May marks the favourite time of the year for many workers in the Netherlands: the vakantiegeld (holiday pay). It’s 8% of your gross annual salary that your employer accrues throughout the year and pays out in one go — usually between May and June. Transparency: this article contains affiliate links. If you purchase a product
What to do with your vakantiegeld? 5 options ordered by financial impact Read More »
Did you know that in the Netherlands the government automatically transfers money to you just for having children? It’s not a rumour or an exclusive benefit for citizens. If you live and work here legally, you most likely have the right to receive it. I’ll tell you how it works. Do you want to see
If you have a car in the Netherlands, you’ll have already experienced it: filling up the tank costs an arm and a leg. Petrol here is among the most expensive in Europe, mainly due to taxes. Almost everyone assumes it’s something that can’t be changed, but there’s a simple way to get a few cents
How to Save on Petrol in the Netherlands with a tankpas (2026) Read More »
Trade Republic is launching a card that “gives you 1% back on your purchases” and everyone’s eyes light up: free cashback for spending? Well, yes and no. That 1% exists, but it doesn’t come back to you as cash to spend: it’s invested. It’s called Saveback and, properly understood, it’s quite a clever idea. Misunderstood,
The Trade Republic Card and its cashback: how Saveback works (2026) Read More »
Having a child in the Netherlands isn’t just about nappies and a cot. You’ll encounter a healthcare system with its own unique rules, childcare that feels like a second rent and, fortunately, a package of government support that can drastically reduce the bill… if you know how to apply for them. We’re going to break
How Much Does it Really Cost to Have a Baby in the Netherlands? Figures and Subsidies Read More »
Working 30 or 24 hours a week sounds like the Dutch dream: more time for cycling, canals, and family. But in the Netherlands, the queen of deeltijd (part-time work), reducing your hours is a financial decision with a silent and, in the long term, sometimes difficult to reverse impact. Before taking the leap for “quality
Hidden Costs of Part-Time Work in the Netherlands: What No One Tells You Read More »
In Latin America, unused holiday days typically accumulate: you save them, negotiate them, or get paid for them at the end of the year. In the Netherlands, it works differently, and if you don’t know the rules, you can lose days without anyone explaining it to you. This happens to many people, especially those who
Holiday Days in the Netherlands: The 6-Month Rule That Can Cost You Days Without Warning Read More »
In the Netherlands, working four days a week is neither a rarity nor a privilege: many people negotiate it with their employer or it’s included in their job offer. You surely know someone who has a vrije dag during the week. But before taking the plunge, the million-dollar question is: how much money do you
Working 4 Days a Week in the Netherlands? What You Really Lose (and What You Don’t) Read More »
Congratulations, you have your baby in your arms! But before you dive headfirst into the bubble of nappies and sleepless nights, know that in the Netherlands, a bureaucratic clock starts ticking. Punctuality is law here, and registering your baby is no exception: you have 72 hours for the most important procedure of their new life.
Birth Registration in the Netherlands: Procedures within the First 72 Hours Read More »
A money market fund is the most conservative option in the investment world: it invests in very short-term government debt, treasury bills, and bank deposits. The goal is not rapid growth — it is not to lose money while earning something more than a current account. In recent years, with ECB interest rates at high
