Netherlands : Highly skilled migrant offer.. but this means instability
Posted by Misty-knight200@reddit | expats | View on Reddit | 39 comments
I have a chance to move to the Netherlands at a salary that is really good in my view (EUR 100,000) and remote job at a company I already work in and like— just changing location. I can live anywhere within 90 minute commute from Amsterdam. It’s just me going, no dependents.
I considered posting in the Netherlands subreddit but I’ve been monitoring that sub for several weeks now and I don’t think my post will go down well as there seems to be anger towards people coming in with relatively high salaries.
In my case I’m a 40 year old naturalized immigrant in Canada and I have been looking to leave Canada for ages. I grew up in a poor country that I visit often. This move will bring me closer to my family back home (instead of 2 flights, it would be one direct flight at half the price) and just gives me a new sense of adventure. I’m starting to learn Dutch which is also kinda cool.
But I am concerned about being on a work permit again.. In the past when I had to deal with work visas (in the U.S. especially) I was anxious all the time that I would lose my job and have to leave the country. So I am wondering if anyone here has been on this ‘highly skilled migrant’ permit and how they handle the uncertainty for those 5 years until you can get residency.
Thanks for reading.
SunTheFun@reddit
Netherlands is the worst place to work as highly skilled migrant. Companies are very good at doing things at your expense and it is impossible to find a common reasonable ground even if they promised this and that. They can change the terms one-sided saying that they are going smaller and goverment lets it, then you have a contract that means nothing anymore. They do all kind of shady stuff and mobbing if they want to get rid of you. 1 year later they will find another cheaper worker in your place and stop your contract.
Go somewhere else.
Dutch companies are not to be trusted. Biggest companies layed down thousands of highly skilled migrants this year, now they have to leave since there are not many companies that will hire them. My friends bought a house, had a child, built a life here but they are in their 3rd year and must work as kennismigrant 2 more years. Now they are thinking what to do.
Tunameltbounty@reddit
That's about 5K net (100.000/12.97 and -30%). You are going to pay 1800 in rent, 150 for health insurance, let's say 100 for energy/heating/water (optimistic guess) and 50 for internet. Add some more stuff I'm forgetting and you have probably 2700 free to spend on food etc.
That is indeed a good salary. Unless you want to live in Amsterdam, then you lose another 1000 extra (at least) on rent.
Still, you have 1700 left. And this is why locals can't afford rent anymore: they pay much more tax.
shimmerchanga@reddit
I’m a naturalized Canadian who moved to NL. Contracts here are much more secure than they are in Canada or the US. Even with a 1-year contract (i.e., non-permanent), workers have a lot more rights, for example they must give you a few months notice if they want to fire you so you’ll have some time to get your affairs in order before your visa runs out, which is tied to your contract.
I live within that commute distance of Amsterdam (though who doesn’t, the country is tiny) and 100k is a great salary here, especially with the 30% ruling, since you’ll get all the other usual “Dutch” benefits like the government mandated minimum of 3 weeks of vacation.
And yes healthcare is not “free” here but it’s been much much better than Canada, and Ive been paying less here for healthcare because certain life-altering/saving medications and procedures in Ontario specifically aren’t fully covered but are part of basic care here. For healthcare, I pay €180/months + €300 yearly deductible, so €2460 per year and that covers EVERYTHING: health, dental, meds, physio etc
Happy to share our household budget in Ontario, with a similar salary, vs NL if you’d like to compare the financials. Just DM me :)
Rashad_1995@reddit
Do you think does it worth for one to move with 73.7K to Amsterdam at 30-years-old single person? How much is net income per month with 30% rule applicable?
Misty-knight200@reddit (OP)
Will dm
johnniehuman@reddit
I'm on such a permit and Dutch contracts are almost always with a kind of one year probation period. If you are transferring within your company, you should be clear of this. Beyond that, the Netherlands is great. 100k sounds a lot, but as a single person, housing will be a challenge. The 30% ruling isn't what it was and you should probably expect to pay 1500 a month on rent for around a 40-50m2 apartment alone. Amsterdam could easily be double this. Healthcare is another 150 a month. You could easily spend half your netto on rent and healthcare. Canada has similar problems in some parts, so you might be used to these issues, but it continues to be a source of annoyance for me.
