayPal.

5. Marktplaats

Marktplaats is the largest online marketplace in the Netherlands with over 8 million monthly visitors, and the app is the most convenient way to buy or sell items. Almost everything can be found on Marktplaats, so if you just want to browse or if you’re looking for something in particular, it’s a great place to start. There's in-app messaging for you to get in touch with the sellers with any questions or for great deals. Other apps that are perfect for online shopping in the Netherlands are Amazon.nl and Bol.com.

6. Funda

Finding housing in the Netherlands is no joke, and is one of the things new residents struggle with the most. Funda is great for helping people find places to live and understanding the Dutch housing market, as it gives you an idea of pricing, availability, and surrounding neighbourhood areas. You can filter your search down by city, neighbourhood, budget, and much more. The app is primarily in Dutch, however, so some assistance from Google Translate might be necessary. Other great platforms for finding housing in the Netherlands are Kamernet, Marktplaats, Facebook, and of course IamExpat Housing!

7. Buienradar

Buienradar is one of the most used weather apps in the Netherlands. Dutch weather can be extremely unpredictable, with heavy rain one moment and beautiful sunshine the next, so Buienradar is perfect for checking the rain forecast so you can avoid getting drenched before stepping out. The app is insanely accurate, as it updates continuously throughout the day, and also offers seasonal radar maps which are perfect for monitoring pollen and mosquitos. Another great weather app to use is Accuweather.

8. DigiD

The DigiD app is absolutely necessary for expats and new residents in the Netherlands. It is an identity management platform that the Dutch government uses to identify residents, and is used for everything from paying taxes to applying for benefits and allowances. Your DigiD has to be activated on the website first, and this ensures your data is protected.

Download these Dutch apps today!

There are many great apps that are advantageous to expats, visitors, and residents in the Netherlands, but these are our top picks! If you've got any more recommendations, let us know in the comments below.

Eesha Wirk

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Eesha Wirk

Eesha studied in the United States, obtaining a Bachelor's degree in Neuroscience and Studio Art. She is currently getting her Research Masters in Cognitive Neuropsychology at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam. In...

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