Frequently
Asked Questions
- What
documents should I bring with me
to The Netherlands?
- How
do I find a doctor and /or a dentist?
- Can I bring
my pet?
- I've
just moved to the temporary flat
and it doesn't have a telephone
line, how can I order one?
- I
need a list of internet cafes' in
The Hague
- Could
you tell me how to separate the
rubbish for recycling?
- Can
I use my driving license in the
Netherlands?
- How
to import my car?
- What is
a BSN (ex-SOFI) number and do I need one?
- I am
from a non-EU country. Can I work
in the Netherlands?
- My
partner works for Shell on EBAS
terms, and I have already received
my BUPA card. I started working
and I would like to know if I need
to have a Dutch Health Insurance?
- We
are a non-married couple. Are the
C&D services available for me?
- PDP: what
costs can I claim with Partner Development Programme?
- PDP:
I am an expatriate partner/spouse,
how do I make claims with the PDP?
- Job
search: I am an expatriate partner/spouse
just arrived in the Netherlands
and I am very keen to work. What
kind of C&D services are available
for me?
1) What
documents should I bring with me to
The Netherlands?
It is advisable to get the documents
required for your residence registration:
birth certificate, marriage certificate,
divorce decree, non-marriage/single
status certificates, death certificate
and adoption papers. These documents
need to be certified by means of an
apostille or double legalization (dubbele
legalisatie). The following countries
do not require apostilles: Aruba,
Austria, Belgium, Bosnia-Herzegovina,
Croatia, France, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg,
Macedonia, The Netherlands Antilles,
Portugal, Slovenia, Spain, Switzerland
and Turkey. Documents issued in the
United States must have an apostille,
whereas double legalization is required
from Canadian citizens. These documents
must be written in Dutch, French,
English or German. If they are in
any other language, you will need
a sworn translator to translate them.
2) How
do I find a doctor and /or a dentist?
On your arrival,Team Relocation, a professional relocation company
contracted to Shell, will find you
(and your family) a doctor (General
Practitioner (GP)) and a dentist in
the area of your temporary accommodation
as well as in the area of your permanent
residence.
3) Can
I bring my pet?
Importing a dog or cat from within Europe you will need to comply with the following:
1. Your pet will need to be microchipped or have a clearly visable tattoo.
2. Your pet will have to vaccinated against rabies
3. Your pet will need an European passport
Importing a dog or cat from a non-European country you will need to comply with:
1. Your pet will need to be microchipped or have a clearly visable tattoo.
2. Your pet will have to vaccinated against rabies
3. Your pet
must be accompanied by a standard certificate which identifies the animal, gives the owner's name and address, and certifies that the animals was vaccinated against rabies
4)
I've just moved to the temporary flat
and the telephone is not connected.
How can I get it connected?
Actyss will provide you with information regarding the telephone connection. The provider will be ZIGGO. When moving to your permanent residence you can take the number with you. (Give them 10 days warning).
5)
I need a list of internet cafes' in
The Hague
Library
- Bibliotheek Part of the Stadhuis
complex - big white modern building
Spui 68, Tel 070-3534479, Mon-Thu
10AM to 8PM, Fri 12PM to 8PM, Sat
11AM to 5PM, Sun 12PM to 5PM
Telfort
(also telephones / mobiles etc)
Grote Marktstraat 51 (on the corner
of Wagenstraat) in the Centre, Mon-Sat
9:00-18:30, Thu 9:00-21:00, Sun 12:00-18:00
hrs
NUL 70
Café Restaurant
Denneweg 27, 2514 CC Den Haag, Tel
070 361 67 65
Internet
Café Den Haag
Elandstraat 48, 2513 GT. Tel. 070
363 62 86, open daily from 15:00 pm
- 24:00 pm, closed on Saturday.
6) How do I recycle?
For all information please
check www.denhaag.com.
7)
Can I use my driving license in the
Netherlands?
Anyone wanting to drive a car or motorcycle in the Netherlands must be in possession of a valid driving licence, and the driver must be at least 18 years old (21 years for drivers of heavy vehicles like buses).
If you come to live in the Netherlands, it depends on the country that issued your driving licence whether you may make use of your foreign driving licence in the Netherlands. In some cases the driving licence that you obtained in a foreign country can be exchanged for a Dutch driving licence. This option is not available to citizens of all countries; sometimes it will be necessary to redo the driving test.
