Netherlands

HardyBuckFan

Ta
As stated i am a qualified accountant with 10 years experience, not sure how much in demand that would be!

denhaagenite

HardyBuckFan wrote: »

Ta
As stated i am a qualified accountant with 10 years experience, not sure how much in demand that would be!

Sorry, maybe check the multinationals around Brabant then: NXP, Phillips, ASML. Monster.nl should turn something up too, but start learning Dutch ASAP.

leavingirl

I am about to rent an apartment in Eindhoven - one month's rent, one month's deposit and an agency fee equal to one month's rent. Is this correct? Seems excessive. 3000 euro just to move if the rent is a 1000 a month.

bjork

leavingirl wrote: »

I am about to rent an apartment in Eindhoven - one month's rent, one month's deposit and an agency fee equal to one month's rent. Is this correct? Seems excessive. 3000 euro just to move if the rent is a 1000 a month.

Unfortunately it does sound about right.


But there is something about agents fees.....

stickybookmark

leavingirl wrote: »

I am about to rent an apartment in Eindhoven - one month's rent, one month's deposit and an agency fee equal to one month's rent. Is this correct? Seems excessive. 3000 euro just to move if the rent is a 1000 a month.

According to the law they are only allowed to charge you the agency fee if they found the apartment for you. So if you approached an agency and said 'find me an apartment' and they did. otherwise they are not allowed to charge you an agency fee. There's a dept in the Gemeente in Amsterdam that helps tenants get the agency fees back (and any other illegal things in your contract such as charging for furniture that's more than x years old, charging for bills as part of the rent but never producing an annual rekening etc) if you contact her i'm sure she can put you onto her Eindhoven counterpart! She's trying to get my rent reduced for me at the moment!
pm me if you want her contact details

pajor

Had a second interview yesterday for a job here in Gelderland and then was phoned later on, to be told I had got it. Ik ben nog heeeel blij!

Now begins the fun of getting a BSN, zorgverzekering, een bankrekening etc etc.

leavingirl

Are there any laundry services in Eindhoven? Hard to find somewhere I can just go in and easy my clothes

pajor

leavingirl wrote: »

Are there any laundry services in Eindhoven? Hard to find somewhere I can just go in and easy my clothes

http://www.wasserijdewasbeer.nl/

From a quick googling.

leavingirl

pajor wrote: »

From a quick googling.

Thanks. Their opening hours are ridiculous though. I found one from the net that is near me it turned out they only do dry cleaning. Doubt I can find one tomorrow!

leavingirl

It seems that a massive detour is the only to get from Eindhoven to Brussels airport on a Friday evening. It's only 120km away but the bus routes available involve multiple changes. Anyone familiar with the train or bus service between the two?

pajor

leavingirl wrote: »

It seems that a massive detour is the only to get from Eindhoven to Brussels airport on a Friday evening. It's only 120km away but the bus routes available involve multiple changes. Anyone familiar with the train or bus service between the two?

nsinternational.nl for international trains.

otnomart

leavingirl wrote: »

It seems that a massive detour is the only to get from Eindhoven to Brussels airport on a Friday evening. It's only 120km away but the bus routes available involve multiple changes. Anyone familiar with the train or bus service between the two?

take a bus from Eindhoven airport to Antwerp.
http://www.eindhovenairport.com/en/accessibility/other-bus-services/
Then a train from Antwerp to Brussels airport.
http://www.belgianrail.be/

pajor

Having some difficulty getting myself registered into the BRP. Gemeente says that birth cert isn't proof enough of identity.

Where do I request something more official, Dept of Social Protection?

keithclancy

pajor wrote: »

Having some difficulty getting myself registered into the BRP. Gemeente says that birth cert isn't proof enough of identity.

Where do I request something more official, Dept of Social Protection?

Ugh .... your Passport?

pajor

keithclancy wrote: »

Ugh .... your Passport?

Nope. They need to know 'who I am.' Information about parents, hospital I was born in etc. But birth cert wasn't official enough.

They already took a photocopy of my passport.

denhaagenite

pajor wrote: »

Nope. They need to know 'who I am.' Information about parents, hospital I was born in etc. But birth cert wasn't official enough.

They already took a photocopy of my passport.

