My inburgeren process has been spread out over many many months because of how agonising it’s been trying to squeeze in preparation time for my exams in an already chaotic life with a toddler and a pre-schooler.

1, 2, 3, 4, 5…

There are five inburgeringsexamen. The reading (lezen), writing (schrijven), listening (luisteren), Knowledge of Dutch Society (KNM) and for the unemployed or non-employed, we get the cherry on top, the Knowledge of Dutch Labour Market (ONA). If you’ve been working full-time for at least six months you get an exemption.

The first three exams were easy enough and I completed them all within a week because I’d already completed a higher level Dutch language course than is required for inburgeren which is A2. The KNM exam took me a bit longer because there were some things that I embarrassingly still didn’t know about the Netherlands. I hope I’m not the only one who didn’t know what ‘passief kiesrecht’ was. Other questions were pretty easy such as ‘what does a makelaar do?’ Some were quietly amusing such as ‘what do you do when your classmate proclaims that women cannot be leaders?’ Anyway, I eventually got done with that one too in a reasonable amount of time.

Then there was the ONA. It’s not so bad if you’ve worked in the recent past but for someone like me who has been out of the job market for five years and has barely any work experience (yes, life took me in a different direction when I got pregnant in college) it can take an awfully long amount of time. Or maybe it’s just me. But I realised what was taking me so long was flexing those long deadened muscles that required quite some time to be reactivated.

Knowledge of Dutch Labour Market or ONA

The ONA entails completing a ‘portfolio’ which checks your knowledge about navigating the Dutch labour market. This includes forms covering your job experience, your qualities as an employee, your ability to build a network, your ability to look for a job or a course/degree in the Netherlands and so on. I was stuck from the get go. The first question had me questioning all my life choices: ‘choose one desired profession out of three favoured professions’. I haven’t had any profession besides being a mother and the endless odd jobs that come with that title. And I had to come up with honest answers because there is an interview once you’ve cleared the portfolio where they check to see if you’ve really filled in the information by yourself, so I couldn’t just wing it.

Even as I was reeling with the drudgery of having to fill this document with information that I had to keep going back and forth to make sure was suitable, it dawned on me that this was a chance to get back into the mindset that I would desperately need if I was ever going to go back to work. It forced me to deal with the inevitable future where my kids would not need me so much anymore. It gave me the push to make a plan for entering the labour market again, when I really didn’t want to have to think about it. And for that I’m grateful. I didn’t expect that it would be the inburgeren process that would get me there.

The post Inburgeren Might Be Exactly What You Need appeared first on Amsterdam Mamas.

‘Stay home, save lives’ is now our daily mantra. According to public health experts, social distancing and isolation are necessary measures to minimise the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). The aim of these actions is ‘to flatten the curve’.  By spreading out the infection rate, the medical services won’t be overwhelmed and lives will be saved. The Netherlands extended these measures until the 28th of April, which will be revised again on the 22nd of April. As we look at how the infection rate and daily deaths are still growing in the Netherlands and around the world, many would probably agree that these emergency measures are crucial.  Only with hindsight would it be clear whether this was the best approach. Unfortunately, these lockdown measures have a dire impact on the economy which directly affects your business, especially as an entrepreneur, a small business owner or a self-employed professional (ZZp’er). Some people have lost their jobs; others are losing clients and income and are struggling to keep their businesses afloat.

The Dutch government announced an emergency financial package of billions of euros to protect jobs and incomes and to support businesses, SME entrepreneurs and self-employed professionals (ZZP’ers) who are suffering as a direct result of COVID-19.

The Financial Aid Measures

1. Temporary Emergency Bridging Measure for Sustained Employment

As of 17 March, the unemployment benefit for werktijdverkorting, WTV (short-time working), has been cancelled.  This is due to an unprecedented amount of applications received.  The Tijdelike Maatregel Overbrugging voor Werkbehoud, NOW (emergency bridging fund for sustained employment) replaced the WTV and currently provides employers with financial help to cover wages for three months.  Applications for this compensation are open from Monday 6 April till 31 May 2020. If you are eligible, your business will receive an advance payment within two to four weeks.

Requirements

• Expect a loss of 20% turnover or more, as from 1 March 2020
• Cannot dismiss employees on economic grounds during this time
• Can retract a dismissal
• Pay employees in full
• This compensation can only be used for wages
• Be transparent and inform both employees and the work council about the grant received
• Keep correct records for five years
• Inform Employee Insurance Agency (UWV) of any changes in your business status or circumstances
• Notify the municipality, if your business already receives a wage subsidy
• If, after three months, you ask for another three months extension, the conditions may be adapted
• Submit a statement from an accountant for claims exceeding a specified amount (not yet determined)

How much can you claim?

• Turnover loss of 100%, pay 90% of wages
• Turnover loss of 50%, pay 45% of wages
• Turnover loss of 25%, pay 22.5% of wages

The Employee Insurance Agency (UWV) will advance 80% of the expected payout within two to four weeks if your application is successful.  A correction can be made if there is a discrepancy between the estimated and the actual compensation. 

How to apply?

