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Ankit Tomar

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🇳🇱 Moving to the Netherlands: Everything I Wish I Knew Before I Came

Ankit Tomar, May 30, 2025May 25, 2025

Moving to another country can be both thrilling and overwhelming. You’re excited about the new beginning, but there’s also nervous energy—rightfully so. You’re stepping into a different world, with its own systems, processes, and surprises.

When I moved to the Netherlands, I faced my share of challenges. That’s why I’ve written this blog—to help you avoid the confusion I went through by sharing everything I’ve learned firsthand. Let’s break it down.


💸 Money Matters

Let’s start with the obvious: finances.

After all, many of us relocate for better opportunities and saving potential—especially if you’re converting those Euros to INR.

💱 Sending Money to India

  • Use the Wise app. It’s reliable, quick, and gives you a good exchange rate (not an affiliate link, just honest feedback).
  • Until your Dutch bank account is ready, you can rely on your forex card for transactions.
  • Currency fluctuation? The best strategy is to transfer smaller amounts regularly to average out the exchange rate.
  • Need funds urgently in India? If you’re a resident in the Netherlands with a job contract, you might be eligible for low-interest personal loans. You can transfer those to India via Wise too.
  • Salaries are paid in Euros, so understanding transfer methods is key.

🌍 Travelling Around Europe?

I recommend the Wise Visa card (around €7 to get started). Load Euros from your account and use it across the EU. It’s convenient and safer than carrying cash.

💬 I’ll write a dedicated post soon about personal finance in the Netherlands. Stay tuned!


📑 Documentation

The Netherlands is very process-oriented, and documentation is taken seriously.

Pro Tip: Don’t say “I’ll take care of it later.” Get your paperwork right from the start.

✅ Must-Do Paperwork

  • Always keep your documents well-organized.
  • If you’re applying for a dependent/family visa, get Apostille/attestation done in India—it’s cheaper and faster. If not, you’ll need to book an appointment at VFS Netherlands, submit physical documents, and pay €50+.
  • More info: Indian Embassy Netherlands – Documentation Guide

⚠️ No Lamination!

Avoid laminating documents. In the Netherlands, laminated certificates aren’t considered valid originals.
I made that mistake with my marriage certificate and faced issues at VFS. Eventually, it got accepted after several escalations—but I wouldn’t recommend that route.

📂 Store Everything Digitally

Use Google Drive or another cloud platform to store soft copies of your essential documents. Trust me, you’ll thank yourself later.


🏦 Managing Indian Accounts

Let’s talk about handling your finances back home.

🔹 EPF

If you’re working in the Netherlands on a local contract, your Indian EPF account becomes dormant—but continues to earn interest.
Avoid withdrawing unless you’re taking up citizenship or settling long term.

🔹 NPS

You can continue to invest in your NPS account even while living abroad. While returns may not match mutual funds or stocks, I keep mine active as part of long-term planning.

🔹 PPF

You can’t open a new PPF account or extend it once it completes 15 years, but you can continue to earn interest on the balance. I still deposit into mine regularly.

🔹 NRO/NRE Accounts

Convert your regular Indian savings account into NRO, and open a NRE account.

  • NRO handles income earned in India (rent, dividends, etc.).
  • NRE is for foreign income; deposits are converted to INR.

💡 Try opening these accounts while still in India. If not, do it when you next visit.

Note: Once converted, your existing debit/cheque facilities will be blocked and reissued, so plan accordingly.


📲 OTPs & Indian SIM

This is one of the most overlooked—but essential—things.

You’ll need OTPs for banking, Aadhar, and UPI transactions. Here’s what I do:

  • Convert your Indian SIM to prepaid before moving.
  • I use Airtel and recharge it every 28–30 days with the ₹99 plan to keep it active.
  • Make sure UPI and SMS alerts work smoothly—even abroad.

💳 Backup Forex Card

Picture this: You’re in Prague. Everything’s going great—until you discover none of your debit/credit cards are working.

That happened to me. Luckily, I had my HDFC multicurrency forex card, which saved the day.

Always carry a forex card loaded with at least €200–€300.
And keep it separate from your wallet—just in case it gets lost or stolen.


🚗 Driving License in the Netherlands

You may not need a car thanks to amazing public transport, but if you’re planning to drive:

  • If you have the 30% ruling, you and/or your spouse can exchange your Indian license for a Dutch one—no driving test needed.
  • If not, you’ll need to go through lessons and a practical exam, which can cost up to €3,000.
  • Driving is on the right side, so some practice is advisable.
  • Traffic rules are strictly followed, and fines are high.

🆘 Need Help in the Netherlands?

If you’re stuck or need urgent info:

  • Reach out to the Indian Embassy in the Netherlands
  • Or post your query in local Facebook groups (just search your city + “Indians in Netherlands”)

We all face problems—it’s okay to ask for help. Chances are, someone else has already dealt with it and can help you out.

One active group: (Add Facebook group link here)


🔚 Final Thoughts

Moving abroad is never just about packing bags—it’s about adapting, learning, and staying prepared. The Netherlands is a wonderful place to live, but knowing what to expect can make your journey smoother.

I hope this blog helps you avoid a few bumps along the way and settle in confidently.

If you have any questions or want to share your experience, feel free to comment or connect!


Disclaimer: I’m not a legal, tax, or immigration consultant. This blog is based purely on personal experience and is meant to help others prepare. For official advice, please reach out to IND, the embassy, or licensed professionals.

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