It only takes a few hours by bus to move from the familiar Polish reality to the different realities of life in the Netherlands. Functioning in this country, although in many aspects it is similar to life in Poland, in others it is completely different. Going to work in the Netherlands? Check out how the life of Poles in the Netherlands looks like!

Cycling life in the Netherlands

Public transportation in the Netherlands is very extensive – you can get around almost all over the country on trains and buses without any problems. Many Dutch people also own cars, with which they travel on good quality national roads and highways. Despite such a well-thought-out road infrastructure, the most popular and readily used means of transportation is the bicycle.

Biking through the Netherlands

In the Netherlands, bicycle lanes are standard even in small towns. There, almost everyone rides a bicycle – children and adults, the elderly and the young, rank and file Employees and those working at higher levels. Riding a bike is financially attractive – it lowers the cost of living, as you don’t have to spend money on fuel for your car; it also helps you stay in good condition, and it fits in with ecological trends. It’s easier to get to the city center by bike than by car, and not having a car allows you to bypass the high taxes you have to pay for owning this form of transportation.

The employment agency will provide you with a bicycle for free!

The READY STEADY GO agency provides its Employees with bicycles free of charge, which you can use not only for commuting to work, but also in your free time. Before using it, check that the bike is in working order and that you have received a key for it. In case of a malfunction, report it to your caretaker.

Traffic rules in the Netherlands

Whether you’re driving all over the Netherlands or just around your workplace, you need to be careful to drive according to the traffic rules. Pay special attention to the speed limits – there are radars set up in many places, so going over the limit can quickly end with you receiving a penalty for breaking the law.

Traffic tickets

You will have to cover your fines with your own money – the labor agency will not pay for you even if you were driving a company car. You can get a ticket not only for speeding, but also for riding a bicycle with headphones on or lack of lighting. For these offenses there are very high fines, which will significantly reduce the amount of your salary shown on the salaris.

Parking meters

If you are traveling in the Netherlands by car, you will certainly use parking meters. As in Poland, you can pay for parking in the Netherlands by cash or card, the only difference is that it must be a Dutch card.

Problems while shopping

Going to the Netherlands for work means that you will spend several weeks, months or even years there. You will have to shop locally, whether for groceries, clothing or industrial goods. As we wrote in the article Summer work in the Netherlands – how to prepare for it? in order to get paid, and as a result, to be able to shop locally, you will need a currency account in euros. You can set it up even before you leave, in a Polish bank.

However, it happens that in some stores terminals do not accept payment with a Polish card, so it is good to carry cash. Once you gain experience where there have been problems with card payment, you can avoid these stores during your next shopping trip.

Property rental costs

Staying in the Netherlands also involves finding accommodation. Buying an apartment is uneconomical if you plan to stay there for a short time, so a better solution is to rent it. However, even here you may encounter a considerable problem.

Polish reality

If you’ve ever rented an apartment in Poland then you know that it’s not much trouble. The choice of apartments is quite large, especially in big cities, which are student centers. The only obstacle to renting an apartment may be the rent – as its amount is set individually by the owner. It is also necessary to pay a deposit, which is returned by the owner at the end of the lease.

How to find an apartment in the Netherlands?

Renting an apartment in the Netherlands is a problem not only for economic immigrants, but also for permanent residents of the Netherlands. There is a very high population there, and the supply of apartments, both for purchase and for rent, is low. It is very difficult to rent an apartment from a private person, so if you want to look for accommodation on your own, you must be patient and have a high amount of cash. Along with the first rent, which amounts to several hundred euros a month, you also must pay a deposit. You can read more about this in the article How to rent a private apartment in the Netherlands.

Accommodations organized by the employment agency

Due to the problems of accommodation, many Employees who are going to work through our agency, choose to use the staff accommodation we offer. Although it won’t always be an apartment or room directly close to the job location, you will certainly be provided with comfortable and fully equipped housing, as well as a bicycle or company car that you can easily use to get to work. So, you don’t have to worry not only about the apartment, but also about its equipment.

How to make sure you don’t get lost?

In Poland, each house is different, and orientation in the area does not cause too many problems. In the Netherlands it looks completely different. There, houses are very similar to each other. There are even regulations that specify what houses can look like, or what color they can be painted! If, in addition, you have poor directions, you should not move from home without navigation at first. We wrote about useful apps for your phone in the article What should I take on a trip to work abroad?. Many people decide to install them and use them regularly.

It is a good idea to write down the address of your accommodation and place of work not only on your phone or navigation, but also on a piece of paper. This one will come in handy if your phone gets discharged.

What is the life like for Poles in the Netherlands in terms of health and medical care?

If you are a person who takes medicines on a regular basis, or you often reach for, for example, painkillers, you may face an unpleasant surprise in the Netherlands. The Dutch focus on prevention and a healthy lifestyle, so doctors are not very keen on prescribing strong drugs or antibiotics. They try to cure most conditions with paracetamol and recommend a healthy diet and plenty of exercise.

Take the necessary medications with you?

In Poland, things look a little different. At the doctor’s office, you can get a prescription almost on demand, while the availability of non-prescription drugs in pharmacies is very high. So, before you leave, it’s worth stocking up on a few essentials, such as painkillers and anti-inflammatory pills, bruise ointment, or pharmaceuticals for any digestive problems – heartburn, bloating, vomiting or diarrhea.