An exception is made for employees of international organisations in The Hague or people holding a diplomatic status and their immediate family. They do not need to exchange their foreign driving licence for a Dutch one.
Would you like to find out which rules apply to your situation? Please visit the website of Rijbewijs.nl or contact the gemeentelijk ContactCentrum (Municipal Contact Centre) on tel: 14 070.
8)
How to import my car? If you reside in the Netherlands
and drive a vehicle with a foreign
registration, you may have to pay
a Passenger Car and Motorcycle Tax
(BPM) assessment. You are most likely
better off going through the import
procedure. Importing a car from abroad
is a bureaucratic, but relatively
straightforward procedure involving
Customs and the RDW, which also operates
a number of inspection and testing
stations throughout the country (the
closest station to The Hague is in
Schiedam).
If you have purchased a car, motorcycle
or trailer abroad, you must make a
number of arrangements before the
vehicle can be used on Dutch roads:
You must have a Dutch registration
number for your vehicle and the associated
registration certificate and number
plate(s);
You must have paid the appropriate
road tax; You should have arranged
statutory third-party liability insurance
for your vehicle.
You can find more information about
importing vehicles on the website
www.douane.nl/english
of the Douane (Dutch Customs) or by
downloading www.douane.nl/download
the brochure 'Taxation on cars and
motorcycles (BPM): When do you have
to make your own BPM declaration?'
This brochure is available only in
Dutch from Dutch Customs. Section
4 tells you what to do to ensure that
the vehicle displays the right number
plates.
Would you like to know more about
your vehicle and registering it in
the Netherlands? The RDW offers visitors
to its website the opportunity to
download brochures in English, French
and German. Click here www.rdw.nl/nl/beroepsvervoer/
for the English-language webpage
of the RDW. The RDW registers the
details of vehicles, their owners
and the documents that have been issued,
such as vehicle and driving licences.
This involves the provision of information
on such matters to other parties.
Visit the website www.verkeerenwaterstaat.nl/english/
of the Ministry of Transport, Public
Works and Water Management to learn
the basic information you need to
know as a driver and car-owner, including
vehicle testing, tax, insurance and
registration.
9)
What is a BSN (ex-SOFI) number and do I need
one?
As of 26 November 2007, it has been a requirement for all residents to have a Burgerservicenumber (BSN). A BSN is a personal Dutch social security number and is a requirement if you intend to work in The Netherlands, apply for benefits (including child allowance), open a bank account, register for a school etc.
New residents can expect to receive a letter containing their registration details and their BSN within 4 weeks of their registration at the Registration Office (Dienst Burgerzaken) in the City Hall. For more information on the BSN in English see: http://www.denhaag.com/default.asp?id=5422
10) I
am from a non-EU country. Can I work
in the Netherlands?
You are eligible to work without
work permit if your spouse or partner
is employed by Shell under the new
residence permit category of 'Knowledge
Migrant Worker' ( kennismigrant
).
11)
My partner works for Shell on EBAS
terms, and I have already received
my BUPA card. I started working and
I would like to know if I need to
have a Dutch Health Insurance.
It is necessary to inform ZKA about
the preferences (dormant policy, for
example). It is also recommended to
inform the employer about the Basis
policy arrangements, to avoid duplication.
12)
We are a non-married couple. Are the
C&D services available for me?
Our services are available for all
partners of expatriate Shell employees,
irrespective to the terms and conditions
of the assignment. SVA applies only
for employees on Local+ and EBAS terms.
13)
PDP: What costs can I claim with Partner Development Programme?
Please click here for more information about PDP.
14) PDP: I am an expatriate partner/spouse,
how do I make claims with the PDP?
You can't make the claim. Your husband/partner,
as a Shell employee, can make the
claim by downloading an electronic
PDP claim form from the Shell in the
Netherlands HR website http://sww.shell.com/hr/internationalmobility/lta/what/lta_what_claims.html
15)
JOB SEARCH: I am
an expatriate partner/spouse just
arrived in the Netherlands and I am
very keen to work. What kind of C&D
services are available for me?
The C&D team can give you information
and guidance on planning your job
search, on developing a clear picture
of your career goals. The team can
also advise you on improving your
CV and cover letter, networking and
interview skills.
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