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The Netherlands (Nederland) is located in North-West Europe. It borders the North Sea to the north and the west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east. As a ‘low-lying’ country about 20% of its land is located below sea level. Some considerable areas of land have been reclaimed from water and are maintained through an elaborate system of polders and dikes. Due to its geographical location, The Netherlands has a moderate maritime climate with relatively cool summers and mild winters.

The Netherlands is a small country, the greatest distance from north-to-south being 300 km and from west-to-east 200 km. The country is densely populated with the Randstad (its largest urban area) incorporating the four largest cities: Amsterdam, Rotterdam, The Hague and Utrecht. Outside its borders, the country is often referred to as Holland, although strictly speaking, Holland comprises only the two western provinces, called North Holland and South Holland.

Facts & Figures  
Population
 Over 16,5 million people
Capital city
 Amsterdam
Currency
 Euro
Official language
Dutch
Airports
 Schiphol (Amsterdam), Rotterdam, Eindhoven, Groningen and Maastricht
Favourite town vehicle
 Bicycle
Popular sports
 Football (Soccer), Hockey, Cycling and Ice Skating
Famous painters
 Rembrandt, Vermeer and Van Gogh
National colour
 Orange
Country site/scenery
 Flat, Windmills, Dikes and Canals
Traditional souvenirs
 Clogs, Delftware, Cheese and Tulips

Dutch is the national language. The term Dutch also refers to the population and anything originating from The Netherlands (e.g. Dutch flowers). The Dutch education system encourages students to study one or more foreign languages. In general the Dutch have a good understanding of English and enjoy practicing their language skills with foreign visitors. In addition Dutch people also speak German and French.

The Netherlands is a constitutional monarchy and a parliamentary democracy. The Dutch monarch Queen Beatrix serves as the representative head of state. The Dutch parliament consists of two chambers, which are situated together with the seat of government in the Hague. The country is a founding member of the European Union (EU), NATO, OECD and WTO. It hosts five international courts as well as Europol, the EU’s criminal intelligence agency.

The Dutch value the right for everyone to air their view, but also understand the need to work together. This has led to a style of consensus decision-making, also known as the ‘poldermodel’, which requires cooperation despite differences and maintaining a pragmatic approach.

The Netherlands has a capitalist market-based economy, which is the 16th largest economy in the world and ranks 10th based on its GDP (nominal) per capita. Amsterdam is the financial and business capital of The Netherlands. The Amsterdam Stock Exchange (AEX) is the oldest stock exchange in the world. It was established in 1602 by the Dutch East India Company (Verenigde Oost-Indische Compagnie) dealing in stocks and bonds. It was also first to begin trading in securities.

Rotterdam has the largest port in world and acts as an international gateway to the European markets. Other important parts of the economy are international trade, banking and logistics. The country continues to be one of the leading European nations for attracting foreign direct investment and many global companies have chosen to locate their European headquarters within its borders.

COST OF LIVING

Is The Netherlands an expensive or cheap country to live in? Answering such a question is not easy, especially since your view is by a large extent dependent upon the country you are using as a comparison.

In general, the following can be said:

  • Prices in supermarkets are more or less the same for a particular chain nationwide;
  • Prices in local retail shops can differ depending upon the location of the store, e.g. prices in Amsterdam seem to be somewhat higher than in Rotterdam;
  • Compared to other European countries: taxis are expensive, bus/tram/metro tickets are about average and rail transport is relatively good value;
  • Prices for accommodation (both rental and to buy) vary with the main cities (Amsterdam, The Hague, Utrecht and Rotterdam) being more  expensive than the rest of The Netherlands.
  • Overall price levels in The Netherlands are about average for a Western European country.
SOME EXAMPLES OF EVERYDAY 
PRODUCTS TO GIVE YOU AN IMPRESSION:
- 1 liter of milk       € 0,75
- 1,5 liter coke       € 1,45
- 1 loaf of bread    € 1,50
- 1 kg bananas      € 1,60
- Frozen pizza       € 1,75
- 400gr white rice  € 0,80

Be aware that a taxi from Schiphol Airport to Amsterdam Centre costs about € 30-35 for 15 - 20 minute journey.

An indication of the cost of living in Amsterdam, compared to other cities around the world:

CITY PRICE LEVEL
EXCL. RENT 
(NY=100)		 PRICE LEVEL  
INCL. RENT 
(NY=100)		 WORKING TIME (MIN) FOR 1 BIG MAC WORKING TIME (MIN) FOR 1 KG BREAD WORKING TIME (HRS)  IPOD NANO, 8GB WORKING HOURS  PER YEAR ANNUAL LEAVE (DAYS)
Amsterdam 83.0 64.4 19 10 13.5 1,745 26
Beijing 57.4 42.5 44 52 73.0 2,052 9
Johannesburg 48.6 36.2 26 12 41.5 1,913 21
London 84.6 69.9 13 10 11.0 1,762 22
Mumbai 30.9 24.9 61 17 177.0 2,196 16
Nairobi 49.2 37.6 158 39 160.0 1,976 21
New York 100 100 14 12 9.0 1,955 12
Rio de Janeiro 59.6 44.9 81 34 56.0 1,847 30
Sydney 68.5 56.6 14 16 9.5 1,747 20
Tokyo 102.0 85.3 12 15 12.0 1,997 15
Warsaw 55.8 42.4 31 13 45.5 1,756 23

(Source: Prices and Earnings, 2009 Edition, UBS AG)

Please note that:

  • These figures are an indication only.
  • For calculation purposes, the amounts were converted into a single currency based on average exchange rates, therefore deviations are possible due to exchange rate fluctuations.
  • Cost of living is very much dependent upon resident’s address, lifestyle, age category and decisions such as renting/buying a house or car.

