Filed under: Knowledge Migrants
You may qualify for one three types of knowledge migrant work status:
1. Those earning a gross annual salary of € 45,000
2. Those earning € 33,000 if you’re under 30
3. PhD students (researchers) or Post-doctoral or University teachers under the age of 30.
To be considered for admission as a knowledge migrant, the employer has to first make an agreement with the IND where they will commit to take care of the whole application procedure (including application for Residence Permit, MVV etc) and to inform the Government of any changes to the relationships with the employee.
The migrant will be issued with a Residence Permit under the ‘knowledge migrants’ restriction and the permit will be issued for the length of the employment contract – up to a maximum of 5 years.
There is a list of companies which have been approved to accept applicants through the Highly Skilled Migrant Programme at Immigratie- en Naturalisatiedienst (IND).
Hours: Mon – Fri between 9:00 – 17:00, located in the newly formed Expat Center.
www.ind.nl/EN/
Filed under: Housing
Types of Housing
Apartments and terrace (row) houses provide the majority of housing. There are relatively small numbers of semi-detached (2 onder 1 kap) and detached (vrijstaand) housing. The standard fixtures that are included when you rent, may be different from what you’re used to ‘at home’.
For example, in the Netherlands, renters here usually take all flooring material (carpet, vinyl, parket) with them when they leave, so you as the new tenant, may need to find and buy your own. Fully-furnished (gemeubileerd) apartments come with all home furnishings (including drapes, furniture, and carpets) while semi-furnished (gestoffeerd) provide the bare necessities (kitchen appliances, light fixtures and floors). Prices vary depending on the area and district, and not all rental prices include utilities.
Subsidised Housing
Subsidised self-contained flats or houses can be rented in Amsterdam for under €585.24. However, you will need to pass a stringent application procedure to obtain residence permission from the Dienst Wonen. Bear in mind that waiting lists for subsidised accommodation are considerable and usually involve several years (see the above mentioned brochure about housing in Amsterdam).
Expat Rental Agencies
Much of the subsidised housing available in Amsterdam may not be available or suitable for expats. Many expats need to find housing quickly and can’t wait for their application to come to the top of the waiting list (which can take a number of years). There are rental agencies that specialise in assisting expats to find suitable rental accommodation within their price range. Please be aware that there are rules and regulations that these agencies must follow. Further, the type of housing you are renting carries with it different rights that should be correctly placed on your contract. For more information about these standard rights and rules, please contact your local huurteam. Look under Makelaars in the Yellow Pages (Gouden Gids) to find rental agencies.
Bed & Breakfasts
Look under Pensions, though keep in mind that this is not always a cheap option.
Youth Hostels
There are numerous youth hostels available in Amsterdam.
Rooms to Let
This option may be slightly more affordable to some than renting out a whole flat on their own. Rooms to rent are usually in someone else’s house and you will most often have to share a kitchen, toilet and/or bathroom. However, beware of untrustworthy landlords. Never pay anything before you have reached a clear agreement and ask for a receipt which states how much you have paid and what the payment covers.
As with all arrangements, of course, be aware of the legalities before you enter a contract. The huurteam can offer you more information on what is and is not allowed in this situation.
Filed under: Finding Employment
For Highly Skilled (Knowledge) Migrants: If you have been recently transferred to or have gained employment at a company or organisation in Amsterdam, your employer’s Human Resources department will probably be helping to arrange for your relevant permits and visas beforehand but you should check this with them to make sure.
For ‘trailing partners’ (following their partners who have already established residency), your residential status affects whether or not you are allowed to work and whether or not a potential employer needs to put in a request on your behalf.
This type of work visa requires that you possess skills or work in fields where there are shortages in the Netherlands (and quite often the EU). For more information, it might be helpful to visit the Immigratie- en Naturalisatiedienst (IND) and the Centrum voor Werk en Inkomen (CWI).
Filed under: 30% tax ruling
The Belastingdienst, or Dutch tax services arm can provide detailed information about this incentive. To summarise, the incentive means that, for those employees meeting the conditions, additional costs for temporary employment outside the country of origin will be set at a maximum of 30% of the wages received from the respective employment. The employer will need to demonstrate that related costs were actually incurred. Employer and employee must file a joint application for the 30% facility with the arm of the Belanstingdienst called the Tax and Customs Administration Department of International Issues.