• For March, April and May 2020, you can apply from 6 April 2020 at 09:00 to 31 May 2020
• Have the following details handy:
  • Company name, contact person, address, phone number, email address (this has to be a Dutch one)
  • WTV case number if you previously applied for short-time working unemployment benefit
  • Payroll tax number
  • Indicate which three months you expect a minimum of 20% turnover loss
  • Indicate the percentage of turnover loss
  • Dutch bank account details, which is used by the Belastingdienst (tax administration)
• Go to the Employee Insurance Agency (UWV) website.
• Click on the application page (all in Dutch).
• Once completed, sign the declaration of intent, which asks whether
• you have entered all the details correctly and truthfully
• you understand and agree to the Algemene wet bestuursrecht, Awb (General Administrative Law Act)
• you can legally represent the company
• bankruptcy has not been filed
• you agree to your data being stored and processed per GDPR

2. Financial Aid for Self-Employed Professionals

Under the Besluit bijstandsverleninging zelfstandige, Bbz (Decree on Assistance to the Self-employed), a temporary financial aid scheme Tozo has been made available to self-employed professionals. These include eenmanzaak (sole proprietors), vennootschap onder firma, VOF( general partnership) and Besloten Vennootschap, BV (private limited companies).

This temporary aid scheme (Tozo) takes two forms: income support and a loan for business capital. Depending on your family situation, for three months, you can apply for an amount of up to €1500 per month, without a partner or capital test to compensate for a loss of income. This subsidy is not a loan and does not need to be paid back.   

You can also apply for a business capital loan of up to € 10 157, which has to be repaid. The interest rates are lower than a standard business loan, and you can apply for an extension of repayment. 

This scheme can be backdated to 1 March 2020 and is in place till the 1 June 2020. Apply online.

Requirements

• Self-employed (zzp, vof, bv, etc.)

• Older than 18 and not receiving state pension (AOW)

• Registered company with Kamer van Koophandel, KvK (Chamber of Commerce) before 17 March 2020 at 18:45

• Legally live and work in the Netherlands

• Work more than 23.5 hours in your business

• You would need to prove that you are experiencing financial difficulties due to COVID-19

• Live in the municipality area where you apply

How to apply? ( in Dutch)

• Have your and your partner’s DigiD and passwords, KvK number, copy of latest bank statement and turnover handy

• Go to your municipality’s website

• Log in with your DigiD

• Fill in your income

• Fill in your KvK number

• Check the details of you and your partner

• Attach a copy of your bank statements

• Complete a declaration

  • I need financial aid

  • I belong to the target group

  • I know I have to repay the loan and that I will be fined if I give false information.

  • I will inform the municipality if my income status changes

• Sign and send (with your partner’s signature)

If you are successful, you will receive payments within two to four weeks.

3. Deferral of payment of tax and reduction of fines

Payments of income tax, corporate income tax, turnover tax and payroll tax can be extended for three months. You need to submit a written request to the Belastingdienst (tax administration), explaining how the COVID-19 outbreak and measures have caused your business financial hardship.  If you expect lower profits due to the corona crisis, you can ask the Dutch Belastingdienst to reduce your provisional assessment.

You can apply for an extension with an online form on the Belastingdienst website.

This form is called  ‘Verzoek bijzonder uitstel van betaling voor 3 maanden’ in Dutch.

How to apply?

• Have your DigiD, RSIN and your BSN number handy
• Go to the Belastingdienst website page
• Click on  ‘verzoek bijzonder uitstel van betaling voor 3 maande.’
• This will take you to a DigiD login page
• You will be asked for your RSIN number and your citizen service number (BSN).

Fines for late payments have wavered.  The collection interest rate for paying after the payment term ended is low;  almost 0% and the tax interest rate is temporarily set at the lowest possible.

Further payment extensions have been given on excise duty, landlord levy, environmental taxes, insurance premium tax and betting and lottery tax. 

The obligation for employers to report permanent employees’ contracts has been extended to 1 July 2020.

Under certain circumstances, your G-account can be unblocked. The form is in the Belastingsdienst website under ‘Deblokkering g-rekening.’

If you are unsure, as all the information on the Belastingdienst website is in Dutch, you can also contact the 

Tax Information Line on 0800 0543 

4. Extension of the Business GO Scheme

Medium to large businesses can temporarily take out bigger loans of up to €150 million under the Garantie Ondernemingsfinanciering, GO (business loan guarantee scheme). 

5. SME Credit Guarantee Scheme (BMKB)

The BMKB scheme has been extended from 16 March 2020 to 1 April 2021 to help SME entrepreneurs secure bank guarantees and bridge financing.  Only those SME’s financially struggling due to the COVID-19 outbreak can apply for the  BMKB-C scheme.  

6. Extension of Loans to Agricultural and Horticultural Businesses

Similar extensions have been granted to businesses in the agriculture sector. They can apply under the Credit Guarantee Scheme for Agriculture (BL-C) for a bridge loan of up to €1.2 million.  

7. Deferment of payments and reduction of interest by Qredits

Entrepreneurs are given a suspension of loan repayments for six months by microcredit provider, Qredits. During these six months, the interest will also be reduced to 2%. The government is putting six million euros to Qredits.

8. Compensation for Entrepreneurs in Affected Sectors (TOGS)

A once-off compensation of €4000 is granted to entrepreneurs in specific sectors, affected by COVID-19. This compensation is called Tegemoetkoming Ondernemers Getroffen Sectoren COVID-19, TOGS in Dutch. 

Eligible Sectors

• Food and beverage

• Hair, nail and beauty care

• Travel agents and tour operators

• Swimming Pools, sports clubs, fitness centres, saunas, and sport events

• Private cultural organisations such as musea, circuses, theatres and music schools

• Event locations and organisers

• Casinos

As of 30 March, this compensation has been extended to retail. You can simply enter your business KvK number into the SBI-code search tool of the RVO website to establish if your business is eligible.

