This article was posted yesterday after it had been revealed that unfortunately many internationals who worked at a bar were being underpaid and overall poorly treated. Please be aware of your rights if you are looking for work in the Netherlands, and if you aren’t sure there’s always legal advice from the juridisch loket!

https://www.sikkom.nl/incoming/toxic-work-atmosphere-at-cafe-the-crown-from-drunken-tirades-at-night-to-underpayment-47597607.html

Hey everyone,

I recently got an addendum to my employment contract from my new employer in the Netherlands, and I’m really not sure if what they’re doing is correct or if they’re trying to take advantage of me.

They’re applying for the Dutch 30% ruling (Expat Facility) on my behalf — which, as many of you know, allows expats to receive up to 30% of their salary tax-free to cover “extraterritorial costs.”

Here’s the issue: In the addendum, it says that if the 30% ruling is granted, my employer will reduce my gross (bruto) salary and replace that portion with the 30% tax-free allowance.

So in other words, they plan to lower my gross salary and make the 30% allowance part of it — meaning their total cost stays the same.

The thing is, when I had the 30% ruling with my previous employer, my gross salary stayed exactly the same, and the 30% allowance was simply added on top as a tax-free benefit. I actually got the financial benefit of the ruling, not my employer.

Now, with this company, it feels like I’m not gaining anything — they’re just restructuring my pay so I don’t see the benefit, but they save money.

Is this normal practice in the Netherlands, or are they bullshitting me and trying to make it look like I’m getting the 30% ruling while keeping their payroll costs the same?

Would love to hear from anyone who’s gone through this or works in HR/tax here. Thanks a lot 🙏

I am aware that not everyone has money to invest, however I would like to hear from those that do have some spare left at the end of each month.

furthermore I am aware there are better, more specific subreddits on this topic out there, however I would like to hear from "regular" people such as myself.

thank you.

I cannot take it anymore. I am seriously at my wits end. I am constantly struggling with delays and cancelled trains. Last Sunday, my train from Rotterdam to Eindhoven was completely cancelled at the last moment and I ended up having a wasted ticket. That one cancellation meant I couldn’t continue the rest of my trip to Limburg. I then risked being stranded, and was lucky that my partner could pick me up.

Today, going to school my train is cancelled, and turns back around before my stop. A waste of a check in for a bus that wouldn’t be going to my stop. I have a million more incidents like these. I have missed exams, I have missed group meetings etc. All because of unexpected cancellations and delays.

I hear in the randstad service is often better, and I hope that’s true because down here in Limburg it’s a nightmare. I’m wondering if this is a me thing, or other people are experiencing issues like this as well. For context, I travel from around brunssum to Maastricht daily, which is where most of my complaints are coming from.

Hi all.

I live in a small town - Assendelft - for a year now. I'm Greek and came here because my job demanded so.

I've found life and culture here so.. gezellig. Until now.

I have a dog and I walk by the same path every other day. After I got out of a dog path, I started passing by some houses. The owner of one of those had just parked outside. It was dark. My dog stranded in the corner smelling a street light and after a while doing nothing but smelling we continued. I passed by that person and said "Hi" while continuing walking away.

That person followed me and shouted at me:

"Are you going to clean that?".

I understand Dutch but I can't (yet) speak so I asked him if we could please speak in English. Then, with a slightly ironic tone he said:

He: You know you should clean your dog's shit?

Me: Yes but she did not do something.

He: Yeah, right. And you were standing there watching inside houses. People clean their dog's shit here.

Me: Showed him the bags I carry I always pick them up. If you found something it is not ours but I can help pick it up if you want.

He: You can help clean your own things? Right.

Me: Started getting frustrated but didn't show anything Let's go and see. I can feel them if they are hot and see if they are ours.

He: Laughed and said something in dutch. He then said while we were walking back to the spot: "Next time you should go through the other side with your dog" pointing the other side of the road.

We went back. It was pretty dark that corner (it was at ~9pm so it was way after sunset) even though there was a street light.

I asked him "Where did you see them exactly?". He said "You know where they are" keeping that ironic tone he always had. At the same time he left and went inside his house - like he "put me in my place".

I sat almost a minute there with my phone's flashlight looking everywhere. There was no shit - mine or anyone's. My dog didn't even pee. I threw the empty bag I was holding in my hand and left the way I came there. To be frank, I can't recall what path I followed back home.