Health care

However, you don’t have to worry about your medical care. While working in the Netherlands, you are required to pay for Dutch insurance. The employment agency will take the fee from your salary and pay it to the insurance company instead of you. This will allow you to get medical advice whenever you need it and ask for sick leave at work.

A Social Support Team Worker from our agency will take care of arranging a doctor’s appointment and transportation to the health center. You will be provided with translation assistance when you talk to a specialist or other support if you need it.

Polish reality vs. Dutch reality

Life in the Netherlands, as in Poland, has its lights and shadows. When going to work abroad, you have to set yourself up for changes in your life. The sooner you adapt to them, the better off you will be working and living in this country.

In the Netherlands, as in any other country, working involves administrative and tax obligations. One of these is to obtain a BSN number. If you are going to work in the Netherlands, read the BSN compendium and find out all about this number!

What is a BSN/SOFI number?

If you have already been interested in what life is like in the Netherlands and whether it is worth going there to work, you will certainly know that one of the basic duties of every Employee is to obtain a BSN number. BSN stands for Burger Service Nummer, which literally means citizen service number in Dutch.

As a general rule, Dutch citizens and those wishing to live in the Netherlands for more than four months can apply for a BSN. However, in practice, it is often also applied for by temporary workers who, like you, are only going to the Netherlands for a few weeks, e.g., for seasonal work.

BSN and SOFI

The predecessor of the BSN, still in use in the Netherlands but gradually disappearing in official practice, is the SOFI, or rather the Sofinummer. This number can be applied for by people who wish to stay in the Netherlands for less than four months. However, it is only used for tax purposes. The BSN has a much broader application, as it is also used in contacts with public administration offices and, as an Employee of an employment agency, you also give it to your employer as a personal identification number.

Initially, each region in the Netherlands was allocated a pool of SOFI numbers. However, in regions with a high population density, e.g. in large cities, where the population was more than the available SOFI numbers, it happened that the same number was allocated to several people. This, in turn, generated problems in settling correctly with the tax authorities.

Nowadays, there is a slow move away from issuing a SOFI number, as the BSN is a much more functional number. It can be used for a wider range of purposes, so having both BSN and SOFI numbers has become pointless.

What does a BSN look like?

As with other numbers, the BSN is also a sequence of numbers and characters, given to each person individually. At the office, you will receive a document the size of an A4 sheet, which is the official confirmation that your BSN has been issued. Remember to take good care of it! It is best to photocopy this document and keep it with other important documents in a place where it will not be destroyed.

Where is a BSN useful?

Once you have a BSN, you can use it not only when dealing with the tax authorities or your employer, but also in many other situations. It is useful for:

• in dealing with formalities at almost every government office in the Netherlands,
• with your doctor,
• with an insurance company,
• at school,
• for the registration of care benefits or housing benefit,
• if you want to receive health care benefits,
• to prevent identity fraud.

How to obtain a BSN?

The process for obtaining a BSN is very simple. The number is issued on application by the Dutch municipal authorities.

Dutch address

In order to obtain a BSN, you must have a Dutch address where you are staying – this will be provided by the READY STEADY GO agency. This is one of the advantages of going to work in the Netherlands with our agency. You don’t have to worry about finding accommodation and therefore an address to give to the municipality.

Proof of identification

In order to obtain a BSN, you will also need a valid and undamaged identity document. As we have already written in the article What to take on a trip to work abroad, you must have at least one document proving your identity in the Netherlands. This can be an identity card or a passport, but it is best to take both with you (if one is lost or damaged, you can use the other).

Remember, however, that the document you wish to present to the office must be valid and undamaged. The clerk will scan the document, so if there are, for example, scratches in important places, such as watermarks or your personal details, the office may refuse to issue a BSN.

Obtaining a BSN number with the help of a temporary work agency

When you go to work in the Netherlands with our agency, you can count on assistance in obtaining a BSN number. If you have the necessary address and identity card or passport, an Employee of the agency will make an appointment for you at the municipal office. For the convenience of carers and Employees, appointments are made on fixed days of the week, usually Monday and Friday.

You will be informed of the date and time of your departure through the agency application – you will find it in the place where the work schedule appears. Prepare the necessary documents and be at the meeting point at the appointed time. You will be taken to the office by a driver from the agency. Don’t worry about being alone – you will be accompanied by a supervisor from our agency and other Employees who, like you, need to obtain a BSN number.

The whole process at the office is also easy. Your carer or driver will assist you in translating the documents and handing them over to the official. As long as the clerk does not have any problems with scanning the document or any other problems, the whole BSN procedure will take about an hour, or a little longer if there are many Employees from our agency applying for a number at a given time.

At the end of the process, the driver will drive you back to the place of departure. Simple, right?

What should you do if you lose your BSN?

The document you receive at the office is very important because your employer will use it to settle your pay. So, if you lose it, you will need to get a duplicate, and to do this you will need to go to the office again.

In this case, inform your supervisor, who will arrange an appointment for you at the office. This time, however, you will have to pay a fee of around €20 for the issuing of the BSN.

Your BSN number is also sure to be on your payslip, or salaris, and on the jaaropgaaf, the Dutch tax card issued by your employer after the end of the tax year. You can present one of these documents to your next employer as proof of your BSN number.