Requirements

• Company must have a physical address in the Netherlands and registered with KvK before 16 March 2020

• No more than 250 employees

• Not a public company

• No bankruptcy or suspension of payment filed.

• Loss of turnover of at least €4000 from 15 March to 15 June 2020 expected

• Expect the cost of at least €4000 from 15 March to 15 June 2020

• Company has not received more than €200 000 in government support across the last three fiscal years (includes the current year)

• Non-hospitality type businesses must have at least one branch, with an address other than the owner’s home address. Transactions in the hospitality sector with SBI codes 56.10.1, 56.10.2 and 56.30 are exempt. These companies must lease, rent or own at least one location. 

How to apply?

• You can only apply from Friday 27 March 16:30 until Friday 26 June 17:00

• Apply online with your Digid or eHerkenning with the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO)

9. The Incentive Scheme eHealth at Home (SET)

SET has been extended to support healthcare organisations to invest in apps, software and hardware to be able to offer their clients online health solutions.  At the time of writing, due to an overwhelming amount of applications, this subsidy is temporarily suspended.

10. Further Extensions

The export credit insurance facility will be extended to make it possible for businesses to apply for a short-term guarantee with a shorter run time than two years.  The Dutch Trade and Investment Fund (DTIF) will also be extended to include pre-delivery advances. 

Other Considerations

Domestic Workers

Many  Amsterdam Mamas families may often pay domestic workers, such as cleaners, gardeners and babysitters, in cash.   Many of these employees are vulnerable to this economic crisis and rely on regular work and pay to support their families or pay rent or buy food.  Please consider how to strike a fair balance between reducing unnecessary contact and supporting their employment and security.

Technically all home services employees – whether you have a written contract or not –  are entitled to sick pay, holiday pay and a reasonable notice period.

Supporting Hospitality Industry

Restaurants, bars and cafes have been shut since 15 March. You can still support your local or favourite eatery by ordering online.  

Thuisbezorgd and other delivery companies have contactless options to pay and will leave deliveries at the door to reduce close contact. Remember to tape a tip to your door.  

Small Businesses Targeted to Families

If you have a small business, struggling due to COVID-19, think of how you can offer your services online.  Feel free to advertise your online classes and services in our Corona Crisis Advertising post so we can help keep this community going. And don’t forget to join Amsterdam Business Mamas to work together, network and get more ideas for how to keep your business going.

Quick Reference Links:

Infographic – Government COVID-19 Aid 

An overview of the government aid and tax measures

The coronavirus and your company: government measures to help businesses

https://www.rijksoverheid.nl/onderwerpen/coronavirus-covid-19/veelgestelde-vragen-per-onderwerp/financiele-regelingen

https://www.belastingdienst.nl/wps/wcm/connect/nl/home/content/coronavirus

Photocredit: Canva

The post Financial Aid for Your Business Under COVID-19 Lockdown appeared first on Amsterdam Mamas.

Inburgering: What Is It?

Inburgering is the process of civic integration in the Netherlands. Depending on your nationality, there are two stages to Inburgering, each requiring its own exam. This article focuses on the second stage, the Inburgeringsdiploma, but it is worthwhile to make the distinction between them clear:

1. Basisexamen Inburgering Buitenland (Basic Civic Integration Examination Abroad)

• Mandatory for non-EU/EEA nationals from countries who require an authorization for temporary stay (MVV); nationals from an EU/EEA country, Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea, Switzerland, United States of America, and Vatican City are exempt.
• Exam is taken in the country of ongoing residence before moving to the Netherlands.
• Exam assesses basic knowledge of the Dutch language and society.

2. Inburgeringsdiploma (Civic Integration Certificate)

• Applies to non-EU/EEA nationals who have received a residence permit after 31 December 2012 and who are inburgeringsplichtig  – obliged to pass the civic integration exam. There are, of course, exceptions and exemptions.  Consult Mijn Inburgering (my integration) to check whether you are inburgeringsplichtig and what the naturalisation process is specific to your situation. 
• Passing the exam gives you the right to obtain a permanent residence permit and eventually to apply for citizenship.
• You can only apply for a Dutch passport, after 5 years of living in the Netherlands with a valid residence permit. You may need to renounce your current citizenship when you apply for your Dutch citizenship.

If you are inburgeringsplichtig, and fail to register for the exam before the deadline, you will be fined.  The hefty boete (fine) could be up to €1250. After paying the fine you are given two more years in which you need to pass the exam.                              

Inburgeringsdiploma: A Closer Look

Obtaining your Inburgeringsdiploma requires passing an exam that will test your knowledge of the Dutch language, Dutch geography and culture, and the Dutch labour market. There is also a final participation statement.

Language Level and Fluency:

Your Dutch language skills will be tested in four categories: reading, writing, speaking, and listening. In order to pass, you need to be fluent at level A2. From January 2021, (according to the updated information), the pass rate will be raised to level B1.

There’s also a new procedure coming (such as a personal inburgering plan and obligatory language courses) together with the level upgrade, but till that time the existing procedure is in place.  Further information can be found at Rijksoverheid.

Kennis van de Nederlandse Maatschappij (KNM):

This section assess your cultural and geographical knowledge of the Netherlands and Dutch society.   