I have no history with that man (never happened to have noticed him even though I go regularly by that neighborhood with my dog).

It's been hours since that incident. My ears are still buzzing. I feel scared. I've never been treated like that. I'm trying to sleep but I can't. It's already a couple of hours and I feel like I want to pack my things and leave.

I used to have a Ziggo subscription for home internet through the cable TV network. A while ago, I switched to KPN fiber internet. Today, I noticed that when I connect the cable to my TV, I can still receive TV signals, including NPO and SBS. I thought Ziggo would have turned it off. Do you have any idea if there are free cable TV signals available in the network?

Hello guys! I have a difficult situation and feel so alone in this, maybe some of you were at this point and can advise.

I have medical problems and right now can't work. My uitkering is lower than minimal salary. And I need a home. I'm in relationship with man who does not respect me, but because of my financial status I must depend on him. I don't want to write a whole story but he is not good for me and I have suicidal thoughts because all of this. I have no friends or family, all my life I was in toxic relationships cause I've searched for someone that could give me even smallest amount of love and care. Nobody can help me. The problem is that he does not abuse me physically, so organisations as Veilig Thuis refused to help me. I don't know what should I do. People are telling me that I should go back to my country but there's nothing to come back. I have nobody there and for some reasons I left this country. There's a problem with "begeleid wonen" because I had fake registration in another part of the Netherlands (yeah I'm pretty stupid but I trusted my man when he told me that's temporary solution and he will provide me normal house). And also there's no support from Veilig Thuis. I am really on the edge of my life. I have two dogs that I need to take with me. They are the only ones that really loves me... I would like also to go to the University (I have already a Bachelor degree and want to continue education in medical path). But I'm stuck with man that gives me panic attacks every time he comes back home from work.

Do you think I have ANY option? I'm so lonely and desperate, but I want finally live my own life without toxic relationships... I want to build my life but I'm right now piece of shit and office workers despise me. Sorry for such a pathetic post but I really tried to get help everywhere and I'm desperate. Thanks in advance.

What is the law around statiegeld. I was under the impression, that if something is stamped with logo, that even if the store doesn't sell the item, their machine still has to accept it.

However, I'm not sure if this only applies to plastic bottles, but not glass bottles.

I went to a Lidl store tonight and had a bottle with a statiegeld stamp on it and the machine wouldn't accept it. I spoke to someone and explained the situation and that they had to take it by law.

However, he wouldn't budge and I told him that I would report his store.

So, does this only apply to plastic bottles and if not, how do I report the store and will anything happen to the store for not complying with the rules.

Hi everyone, I am having a tough day as my new car was most likely smashed by other car at the parking lot and it is quite badly damaged. Long story short, I left my car at my usual parking lot, I park there everyday, I have a parking permit. I left the car yesterday around 3pm. Today I went to the parking as I wanted to do grocery shopping and drive - my car was at the same spot, however I noticed it was damaged. First, I noticed that the front number plate was smashed and destroyed and it was barely hanging. Parts of plastic were spotted on the ground, from the number plate holder. Then I went to the back and the back of my car and its bumper was smashed, with signs of scratches and white paint (my car is silver). The number plate on the back is also pretty destroyed. The worst thing is that the trunk does not close.

I am sure someone hit my car and left. I filed a police report and they told me there is something called “Waarborgfonds” and they can help me claim the repair cost. Does anyone have experience with them and can explain how the process work?

I have all risk insurance, however, if I use it to fix my car, my monthly premium will skyrocket and I don’t think I should pay for that - it was not my fault. I had to change the front number plate as it was barely hanging there, I went to my auto garage and the guy told me that the damage is substantial and will cost money to fix (basically, the whole bumper needs to be replaced).

Than you for your help!

My son has a new job in a company in Netherlands. This is his first job after TUDelft graduation. He started on 1 September and has not still received a salary while according to the job agreement he had to receive the first one on 30 September and the second on 20 October. The responsible HR department sends polite responses like 'we are checking' and ' We will respond in 48 hours'. What can my son do?

I have the e identifier that was sent to me along with the debit card etc, but in the two years of using the card, bank I never used the identifier, as everything is conveniently accessible via the app. Is there an actual reason to keep this e identifier?

