Support for international employees

Visa and permits

Short-stay visa (VKV)

For stays of up to 90 days, you might need a short-stay visa to enter the Netherlands.

This depends on your nationality. A short stay visa is called a Visum Kort Verblijf in Dutch (VKV). Please check the IND website to see if this type of visa applies to you. If it does, you will have to apply for a VKV yourself at the nearest embassy or consulate of the Netherlands in your country of origin or the country where you’re lawfully residing.

Provisional residence permit (MVV)

The provisional residence permit is called a Machtiging tot Voorlopig verblijf (MVV) and allows you entry to the Netherlands. Not all nationalities need to apply for this type of permit; check the IND website to see if the MVV applies to you. If so, your HR officer will file the application on your behalf. The MVV will be issued by the Dutch Embassy in your current country of residence as a sticker in your passport. After entering the Netherlands, you will need a residence permit (VVR) to obtain lawful residency. The institute will apply for your residence.

Residence permit (VVR)

If you are staying in the Netherlands for longer than 90 days and you are not an EU national, you will probably need a residence permit in order to stay in the Netherlands legally.

When you join the academic staff, your host organisation will arrange the residence permit for you.

Legislation of documents

For your visa or permit application you may need one or more legalised documents.

A birth certificate is normally required. If you plan on bringing your spouse and/or children, you may need other legalised documents too. To check whether your documents need legalisation or an apostille, please check netherlandsandyou.nl. This website also informs you how and where to process this.

Work permit

Academic researchers and knowledge migrants are, in general, exempt from the requirement to get a work permit.

Should a work permit still be necessary in your case, your HR officer will file an application on your behalf. The procedure takes about five to seven weeks, and you are not allowed to work until the permit application has been approved.

Living in the Netherlands

Finding accomodation

It can be a challenge to find a place to live in the Netherlands.

It may take a while before you find accommodation that suits your needs. You are advised to plan ample time for house hunting: try to arrive days or weeks before starting with work. The institute will assist you as much as possible in finding proper accommodation.

Cost of living

The amount of money you will need each month largely depends on the lifestyle you are used to at home.

Either way, you will need at least €1100 to €1500 per month to cover your normal expenses. Below are some sample figures for a PhD fellow.

• Rent of a furnished room: approximately €550 to €900 per month
• Food: approximately €250 to €300 per month
• Public transport, bicycle: about €50 per month
• Insurance: €100 to €150 per month
• Entertainment and leisure: €150 to €200 per month

Registering with your municipality and getting a BSN

If you intend to live in the Netherlands for over 4 months, you must register with your local municipality.

This is a mandatory procedure irrespective of your nationality. If you relocate within the Netherlands, you must inform your new municipality of your arrival.

The registration must be done in person at your local town or city hall. All family members that will be registered must be present. No registration fees apply. You have to bring the following documents:

• Valid passport or identity card
• Residence card
• Legalised birth certificate (check netherlandsandyou.nl)
• Legalised marriage certificate (if applicable, check netherlandsandyou.nl)
• A proof of address

Bank account and costs

Opening a bank account

You need a (Dutch) bank account in order to receive your salary.

Some grant-issuing bodies also require that you have a Dutch bank account. To be able to open a bank account, you need a Dutch BSN (Citizen Service Number). See above for more information. Foreign citizens can open a bank account at any bank, upon presentation of their BSN and passport.

30 percent tax ruling

As a foreigner employed in the Netherlands, you might be eligible for a special tax reduction scheme called the 30 percent rule.

This rule is meant to alleviate the extra cost of moving to the Netherlands. In general, the HR department of the institute will file the 30 percent rule request for you. For more information about this ruling and how it is applied for, please contact your HR officer at the institute.

Health insurance and medical care

As a resident or employee in the Netherlands, you are entitled (and therefore, obliged) to take out a Dutch public healthcare insurance.

This type of insurance is called zorgverzekering or basisverzekering. The insurance provides cover for basic medical care, such as a visit to the GP, most hospital treatments and other necessary medical treatment. It is taken out on an individual basis and should be taken out for partners and children separately as well.

Even if you already have a health insurance policy in another country, you are still obliged to take out a new policy in the Netherlands. Although the health insurance system is a public one, it is not free of charge. A substantial monthly insurance premium (around €100) will be charged by the insurance company where you take out your policy. Please do not make the mistake of not getting health insurance, since it is against the law not to have health insurance. More information can be found on the website of the government of the Netherlands.

Contact

Should you have any questions, please contact Rico Göbel, Personnel Officer international job seekers

• +31 30 212 1824
• rico.gobel@hubrecht.eu