Orientatie op de Nederlandse Arbeidsmarkt (ONA)

This section refers to your understanding of the labour market and usually takes the form of role play where you apply and are interviewed for a job. Fortunately, from April 2019, non-EU nationals who work at least 48 hours per month, for 6 months, are exempt.

Participatieverklaring

The participation statement is to be signed at the gemeente (municipality) where you live within a year of registering your address.  The aim is to familiarise you with the civic values of the Netherlands. This is applicable to non-EU/EEA nationals who arrived after October 2017.

I worried whether my family was fluent enough in Dutch when we did the inburgeringsexamen but we passed with flying colours by making the most of the available resources.

Preparing for the Exam 

There are many resources available to help you improve your taal vaardigheden (language skills).  Naar Nederland  is a great website to help you prepare for the exam.

Join a  language school where you do not only learn Dutch but where you prepare for the KNM and ONA sections of the exam.  There are even more online resources available and, what I realized while preparing for our inburgering, is that you can learn Dutch for free…well, almost.   

The official site, inburgering.nl, is a most valuable tool as it offers examen oefenen ( practise questions) and score your answers which help you to assess your knowledge level.

You are sure to have enough reading practice with all the Dutch mail you’ll receive! Keep a dictionary handy to help you make sense of the written correspondence. Make sure you practice your writing skills by writing een brief, email, of kaartje (letter, email or card) which will be tested in the written assignments.

Check if there is a Kennis van de Nederlandse Maatschappij (KNM) course offered locally or read a KNM book. I found the KNM topics overview, and Dutch education system inforgraphic helpful. You also need to know the geography of the Netherlands and a fun way to learn it is to use these puzzles.

I worried whether my family was fluent enough in Dutch, when we did the inburgeringsexamen but we passed with flying colours by making the most of the available resources.

The Exam Centre

There are eight locations across the country. In Amsterdam, the centre is based in Old West. The exact address will be shared by the authorities once you’ve registered. It is an easy location to reach, near the metro and train station, with plenty of parking. It’s important to arrive early as you need some time to register, leave all your things in a locker and perhaps go to the toilet. 

Note: If you are late for your allocated slot, you will be turned away and the fee will not be refunded.

The Results

The maximum waiting time for the results is 8 weeks.  The luisteren, lezen, and KNM results are usually released within a week while the results of the schrijven and spreken sections may take up to 6 weeks.

This article is adapted with permission from the author’s blog  Frogs in a Box. 

The post Inburgeringdiploma: What Is it? appeared first on Amsterdam Mamas.

As parents, freelancing often feels like the answer to all our woes. The flexible hours mean you might spend more time with your children, feel more relaxed, and best of all, be the boss. While anything in life is hardly that easy, it just might be worth exploring.

The scary place over the edge of your comfort zone is where the magic happens, but before you take that plunge, make sure you’ve asked yourself these questions, among others:

• Have I thought of a name for my company? You might want to check out the KvK guide for choosing one.
• What about work-space? The Amsterdam Mamas’ guide to cafes with workspaces will surely get you in the mood.
• What will I charge for my services?
• Do I have a marketing strategy in mind to attract clients?
• Do I have an organisational strategy in mind to keep abreast of finances?
• Have I registered with the KvK?

Step 1: Registration 

The first step is to register online at the Kamer van Koophandel/KvK (Dutch Chamber of Commerce), as a freelancer, commonly known, here, as a ZZP’er (zelfstandige zonder personeel). You have a  choice between several legal structures for your business. In most circumstances, freelancers opt for an eenmanzaak (sole proprietorship), but it is wise to evaluate other options as well. Once you’ve made your choice, the website will ask you to fill out some details after which you can make an appointment to finalise the process. You will receive a BTW nummer (VAT number) from the Belastingdienst (Dutch Tax Office) once you completed your registration. Registration costs €50.

Step 2 – Filing Taxes

Quarterly Tax

You will be required to add tax (usually 9% or 21% depending on the service or product you are selling) to your chargeable fee. Ensure your invoices comply with the official requirements.

Exemption from BTW (VAT) is possible in some cases.  

Quarterly, you will have to calculate a BTW aangifte (VAT declaration) and transfer the amount to the Belastingdienst. Remember to file the tax return, even if you haven’t earned anything. If you don’t complete this process before the deadline, you will have to pay a fine (cue, ominous music!)

The quarterly tax is easy enough to file on your own, once you get the hang of it. However, taking a few seminars, or consultations with a tax advisor may help keep stress levels down. Your local library may even offer free tax workshops and talks.

Annual Income Tax

The annual income tax need not be as dreadful as you anticipate. Of course, it is much trickier for freelancers. For those who would like to file their taxes themselves, the good news is that the Belastingdienst website is comprehensive, (‘google translate,’ to the rescue). Here is a list of criteria which make you eligible for annual income tax.

Book-keeping software is crucial to your survival when you’re taking on this arduous task. There are many options available; some mamas swear by Moneybird, while Wave seems to be a huge hit with others. Quickbooks is another popular accounting software choice. 

To be regarded as a self-employed freelancer you must have a minimum of three clients, and should not be spending more than 70% of your working hours on any one of them.

The Good News

Tax Breaks

There are many ondernemersaftrek (tax breaks) available to entrepreneurs, especially when they start (yay!). Note that to qualify for any of these you must work for a minimum number of hours on your business, in a financial year. These hours can include unpaid work. So, make sure you keep track of your working hours. Most people keep a spreadsheet detailing the time spent on different activities, such as business development, study/research, travel, etc.