gowithflow192@reddit
Come on even without 30 per cent ruling he will be fine on 100k. That’s a senior tech salary, very difficult to better.
johnniehuman@reddit
Op will be fine -- especially with the 30% for a couple of years -- but let's not pretend that 5200 netto gets you that much around Amsterdam these days once it runs out.
gowithflow192@reddit
Nice apartment max budget 2k. He can live well off the rest and even save.
johnniehuman@reddit
I agree, OP will be fine, he will have a decent life and the Netherlands is great. The point is people from other countries expect more than fine on a 100k salary. You’re not getting much for €2k a month in 020.
johnniehuman@reddit
I agree, OP will be fine, he will have a decent life and the Netherlands is great. The point is people from other countries expect more than fine on a 100k salary. You’re not getting much for €2k a month in 020.
Edit: I just looked up property prices in Calgary as an example. You can get 220m2 detached four bed houses for €350k. https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/37-E-Legacy-Gate-SE-Calgary-AB-T2X-0W3/2076421506_zpid/. I looked up the same on funda and there is literally nothing in the Randstad for that price and size.
kinda-a-fan@reddit
Just fucking do it
Misty-knight200@reddit (OP)
Will do! :)
HarvestWinter@reddit
How likely are you to lose that job? You already work for the company, so you know whether they are likely to collapse any time soon. If the job contract is a permanent one, that's really the only thing you have to worry about.
With that sort of salary though, you aren't really losing anything by giving it a go. It's only you moving, you have no money issues, if it ends up only lasting a few years you still come out on top.
If you're really worried about the five years, then take advantage of being single and find a dutchie to marry, that makes it only three.
Misty-knight200@reddit (OP)
lol I hope I find one to marry :D
Particular_bean@reddit
This going to go over badly in that subreddit ;)
Misty-knight200@reddit (OP)
Interesting. I was just picking up what the commenter put down, so to say. Dutch men can rest easy.
Mel1491@reddit
Currently live in NL, my partner and I make 150k a year and we live very well and we have a kid so you will be more than fine, there is a crisis on getting a place but is temporary pain... is always a crisis for everything in here so get used to taht word.
doepfersdungeon@reddit
On that salary your housing is your issue not cost of living although I reckon you'll be a little worse off or maybe around the same in NL than Canada if moving on the same salary. They have a big shortage, almost 0.5 million, of houses. You are in the bracket where it may not affect you quite as much but your not immune.
I would be negotiating a moving package that includes 3 months of paid up accommodation in Amsterdam or somewhere near by. Turning up with nowhere to live is a big no no and can get expensive quickly.
If your moving with the same company are you starting a new job or just relocating and signing a new contract. If its a Dutch contract you'll be a probation most likely. Do t worry about it just bring amd save a nest egg so if things go totally belly up you cam survive without panicking.
View it asxa one year experiment. Who knows if you'll even like it. Many do ,many don't. Spend some time exploring other places like Rotterdam, Delft, Haarlem etc.
My concern would be that if you don't and decide to leave can you keep your job and go home. If not are you happy to return home and re enter the job market or are you content where you are...
Life's too short to not try things , just be open and flexible enough that it may not work out rather than having any expectations.
JustDadIt@reddit
Do you have a permanent contract and a stable employer? If so it’s almost impossible to lose your job in the NL. will they pay for moving? Keep in mind there is no tax on imports of your current possessions for first year with a HSM, but imports are still complex so it’s nice to have them handle it. €100k goes far outside the randstaad but it’s not as much as it used to be, and I think the 30% ruling is now phased out??? (Not sure though) 90min from Amsterdam is like half the country to be honest.
Misty-knight200@reddit (OP)
It says 'indefinite' contract. Is that the same thing as permanent?
gowithflow192@reddit
Yes that means permanent. You can even get a mortgage.
JustDadIt@reddit
It is! Nice one.
gowithflow192@reddit
Better five years than more. It definitely is stress but rest assured that a permanent contract in NL makes you almost unfireable. The company can get rid of you but they have to thrash it out with lawyers and give you a long period of gardening leave plus a significant payout. You really shouldn’t be worried.
chardrizard@reddit
The anxiety stays but at least you can return to highly paid western country.
Build good network until your 5 year PR grind is over, so that you might have better chance on landing job in case of layoffs.
