SETTING UP HOME

TCH REGULATIONS MAKE IT EASY FOR RESIDENTS TO CHOOSE AND CHANGE SUPPLIERS.

UTILITIES

• If you are paying an inclusive rent, check your contract carefully for what is covered in the monthly sum.

• In many cases, the utilities (gas, water and electricity) will already be connected to your home and you just need to transfer them into your name.

• You can connect all your utilities online at www.mijnaansluiting.nl (in Dutch), or www.utilityprovider.nl offers a free service to connect expats with the best deal (in English).

WATER

• There are two elements of water payments: a consumption charge based on actual water usage (which is estimated if you don’t have a meter) and a municipal tax for services (sewage, maintenance, etc.).

• To see which water company covers your area, visit www.vewin.nl and enter your postcode in the box, or ask at your local gemeente.

• Amsterdam: Waternet 0900 9394 • Den Haag/Leiden: Dunea 088 347 4747 • Rotterdam: Evides: 0900 0787 • Utrecht: Vitens 0900 0650 • North Holland: PWN Waterleidingbedrijf 0900 405 0700

ELECTRICITY AND GAS

• Energy companies now have “green” options, where energy is bought from alternative sources such as sun, wind, water and biomass.

• The Netherlands Authority for Consumers and Markets (www.acm.nl) provides a list of gas and electricity suppliers on their website, or you can use their consuWijzer (www.consuwijzer.nl) to compare prices or seek advice.

MAIN SUPPLIERS:

• Budget Energie: www.budgetenergie.nl • Engie Energie: www.engie.nl • Eneco: www.eneco.nl • Energie Direct: www.energiedirect.nl • Essent: www.essent.nl • Greenchoice: www.greenchoice.nl • Vattenfall: www.vattenfall.nl • Oxxio: www.oxxio.nl • Communications • There is a huge range of options from many suppliers with combination deals for telephone (bellen), internet (surfen) and TV, charged under a single monthly fee.

TELEPHONES

• There are two main suppliers for landlines and phone connection via cable networks: KPN and Ziggo/

Vodafone.

• Often the easiest way to connect a landline is to visit a shop (winkel) of those suppliers with appropriate identification and they can set it up, while some cable networks allow you to sign up online.

• There are many additional services such as discounts for favorite numbers, or combination deals with internet and TV.

MOBILE TELEPHONES

• The cheapest deal for a mobile is via a contract (abonnement) with one of the main suppliers. You can compare the latest rates on www.bellen.com (in Dutch).

• You’ll need proof of identity, address, income and a bank account to sign a deal. A prepaid phone is more expensive but easier to get; you can top it up with cards from supermarkets.

• If your phone is unlocked, you can buy a Dutch SIM card. Every phone has a unique IMEI serial number (enter *#06# to find out yours). You’ll need this when reporting a stolen phone.

• Calling 0800 numbers are toll free, whereas 0900 numbers are charged (per call or minute, depending on the business).

INTERNET

• Connectivity in the Netherlands is among the highest and fastest in Europe.

• ADSL and cable options are available, and can be combined with telephone and TV deals. • Fiber cable (glasvezel) is available, but you may need to get your building connected; carriers generally install it for free.

• Compare prices and packages at www.internetten.nl (in

Dutch). It is possible to opt for a TV option from one supplier and telephone/internet from another.

TELEVISION

• Cable TV is cheap and main providers include Ziggo/

Vodafone and KPN. Included in the standard package are BBC 1, BBC 2, BBC World, and CNN alongside

Dutch channels, which include the governmentowned Nederland 1, 2 and 3 and RTL 4, 5, 7, and 8. You’ll also receive Veronica and Net 5 (quality films and drama including popular US serials), plus

National Geographic, the Discovery Channel and popular children’s channels. Local TV channels are another option.

• Subtitling, rather than dubbing, is used except for children’s TV. For more films, sport or other interests, you can select different options for extra payment.

• You get a media box and then pay for your chosen option.

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• KPN: www.kpn.com • Online.nl: www.online.nl • Tele2: www.tele2.nl • T-mobile: www.t-mobile.nl • Vodafone: www.vodafone.nl • Ziggo: www.ziggo.nl • Prijsvergelijken: www.prijsvergelijken.nl/comparebroadband/

POST OFFICES

• Post offices are marked with an orange sign that says postkantoor or PostNL, and are generally located inside shops, newsagents or tobacconists (postagentschap).

• Stamps (postzegels) can be bought in all of the above places and in some of the larger supermarkets, or printed online at www.postnl.nl.

• Post-boxes are orange and scattered throughout shopping areas and neighbourhoods. On the postbox there are two slots: the right (streekpost) is for

“local” delivery and you’ll see a list of postcodes that indicate the areas included; the left (overige bestemmingen) is for everywhere else, including international destinations. • PostNL aims to deliver locally within 24 hours, otherwise spoedservice guarantees local delivery by 10am the next day and next day delivery to Europe.

• See www.postnl.nl for online postal services, or call 0900 0990 (45ct) for customer service.

USEFUL WEBSITES

• Advice: www.access-nl.org • Film: www.filmladder.nl • Government: www.government.nl • News, information, community: www.expatica.com • Opera: www.dno.nl • Restaurants: www.thefork.nl • Royal family: www.koninklijkhuis.nl • Telephone directory/Yellow pages: www.detelefoongids.nl • Tourism: www.holland.com • Weather: www.weeronline.nl • Website links (by category): www.startpagina.nl

SETTING UP HOME

COMMUNICATIONS

KPN: www.kpn.com Ziggo: www.ziggo.nl

ENERGY & GAS

www.gaslicht.com

CLEANING SERVICES Helpling:

Oostenburgermiddenstraat 218, 1018 LL Amsterdam | +31(0)85 888 8338 | contact@helpling.nl | www.helpling.nl | facebook-f @Helpling.nl