When traveling to the Netherlands, there are a lot of things that need to be prepared before and after entry. Let me tell you about the preparations and life guidelines for immigration to the Netherlands. I hope it can give you some reference and help.

Preparations before and after immigration

1. Register a household registration

Anyone who has lived in the Netherlands for more than four consecutive months must register a household registration at the city hall. It is free to register your household registration at the city hall, along with your passport and a double-certified birth certificate you bring from China.

Married people must also provide a double-certified marriage notarization when registering an account. After registration, the city hall will give you a household registration form (GBAform). If you move to another city while studying in the Netherlands, you must register with the new city hall as soon as you move and cancel your old household registration.

2. Apply for a temporary ID card

At the local city hall, you will also receive application materials for the Dutch temporary ID card (temporary residence permit; VTV). Your ID card is the most important document you need to live and travel in the Netherlands; it is illegal to live in the Netherlands without an ID card.

Your Dutch ID card is in Dutch. The front side states your personal information and the validity period of the ID card. The back side states that the purpose of your residence in the Netherlands is to study, and there are restrictions on finding a job. The materials you need to submit to apply for an ID card include the application form, your admission letter, financial proof, insurance materials, bank account opening certificate, or a copy of your credit card or bank card, photos, autographs and an application fee of 430 euros. These materials are detailed on the application form. The application fee generally needs to be settled in cash at the time of application.

If everything goes smoothly, the Immigration Bureau will give you a written notice within two months after receiving your application and ask you to go to the local city hall to collect your ID card.

3. Tuberculosis examination

Chinese citizens who have lived in the Netherlands for more than three consecutive months are required to undergo tuberculosis examination. This is also one of the necessary conditions for legal residence in the Netherlands. Maybe you will say, isn't this already checked during the physical examination when going abroad? Even if you were inspected not too long ago, you are still subject to another inspection by the Dutch government.

When you receive the temporary ID card application form, you will also receive the Tuberculosis Screening Registration Form (TBCform). The Alien Police Department will book an examination time with the hospital for you and tell you when to go. After the first examination, the hospital will notify you of the time for the second examination. Generally, each person needs to undergo two to three inspections, and the interval between each inspection is about half a year. If the scheduled examination time conflicts with your course, please call the hospital in advance to change the time.

4. Apply for insurance

In addition to assisting you in opening a bank account, your workplace or school will also arrange to purchase insurance for you. The insurance arranged for you by your work or school includes at least general medical insurance (HealthInsurance) and sometimes liability insurance (Liability Insurance). Medical insurance means that the insurance company reimburses you for medical treatment according to the terms of the contract.

Liability insurance means that after an accident occurs, the insurance company reimburses you for financial compensation to others according to the terms of the contract. Student health insurance usually does not cover dental visits, eyeglasses and cosmetic treatments. Insurance premiums generally require you to settle the payment in cash at the time of application. The insurance is only valid for one year, and you need to buy the second year of insurance at that time.

Things to prepare when going to the Netherlands

1. Documents

The first thing to prepare is all kinds of documents. The originals must be prepared, and the last It is best to prepare a few copies for backup and keep things with you.

You must not forget your passport, and you must ensure that the passport is valid for more than six months. If it is about to expire, you must replace it with a new one.

Tickets are also very important. Whether it is a paper ticket or an electronic ticket, it is your voucher for boarding and entry, so be sure to keep it well.

The university admission notice may be randomly checked during immigration inspection, so it is best to carry it with you.

The International Health Certificate is a small red book issued after a physical examination for studying abroad. Many people will ignore this, but during customs inspection, this is a necessary item. You must put it with the above items. together.

2. Electronic products

Carry your mobile phone with you.

You can buy a computer after arriving in the Netherlands, but I suggest you bring it with you. Firstly, you may not be used to the systems of overseas computers, and secondly, electronic products in the Netherlands are relatively expensive.

Converter plugs and strips. The sockets in the Netherlands have different specifications than those in China. In order to be able to use the sockets in the Netherlands smoothly, it is best to buy a converter plug from China and bring it with you. There are also some in supermarkets in the Netherlands. Yes, but the price is more expensive.

