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Ways to immigrate to Netherlands & obtain residency

Immigrating to the Netherlands involves various ways to obtain residency and Dutch citizenship, which will be professionally discussed by experts from Talav Company in this article. Many questions have been asked on our website about getting a residence permit in the Netherlands, including the easiest ways to immigrate to the Netherlands. What are the benefits of moving to the Netherlands, and what are the requirements? Will obtaining citizenship in this country result in acquiring a Dutch passport? Join us to find answers to these questions and more about immigrating to the Netherlands.

Topics covered in this article:

– Requirements of immigrating to Netherlands
– immigrating to Netherlands via employment
– Immigrating to Netherlands via education
– Immigrating to Netherlands via investment
– Immigrating to Netherlands via marriage
– Gaining citizenship by birth in Netherlands
– Seeking asylum in the Netherlands
– Cost of living in Netherlands
– Nationality laws in Netherlands
– Commonly Asked Questions
– Last words about immigrating to Netherlands

Requirements of immigrating to Netherlands

The Netherlands is a small nation located between Belgium and Germany in Western Europe. The Dutch have a famous saying that God made the earth, but the Dutch created the Netherlands. If the Dutch hadn’t safeguarded their land, they might be underwater now. Over the years, the Dutch have constructed numerous canals, dams, and pumping stations to reclaim seawater and rivers. The country is very low-lying and extremely flat, featuring many canals, rivers, and lakes. The Netherlands is currently one of the most densely populated countries in the European Union, with a population of approximately 17 million. In general, moving to the Netherlands is feasible through six methods: employment, education, investment, marriage, birth, and asylum. Below, we will explore each method of relocating to the Netherlands in detail, and you can select the easiest way to move to the Netherlands based on your circumstances.

immigrating to Netherlands via employment

Today, relocating to the Netherlands through work attracts many people. As you know, working in the Netherlands requires a job offer from a company or employer in this country. The unemployment rate in the Netherlands in 2019 was 3.76 percent. This means that fewer than 4 out of every 100 people are unemployed, making it somewhat easier to move to the Netherlands for work. This rate reflects the favorable economic conditions in the Netherlands. Many applicants, considering the economic situation and the unemployment rate in this country, decide to move to the Netherlands. Individuals who are able to obtain a work visa in the Netherlands, after five years of employment and paying taxes in this country, will be able to obtain permanent residence in the Netherlands.

Immigrating to Netherlands via education

A good education system is one of the reasons for attracting applicants from all over the world to move to the Netherlands for education. In addition to a good education system, the low cost of living and education compared to other EU countries has become another reason for attracting international students. The cost of education at different levels ranges from 8,000 euros to 20,000 euros, which in some fields may be higher. The Netherlands annually offers 5,000 euros as the amount of scholarships for foreign students, with the deadline to submit your application being the first of February each year.

Studying in Dutch Schools

Relocating to the Netherlands for education starts at the age of 4-5 years and continues until the age of 18 years. In this country, schools are divided into public and private. Public schools are free, while private schools charge up to 10,000 euros per year.

Undergraduate Study in Netherlands

Moving to the Netherlands for an undergraduate degree requires a diploma and a minimum IELTS score of 6. If the applicant is under 25 years old, an IELTS score of 5.5 may also be accepted. The cost of an undergraduate degree starts from 8,000 euros per year.

Studying for a Master’s Degree in the Netherlands

Studying in the Netherlands for a master’s degree has attracted the attention of many people. For admission to this level, a Bachelor’s degree and an IELTS score of 6.5 are required. Applicants who intend to move to the Netherlands to pursue a master’s degree must also have financial support for at least one year. Tuition fees for this course start at 10,000-12,000 euros per year.

Studying for a PhD in Netherlands

The first and most important condition for moving to the Netherlands by obtaining a doctoral degree is to find a supervisor in the Netherlands. It should be noted that this is not an easy task. The applicant must have a strong resume and a good command of the language.

