FAMILIES

from Expat Survival Guide 2023 - The Netherlands

INTRODUCTION

RANKED TOP IN THE WORLD FOR CHILDREN’S WELL-BEING BY UNICEF, THE NETHERLANDS IS GREAT FOR FAMILIES.

• The applications for both the entry visa (MVV) and residence permit are streamlined into one Entry and Residence Procedure (TEV), which can be granted before arrival. • Family immigration policies have been reformed, making it easier and less costly. • Partners or relatives can apply for permits on behalf of family member(s) who live abroad. • Partners do not need to be married to receive residency (under certain conditions). • It is important to visit the IND website (www.ind.nl) for the most recent changes in rules and permit feed.

EU/EEA/SWISS NATIONALS AND FAMILY MEMBERS

• Register in the Municipal Personal

Records Database (BRP) and get your social number (BSN). • Next, make sure you have all the paperwork together: passports, a marriage certificate and birth certificates with an Apostille stamp (if required from your country).

Work permits are not required. • And be sure those paperwork documents are translated into

Dutch, English, French or German. • Any family members not an EU/

EEA/Swiss national? Submit a mandatory “verification against EU law” to the IND for a certificate of lawful residency good for five years. • Visit www.ind.nl for conditions.

NON-EU/EEA/SWISS NATIONALS

• Non-EU/EEA must have their own, separate, residence permit. • This application fee depends on your personal situation and permit type. • TIP: Partners and family members generally receive the same conditions as the relative they are joining in the Netherlands. • Rates are subject to frequent change, so it is best to refer to www.ind.nl.

SIGNIFICANT CONDITIONS

• Want to bring a family member to the Netherlands? Sponsor them: sign a declaration, meet certain obligations, and prove you can support your spouse or relative (www.ind.nl has a table of required income levels). • If you, along with your family, come to the Netherlands as a highly skilled worker, your contract will be sufficient to meet the requirements regardless of the length of employment.

AU PAIRS

• Bringing an au pair to the

Netherlands? One of the key rules is that the au pair cannot have previously worked for your family abroad. • Only a recognised au pair agency can submit a permit application on behalf of an au pair. • Au pairs can stay in the

Netherlands for one year as a

“cultural exchange” who cannot

work outside his or her agreed au pair duties. • No previous Dutch residence permit for exchange purposes can be on your record if wanting to au pair. • An au pair must be over 18 and under 31 and cannot be a family member in the 1st, 2nd or 3rd degree. • Light, domestic duties in exchange for bed and board are the norm.

Eight hour work day are the maximum (30 hours per week), with two days off weekly. • As a sponsor, have sufficient income to support family and au pair. And make a daily schedule for the au pair agreed upon in writing. • https://ind.nl/en/exchange/Pages/

Au-pair.aspx has a list of conditions for au pairs who wish to come to the Netherlands, as well as conditions for what an au pair is allowed to do.

CHILD BENEFIT

• Parents living or working in the

Netherlands with children under 18 are entitled to the kinderbijslag, a quarterly contribution to the cost of raising children from the Sociale

Verzekerings Bank (SVB). • The amount depends on age, special needs, etc., but is not income-related. • This contribution can sometimes be paid into a foreign bank account (see www.svb.nl for a list of offices)

CHILDCARE (KINDEROPVANG)

• It is never too early to register your child for day care, for instance, when you are pregnant. Government policy can be found on www.rijksoverheid.nl (in Dutch).

CHILDCARE OPTIONS

• Kinderdagverblijf: day care for children aged six weeks to four years old. Search online for kinderdagverblijven in your area and orientate based on the websites.

Always bring a visit to the kinderdagverblijf or give the customer service a call. Urban areas have a shortage so expect long waiting lists. • Out of school care: day care centres that provide

Buitenschoolse Opvang for children up to 12 years old. • Private day care: In large cities, private facilities offer flexible options up to 24-hour care, international nurseries and pre-school establishments. Note that private day care falls mostly outside the childcare law (wet Kinderopvang), so special childcare allowance is not applicable. • Pre-school/playgroups (peuteropvang): pre-school/ playgroups aimed at helping to prepare children aged between 2/2,5 and 4 years old for their transition into primary school (this varies per city).