How much time does the agency have to issue a BSN?

Your personal identification number

Having a BSN makes things a lot easier, so it is a good idea to apply for one at the Dutch municipal office. However, you can only do this once you have arrived in the country, and our agency will help you with this.

Work abroad in the Netherlands can be found in many industries, but one of the most popular is horticulture. The Netherlands is famous for producing flowers and flower bulbs, and work with flower bulbs is especially popular. If you are also interested in it, check out what you can expect from it.

Flower bulbs work for everyone

Dutch employers are looking for both temporary and seasonal workers to work in their companies. Depending on your availability, you can choose to work for three holiday months or for longer – even if you start with a seasonal company and the job ends after a while, you can move on to a year-round company. Ask the recruiters at the READY STEADY GO agency for details.

Working with bulbs is an occupation for almost everyone. Age is no barrier – young people, full of strength and vigour, as well as older people in their 50s or so, can do the job just as well.

Sounds appealing? Read how to find a job in the Netherlands working with flower bulbs, write your CV and covering letter, and apply for the position of your choice!

Working conditions – you work a lot, you earn more

Flower bulb work in the Netherlands is very popular because it allows you to earn a lot in a short period of time. This is for several reasons.

Firstly, the hourly rates are attractive, especially when you go to the same company for the next time.

Secondly, during the high season, which falls in the months of July to September, it is possible to work up to 60h per week (the norm is usually 50 to 60h per week)! For Seasonal Workers, this is a huge plus, as they can work longer hours than in companies in another industry and thus earn more in the same period.

Finally, thirdly – in this job it is easy to get promoted and get a higher hourly rate. You don’t need to have specialist knowledge – you just need to work well, be committed to your tasks and, most importantly, come back to the same company the next season. Dutch employers value Employees who come to work for them repeatedly. They do not need to train them additionally, but only to pass on current information, while being sure that the work will be done solidly. So, if you make a good impression once, you are very likely to secure a seasonal job for many years to come.

What kind of Employees are Dutch employers looking for?

First and foremost, those who will be committed to the work. Bulb work requires no experience, special knowledge or strength. It is relatively light and easy, so there is no need for intensive preparation. You will receive the necessary training when you arrive and start working on the very first day.

English proficiency

A basic knowledge of English to communicate with other Employees and supervisors is welcome. If you don’t speak English, you will have time to learn the basics before you leave – you can read about how to do this in the article How to learn English to communicate easily while working abroad?

Availability for two or three months

If you want to get a good job at a flower bulbs company quickly, take care of your availability. Competition is high and the work is popular, but priority for hiring is given to those who have declared their availability to work from the beginning of July or August until the end of September, so for two or three full months. Employers do not want to lose an Employee two weeks before the end of the season – hiring another involves spending time training them, which is not cost-effective.

So, if you want to work with flower bulbs, make time to work not only for July and August, but also the whole of September. As we wrote in the article What can destroy your chances of finding a job in the Netherlands?, shorter availability can be a barrier to employment.

What about students?

Are you a student? Working with flower bulbs is also for you. Remember, however, that employers are most keen to hire Employees with long availability. So, if you were planning a holiday at the end of September, think about changing your holiday plans. This will not only increase your chances of getting hired, but you will also earn more.

What’s more, the READY STEADY GO agency works with flower bulbs companies that are located in the north of the Netherlands, in the Noordwijkerhout area, which means by the sea. While you are there during the holiday season, you will therefore not lose the opportunity to enjoy the delights of relaxing on the beach or sightseeing. You can go to the seaside at your leisure, for example using the bicycles provided by the agency. It is worth postponing your trip to warm countries until autumn or early spring – then you will not only pay less for your trip, but you will also have a peaceful holiday without the crowds of tourists around.

If you have chosen seasonal work, it is probably because you want to earn money. You will earn more of it by working longer hours. Set your priorities and consider whether going on holiday before the academic year starts is worth the loss of earnings and the chance of employment the following holiday season.

What is it like to work with flower bulbs?

The scope of your responsibilities will depend on which position you end up in. Women usually work on the production line, sorting, packing, sticking labels, placing bulbs in boxes and preparing orders. This is not hard work, but requires attention and accuracy. Men, on the other hand, do slightly heavier work, which includes transferring bulbs from boxes to sorting machines, taking packed bulbs to the warehouse, labelling or handling packed cartons.

Working time

Depending on the company, the season starts in June or July. Employees often work from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., so they spend 9 h at work, but during this time there is a compulsory break, spread over three parts – two of 15 minutes and one of 30 minutes. During the high season, in some companies it is possible to work as much as 12h, including a one-hour break, and coming to work also at the weekend.

Exemplary responsibilities

The season begins with preparing the bulbs for packing. Workers pick and peel them from their skins. They then sort the bulbs on machines, then into bags, and finally stack and pack them into cartons. Each carton is labelled with a sticker indicating the number and type of bulbs – wrapping the cartons can also be part of your job.

Employee benefits

Working with bulbs is not difficult

The responsibilities do not include complicated activities that require special skills or training. You will quickly learn how to perform your tasks reliably and not make mistakes, and you will receive help with your introduction to the job at the beginning.

How to prepare for flower bulbs work?