One of the benefits of moving to the Netherlands through study is that graduates can extend their stay and change their residence type to work. Generally, people who complete their education in the Netherlands have one year from the government to look for a job. If they can find an employer and secure employment, they can extend their stay and achieve permanent residence after five years.

Immigrating to Netherlands via investment

Investing is one way to move to the Netherlands and a means to obtain residency and citizenship. Investing in the Netherlands can be done in various ways, such as purchasing property, registering a company, or becoming an entrepreneur. It is important to know that purchasing property in the Netherlands will not result in a residence permit unless the company is registered in the Netherlands and the property purchase is part of the company’s business. Generally, to register a company in the Netherlands, you need a business plan that must be approved by the Dutch authorities. The initial capital for registering a company in the Netherlands is 1,250,000 euros. If the investment creates jobs, with an initial capital of 200,000 euros, you can obtain residency in the Netherlands. A person who succeeds in moving to the Netherlands by registering a company and paying insurance and taxes for five consecutive years can apply for permanent residence in the Netherlands.

Investing in the Netherlands is also possible through startups, which has complex steps. It should be noted that just having a startup does not lead to residency and citizenship in the Netherlands. Initially, the applicant must have a new and creative plan that is approved by the Ministry of Commerce and the Ministry of Economy. Then you need someone who is a Dutch citizen or a Dutch resident with enough business experience. This person must agree to sponsor and support the applicant’s plan under a cooperation agreement. In this case, the applicant will be granted a one-year residence permit, which can be extended annually if conditions are met, leading to permanent residence after the fifth year.

Immigrating to Netherlands via marriage

Marrying a citizen or permanent resident of the Netherlands is one way to move to the Netherlands. There are two types of visas for engagement and marriage in the Netherlands. Applicants for Dutch visas usually apply to ensure the relationship is genuine. One of the most important documents is that the couple must have known each other for at least two years. Proof of this relationship can be shown through chats, photos, travel documents, or family visits. If the embassy approves, the visa applicant will be granted a 90-day visa to enter the Netherlands and formalize the marriage with a Dutch citizen. If married to a Dutch citizen abroad, the couple must prove the marriage is official, and the Dutch citizen must prove they can financially support themselves and their spouse. If approved and moved to the Netherlands, you can apply for Dutch citizenship after three years.

Gaining citizenship by birth in Netherlands

Moving to the Netherlands and acquiring residency and citizenship by birth in this nation is possible if the applicant fulfills the following conditions:

Both parents are Dutch citizens and have children outside the Netherlands.
Dutch father and foreign mother have a child in the Netherlands.
Dutch mother and foreign father have children in the Netherlands.
Dutch father and foreign mother have a child outside the Netherlands.
Dutch mother and foreign father have children outside the Netherlands.

In general, the Netherlands follows the principle of jus sanguinis, meaning that if a Dutch citizen has a child anywhere in the world, they can apply for Dutch citizenship for their child.

Seeking asylum in the Netherlands

Attention! it’s important to clarify that Talav Company does not engage in activities related to asylum. following content is provided to inform readers about risks associated with seeking asylum.

Moving to the Netherlands through asylum is one of the most challenging and risky ways to immigrate. A refugee is someone who fears torture, death, or persecution for religious, political, or other reasons, and is afraid to return to their home country. In fact, a person who becomes a refugee in the Netherlands can no longer return to their home country. An applicant for asylum in the Netherlands must submit an application to the Dutch Police Department and register for this process. It usually takes several months for the agency to decide whether to approve or deny the asylum seeker’s residence. If approved, the applicant will obtain permanent residence in the Netherlands after five years. If denied, the applicant must leave the Netherlands immediately.

Cost of living in Netherlands

It is crucial to consider the cost of living when moving to the Netherlands or any other country. By examining and analyzing this index, one can determine if the chosen country is a suitable destination based on financial capability. The cost of living in the Netherlands is lower than in some other European countries. The average cost of living in major cities in the Netherlands is estimated at 2,200 euros per month for an individual. For a family of four, it costs about 4,200 euros a month. In the table below, we have listed some of the living expenses for applicants planning to move to the Netherlands.

