Guides

How the Netherlands actually works

One question answered properly per guide. What you have to do, in what order, and which part trips people up. Every figure is dated and traced to an official source.

Visas and permits

MVV, residence permits, and what the IND needs from you.

The orientation year visa (zoekjaar) for recent graduatesThe orientation year visa lets recent graduates stay in the Netherlands to find work. Who qualifies, how the application window counts, and what it is worth.7 min read

BSN and registration

Getting registered at your gemeente, your BSN, and DigiD.

Housing

Finding a place, what your contract means, and what rent is fair.

How to rent in the Netherlands, and avoid the scamsHow renting in the Netherlands works, what the law makes a landlord put in the contract, and the free checks that tell a real listing from a rental scam.8 min read

Tax and income

The 30% ruling, your payslip, and filing a Dutch return.

The 30% ruling, explainedWho qualifies for the Dutch 30% ruling, what it is worth on your salary, the deadline your employer has to meet, and who skips the salary threshold entirely.7 min read

Study

Applying through Studielink, tuition, and student finance.

Studielink and applying to a Dutch universityEvery application to a Dutch university runs through Studielink. What the national deadlines mean, and why your own programme's date is earlier than both.8 min read