We can give you more detailed information on Dutch price levels compared to your current location, if required. Please contact us for more specific information.

 COUNTRY CALENDAR

On public holidays, the banks, government institutions and most companies are closed. Recently more and more shops, museums, and other local service providers have decided to remain open during some of these days. Public transportation services are generally operated on a limited/Sunday schedule.

The most important Dutch public holidays and events are included below.  

DATE DUTCH NAME ENGLISH NAME WHAT/WHY
1 Jan Nieuwjaarsdag  New Year’s Day Public Holiday
Jan/Feb Carnaval Carnival Dutch version of Mardi Gras
Mar/Apr Goede vrijdag Good Friday Public Holiday
Mar/Apr Tweede paasdag Easter Monday Public Holiday
30 April Koninginnedag Queen’s day Patriotic festivities and street markets
4 May Dodenherdenking Remembrance Day Commemoration of all the Dutch who have died in conflict/war with ceremonies at several War Memorials (such as Dam square in Amsterdam) including a two- minute silence at 8 pm.
5 May Bevrijdingsdag Liberation Day Originally to mark the end of World War Two but nowadays the values of freedom and democracy are celebrated more generally.
May Hemelvaartsdag Ascension day Public Holiday (40 days after Easter)
May Tweede pinksterdag Whit Monday Public Holiday
Nov St Maarten St Martin’s Day Comparable to Halloween. Children go around the houses in their neighbourhood. They carry little lanterns and sing songs in return for fruit and sweets.
5 Dec Sinterklaas Saint Nicolas ‘Dutch Santa Claus celebrations’. The Saint visits schools and delivers presents in the evening.
25 Dec Eerste kerstdag Christmas Day Public Holiday to celebrate the birth of Christ. Besides the traditional  decorated Christmas tree inside, many homes display lots of outdoor lighting.
26 Dec Tweede kerstdag Boxing day  Public Holiday
31 Dec  Oudejaarsavond New Year’s Eve Celebration with family and friends, eating oliebollen  (Dutch doughnuts) and lightning fireworks at midnight.


Carnival (Carneval)

In medieval Holland carnival was the last chance to eat, drink and be merry prior to the forty days of fasting before Easter.  After the second World War, this tradition was resurrected in towns located in the south of The Netherlands by the introduction of Carnival Committees. These committees elect their own Prince Carnival and organise lots of festivities. In many towns parades are held, whereby ginormous self-made puppets on carts are towed around town and brass bands are playing. People dress up in funny outfits and beer (the favourite carnivals drink) is consumed in large quantities.

Queen’s day (Koninginnedag)

Traditionally Queen’s day was held to celebrate the Queen's birthday. However, the birthday of the current queen, Queen Beatrix, falls in the middle of winter, when it is too cold for outdoor festivities. Expecting better weather conditions and honouring her mother’s reign at the same time, Queen Beatrix has decided that the 30th of April (her mother’s birthday) remains to be Queen’s day. 

Queen's Day celebrations already start on the night before (so called Queen's Night) with local street markets and special festivities across the country.

Historically the Dutch are traders and Queen’s day is an occasion to trade anything-and-everything in abundance. As it is more a social than a commercial occasion, prices are symbolic. At local street markets (vrijmarkten), people sell their unused goods and items. Children participate actively by collecting their old toys and spreading them out on rugs in order to earn some extra pocket money. On street corners, music bands are playing and amateur artists show their special skills. Children are encouraged to  play their musical instruments and/or organise (traditional) games for other children in return for some small change, e.g. €0,50.  

Saint Nicolas (Sinterklaas)

On the  5th December, the birthday of Saint Nicolas is celebrated. Although it is mainly a feast for children, the adult family members often exchange small gifts together with a rhyme, that mildly teases the recipient.

During the period leading up to the 5th of December, children put their shoe near the chimney (or outer doors in modern houses) before bed time. They fill these shoes with a carrot/apple for the Saint’s white horse and sing traditional Sinterklaas-songs hoping to receive small gifts or goodies during the night.

On the day itself, the Saint and his helpers visit all the primary schools in The Netherlands. In the evening (called pakjesavond), children cannot wait to hear the knock on their front door, announcing the arrival of the family’s ‘bag’ of presents.

Though Sinterklaas remains to be very popular, exchanging gifts at Christmas is also gaining in popularity, especially amongst adults and/or families with older children/teenagers.