Above all, take a positive attitude and willingness to work with you, but specific items will also be useful. It is usually room temperature on the hall, so many Employees work in short-sleeved shirts. However, just in case, have a sweatshirt with you that is easy to put on or take off. Bulbs are also stored in warehouses where the temperature is lower than on the hall. There, a sweatshirt or other warm covering is definitely useful.

If you have very small or extra-large hands, take customised gloves with you to work. Usually, Employees will receive these from their employer, but these gloves are standard sizes. Those with different needs, at least initially, should have their own gloves.

The type of bulbs you will be working with may also influence the need for preparation. If you are assigned to hyacinth bulbs, make sure to cover up all exposed parts of your body, including your cleavage and neck. These bulbs give off substances that cause an allergic reaction among many people, so it is advisable to work in a turtleneck or neck warmer.

Contraindications to work in the Netherlands with flower bulbs

There are actually not many contraindications to this job. Choose a different industry if you have an allergy or hypersensitivity to pollen. You can check this before you leave by having allergy tests carried out. Remember to tell a recruiter from the READY STEADY GO agency about your health problems – the recruiter will help you choose a suitable job offer.

Is flower bulbs work for you?

Definitely yes, if you are looking for an occupation that is light, undemanding and profitable. With a little effort and commitment, one trip for three months will get you a job for several more seasons, so don’t hesitate any longer. Check out how to apply for a job with our agency, how to prepare for a holiday job in the Netherlands and start packing your suitcase!

When going to work in the Netherlands, you will come across several documents that you may not understand at first. One of the most important is the salarisspecificatie (salarisstrook), abbreviated by Poles as salaris, or Dutch pay slip. Do you want to know how to read a salaris and the meaning of its various items? Below you will find a compendium of knowledge about this document!

Who receives a salaris and when?

You have written your CV, found a suitable job offer and gone to work in the Netherlands with the READY STEADY GO agency. First payday arrives and a mysterious document called salarisspecificatie arrives in your app. Are you wondering what it is? Here’s the answer!

A popular salaris is nothing more than a pay slip that contains a detailed account of your earnings. It is given to every Employee who legally works in the Netherlands, regardless of whether they have entered into an employment contract directly with their employer or work with a temporary employment agency. According to Dutch law, the salaris is a basic payroll document and it is the employer’s responsibility to provide it to the Employee, either by email or on paper.

The salaris itself usually fits on one side of an A4 sheet of paper. Below you will find a sample document and an explanation of its different parts. Admittedly, there are many components of the salaris, but Employees are usually only interested in a few items: the number of hours worked, the rate, the percentage of hours (whether there was a shift allowance, if so, which one), the net amount of the payment, the number of holiday hours and the ET tax credit (extraterritorial reimbursement).

Block 1 – Basic information

Salaris begins by providing detailed background information on employment, how the tax is calculated and the Employee’s identification details. This block therefore contains information such as:

• medew.no, which is the Employee’s number;
• BSN – the individual tax number you must have if you work in the Netherlands. Your agency supervisor will help you to obtain it before you start work;
• geb.datum – your date of birth;
• loontijdvak – the tax table according to which your income tax has been settled;
• datum indienst – your date of employment with the company;
• datum uitdienst – your date of termination of employment; this field will remain blank if you have not terminated your employment with this company in a given week;
• functie – job title.

Block 2 – description of the wage components

• byz. tar % – the highest percentage of tax you will pay on the salary paid over and above your basic salary if you work for the whole year;
• lnk – this is the field for tax credits. If the letter J appears in this field it means that tax relief has been applied and the letter N means that it has not been applied;
• pns – indicates whether pension benefit has been paid on your salary. This is calculated after you have worked 26 weeks. Again, the designations J and N are used here;
• min. uurl. – minimum hourly rate;
• loonbeslang – here you will see the amount that has been seized for debts, such as those collected by a bailiff;
• RC – the balance of settlements with the employer, in your case the temporary employment agency in the Netherlands. An amount other than 0 will appear if you do not work enough hours (negative amount) or if you do not provide a bank account number to pay your salary (positive amount). Please note that your salary will be paid in euros, so to avoid losing out on currency conversion, open a bank account in this currency or use the Revolut app.
• Verloonweek – the year and week to which the settlement applies.

In block 2 you will also find your name and address, as well as the name of your employer and their details.

Block 3 – Accumulation of balances 

Here you will find aggregated information about your salary, not only the salary to be paid to you, but also the salary that your employer paid you in the previous pay period (i.e. usually the previous week). In the columns of the table, you will find the components of your salary:

• vak. geld – holiday allowance;
• vak. uren – number of holiday days;
• bw verlof – additional holiday;
• fst. Dgn – balance of public holidays;
• kort verz. – short absence balance.

In turn, the rows contain the individual balances:

• oud balance – amounts from the most recently paid salary, e.g. last week;
• opbouw – the balance of wages to be paid, given in euros or as a number of hours;
• balance nieuw – the current balance.

In the table you will also find the item reservering %, which indicates the amount of allowances described, given as a percentage. Thus, if the item vak. geld shows 8.33%, this means that you will receive 8.33% of the holiday allowance, which will be paid together with your salary.