U disks and mobile hard drives require a lot of information when studying and taking classes, as well as for homework and papers. Therefore, it is best to download commonly used materials and save them to U disks and mobile hard disks. , convenient to use at any time.

3. Daily necessities

You can wait until you arrive in the Netherlands to buy four-piece sets of sheets, quilts, quilts, pillows and other items. After putting your luggage away, the first thing is to go IKEA purchases, here, in addition to bedding, you can also buy towels, bath towels, toiletries, etc. that are needed for daily life, which is very convenient.

For students who usually cook, it is best to bring a rice cooker from home, because you cannot buy a rice cooker in the Netherlands. In addition to cooking rice, a rice cooker can also stew meat and soup. For all kinds of cooking.

For clothes, shoes and other items, it is enough to bring one or two sets from China. The rest can be selected and purchased after arriving in the Netherlands

Things to note in daily life

1. Most supermarkets do not accept credit cards

Although many large and small supermarkets in Europe and the United States can accept various credit cards, Dutch supermarkets are very proud. Except for those near tourist hotspots, most of them do not accept credit cards. Credit cards are not accepted. Generally, when going to the supermarket, it is safest to bring a PIN card and cash. Some places do not even accept cash! In addition, when queuing, please pay attention to whether the queue requires a PIN card!

2. There are too few varieties of fresh vegetables

If you are like me and feel that there are too few varieties of fresh vegetables and fruits here, then you can go to the canned vegetable area to look for it, maybe There can be surprises. You can actually find pickles, millet peppers, etc., as well as the sugar-watered pineapples and canned oranges that I loved when I was a kid!

3. If you want to buy the most basic first aid kit and regular medicines

If you want to buy the most basic first aid items and regular medicines (over-the-counter medicines), it is recommended to ask at the supermarket counter (often placed behind the counter), or go directly to a cosmetic store (Etos, Kruidvat, etc.). Generally, Albert Heijn supplies ibuprofen.

4. Don’t like to peel potatoes

For those who don’t like to peel potatoes, Dutch supermarkets are very considerate! You can find freshly peeled potato cubes in almost every supermarket, in any size you choose!

5. Received a small gift

If you received a small gift when you walked out of the store, especially football cards or something that teenagers and children like, there may be groups of people. The child is talking to you and asking for gifts! If you also like to collect these gadgets, then remember, the supermarket will also organize exchanges when the deadline is approaching. You can collect duplicates at the announced time and exchange them with others for the ones you don’t have.

6. After get off work or get out of class, the supermarkets are all closed

If you don’t live in the center of a big city, you may find that after get off work or get out of class, all the supermarkets are closed. ! Even some local supermarkets are not open on weekends and only open on Sunday once a month.

In many places, it can be said to be difficult to find a supermarket that is open from 6 to 8 o'clock after get off work! But don’t worry too much. Generally speaking, supermarkets in various places have “Shopping evening” one day a week and extend their business hours to eight or nine o’clock in the evening!

7. Want to buy something in the middle of the night

If you need to buy something in the middle of the night, you can go to avondwinkel (convenience store) or night store. At about 11pm, the shopkeeper will charge double the price (milk, etc.). These shops usually open in the afternoon and stay open until midnight.

8. Free coffee and tea

The Dutch are still very polite to their guests. In many supermarkets, banks and other service halls, a variety of coffee and tea are provided to guests. Oh, and if you're "you're welcome," maybe you can pick up some sample tea bags and coffee. But it’s best not to be greedy for such small advantages!

9. There are too many types of dairy products! Don’t buy the wrong color when buying milk

If you buy milk, you are right to choose blue packaging (the lighter the blue, the lower the fat). The red package is karnemelk (very sour original cheese), the green package is yogurt, and the yellow package is vla (a unique Dutch after-dinner dessert). Don’t buy the wrong product because you can’t read Dutch, otherwise if you want to drink delicious milk, you may suddenly drink something you don’t know what it is...

10. There is a charge for plastic bags. , remember to bring your reusable bags to purchase

It is said that Alebrt Heijn sometimes provides very flimsy free bags (I have not seen them)... but I think even the paid bags are not of good quality. Great, I recommend that friends bring enough reusable bags or sturdy plastic bags that can be used multiple times before purchasing!