Everything you need to know before your move from South Africa to the Netherlands!
Your one-stop for all you need to know while planning a move from South Africa to one of the happiest places on the planet. Money simplified with the Wise app.
Moving to the Netherlands from South Africa: Go-to Guide!
With one of the best work-life balances in the whole of Europe⁵, it’s no surprise the Netherlands has become one of the most favoured destinations for expats. In fact, 15% of the Dutch population are foreign-born⁶, including many South Africans looking to take advantage of the country’s internationally renowned business hub, before logging off to enjoy the vibrant Dutch social life.
If you’re considering moving to the Netherlands from South Africa, this article will cover everything you need to know regarding the different types of Dutch visas, how to find a job in the Netherlands, and how to open a Dutch bank account as a South African living in the country.
With regards to managing money, we’ll also give you a brief introduction to Wise, a money service provider specialising in international money transfers from the Netherlands to South Africa⁴.
Moving to the Netherlands from South Africa (quick facts)
| Currency | Euro (EUR) |
| Population | 17.93 million⁷ |
| Capital | Amsterdam |
| Language(s) | Dutch, English (The Dutch have the best English proficiency for non-native speakers worldwide)⁸ |
| Weather | Moderate climate with mild winters and cool summers. Rain is common throughout the year. |
| Number of expats | 15%⁶ |
| Biggest cities | Amsterdam, Rotterdam, The Hague, Utrecht, Eindhoven |
| Average yearly salary | The average annual salary for full-time employees was just under €39,000/year (including bonuses) for the tax year ending on 5 April 2022.⁹ |
Send money to South Africa from the Netherlands using the mid-market rate
South Africans living in the Netherlands can save money¹ by using Wise, a bank alternative, to make international payments to South Africa.
The majority of Dutch banks support international payments. However, it’s common for banks to add a markup on top of the mid-market exchange rate for these transactions. The customers then end up paying this additional fee.
The mid-market exchange rate is the rate that banks use to transfer money between them. Find out what you would pay for an international money transfer with Wise:
Wise customers don’t have to pay an additional markup fee but only a small transparent fee to make an international transaction¹. That’s because Wise uses the mid-market rate for overseas payments!
With Wise, South African expats can save money¹ when making international payments from the Netherlands to South Africa.
The Netherlands visa types and requirements
South Africans moving to the Netherlands need to apply for a residence permit and a long-stay visa (MVV).
You can apply for a residence permit and long-stay visa in two ways:
- In person at the Netherlands embassy in Pretoria or the consulate-general in Cape Town¹⁰.
- Through a host in the country (like an employer or educational institution).
If you are moving to the Netherlands from South Africa to work, your employer will have to submit your application for an MVV to the Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND).
Dutch ‘Start Up’ Visa
While the MVV is the most common type of long-term visa, the Dutch ‘Start Up’ Visa allows applicants to gain residence by registering a new company in the Netherlands. This permit is valid for one year, and after the year has passed, can be extended according to the regulations for self-employed foreign nationals¹¹.
Cost of living in the Netherlands
Comparing the cost of living in the Netherlands vs South Africa is an important part of weighing up the pros and cons of relocating to the country.
In general, the Netherlands has a high cost of living. Its capital city ranks 28th in Mercer’s 2023 Cost of Living Survey.¹² This makes Amsterdam more expensive to live in than Paris and Prague, but cheaper than New York and Singapore.
While the country is known for its great public transport, ticket prices can be particularly costly. As an alternative, many Dutch people choose to cycle.
| Estimated monthly costs for a single person (without rent) | 921 EUR (18,430 ZAR)¹³ |
| Average monthly cost of a one-bedroom apartment in the city centre | 1,195 EUR (23,913 ZAR)¹³ |
| Average monthly price of a one-bedroom apartment outside the centre | 966 EUR (19,330 ZAR)¹³ |
Rent prices can be high within the Randstad (the area that incorporates the country’s four largest cities: Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Utrecht, and The Hague) and living outside these cities is generally cheaper.
How to open a bank account in the Netherlands?
Opening a bank account in the Netherlands is one of the first things you’ll need to do when relocating from South Africa.