Different costs in the Netherlands	Amount in euros
Water (0.33 liter bottle)	1.92 Euro
Rice (1 kg)	1.84 Euro
Milk (1 liter)	0.89 Euro
Local cheese (1 kg)	10.29 Euro
Eggs (12 pieces)	2.29 Euro
Chicken fillet (1 kg)	8.37 Euro
Beef (1 kg) (or red meat)	14.33 Euro
Potatoes (1 kg)	1.37 Euro
Tomatoes (1 kg)	2.42 Euro
Onion (1 kg)	1.26 Euro
Orange (1 kg)	1.53 Euro
Lettuce (1)	1.05 Euro
Apples (1 kg)	2.26 Euro
Bananas (1 kg)	1.53 Euro
One way ticket (local transport)	3.00 Euro
1 km taxi (normal tariff )	2.30 Euro
Gasoline (1 liter)	1.64 Euro
Cheap food, restaurant	15 Euro
Food for 2 people, mid-range restaurant	60 Euro
Apartment for rent (1 bedroom) in the city center	1046.37 Euro
Apartment for rent (1 bedroom) outside the center	830.78 Euro
Price per square meter to buy an apartment in the city center	4068.24 Euro
Price per square meter to buy an apartment outside the center	3055.16 Euro
The average net salary per month (After tax reduction)	2341.17 Euro

Nationality laws in Netherlands

Moving to the Netherlands and securing residency and citizenship can be achieved through various methods, as mentioned in the above sections. In general, to become a Dutch citizen, you need to be employed and pay insurance and taxes. One of the simplest ways to move to the Netherlands and obtain citizenship is through studying. It allows those who have completed their education in the country to search for employment. After finding a job, applicants can extend their stay and obtain permanent residence by paying insurance and taxes for five years. Generally, individuals who pay taxes and insurance through work or investment for five years in the Netherlands can acquire permanent residence. Then, by passing the exams related to Dutch citizenship, they can apply for a Dutch passport in the sixth year.

Commonly Asked Questions

✅ Where should I start for moving to the Netherlands?
The first step to moving to the Netherlands is to learn about the immigration process and choose the best option. Then you need to provide the required conditions and documents based on the chosen method.

✅ What are the best ways to move to the Netherlands?
Your personal circumstances are very important in choosing the best way to move to the Netherlands. However, in general, working, studying, and investing in the Netherlands are the best methods.

✅ What are the most affordable ways to move to the Netherlands?
Obtaining a job offer is one of the least expensive ways to move to the Netherlands. Studying in the Netherlands is also a relatively affordable method.

✅ Do I need to apply through an immigration lawyer to move to the Netherlands?
No. You can learn the immigration rules for the Netherlands on your own by spending time. However, a lawyer can expedite the process and share their expertise with you.

Last words about immigrating to Netherlands

Moving to the Netherlands, various methods to reside in the Netherlands, and ways to become a Dutch citizen were discussed in this article. As you know, the Netherlands is popular among Europeans due to its balanced climate, good economic conditions, and low living costs. This article provides a brief overview of moving to the Netherlands and how to reside there. Topics such as moving to the Netherlands through work, studying in the Netherlands, obtaining residency through investment, marriage in the Netherlands, obtaining Dutch citizenship by birth, ancd seeking asylum in the Netherlands were analyzed in this article. We hope you find answers to all your questions by reading it. The experienced team at Talav Company is always ready to guide you. You can Contact Us to assess your circumstances regarding moving to the Netherlands and benefit from free telephone consultation. You can also ask your questions in the comments section below this article and receive answers as soon as possible.

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Warning! The information provided on this website is based on research conducted by non-legal professionals, and Talav Company does not assume legal responsibility for the accuracy or reliability of this content.

We highly recommend that you independently verify this information and consult with a qualified local attorney to ensure it is applicable to your specific situation.

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