Another tax facility available for newbie freelancers is the kleine ondernemersregeling (small-sized entrepreneurs regulation). A freelancer who pays less than €1,883 VAT a year can qualify for this facility.  

Claiming Expenses 

Business expenses such as work-related travel, marketing, communication, legal, accountancy, equipment costs, and services from a third party can be deducted.

Keep in Mind

Another tax facility available for newbie freelancers is the kleine ondernemersregeling (small-sized entrepreneurs regulation). A freelancer who pays less than €1,883 VAT a year can qualify for this facility. 

To be regarded as a self-employed freelancer you must have a minimum of three clients, and should not be spending more than 70% of your working hours on any one of them. Model contracts are available to prove to the tax authorities that your status is not that of an employee. They are not mandatory to use since you and your client can draw one up yourselves and have it verified by the tax authorities.

With freelancing, comes great responsibility, and you should think about insurance and your pension. While you can opt for a national pension scheme, it is advisable to diversify your portfolio, so that you do not rely solely on one source, which can be risky.

There, you’re all caught up, but know that this is just the tip of the iceberg. Be prepared to be confused a lot of the time, but also take comfort in the fact that there is a vast community of business Ma-Pas out there, who’ve been there and can provide you with the support you might need. Don’t be afraid to reach out. You’ve got this!

The post Setting Up a Freelance Business in the Netherlands appeared first on Amsterdam Mamas.

Throw the light switch on, and the gloom of short winter days and endless nights is gone. Extreme temperatures outside? No problem, step inside into the air conditioning. Televisions, washing machines, dryers, dishwashers, refrigerators, lighting, heating and cooling, wifi etc. – everything seemingly works at the flip of a switch and life without these ‘amenities’ is unthinkable for most of us.

Yet how often do we think about where our utilities—electricity, gas and water—come from? As long as there are 24 hours of running water, power in the electric sockets and a continuous supply of gas for the cooker, most of us don’t think much about the origins and how our utilities… beyond perhaps hunting for a good deal on them.

Electricity and Gas

To begin, let’s look at where electricity comes from. At its most basic, electricity exists in the form of currents. These currents are all around us, for example, in the fantastic displays of lightning during thunderstorms. But most of this ‘natural electricity’ cannot be harnessed to use as a power source in our homes and industry. What we can use is produced in power plants, mostly from burning fossil fuels (coal, natural gas and oil) and converting the thermal energy produced into electricity.

The Netherlands is a land rich in natural gas and this resource has been harvested in the past to produce the majority of electric power. Natural gas is also supplied directly to homes for cooking and heating. However, like coal, natural gas is a non-renewable resource and its usage causes pollution. The Dutch government has decided to close down natural gas extraction from the largest plant in Groningen by 2030 and replace it with a nitrogen plant where imported gas will be converted into fuel in a sustainable way. Furthermore, according to the Energiagenda policy document published in 2016, gas heating and cooking will be phased out by 2050. This means that there will be no new gas connections to private houses and no new gas infrastructure will be developed. Instead, focus will be on providing green power through sustainable sources like windmills, geothermal energy etc.

There are many electricity providers (stroom leveranciers) in the Netherlands from which to choose, including green companies like Nuon/Vattenfall, Essent, Enco, Green Choice, and Easy Energy. While some of these companies, like Nuon/Vattenfall have invested in offshore wind energy, most fall short of their promises in terms of how green their electricity really is. So, while it’s quite uncomplicated to change your utilities supplier in the Netherlands and sites like Easy Switch and energievergelijken give you an overview of providers and costs, it pays to keep tabs on the sustainability factor too. Here is a comprehensive rating of energy suppliers in terms of sustainability as of 2018.

Thanks to strong initiatives and incentives by the Dutch government, solar energy has gained popularity in the Netherlands in the past few years. Homeowners can get tax subsidies and loans for installing solar panels (PV panels short for photovoltaic cell) on the roof of their houses. According to a study by Utrecht University, an estimated 2.5 million households will be on solar power by 2023. More information on existing Net metering and what it means can be found on the links provided.

Water Supply

We are extremely lucky to be living in a country where the tap water is of a very superior quality. Tap water in Amsterdam is of the highest quality in the country and the safest and cleanest in the whole of Europe. The government credits this to proper maintenance of pipelines and the fact that no chlorine or fluoride is added to the water supply. In fact, drinking tap water in the Netherlands is safer than drinking bottled water because tap water goes through much stricter quality checks than bottled water. It is also much better for the environment. The water supplier Waternet recently installed free water fountains all over Amsterdam in an effort to make clean drinking water available to people and reduce use of single-use plastic bottles.

60% of the drinking water in The Netherlands comes from groundwater and 40% from surface water sources. Currently there are 10 drinking water supply companies in the Netherlands. Which company supplies your water depends on where you live. While we take the supply of high quality water for granted, it is our responsibility to minimise polluting the waste water with chemicals.

Amsterdam continues to explore ways in which our household refuse can be recycled sustainably and responsibly. Medicines and household chemicals should never be disposed off in the general waste, drained down the sink or flushed down the toilet. Unused medicines can be taken back to the local pharmacy. All other chemicals such as paint, oil, toner, cleaning agents can be taken to the recycling station. Check out the points in your area here. 

Amsterdam is now even recycling cooking fat and used frying oil for biofuel at specific supermarkets, schools, sports clubs and children’s farms!

