The first month of working in the Netherlands can raise many questions. What do you need to arrange? Which steps are mandatory? And what can you do later? In this blog, we explain step by step what you need to arrange in your first 30 days in the Netherlands, so you can start working well-prepared. Are you working through Charlie works? Fortunately, you’re not alone.
Week 1: arrival and arranging basic necessities
Registering with the municipality (BRP)
One of the most important first steps is registering with the municipality. This is necessary to obtain a BSN (citizen service number). You need your BSN for work and salary, taking out health insurance, applying for allowances, and arranging banking matters. In our blog about registering with the municipality in the Netherlands, you can read step by step how this works.
Check your documents
Make sure you have valid documents with you, such as an identity card or passport, any residence documents, and your employment contract. It is important that these documents are still valid. In our blog about how long documents are valid in the Netherlands, we explain what you need to pay attention to.
Week 2: work, salary, and insurance
Starting work
In the Netherlands, you always work with an employment contract. This includes your position, the number of working hours, your salary, and your workplace. Are you working through Charlie works? Then you can be sure that everything is arranged according to Dutch rules. You can read more about this in our blog about the most important rights of foreign employees.
Taking out health insurance (mandatory)
Are you working in the Netherlands? Then you are required to take out Dutch health insurance, no later than four months after arrival. The basic insurance covers, among other things, general practitioner visits, hospital care, and emergency assistance. In our blog about which insurances are mandatory in the Netherlands, you can read exactly what you need to arrange.
Week 3: financial matters and allowances
Understanding your payslip
After your first weeks of work, you will receive a payslip. This shows how your salary is structured, including gross and net salary, withheld tax, holiday pay, and any allowances. Don’t you understand something? Always ask for an explanation. That is very normal in the Netherlands.
Applying for allowances
Do you not earn much? Then you may be able to apply for allowances, such as healthcare allowance, rent allowance, or child benefit (if applicable). In our extensive explanation about child benefit and allowances for labor migrants, you can read how this works. You need a DigiD to apply for allowances.
Week 4: living, stability, and looking ahead
Housing and accommodation
Many foreign employees initially live in short-stay accommodation. This provides peace and time to arrange everything properly. Want to know what that looks like? Then view an example of short-stay accommodation via Charlie works.
Checking minimum wage and income
Check whether your salary meets the Dutch minimum wage and whether everything is paid out correctly. You can view the minimum wage on the website of the national government.
Common mistakes in the first 30 days
In the first month, things sometimes go wrong. Common mistakes include not taking out health insurance on time, registering too late with the municipality, forgetting to apply for allowances, unclear information about the payslip, or not checking documents. With good guidance, you can prevent these problems.
How does Charlie works help you with working in the Netherlands?
At Charlie works, we help you with work at reliable employers, clear explanations about salary and payslips, support with administration and practical questions, and information about living, healthcare, and working in the Netherlands. Thanks to our personal guidance, you can focus on your work and your new life in the Netherlands.
Ready to start working in the Netherlands?
Do you want to work in the Netherlands with good guidance from day one? Then view our current vacancies at Charlie works and discover which opportunities suit you.