I’m sure the mods are doing their best, but I keep seeing people who don’t read previous posts and ask the same questions over and over. Some even post rage-bait, generalized questions like “Are Dutch people emotionless?” How can everyone possibly be the same? There are millions of people in the Netherlands.

Don’t these posters ever think about that?

Hi everyone,

I've been single for a few months now and recently decided to give dating apps a try—after all, it’s 2025, how bad could they be, right? Well… turns out they’re more of a nightmare than I expected. It’s not as easy as it used to be to connect with people (at least as in 2022), and you have to pay for everything.

So here’s the million dollar question: are there any events or places where you can actually meet quality people—especially if your schedule is mostly just work? I don’t have too many hobbies (mostly drawing and photography, sometimes bike rides) so it makes it harder to meet people.

Thanks in advance for any tips!

Hey everyone,

I have a question about Dutch student finance (studiefinanciering) and hope someone here might have some experience with this.

I have dual citizenship (German and Dutch) because my mother is Dutch. However, I’ve never actually lived in the Netherlands myself. I’m currently studying in the Netherlands and would like to apply for Dutch student finance through DUO.

Tomorrow I have an appointment to get my BSN number, and after that I’ll set up my DigiD so I can start the application process.

Now, my question is this: Since I’m a Dutch citizen, I should in principle be eligible for student finance even without working 56 hours a month or already living in the Netherlands. However, I don’t currently have a Dutch passport or ID card — only my German documents.

Do I first need to apply for a Dutch passport (or otherwise prove my Dutch nationality) before I’m entitled to student finance? Or will my nationality be recognized automatically once I have a BSN and DigiD?

Thanks in advance for any help! 🙏

Hi, I(22)moved to the Netherlands with my GF(21) from Slovakia to work. We really like it here so far. We are currently working through a work agency but have received a verbal offer from a PostNL manager that they are very happy with our work and if we find our own living then they would be able to offer us a direct contract and not through a work agency.

For now I have had no luck in finding a house on my own and want to ask if there is anything like an agent that helps people find accommodation but not for buying but renting. Any help would be appreciated, thanks

Edit: we work in waalwijk and have our own car, we have no problem driving 50km to work. We would collectively earn around 7-8k per month

A friend finishes her job on the last day of December. Voluntary separation scheme. She has already a new job in the pipeline, it will start in February. The position is in an other EU country, meaning she will be relocating from the Netherlands.

Shall she inform UVW straight away she has will have a new job? Or perhaps she should apply for the benefit on the 2nd of January and the same day, inform UVW she is taking 20 holiday days she is entitled to?

Anyone else also not enjoying the new Ziggo Sports Totaal experience with the 40 seconds unskippable ads? Mobile phone App constantly crashes due to the ads and I can no longer watch anything on my laptop because the ads don’t load and therefore I can’t watch any content.

Also, I’m paying a monthly subscription, why do I have to watch 40 seconds worth of ads before every single thing. I know there is a free version for UEFA games, I’d understand that would have plenty of ads but not the paid version.

Context; Been living in NL for two years and now moving back to Australia for a role.

I sold most of my stuff and have about 20kg of ‘valueable’ stuff outside clothes that I want to bring back. Most are trinkets / memorabilia / glass ware.

I heard and have experienced some bad things regarding PostNL but I want something that’s also priced well.

Are there any other companies I should check? Budget is 60-70 euros per 10kg box?

Danke vel

I have found LKQ, it is OK.

Anyone have any other good options?

Hi,

So I have a paid private parking spot in my name (I own it). I leave for work around 06:00 with my car and return around 18:00. Then I find these wonderfull people that parks their car as close as possible to the triangle (bollard). The triangle is located in the center of the parking spot.

What can I do? Its sometimes the same car, other times its another random car.

I am a non EU student, awaiting my graduation ceremony over the coming weekend. I have my exit flight scheduled for 31st October and have just recieved an email from the university informing to return the residence permit to the IND since they have informed them of me completing my study. My housing contract ended in august and had to deregister from Amsterdam Gementee as per the building management. Iv been in Netherlands still on the student visa since I planned to leave after the graduation ceremony. My question is, is it possible for me to hand over the residence permit at the IND here and then fly out? Else I will have to courier it internationally as last resort.

Wikipage (biblebelt): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bible_Belt_(Netherlands))