Preparation Phase
Good preparation is essential before any international move. There are so many things to do when leaving your old country, and even more to arrange when getting ready for somewhere new. No matter how well prepared you are, it is likely you will experience some unexpected surprises in the first weeks. Remember that a sense of humour will help to keep all this in proportion!
Checklist - the Preparation Phase (Before Leaving)
Formalities: to do at this stage:
- Update your passport: make sure it is valid for at least one year after arrival in the Netherlands, and for the full duration of your planned stay if possible.
- Update your driver's licence: make sure it has at least one year before its expiry date. If it has no expiry date make sure it is not more than nine years since it was issued.
- Legalisation: get your birth and marriage certificates legalised or apostilled. Documents may also need to be translated if not already in English, German or Dutch. Different rules apply to different nationalities, so check with your HR Manager for information pertaining to your personal situation.
Financial arrangements: to do at this stage:
- Arrange with your bank how accounts are to be handled during the assignment.
- Cancel standing orders as necessary.
- Inform your income tax office of the move and complete any necessary forms.
Children: to do at this stage:
- Collect examples of your child's current schoolwork and reports, test results, etc (in English where possible).
- Check if there is a waiting list for you child's year at the international schools in the Eindhoven region and apply for a place. Also do this for childcare organisations if needed.
- Speak to a tax consultant regarding tax exemptions and the implications of school fees.
- Take photos of family, friends and familiar places.
- Check that children have the addresses of friends with whom they want to stay in contact.
- Ensure that favourite toys, personal items, special food, books and games for the journey and the moving-in period are put aside to go with the hand luggage.
Healthcare: to do at this stage:
- Request medical records - make sure you get your children's full vaccination records.
Social security, insurance and taxation: to do at this stage:
- Get form E101 if you wish to pay social security in your home country.
- Check your health insurance - make sure there will be no period when you are not covered.
- Check with your employer for possible collective insurance.
Housing: to do at this stage:
- Start looking at housing websites to get a feel for prices, sizes, and locations
- Check with your HR manager for possible housing assistance.
Pets: to do at this stage:
- Check that animals have appropriate identification (chip or tattoo) and documentation.
- Get vaccinations up-to-date (some must not be done too early).
Vehicles: to do at this stage:
- Consider whether to bring you car with you.
- Dutch purchase taxes are high, and vehicles for personal use may be imported tax free under certain conditions (the most important is that you have had and used the car for more than six months).
- It may be difficult to get vehicles over 10 years old through environmental testing.
- Get a no-claims statement from your current insurance company