Block 4 – Gross pay structure

In this section you will find summary data on your current salary, expressed in gross terms and therefore before tax and insurance contributions. The individual parts stand for:

• SVW dagen – contribution days, there are a maximum of 5 in a given week;
• Gewerkte dagen – days actually worked;
• Normale uren – hours at a percentage of 100%, i.e. basic hours;
• Toeslag uren – these are overtime hours, e.g. those worked on public holidays or at night, for which you receive a wage bonus. Its amount is determined by your employer’s collective agreement (CAO);
• Onbetaald verlof – unpaid holiday hours;
• Wachtdagen compensatie – compensation for unpaid sick days.

The individual columns contain values given in numerical terms, e.g. the number of hours, in amounts, e.g. the rate per hour, and in percentages.

Block 5 – Income taxes

This block contains the calculation of income tax and social security contributions. It is relatively easy to read as it only includes two items – Loonheffing, i.e. tax paid, and Net, i.e. the amount remaining to be paid.

Blok 6 – List of payments

The net amount shown in block 5 is not always the amount to be paid. The temporary employment agency will, according to the terms of your contract, deduct your accommodation charges or associated bills from your pay. You will find information about these deductions or additional payments in block 6. These may include the following:

• Chauffeursvergoeding – allowance for driving a company car;
• Inh Huisvesting – deduction for housing;
• Inh. HV GWE Extra – deduction for above-standard consumption of gas, water or electricity;
• Inh. personeelsvereniging – charge for membership of an Employees’ union.

Block 7 – Summary

In block 7 it is time to summarise the calculations you have made on salaris. You will find a short table where you can see how much you have earned in a given week and what your cumulative financial result is with a given employer. In fact, the most important parts of this table for you are three:

• brutoloon – gross pay;
• loonheffing – income tax;
• RC WAS – RC balance, i.e. the balance owed (it was already mentioned in block 2).

Block 8 – extraterritorial costs (ET) decision

Dutch law allows a temporary work agency to apply the extraterritorial costs tax credit, which reduces income tax for Temporary Employees. Whether you take advantage of this relief is up to you. However, you must bear in mind that certain conditions must be met for your employer to charge it – a description of these can be found in your contract with the employment agency. The allowance for this tax credit on salaris is under the heading Vergoeding ET (N).

Can you now read your salaris? 

At first glance, salaris seems complicated and difficult to figure out, but in fact the most important points for you are clear and easy to read. If you have any questions or doubts, ask the administration deartment for help with clarifying your salaris. Once you have reviewed a few of these documents, you will certainly be able to fully check the various elements of your salary yourself and verify that they have been calculated correctly.

The symbols of the Netherlands are windmills, tulips and… bicycles! It is on this popular two-wheeler that millions of Dutch people travel every day to school, work, to do shopping or to meet friends. If you are travelling to the Netherlands for work, be prepared for a real cycling frenzy.

Dutch bikes, electric bikes, family bikes

Cyclists in the Netherlands are an integral part of the landscape – wherever you look, you will see someone riding a bicycle. If you are interested in working in the Netherlands, you should get used to this sight and accept that, for you too, the bicycle will become your primary mode of transport.

Tradition vs. modernity

In the Netherlands, Dutch bicycles, also known as city bikes, are most commonly used. These have a low-positioned frame, large wheels, curved handlebars, and are characterised by a basket placed at the front or rear.

You can use a city bike to get around towns, cities and villages without any problems, but the Dutch mainly use them for short distances, up to 7, maximum 10 km. If the route is more, they reach for an electric bike.

Electric bikes require less commitment and are still a better means of transport than a car. With such a bike you can cycle on cycle paths or on the street, and the speed of movement is much faster than with a classic bike.

Bicycles for READY STEADY GO Employees

Our Employees also have Dutch and electric bicycles at their disposal – depending on demand. They can use them not only for commuting to and from work, but also in their free time. This way you can reach your designated company without any problems and benefit from safe and free transport for shopping, excursions or social gatherings.

Cycling lifestyle

A brief history lesson…

Bicycles appeared in the Netherlands as early as the 1870s. Initially, they were a luxury good that only the richest could afford, but over time they also became available to middle-income Dutch people. Although for a long time bicycles were considered merely a technological novelty, they quickly became popular with the Dutch population. The authorities of the time took advantage of this fact and introduced a tax on motor vehicles and bicycles, with the proceeds being used to build 1400 km of cycle paths.

…until modern times

Nowadays it is up to the city councils in the Netherlands to take care of the cycling infrastructure. They decide which parts of the cycle paths need renovation or where new paths should be built. The Dutch have become so fond of cycling, that the Ministry of Road Transport there plans to create cycle highways linking the country’s largest cities. It is estimated that there are already more than 35,000 km of asphalted cycle paths in the Netherlands and more than 64,000 km of other roads on which cyclists can ride (not counting standard roads for cars).

Who rides a bike in the Netherlands?

In the Netherlands nobody needs to be persuaded to cycle. It is already taught to young children and it is mainly immigrants who have problems with adapting to the bicycle lifestyle. The Netherlands also breaks the stereotype, commonly known all over the world, that people who cannot afford a car ride to work.

Almost everybody cycles there – both children and adults, old and young, CEOs and production workers. The sight of an elegantly dressed woman or a man in a suit cruising the streets of a city on a two-wheeler is not uncommon. Cycling in the Netherlands is therefore not associated with social status, but with generally accepted practice.