Out and About – Green Transport

In a commendable effort to battle climate change and reduce carbon emissions, the Dutch government has been actively supporting the switch to plug-in electric commercial and private vehicles through exemption of registration fees and road taxes since 2015. The Dutch government has made a commitment to phase out all new cars that are run on non-renewable fuel by 2030. While there has been a substantial increase in the number of electric plug-in vehicles in the Netherlands in the past few years, the market share of alternative fuel-based cars is only around 7% as opposed to 75% of petrol cars. It’s also worth considering that while electric vehicles help reduce carbon emissions, unless the electricity used to power these vehicles is green, the problem is far from solved.

Another sustainable transport option for those who do not use cars on a regular basis and for whom owning a car does not make economical sense are the car sharing services now available in Amsterdam. These services are based on a business model similar to Airbnb.

The Netherlands is one of the most well connected countries in terms of public transport in the world. With trains, trams, and buses forming a network of connectivity throughout the cities and provinces, travel by public transport is convenient and time saving. Most of the trams and trains currently run on electricity and there are plans by the government to switch to 100% emission free buses by 2025. While all these changes may seem to be some time away, one has to consider the cost and planning that goes into making these changes. Travelling by public transport as it stands today is one of the most eco-friendly ways to get out and about. Another benefit is that one des not have to look for and pay hefty fees for parking.

Sustainable living is a choice that we can make every day, whether it is choosing our energy supplier, turning down the heat, recycling household waste, using reusable bags/containers, opting for electric/hybrid cars, or travelling by public transport. Every choice makes a difference. We didn’t arrive at the brink of irreversible climate change in a day, or even a year and it’s naive to hope the solution will happen overnight. With that in mind, in the words of Wayne Dyer:

“If you change the way you look at things, the things yoou look at change.”

Photo credit: Bar chart created by Audrey Coggins via imgflip Chart Maker, banner image by Freepik, water image by Freepik

The post Living Sustainably: Utilities, Transport and More appeared first on Amsterdam Mamas.

With summer fast approaching, it’s time to investigate the guidelines to owning a boat in Amsterdam and further understanding this fun transport option.

What You Need (besides the boat!!)

A special license is only necessary for boats longer than 15 metres or capable of speeds faster than 20 kph. If you are planning to pilot something smaller and slower than that, you are already good to go.

Harbour Fee

Amsterdam’s waterways are managed by Waternet.

If you plan to moor your boat within city waters you are required to pay an annual harbour fee (binnenhavengeld).  This is calculated with two aspects in mind:

• Square meters: the total square meters of your boat (width x length)
• Motor type: The annual fee has two rates, an environmental and a regular one.

After paying the harbour fee you will receive a sticker which you are required to place on the port (left) side of your vessel. This allows Waternet to check if you have paid your fee or not.

If your boat does not have a harbour fee sticker, or it is moored in a prohibited location, you can be fined between €10 and €17.60 per metre, based on the length of your craft. Your boat may also be towed away, in which case you will be required to pay a towing fee of €182 and a storage fee of €0.90 per metre.

Mooring

You may moor your boat anywhere in the city except for certain clearly-marked locations such as under bridges, in narrow waterways, in junctions, or by rescue steps. Starting in 2019 it is no longer permissable to moor boats in the Red Light District.

Parking

It is important to know that docking sites may not be claimed except in the case of houseboats, which have permanent mooring permits. Having said that, there is still a “gentleman’s agreement” in regard to this. If you choose a location to moor, be sure to give clear indications that there is actually a boat to be moored there. If someone takes your spot you should be able to reach an agreement of understanding by letting the person know that you usually have your boat moored there. Remember that for boats above 12 meters length you should be thinking of mooring in a marina.

Marinas / Harbour Clubs

A selection of Marinas in Amsterdam are:

The City Marina 

Port Entrepot  

Peek Watersport 

E Harbour (for Electric Boats only).

But there are also great marinas and harbour clubs right outside of Amsterdam like the Vinkeveense Plassen, also known as the Amsterdam Lake district.

Jachthaven Vinkeveen 

Life Vests vs Swimming Vests

A swimming vest (zwemvest) is an aid for swimming, and they are available for children weighing 30kg and up. A life vest (reddingsvest) is a personal flotation device designed to save lives and are available from the newborn size of 5kg. These life vests are designed to turn the child onto his/her back and to hold the head and face above water to enable breathing.

Life vests are not mandatory but highly recommended! When purchasing a live vest make sure you are well informed about the type of vests that fit your situation best (sea, lake, canal).

Lana Huf-Germain is a born and bred Amsterdammer. She understands the difficulties faced by international families with no grasp of the language or history, and the extra problems this brings raising a family in Amsterdam. She started Amsterdam Family Assistance to help families new to the Netherlands overcome these barriers and make them feel at home.

Photo credit: Jachthaven Vinkeveen

The post So, You Want to Own a Boat in Amsterdam? appeared first on Amsterdam Mamas.

New Dutch Matrimonial Property Law as of 1 January 2018

A new law on matrimonial property came into force in the Netherlands on 1 January 2018. From that date onwards, unless otherwise stipulated by prenuptial agreement, a limited community of property regime applies to all marriages contracted in the Netherlands. Under this regime, only those assets and debts acquired during the marriage form part of the community of property, while those assets acquired by inheritance or as a gift, pension rights and survivor’s pensions covered by the Dutch Act on Equalisation of Pension Entitlements after a Separation are excluded. The community of property also includes assets owned jointly by the spouses prior to marriage (e.g. while living together).