We had the same problem I think, the birth certs we had needed an "apostille" stamp. Is your birth cert the long version?

stickybookmark

Oh they told me my birth cert needed a stamp as well but she decided to process me and i could come back with the stamp later! Needless to say I never did

irelandrover

stickybookmark wrote: »

Oh they told me my birth cert needed a stamp as well but she decided to process me and i could come back with the stamp later! Needless to say I never did

I did that as well, went back with the stamped birthcert when i needed something else done. I had been an orphan for 5 years apparently.

keithclancy

pajor wrote: »

Nope. They need to know 'who I am.' Information about parents, hospital I was born in etc. But birth cert wasn't official enough.

They already took a photocopy of my passport.

Ok, then you need an Apostille stamp on your Birth Cert from the department of foreign affairs.

pajor

denhaagenite wrote: »

We had the same problem I think, the birth certs we had needed an "apostille" stamp. Is your birth cert the long version?

Yeah it is. The gemeente are quite insistent on the paper being official and watermarked though. The stamp itself won't be enough apparently.

denhaagenite

Have you been to the immigration office yet?

pajor

denhaagenite wrote: »

Have you been to the immigration office yet?

Where? My gemeente?

Did everything so far with burgerzaken at the gemeente kantoor.

denhaagenite

It's about 8 years ago now but we definitely had to go to the immigration office in Den Haag, as well as to the Gemeente. Registering with a Gemeente is one thing, you will need to do that whenever your municipality changes, registering in the country is something different. Lots of people think you only have to do it if you're non- EU but unless the rules have changed significantly you also have to do it if EU. It was near the Gemeente Museum in Den Haag but as far as I know it's moved out to Rijswijk now.

Another thing you may need to consider is that you'll have to go to the Births, Deaths and Marriages offices where you come from and get re- issues of the cert. I had to do that at a tenner a pop for my trouble. Later I went to Dublin (Department of Foreign Affairs) to get everything apostille-d. It's hassle but you're best off getting it all done in the one go to save yourself trouble later. We weren't registered as married in NL for about a year after our wedding because of all the hoops we had to jump through. On the Irish side as well as the Dutch.

pajor

Gf says that going to Den Haag is just not necessary anymore. I think it all has a lot to do with that our gemeente are sorta useless.

I know now that I do need to get a copy of my birth cert issued and then apostilled alright. A quick google shows me that birth certs are now more 'official' looking (harp watermark etc) than they were even in 1992. :pac:

It's very low on my list of priorities though atm. Picked out a car last Saturday and picking it up this Saturday. Garage is RDW approved, but they weren't sure if they could transfer the kenteken at that garage with my Irish driving licence. Otherwise I need to go to the post office, no biggy if I need to. Anyone know if the garage should be able to do it?

denhaagenite

I think you need to go to the post office alright.

stickybookmark

pajor wrote: »

I know now that I do need to get a copy of my birth cert issued and then apostilled alright. A quick google shows me that birth certs are now more 'official' looking (harp watermark etc) than they were even in 1992. :pac:

You should show them your pink irish driver's licence.
That should convince them

keithclancy

pajor wrote: »

Gf says that going to Den Haag is just not necessary anymore. I think it all has a lot to do with that our gemeente are sorta useless.

I know now that I do need to get a copy of my birth cert issued and then apostilled alright. A quick google shows me that birth certs are now more 'official' looking (harp watermark etc) than they were even in 1992. :pac:

It's very low on my list of priorities though atm. Picked out a car last Saturday and picking it up this Saturday. Garage is RDW approved, but they weren't sure if they could transfer the kenteken at that garage with my Irish driving licence. Otherwise I need to go to the post office, no biggy if I need to. Anyone know if the garage should be able to do it?

You can do it at an RDW Office or RDW Station (Might be a Garage)

But because you don't have a Dutch Driving license you need an extract from the BRP also

Andere geldige legitimatiedocumenten
In plaats van met het Nederlandse rijbewijs of paspoort mag u zich bij het overschrijven van een kentekenbewijs of invoeren van een voertuig ook legitimeren met de onderstaande documenten (dit kan alleen bij RDW-keuringsstations of RDW-balies) :

een identiteitskaart of rijbewijs uit een EU- of EVA-land met daarop uw geboortedatum*
een diplomatiek paspoort*
een Nederlands reisdocument voor vreemdelingen*
een Nederlands reisdocument voor vluchtelingen*
een dienstpaspoort*
een buitenlands paspoort*
* Naast het legitimatiebewijs moet u ook een uittreksel uit de Basisregistratie Personen (BRP) overhandigen met daarop het BSN. Het uittreksel is verkrijgbaar bij uw gemeente en mag niet ouder zijn dan 3 maanden. Bij een diplomatiek paspoort mag het ook een verklaring van het ministerie van Buitenlandse Zaken zijn.