The Netherlands – an ideal country for cyclists

The huge popularity of bicycles in the Netherlands is not only due to the fact that cycling is environmentally friendly and has health benefits. The Netherlands is considered to be the country best suited to cycling, so cyclists can feel safe and get around both in and out of the city without any problems.

Cycling infrastructure

The state has ensured that cycle paths are level, smooth, well-marked and lit. They are also wide enough for cyclists to ride side by side and to overtake each other. Where possible, cycle paths are separated from car paths, but if they have to be connected, cyclists have priority over car travellers. This rule applies, for example, at roundabouts, of which there is no shortage in the Netherlands.

What’s more, cyclists can benefit from numerous facilities. Bicycle parking facilities, bicycle repair shops, spare parts shops, as well as shops and rental shops appear in many places. There are special bridges for bicycles over rivers and, where necessary, footbridges over carriageways.

An additional incentive to cycle is the terrain. The Netherlands is not mountainous, but rather flat, so there is no need to go up high hills.

Cycling friendly legislation

Dutch cyclists are not only favoured by the infrastructure, but also by the law. This assumes that in many places they have priority over cars, and drivers, accustomed to cyclists on the road, are very sympathetic to them. Cyclists, on the other hand, are obliged to obey the rules of the road and exercise due caution.

Cars vs. bikes

If a collision between a bicycle and a car occurs, the fault is most often attributed to the driver of the car. What’s more, he or she is often liable for around 50% of the value of the damage caused to the bike or cyclist.

Traffic tickets

However, this does not mean that cyclists go unpunished. When riding a bicycle, you are expected to comply with the law or pay a hefty fine if you break it. Every bicycle should be equipped with lights and at least one brake. If you are missing any of the mandatory equipment, you could end up with a fine. Also remember not to ride with headphones or without lights – these offences have to do with road safety and are therefore punishable by very high fines.

Dangers of cycling

Cycling on Dutch roads is relatively safe, so much so that there is no obligation to wear helmets. However, you need to watch out for cars on the road and remember that although you have priority when riding a bike, in many situations a collision with a car can end tragically for you.

Due to the large number of bicycles and their widespread use, there are also many thefts of bikes in the Netherlands. So, if you use a bicycle, be sure to secure it thoroughly against theft. More than 900,000 bicycles disappear under unexplained circumstances there every year, which is about 5% of all two-wheelers in the country. The percentage of theft, although it seems small, actually means that by using insufficient security, you can quickly get rid of your two-wheeler.

How to prepare for cycling in the Netherlands?

If you go to work with our agency, you will be given one of the Dutch or electric bikes to use, depending on how far you will be commuting. Remember, however, that you are responsible for your own safety.

So before you leave, make sure you have a smartphone app to help you navigate and a phone holder for your bike so you don’t have to hold your smartphone in your hand. We wrote more about this in the article What to take with you to work abroad.

Cycling Netherlands is waiting for you too!

If cycling in the Netherlands has been your fear, you can stop being afraid. You’ll just be another cyclist there. Remember that you’ll save a lot by cycling because you won’t have to pay for fuel for your car, you’ll improve your fitness and you’ll adapt better to your new surroundings. Still in doubt? Contact us and we will be happy to answer your questions!

Working in the Netherlands attracts an increasing number of temporary workers. There is a steady increase in the number of job offers not only for skilled workers, but also for those who are looking for manual work for just a few months. You can read various opinions about what working in the Netherlands is like. Is it worth to believe in them and work in this country?

Job in The Netherlands for unskilled workers

Educated people with a communicative knowledge of English and high qualifications can easily find well-paid work in the Netherlands. Doctors, lawyers, IT specialists or architects can count on the best salaries, but there is no shortage of interesting job offers in the Netherlands for workers with much lower qualifications.

Unskilled workers

A quick look at the website of the READY STEADY GO recruitment agency is enough to see that the job offers abroad for unskilled workers are very attractive. Dutch companies offer good working conditions, and if the Employee works hard and shows willingness to work, they can count on development, higher wages and a better job position.

Short-term employment

Employment agencies in the Netherlands are often looking for Employees for temporary and seasonal work. Even if you take up an occupation that does not require too many skills and is only available for a few months, you can count on an attractive salary.

So, if you do not want to stay permanently in the Netherlands, but only for a short period of time, READY STEADY GO agency will certainly find the right job for you.

Job for couples

Working in the Netherlands is frequently preferred by couples who want to earn and put money aside for a wedding, starting a business, their own flat or simply to pay off their financial obligations. Employment agencies abroad also organise such trips for couples. When you choose to go with READY STEADY GO, you can be sure that, as a couple, you will be accommodated together in a double room and that each of you will receive job offers adjusted to your profile.

Earnings above EUR 1600 gross

Whether you are looking for work yourself or through an employment agency, you are certainly looking for an occupation that pays adequately. Adequately, that is, so that you have enough money to live in the Netherlands and put aside part of your salary.

Salary in The Netherlands

This level of earnings is not difficult to achieve. There is a minimum wage per hour and a minimum wage per month. However, these are set twice a year, usually in January and July, and apply to full-time employees. On 1 January 2022, the minimum wage was set at €1,725 gross per month, which is €398 per week and €78 per day.

Age-based rate

The Netherlands is a country that prioritises education. For this reason, the country has what is known as an ‘age rate’ – people under the age of 21 earn less for the same work than older people. This way, the Dutch want to encourage education among young people.