Non-dutch speaking vacancies are smaller now compared to pre-covid, senior roles are still okay but junior to medior roles are tough.
Misty-knight200@reddit (OP)
That's a good point re. returning to a western country. Having a Canadian passport is a privilege..
lucricius@reddit
What kind of job pays that much money?
applepies64@reddit
Us based companies, swiss companies or multi national. Or very specific nicheYou need 8-10 years exp and its fulltime. Usually we dutchies see median job incomes like 2500 4200 but we dont even see the jobs they do.. speaking from experience
Misty-knight200@reddit (OP)
It is multinational, you are correct. But I have it on good authority that the Dutch staff are paid the same i.e. the salary I was offered when I asked what my pay would be is the range for Amsterdam-based staff, not a special expat salary.
JustDadIt@reddit
Not sure I follow? Do you mean to say the jobs aren’t advertised to you? You should report that shit. While you can advertise the job in English they can’t like advertise it only on some Hindi job boards trying to deliberately exclude Dutch nationals.
Misty-knight200@reddit (OP)
software / tech.
ProbablyBsPlzIgnore@reddit
100k is a high income there, you would be top 1%
KactusEvergreen@reddit
See if you can get the EU blue card instead. It has a higher requirement than the highly skilled migrant visa but it sounds like you’d qualify with your field + income. It is still tied to your employment but your employer doesn’t need to be certified, so it will be easier to switch jobs if you need to. Also it gives your EU mobility not just Dutch.
Misty-knight200@reddit (OP)
Good point - I actually heard blue card is possible as well. I'll look into it
applepie_29@reddit
Hi! As long as your company sponsors you, obtaining highly-skilled migrant visa is an easy and straightforward process. Is your company a recognized sponsor in the Netherlands and are they willing to sponsor you? The only issue is if you are terminated, you have maximum 3 months (or until the end of your current permit, whichever is earlier) to find a new job or you need to leave the country.
I live in the Netherlands with highly skilled migrant visa and love it here personally. With that salary and 30% ruling, you will be earning well. Dm me if you have specific questions.
zyine@reddit
From which country?
Misty-knight200@reddit (OP)
African country. Rather not give too many details
cybnoire@reddit
5,5 Yrs Expat in the Netherlands here. I understand your struggle all too well unfortunately. I moved here after struggling in my home country for the first 6 years of my career and the anxiety of loosing my job and subsequently my visa consumed me for a long time. I've built a life here, got a partner a house and don't see myself leaving the country anytime soon, all the more adding to the fear of losing the life I built because of it being tied to a job. I think you need to understand if your staying in the Netherlands is temporary or not, depending on that this anxiety might subside, I new I wanted to stay here and build my life but I think if that wasn't the case I wouldn't give that much importance to the visa thing.
Regarding the recent anger towards immigrants, things unfortunately are getting worse in my experience. Duchies are in general very pragmatic, open, friendly and respectful however, in my opinion, the rising inflation, inequalities and populism is putting us a bit under pressure. Salaries are not raising rn, the market is rough and people are struggling to find a home, immigrants tend to become the first punching bag for populists as usual. That being said, I still believe the Netherlands is one of the best places out there and even if things are rough around the edges these days, it is far better then what I see in other places. If you are looking for an adventure and spend sometime away from your home country, it can definitely be worth it while taking some of that anxiety off your shoulders. Think about it ;)
RedditorsGetChills@reddit
I had a work permit while living in Japan, and it was for a highly skilled migrant, as I was working as a department manager at the time I got it. I left that company, meaning when it was renewal time, I would need a new sponsor.
I worked freelance for a variety of companies, making more than any day job I had, and had a handful of clients I could join full-time if a visa need ever came up.
Someone else said it, but start building your network up, and let everyone know your situation and what you do. Don't expect a last minute 1:1 job and salary match if shit hits the fan, but at least you'll have a job and visa.
I work for a US company that will let me relocate to anywhere they have an office, and my top 3 choices are all available. High US tech salary as well. But... Recently I was reminded at how corporate American jobs work, scaring me a bit about relocating via them. I've been trying for so long, I think I'll do it, and immediately get a network going and either leave before anything happens, or be prepared for when it does.
I was reminded, what is a European livelihood if I have an American manager who is a workaholic? Not one I want to live I think.