This change to the law governing Dutch matrimonial property might raise questions for couples who plan to marry here, couples that are already married here, and for couples that have married abroad.

Choice of Law

For couples intending to marry in the Netherlands, it is wise to consult a notary familiar with international family law to draw up a prenuptial agreement. This agreement should include the choice of  law to govern matrimonial property. This will remain applicable in many countries to which the couple might move at a future date, the UK and USA excepted.

Under Dutch Private International law, couples may choose:

• the law of the State of which one of the partners has nationality;
• the law of the State where one of the partners has his or her residence at the time of the choice;
• the law of the State where the couple will have their first habitual residence after marriage.

For real estate the couple may choose the law of the State where the property is located.

The designation of a specific law must be expressly agreed or unambiguously derive from a marital agreement.

So, if one of the partners is a Dutch national, or at least one of the partners is resident in the Netherlands, the couple may elect to have their matrimonial property governed by Dutch law in which case the new law on marital property mentioned above will also apply.

Determination of Applicable Law on Matrimonial Property Law

Couples who are already married, whether here or abroad, may wish to determine which law is applicable to their matrimonial property, if a choice was not previously made by prenuptial agreement.

As we are in the Netherlands, we will approach the matter on the basis of Dutch Private International rules. However, for couples currently living abroad or moving abroad at a future date, the applicable law needs to be determined on the basis of the Private International rules of the other State. The law applicable to their marital property may well be different.

In the Netherlands, the Hague Convention on the Law Applicable to Matrimonial Property Regimes 1978, applies to marriages solemnised after 1 September 1992. (Please consult your notary if you married prior to this date.) If no choice of law was made by prenuptial agreement, then the applicable law is the law of the first common habitual residence of the spouses, if the spouses do not have common nationality. For spouses with a common nationality, their national law applies under certain conditions. If the spouses have neither a first common habitual residence, nor a common nationality, then the law of the State with which the spouses are most closely connected applies. Please be aware that the applicable law can change through naturalization, immigration, and after 10 years of residence in a particular country. These changes can be prevented by making a choice of law or concluding a marital agreement.

Previous Dutch Matrimonial Property Law For Couples Married Before 1 January 2018

If Dutch matrimonial property law turns out to be the law applicable to matrimonial property and the couple was married before 1 January 2018, the previous statutory regime consists of a comprehensive (rather than a limited) community of property. All assets which the spouses owned at the beginning of the marriage and all assets which they acquired after the marriage belong to the community of property for so long as the community is not dissolved. Assets which are acquired by inheritance or gift remain outside the community providing the last will of the deceased or the intention of the donor explicitly states this to be the case (an exclusion clause). Pension rights as intended in the Dutch Act on Equalisation of Pension Rights in the Event of Separation and surviving dependents’ pensions do not belong to the community. Assets (and debts) that are exclusively connected to one of the spouses do not fall within the community either. Debts entered into by the individual spouses also belong to the community and are to be paid out of the community’s assets.

Consequences of Divorce / Separation For The Community of Property

The marital community of property, in both its previous and current versions, is dissolved by divorce. In principle the spouses are each entitled to one half of the assets. After dissolution of the community, each spouse can ask for the return of his / her clothes, jewellery, professional and business equipment, papers and family mementos. The distribution can be established in a divorce agreement or by a judge and can be requested at any time.

Consequences of Death for the Community of Property

If the matrimonial property regime is the Dutch community of property, whether in its old or new versions, then the surviving spouse is entitled to one half of the undivided community property, while the other half goes into the estate of the deceased. The surviving spouse holds a special position in inheritance law: according to the law, if he / she is an heir together with the children, all of the assets from the deceased’s estate are allocated to him / her under the obligation to pay off all debts, while the children retain claims upon the estate that need only be paid out upon the surviving parent’s death. If the surviving spouse is excluded from the deceased’s will or s/he is otherwise in need, s/he can request the right of use and usufruct of the former matrimonial home and a right of usufruct on other assets.

The post The New Dutch Matrimonial Property Law and Applicable Law on Matrimonial Property appeared first on Amsterdam Mamas.

Below is a convenient roundup of Amsterdam Mamas’ most popular articles on legal issues and assistance in the Netherlands. There is even more on our website – take a look!

Getting Legal Aid

Legal Aid in the Netherlands

5 Ways to Get Free or Cheap Legal Advice in Amsterdam

Family Law

The Mamas Recommend: Family Lawyers

How to File for Divorce in the Netherlands, Part 1

How to File for Divorce in the Netherlands, Part 2

Moving With Children After a Divorce

How to Get Help for Domestic Violence in the Netherlands

What Happens When a Parent Dies?

Know Before You Go: Border Control and Solo Parent Travel

Real Estate Law

All About Rent

Renting in Amsterdam: Facts and Questions

Consumer Law

EU Consumer Rights When Buying Online

Consumer Rights in the Netherlands

The post Legal Advice in the Netherlands: A Round-Up of Resources appeared first on Amsterdam Mamas.

It was always a given for me that, were I ever to have a baby, it would take my surname as well as the father’s. It’s my name, my heritage, and I’m rather attached to it. Which surname would come first was a different matter, and a minor detail to be straightened out between me and my lucky suitor further down the line. And with that clear in my mind, I moved to Amsterdam and got on with my life.