https://www.rdw.nl/Particulier/Paginas/Legitimeren-bij-kopen,-keuren-en-invoeren.aspx

https://www.rdw.nl/Particulier/Paginas/Basisregistratie-Personen.aspx?Path=Portal/Particulier/Auto/Kopen

Costs 13.50 at the Gemeente Den Haag, it's valid for 3 months.
http://www.denhaag.nl/home/bewoners/loket/burgerzaken/to/Standaarduittreksel.htm

pajor

keithclancy wrote: »

You can do it at an RDW Office or RDW Station (Might be a Garage)

But because you don't have a Dutch Driving license you need an extract from the BRP also

I have the extract from BRP, got it when I registered with the gemeente.

It was just that the guy in the garage wasn't sure about being able to process the kenteken change, cos the Irish driving licence number contains letters..

I got the impression they don't exactly handle many foreign licences.

bjork

Happy Kings day Everybody!!


Weekend is kicking off here already. Slutty nurse uniforms and being pissed by 1pm seem to be the order of the day here


If your can't beat them join them

pajor

Any suggestions on which company to choose for basispakket zorgverzekering?

All sort of seems to be the same..

denhaagenite

You can check verzekering.nl or independer.nl, you put in your criteria and they come up with the best provider for you.

pajor

denhaagenite wrote: »

You can check verzekering.nl or independer.nl, you put in your criteria and they come up with the best provider for you.

I went with independer for car insurance, might as well do the same.

stickybookmark

Cz seem grand. I thought I was getting prescriptions free though & then realised they're coming out of my 360 euro

shortys94

What are the age ranges of most of you here in Amsterdam?

I have been quite homesick last few weeks, really the whole unfriendliness thing over here has gotten to me. Been here two years now and really has been something that has stuck out throughout, that and the lack of nature. Maybe I'm just a country guy since I grew up in upstate new york and mayo, just finding it hard sometimes in that regard

stickybookmark

We're in our mid-30s.....and same with all my irish friends here.

pajor

I've been fortunate never to really feel this hostility from Dutch people, that some mention. Definitely a different pace of life in a small town in the east compared to the Randstad. Even if the real distance is only an hour and a quarter drive. My gf loathes the big Dutch cities, doesn't like the people at all.

denhaagenite

Early to mid 30s. Ya, I think Amsterdammers can be a bit much sometimes. Met a lot of them here at a festival over the weekend, the contrast between them and the locals was quite apparent.

shortys94

Hey guys

For the rent and medical insurance allowance, do you know if the income you provide is before or after tax?

I mean when you are checking whether you are eligible for the allowances do you enter your income before or after tax?

I am changing job and not sure whether I am eligible or not


Thanks!

pajor

shortys94 wrote: »

Hey guys

For the rent and medical insurance allowance, do you know if the income you provide is before or after tax?

I mean when you are checking whether you are eligible for the allowances do you enter your income before or after tax?

I am changing job and not sure whether I am eligible or not


Thanks!

It's your income before tax.

Got a letter during the week from Belastingdienst telling me my zorgverzekering toeslag had been approved. About 70% of my health insurance cost is being covered.

shortys94

Ah cheers ok, hmmm don't think im eligible anymore, was getting the allowance up till now, sucks

SpaceTime

I noticed in Belgium the Dutch directness and loudness is a bit of a sore point.

The Belgians are more French influenced I guess even in Flanders and tend to couch things in a lot of polite language. French, can be even more polite than English is often an extremely indirect language where things get hinted at and suggested rather than said straight.

There's a lot of formality and slightly artificial politeness in shops which you omit at your peril.

You walk into a small shop and say Bonjour Madame / Monsieur or you will instantly be seen as rude / disrespectful and that you're treating them like a servant.

That causes immediately bad responses and poor service. Also smiles are petty much expected or you will get service with a scowl!