When verifying the pay for a job, it is therefore worth paying attention to whether the employer’s age-rating rules apply. You can read more about how to verify offers in the article Don’t be caught off guard – what to look out for in job offers?

High wages and living standard

The average worker, who earns the lowest legal wage in Poland, cannot count on a satisfying standard of living. In most cases, he or she only has enough money to pay basic bills and buy average-quality food or clothing.

Earnings in The Netherlands vs. earning in Poland

In the Netherlands, although the cost of living is slightly higher than in Poland, an Employee who earns the minimum wage can afford much more than a Pole working in Poland.

Living standard

The money received as part of your salary allows you to rent a flat, pay for health insurance and buy the necessities of life, as well as save money. The price ratio in shops to the salary received is much better than in Polish conditions, so Employees in the Netherlands can afford more than the average Employee in Poland.

Accommodation

The idea of going to work in the Netherlands involves renting a flat or a room. Employees of an employment agency can count on accommodation organised by the agency, which allows them to save on rent and feel secure.

SNF housing standards

The housing available to those coming to work must comply with the standards set by the SNF (Stichting Normeding Flexwonen). These standards concern living space as well as safety and compliance with hygiene rules in staff accommodation.

Work smart, not too long – work-life balance

Working conditions in the Netherlands are often based on the principle of work-life balance. Work is important, but it should not significantly affect family life and leisure.

The number of working hours per week therefore varies on average between 35 and 40. In real terms, however, you stay at the workplace a little longer, as there is one unpaid break per eight hours of work. This is usually broken down into 3 parts: twice 15 minutes each and once 30 minutes.

Working hours and overtime

The maximum working time is 12 hours per day, including lunch break, and 60 hours per week. Employees of employment agencies in the Netherlands who travel for work purposes often prefer to work longer hours in order to earn more. Therefore, they choose jobs that guarantee them the possibility to work overtime and receive additional remuneration for this.

Wage extras

Salary in the Netherlands includes not only the basic remuneration, but also various types of allowances. The READY STEADY GO agency lists their types and amounts in its offers.

So you can count on, among other things, a holiday allowance and a shift allowance. Both are expressed as a percentage of the gross euro basic wage.

Who takes care of the formalities?

If you are looking for a job on your own, you will have to take care of these yourself. Employment agencies take care of this for their Employees, which is why many people choose to organise their departure in cooperation with an agency. You can read about why it is still a good idea to work with an employment agency here Working abroad – how to find a job in The Netherlands?

Take care of your CV

If you are determined to find a good job that will give you the chance to grow and earn high wages, all you need to do is prepare your CV well and commit to your duties. We wrote about how to do this in the article How do I write a CV to work in the Netherlands?

Working in the Netherlands without Dutch knowledge

There are a lot of myths about working in the Netherlands, also about communication issues. The fact is that the Dutch speak English well and it is enough to know English communicatively to be able to communicate with both superiors at work and colleagues without any problems. Of course, when taking up employment, knowledge of Dutch is an advantage, but communicating in Dutch is not a requirement.

Improve your English with the help of an agency

When going to work in the Netherlands, it is a good idea to speak English. However, if you don’t speak English well enough, you can still attend language courses, including those organised by the READY STEADY GO agency.

English through an app

Employees of this agency also have the free Vivolang learning platform at their disposal to learn industry-specific English. For everyday communication in English or Dutch, the well-known Google Translator will also come in handy. For more details, see the post on what to bring on a trip to work abroad.

Opinions about working in The Netherlands versus the reality

As you can see, working in the Netherlands has many advantages and is definitely worth considering even if it is only for a short period of time. Using the help of the READY STEADY GO agency, you can find an interesting offer of permanent, temporary or seasonal work, thanks to which you will gain new work experience and money.

Don’t be caught off guard – what to look out for in job offers? in the Netherlands and choose the best offer today!

Going abroad for work is a big decision – you will be leaving your home for a few months and will have to cope in a new place. In order to make your life and work as easy as possible, you should prepare well for your departure and take along both essential and simply useful items.

What to take on a trip to work? Checklist of essentials

Whether you are going to an EU country or a non-EU country, you will need to take the necessary documents with you and fulfil a few obligations.

Documents

What you need to bear in mind first and foremost is proof of your identity, i.e. an identity card and a passport. If you are going to the Netherlands or another Schengen country, an identity card will be sufficient, but if you have a passport, take it with you as well. Check the expiry date before you leave – if it is too short, get a new document. You need about 30 days to do this, so don’t leave it to the last minute.

While in the Netherlands, remember not to carry both documents together. If one of them is destroyed, lost or stolen, you will be able to use the other document. If you lose both, you can get help from the embassy of your country. You can contact the office by email, telephone or in person – the necessary telephones and addresses can be found on the website of your country’s embassy.

Although not a necessity, a driving licence is also useful. Having one is an added advantage for an employer and a chance to find a better job. If you have a driving licence, you can work as a driver or delivery driver, plus you gain more flexibility to move around the Netherlands, not just between home and work.

Bank account

When you go to work abroad, you will of course receive your salary. In the Netherlands, this is only paid by transfer to a bank account, so you will need to open one if you do not already have one. The applicable currency is the euro, so it should be a foreign currency account in that currency. Payments are only transferred to an account that belongs to the Employee, so you must have an account that you own. You cannot use the account of your sister, wife, father or co-worker.