Regardless of whether you set it up in person or online, you’ll need the following documents to open a new account:
- ID - passport or national identity card (driving licences aren’t always considered a valid form of ID)
- Residence permit
- Proof of address
- BSN (Burgerservicenummer) – personal citizen service number
You are assigned a BSN number after you register in the Personal Records database. After arriving in the country, you need to register within 5 days.¹⁴
While most banks require a residence permit and proof of address (which you need a BSN to acquire), some online Dutch banks don’t require you to have a BSN to open an account.
Maintenance fees and charges
It’s generally free to open a new account with one of the major Dutch banks. However, you’ll usually have to pay a monthly maintenance fee depending on the type of package you choose.
There are also sometimes small fees when it comes to credit cards, money transfers, and borrowing costs. Each bank will differ, so it’s advisable to check with your branch before opening an account.
Finding a job in the Netherlands
the Netherlands is quite a small country, and many only focus their job search in big cities like Amsterdam and Rotterdam. However, there are also many vacancies in cities like Maastricht, Utrecht, and Groningen.
While many Dutch people speak great English, many companies also require Dutch language skills. Especially in jobs in the healthcare, government and education fields.
You can look for jobs in the Netherlands on the following online portals:
- Glassdoor¹⁵
- Good Company¹⁶
- Werk.nl¹⁷
- Intermédiair¹⁸
- LinkedIn¹⁹
- Stepstone²⁰
- National Vacature Bank²¹
- We Know People²²
- Vacaturevia²³
Requirements for professionals moving to the Netherlands from South Africa
As mentioned above, if you’re thinking about moving to the Netherlands from South Africa for work you will need to obtain a residence permit and a long-stay visa (MVV).
One notable incentive for foreign workers to relocate to the Netherlands is the country’s 30% tax facility. This incentive compensates individuals for the likely increased cost of living by paying them 30% of their salary tax-free.²⁴
If you’re a South African national who has relocated to the Netherlands, you can qualify for the 30% tax facility if:
- You are in paid employment
- You have particular expertise hardly found in the Dutch labour market
- You were first recruited from outside the Netherlands
- You possess a valid decision
Requirement for students moving to the Netherlands from South Africa
Studying in the Netherlands is a popular choice for many international students and many Dutch universities actively promote student exchanges. These institutions also offer several programs that attract students from all corners of the world, including South Africa.
South African students wishing to study in the Netherlands need to apply for a residence permit. The educational institution you have chosen to study with will do this on your behalf.²⁵
To obtain a residence permit to study in the Netherlands, you need to fulfil the following conditions:²⁶
- You are registered with an educational institution that is recognised as a sponsor
- You have sufficient money to support yourself living for a year minimum
- You own a valid passport
- You don’t have a criminal record
- You have healthcare insurance for the Netherlands
- You have been examined for TB (tuberculosis) by the Municipal Health Service in the Netherlands
Make friends and socialise
The Netherlands is known for its great work-life balance. A study showed that full-time workers in the country dedicate over 60% of their day to personal time and leisure,²⁷ which means expats moving to the Netherlands will have plenty of opportunities to meet new people.
Dutch people are generally considered welcoming to foreigners. They’re known for consciously making an effort to involve newcomers in the community.
There are also many government agencies like the International Expat Centre on hand to help new expats settle in. These agencies assist expats with everything from customs, arrival, and real estate, to more practical issues like health insurance and social security.
Other ways to meet new people and socialise in the Netherlands include:
Cycling
They say in the Netherlands that _friends who cycle together, stay together. _Which makes sense given pretty much everyone rides bikes in the country. A surefire way to make friends with new Dutchies is to fit in a quick chat while riding - you could even ride to work with colleagues to catch up before the work day!
Local clubs
Joining local clubs with Dutch people (not expats!) will help you meet like-minded people. You could join a sports team, a cooking class, or even a music group.
Go online
There are several places online where you can also make new friends. Meetup is a popular app to find others interested in the same hobbies as you,²⁸ while Eventbrite lists event recommendations in your area.²⁹ You can reserve a slot for that event, and then chat with people when you attend.