Focus is on child development. A child can usually attend a peuteropvang for three hours per day, either two or four times a week. Working parents can receive the kinderopvangtoeslag, towards the cost of peuteropvang (conditions apply, see

Childcare allowance).

CHILDCARE ALLOWANCE

• Parents working (or studying) in the Netherlands are entitled to the childcare allowance (kinderopvangtoeslag) for children under 12 to help cover the cost of childcare, and can reduce costs up to 93 percent depending on income and number of children. See more info at www.svb.nl. • Childcare allowance depends on a household’s (joint) income. • Childcare allowance for high-income households is capped at a certain percent of costs, depending on income. • Parents must be employed (or studying) to claim allowances. • The childcare centre or childminding agency must be registered in www.landelijkregisterkinderopvang.nl. In case of childminding services, the childminder must be registered as well. • In the event of sickness, holiday, parental leave, extra training or part-time unemployment benefit, the number or hours “worked” remains unchanged, as does the number of hours of childcare allowance granted. • Childcare allowance is also capped to a set of maximum hourly rates (230 hours max per month), depending on the type of care. Both can be calculated on the government site www.government.nl. • Parents cannot claim allowances if they look after each other’s children or if relatives provide care.

TIME FOR A CHANGE

international divorce - prenuptial agreements international inheritance law - relocation

www.smeetsgijbels.com

• You have the nationality of an EU country,

Liechtenstein, Norway, Iceland or Switzerland. Are you from another country? In that case, you need a valid residence permit or work permit.

FUN TIPS FOR FAMILIES

• Get out and about! There are many playgrounds tucked between the houses, streets and shops. • Fun for free – visit a children’s farm or kinderboerderij.

These city farms often have educational and recreational activities during the week. • Cultural fun – There are over 1500 museums in the

Netherlands. Dutch museums often have audio guides for kids available in several languages and have

special tours for children, as for instance Rijksmuseum and Muiderslot. • Hit the beach – the Netherlands has 451 kilometres of coastline accessible by car, bike, boat and public transport. • Dutch theme parks – De Efteling is a huge park offering exciting rides for older kids and a Disney-esque experience with folkloric touches for younger ones.

More theme parks can be found at www.pretparkennederland.nl. • Activities overview - Good sites for finding out more about children’s activities include “away with children” (www.wegmetdekids.nl) and “out with children” (www.uitmetkinderen.nl).

At Kühler & Partners International Mental Health we provide psychological healthcare for Kids & Teens. We have a specialist team of child psychologists and a child psychiatrist, offering high quality care to children age 6-18 and their families. After initial assessment, we offer individual therapy, parent- and family counselling. Our treatments are tailormade, short if possible and longer if needed. We are a multidisciplinary team of professionals with an international background. If necessary or desirable, we

advise or work together with schools.

Because sometimes you need a little guidance to find your way.

LOCATIONS Den Haag Amsterdam

Next Article

INTRODUCTION

RANKED TOP IN THE WORLD FOR CHILDREN’S WELL-BEING BY UNICEF, THE NETHERLANDS IS GREAT FOR FAMILIES.

EU/EEA/SWISS NATIONALS AND FAMILY MEMBERS

NON-EU/EEA/SWISS NATIONALS

SIGNIFICANT CONDITIONS

AU PAIRS

CHILD BENEFIT

CHILDCARE (KINDEROPVANG)

CHILDCARE OPTIONS

CHILDCARE ALLOWANCE

TIME FOR A CHANGE

international divorce - prenuptial agreements international inheritance law - relocation

FUN TIPS FOR FAMILIES

advise or work together with schools.

More articles from this publication:

INTRODUCTION

HEALTHCARE

LISTINGS

PUBLIC HOLIDAYS

SPECIAL NEEDS

SETTING UP HOME

EMERGENCY NUMBERS

SURVIVAL CHECKLIST

HOUSING

This article is from:

Expat Survival Guide 2023 - The Netherlands