With its internationally oriented workforce, good infrastructure and tolerant culture, the Netherlands is an attractive country for expats to settle. The labour market has been tight in the last couple of years, urging companies to look beyond the borders to find qualified professionals to fill their vacancies. In the third quarter of 2019, a total of 316 thousand new vacancies arose in the Netherlands – of which 312 thousand were filled.* The scarcity on the Dutch labour market is something interim professionals are eager to take advantage of. ‘This is the perfect moment for interim professionals to relocate to the Netherlands,’ says senior consultant Mearg Tafla, who specialises in interim recruitment for finance positions.
Uncertainty around laws and regulations
In Tafla’s experience, most expats are relocating to the Netherlands with the intention to stay. Even if they already have experience working on an interim basis, many of them choose to start off in a permanent position. Once they have settled in and gotten familiar with the Dutch laws and regulations, they switch to interim. But, according to Tafla, you don’t have to start in a permanent role. ‘If you have worked in a data-driven finance position, such as FP&A analyst or business analyst, working on an interim basis is very lucrative. If you consult a recruitment agency, they can help you find your first assignment and inform you about all the important legislations.’
Tafla does acknowledge the uncertainty around Dutch interim laws and regulations. ‘Recently, I spoke to an interim professional from abroad, who told me about a course he was offered by a client. He was not aware of the fact that, in compliance with the DBA Act, interim professionals are not allowed to participate in courses or trainings organised and paid for by the client. This is only one of many examples showing how confusing the Dutch interim legislation can be to expats who are used to different laws.’
Beneficial tax ruling
Although the complexity of the Dutch interim laws and regulations can make it difficult for expats to settle in the Netherlands, they can also benefit from some of them. Tafla: ‘Take for example the 30% tax ruling. When the appropriate conditions are met, your employer can pay 30% of your salary as a tax-free allowance. This allowance is considered a compensation for the expenses you have by working abroad. As an interim professional you can benefit from this ruling too, as long as you are subject to payroll taxation.’
Off to a good start
Tafla advises expats to start preparing for their relocation a few months in advance. ‘Start by talking to recruitment agencies. They can help you assess your chances in the labour market. Once you’ve made sure there are plenty of opportunities in your field, it’s time to start planning.’
The first thing you should do, is register at the municipality and get a citizen service number. In order to receive a Chamber of Commerce number, you’ll need a registration and home address in the Netherlands. A citizen service number is required in order to work and open a bank account. Only after you have arranged all of this, you can start looking for your first assignment.
Dealing with Dutch bluntness
One of the things expats often have to get used to when they first start working in the Netherlands, is the direct way in which the Dutch communicate. ‘Dutch people are known to be extremely frank,’ says Tafla. ‘They will get straight to the point, even in business. If you are not used to this way of communicating, this can lead to misunderstandings. Although the Dutch directness can come across as blunt, these brutally honest comments are usually well-intended.’
As an applicant too, you are expected to be direct. In an interview for example, the client wants you to be as specific as possible. Tafla: ‘Foreigners tend to be modest, which does not always work in their favour. Clients want to know exactly what you contributed to a project, and which results you as an individual have achieved.’ To illustrate your successes without the risk of bragging, you can use the STAR-method (Situation, Task, Activities, Results).
Expats are more than welcome
At the moment, professionals at mid-career level are in high demand in all disciplines. Tafla: ‘Dutch interim professionals with good qualifications and a minimum of five years of work experience are highly sought after. This calls for international candidates, who are often willing to charge lower rates in order to compete with local interim professionals.’
More information
For personal advice, please get in touch with Mearg Tafla via mearg.tafla@robertwalters.com or +31 (0)629159877.
.png){kind=logo}