Understanding Dutch friendship norms
Every country has their own social norms. Something especially true when it comes to the Netherlands. To avoid any awkward situations while trying to meet new people, keep the following things in mind:
Don’t show up uninvited - or empty-handed
Family time is important to Dutch people, so anything that impedes this (like turning up to your friend’s house unannounced) is a no-no. The Dutch are also big fans of routines and running on schedule, so last-minute plans take a little more convincing. If you do get invited to a Dutch person’s home, make sure to bring something! Taking over some local cakes or even just some nuts and cheese will go a very long way with your host.
Always be polite in someone else’s home
Take care not to take liberties in a Dutch person’s home - boundaries are key. If you want to help your host, for example, make sure to ask them first. Don’t just go to their kitchen and start cleaning without permission!
Don’t stay for mealtime
If a Dutchie invites you over “for coffee,” it’s likely just that. Staying for lunch or dinner is deemed rude, so make sure to politely excuse yourself before mealtime.
Healthcare in the Netherlands
The quality of the Dutch healthcare system is an important consideration for those thinking about living in the Netherlands as a South African.
It’s compulsory for everyone living in the country to take out health insurance to cover basic healthcare costs. For example, a GP appointment or paying for prescription medication.³⁰ This can mean accessing healthcare in the Netherlands can be expensive.
Some insurance packages might also exclude care that expats are used to. Local anaesthetic, for example, incurs an additional cost.
However, if you’re employed by a Dutch employer, they will usually pay a small percentage towards these healthcare costs. This can make it cheaper overall.
Is it worth moving to the Netherlands from South Africa
For many people thinking about relocating, a big part of working out if it’s worth moving to the Netherlands from South Africa is weighing up the pros and cons. Below are several advantages and disadvantages to this move.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| The Netherlands has a great work-life balance.⁵ | The cost of living can be high, including rent prices, groceries, and other services. |
| Learning Dutch can be easier for Afrikaans speakers because of linguistic similarities. | Healthcare insurance is compulsory and fees can be expensive. |
| There are good incentives for expats to move to the country, like the Dutch ‘start-up’ visa and the 30% tax facility for foreign workers. | Finding accommodation can be difficult as the country has recently been experiencing a housing crisis. |
| The Netherlands is well-connected to the rest of Europe; Amsterdam is close to many important European capital cities. | Dutch people can be blunt, which might make them seem rude sometimes. |
Relocating from South Africa to the Netherlands requires careful consideration. On top of the advantages and disadvantages listed above, it’s also essential to research the application process for a long-stay visa in the country, and how to open a new bank account as a South African expat.
When it comes to money management, Wise is a great money service provider for international⁴ payments from the Netherlands to South Africa.
Sources:
- Please see Terms of Use for your region or visit Wise Fees & Pricing for the most up to date pricing and fee information.
- Transaction speed claimed depends on funds availability, approval by Wise’s proprietary verification system and systems availability of our partners’ banking system, and may not be available for all transactions.
- Eligibility is subject to verification of customers identity. Wise may request additional documents to verify a customer's identity.
- Please note that certain products or features may not be available in all regions. Please visitwww.wise.com to check for availability and learn more about our offerings.
- Work-life balance
- Dutch foreign-born population
- Dutch population
- Dutch English proficiency
- Dutch Annual Salary 2022
- Apply for a long-stay visa in person
- Dutch ‘start up’ visa
- 2023 Cost of Living Survey
- Cost of living in the Netherlands
- Obtain a BSN number
- Glassdoor
- Good Company
- Werk.nl
- Intermediair
- Stepstone
- National Vacature Bank
- We Know People
- Vacaturevia
- 30% facility
- How to get a student residence permit
- Conditions for a study permit
- Work-life balance percentage
- Meetup the Netherlands
- Eventbrite the Netherlands
- Dutch healthcare
*Please see terms of use and product availability for your region or visit Wise fees and pricing for the most up to date pricing and fee information.
This publication is provided for general information purposes and does not constitute legal, tax or other professional advice from Wise Payments Limited or its subsidiaries and its affiliates, and it is not intended as a substitute for obtaining advice from a financial advisor or any other professional.
We make no representations, warranties or guarantees, whether expressed or implied, that the content in the publication is accurate, complete or up to date.