If you don’t have your own foreign currency account and don’t want to set one up, you can use your Revolut account. With it, you can not only collect your salary for work, but also pay bills or make other payments conveniently and quickly.

Phone with internet access

Working abroad is different to working in Poland. Here, you know your neighbourhood, you speak the local language and even if you get lost, you can always ask for the directions. In the Netherlands, it is not as easy. A phone with internet access will help you communicate efficiently.

You will use your phone to communicate with the Dutch employment office, you will receive a work plan, as well as a weekly settlement, the so-called salaris, the equivalent of the Polish pay slip. You can also install a navigation application on your phone, which will allow you to easily navigate around the city – to work, to the shop or to the nearby sights.

Cash

Beginnings are always difficult and it remains to be seen whether your suitcase contains everything you need for your first few days at work. To protect yourself, it is a good idea to carry some cash with you – enough to last you the first two weeks, which is the minimum until your first paycheck.

Things useful for a trip to work abroad

What to take on a trip abroad for work is determined by where you are going and what conditions you can expect there. Being well-prepared is essential, so before you go to work in the Netherlands, think about everything that is useful to you in your life in your home country.

All-weather clothing

When going abroad to work, you need to make sure you have the right clothes and footwear. Buying everything when you arrive is not a good idea, as Dutch prices differ from Polish prices and basic items of clothing can be much more expensive.

So, remember to take clothes for all weathers and pack both cold weather and warmer weather items. To make sure you don’t forget anything, make a list. It should include:

• thermal clothing, e.g. from Decathlon,
• a raincoat,
• two hats – warm and a snapback,
• two pairs of gloves,
• specialist safety shoes – if you don’t already have these, you can buy them when the contract is signed at the office. You will find the necessary information on this subject in our handbook.

Comfortable underwear, a dozen pairs of socks and comfortable trousers, T-shirts and sweatshirts will certainly come in handy.

Medication

Your baggage should also include medicines, especially those you take permanently or frequently. Take a three-month supply with you. Medicines for basic ailments are also useful, i.e. painkillers and antipyretics, anti-inflammatory ointment to help with muscle pain, and something for food poisoning, i.e. activated charcoal, electrolytes or antimicrobials.

Cosmetics

If you have your favourite cosmetics or hygiene products, supplement your luggage with them. It is best to take a larger quantity of these but adjust it to the space available in your suitcase. You can also buy the items you need when you arrive, and only take your first month’s supply with you.

Cleaning products

The staff accommodation is furnished, but you will not find basic cleaning products. So, for a start, you will need washing powder or capsules, washing-up liquid and a sponge, toilet paper, disposable towels or tissues. Don’t take too much, though – you can buy cleaning products there at a price similar to that in Poland.

Food

When you leave your country, you will certainly miss your favourite foods or products. If it is food that has a long expiration date and does not need to be stored in a refrigerator, you can take it with you. There is access to a fridge at your accommodation, but space is limited for each Employee, so you won’t put too many products in it.

What else to take on a trip abroad for work?

It is said that the forewarned is forearmed and better safe than sorry. These two sayings apply when preparing to go abroad for work.

Spare phone

As you already know, having a working phone is very important as it keeps you in touch with your employer and helps you get around. In order not to be left out of touch, take a spare phone with you. You will use it if your primary equipment breaks down or you lose it and you don’t want to spend the money to buy a new one.

Dutch SIM card

When contacting your employer or the staff at the employment office abroad, you need a Dutch phone number. If you do not get a SIM card from the office, try to buy one yourself. This will allow you to save on calls from a Polish number to a Dutch number. You can get a SIM card before you leave Poland, for example by buying one on the Allegro website, or after you have arrived in the Netherlands.

Phone holder for bicycle

In the Netherlands, your primary means of transport will be your bicycle. In order to ride it safely on Dutch roads and at the same time not get lost, a bicycle-mounted phone holder will come in handy. It will allow you to use navigation comfortably and safely while riding.

Kitchen set

The accommodation provided by READY STEADY GO is fully equipped with the necessary crockery, cutlery and pots for each tenant to use. However, if you prefer to have your own plate or cup, you can bring not only dry food, but also a set of crockery and cutlery to eat comfortably.

Before you go to work, install some apps on your phone

Already during your trip to the Netherlands, you will find that having some apps on your phone can make life much easier. Above all, you will need Google Translate, which will make it much easier for you to communicate in both English and Dutch, for example when shopping for groceries.

Upon arrival, Vivolang, an English learning platform available for free to READY STEADY GO agency Employees, will also be useful. For contacting family and friends, WhatsApp will come in handy. With this app, you can call international numbers free of charge.

Don’t forget about effective navigation, such as Maps.Me, which does not require internet access. The pinning option available there will allow you to plot on a map and save your most frequently used locations, such as work or home.

Going to work is not so scary

When planning a trip to work abroad, it is a good idea to make a list of things that should be in your travel suitcase. If you want to prepare even better for your departure, read the article “Earnings in the Netherlands – why don’t I get offers with a higher hourly rate?“, where you will find some useful information about what Dutch employers value in Employees.

Now you know what to take on a trip abroad for work and how to prepare for it, so making a list will be much easier. So, get to work!