Then you've the formal greeting rituals with the air kissing and needing to know who you're kissing, what region you're in etc to calculate the correct number of kisses and avoid social embarrassment - nothing worse than over estimating the number!! Fail to do it and you're seen as aloof, cold or weird.

Does that kind of thing apply in NL at all?

Maybe there's a need to engage in the politeness or formalities then move to the small talk to open the door of s friendly conversation?

stickybookmark

SpaceTime wrote: »

Then you've the formal greeting rituals with the air kissing and needing to know who you're kissing, what region you're in etc to calculate the correct number of kisses and avoid social embarrassment - nothing worse than over estimating the number!! Fail to do it and you're seen as aloof, cold or weird.

Does that kind of thing apply in NL at all?

Maybe there's a need to engage in the politeness or formalities then move to the small talk to open the door of s friendly conversation?

In Amsterdam it's 3 kisses. Men don't kiss men except for close family (and perhaps close friends? not sure about that one). Women kiss men and women. That's pretty much it. (by the way I'm not sure what the rules are for LGTB community)
I have found the dutch to be very friendly. Direct hell yeah, but friendly and warm. And the bluntness/no BS kind of suits me tbh

SpaceTime

stickybookmark wrote: »

In Amsterdam it's 3 kisses. Men don't kiss men except for close family (and perhaps close friends? not sure about that one). Women kiss men and women. That's pretty much it. (by the way I'm not sure what the rules are for LGTB community)
I have found the dutch to be very friendly. Direct hell yeah, but friendly and warm. And the bluntness/no BS kind of suits me tbh

I've always found them very friendly too. I quite like the somewhat zany sense of humour and loudness tbh.

pajor

Meh.. Belgians are just special people.

The kissing cheek thing is probably a bit more common than in Ireland, but not like in Belgium or France. Always a firm handshake with other guys.

Walking into a shop, you're always greeted by a ''gooie dag!'' or "hallo!" by someone working there but I don't think I've got weird looks for not responding. Something that still takes me by surprise. But then again.. my gf has always said that she thinks that people in shops and restaurants in Ireland are much friendlier. More genuine probably.

keithclancy

pajor wrote: »

Meh.. Belgians are just special people.

The kissing cheek thing is probably a bit more common than in Ireland, but not like in Belgium or France. Always a firm handshake with other guys.

Walking into a shop, you're always greeted by a ''gooie dag!'' or "hallo!" by someone working there but I don't think I've got weird looks for not responding. Something that still takes me by surprise. But then again.. my gf has always said that she thinks that people in shops and restaurants in Ireland are much friendlier. More genuine probably.

Totally normal here in Brabant too.

And of course the "Houdoe" when leaving.

stickybookmark

pajor wrote: »

But then again.. my gf has always said that she thinks that people in shops and restaurants in Ireland are much friendlier.

Chalk it down !! In normal (not upscale now) cafes & restaurants in Amsterdam you're Lucky if the waiting staff look at you/acknowledge your presence! And to get a menu......that's definitely a step too far. I Always have to ask for the menu - I just do it automatically now or go up and take it myself

keithclancy

stickybookmark wrote: »

Chalk it down !! In normal (not upscale now) cafes & restaurants in Amsterdam you're Lucky if the waiting staff look at you/acknowledge your presence! And to get a menu......that's definitely a step too far. I Always have to ask for the menu - I just do it automatically now or go up and take it myself

Must say, we were in Wagamamas on Max Euweplein at the Weekend, the service was super quick, I think I had the food in front of me in about 5 minutes after ordering

stickybookmark

keithclancy wrote: »

Must say, we were in Wagamamas on Max Euweplein at the Weekend, the service was super quick, I think I had the food in front of me in about 5 minutes after ordering

Wagamamas is different. That's an international chain and has a unique style of service. The staff there are trained to be very fast and very friendly.

I'm talking about dutch owned businesses - small local cafes and restaurants

irelandrover

keithclancy wrote: »

Must say, we were in Wagamamas on Max Euweplein at the Weekend, the service was super quick, I think I had the food in front of me in about 5 minutes after ordering

I'm sorry, i refuse to believe that you got good customer service in the Netherlands.

The fact that you did not have to get your own menu and no-one shouted at you does not mean it is good customer service. :pac:

SpaceTime

pajor wrote: »

Meh.. Belgians are just special people.
.

To be fair to the Belgians though - they can actually cook