So imagine my surprise when, at five months pregnant, a Dutch friend casually told me over coffee that double-barrelled surnames are not allowed in the Netherlands. The baby can take the mother’s surname or the father’s … but not both.

After my initial outrage, panic, (possibly-hormone-enhanced) tears, and a feeling bordering on resignation, I hit upon the idea of changing my surname to both mine and my partner’s. In the UK this is a fairly simple process, after which, armed with a new passport and a double-barrelled surname of my own, my partner and I headed straight for the Gemeente and registered the baby under my name. It worked.

I’m not saying this is the best solution – at Christmas I did need to spend quite a lot of time convincing my family back home that I hadn’t secretly got married without telling them – but it is one option, depending on your country of origin.

In the list below, I have tried to present everything I learned during this process, as it turns out I’m not the only one baffled by the intricacies of the regulations surrounding this matter. Good luck!

Nationalities of Partners

1. If neither partner is Dutch, you can more or less do what you want. If it’s allowed in the country issuing your passports, then it’s allowed here.
2. If one partner is Dutch and the other partner comes from a country that routinely allows two surnames (i.e. Spanish or Portuguese speaking countries), then it’s allowed here.
3. If one partner is Dutch and the other partner comes from a country that allows two surnames by choice but not as standard (i.e. UK, Australia), then it is not allowed here.
4. If both partners are Dutch and don’t already have a double-barrelled surname from their family line, then it is not allowed here.

Dutch Law

1. If at least one parent is Dutch and you are married, then Dutch Naming Law automatically applies.
2. If the father is Dutch and you are unmarried, the father should acknowledge (erkennen) the baby before birth, at which point the baby is a Dutch citizen, and Dutch Law applies.
3. If you are umarried, the baby automatically takes the mother’s surname; if you are married, it takes the father’s. However, a quick trip to the Gemeente to state an alternative preference can easily reverse this. Note that currently, parents have until the baby’s first birthday to backtrack on their decision and swap to the other parent’s surname.
4. If the child is born to a woman with a partner of the same sex, then in principle, the child will take the name of the biological mother. 

Complexities

Once you have decided which surname you want, it is not then allowed to have the other surname as a middle name – unless you can prove that this surname is also commonly used as a first name somewhere in the world. For example, Li, Leigh, Lee would all be fine, whereas Unsworth took a bit more reckoning with.

After the first child, any and all additional siblings born to the same parents should share the same surname. This is known as the “Uniformity of Name Within the Family” rule.

Options

1. Register the baby with your own embassy first: If you can, register your baby-to-be with your own embassy first and take some official papers featuring both surnames along to the Gemeente, then the name should be accepted without any problems.
2. Changing surnames after birth: This seems to be the most common route and is possible by obtaining an international birth certificate or non-Dutch passport, and then applying to the Ministry of Justice (Ministerie van Justitie) for a sweet sum of €835 for 1 or 2 children, and €1670 for 3 or more. Note: you will have to prove the laws of your country encourage double-barrelled surnames, or change your own surname prior to the application by …
3. Deed poll: Changing your own surname before the birth of your first baby can be a cost-effective way of avoiding an expensive Ministry of Justice application at a later date. The deed poll itself can be free, meaning that this route costs as much as a new passport (and a couple of international postage fees).
4. Middle name: As mentioned above, if you want to use the other surname as a middle name you have to prove it has been used as a first name somewhere in the world already. Your home country may have searchable online databases or someone to contact for help with this.
5. Try a different Gemeente: I have heard many mamas say that the rules are more lax in different areas of the country and, according to the Gemeente Amsterdam website, it doesn’t matter in which municipality you acknowledge your baby – so if you have the time to spare and fancy a swift erkennen tour of the Netherlands, you could keep trying until you get lucky!

The post Double Surnames: Can You Do That Here? appeared first on Amsterdam Mamas.

When I moved to The Netherlands from a rural American town a few years ago, I encountered a huge lifestyle difference that caught me by surprise: the ubiquity of technology in daily life. Before moving here, I was still writing checks, using a landline for my telephone, accessing government offices by mail or in person, and finding online banking slow and cumbersome. Now, I am learning to love electronic transactions: from public transportation, to online banking, to uploading health care reimbursement forms, digital is the way to go!

Thus, it is no surprise that here in the Netherlands, there is an easy way to access all kinds of government documents without personally trudging to a distant office, kids in tow (especially when it’s raining, which is often). May I present to you – the DigID!  

DigiD – Your Digital Identity

The DigiD is a way to prove your identity online. When you visit a government office, you must often present an ID card, passport, or driver’s license to prove your identity. Once you sign up for your DigiD, the government knows it’s you – it’s linked to your BSN number and other information about you. When you login with your DigiD, you get access to hundreds of Dutch government websites. Information you previously had to collect in person is now available on your home computer; you can check on all kinds of personal documents this way. Some agencies now even require you to have a DigiD.

If, like me, you tend toward the back end of the technology-adoption curve, you probably hadn’t heard of DigiD until recently. Or maybe you’d heard of it but have been avoiding another new online process! I can assure you the whole DigiD process is very simple. The main DigiD website is super helpful, available in both Dutch and English, has loads of FAQ’s to answer all your questions, and easy instructions for how to get your DigiD.

How to Say It

I have to give a quick tip on the correct pronunciation of DigiD. As an English-speaker, I assumed it was pronounced “didge-eye-dee”. Wrong! I quickly discovered that particular pronunciation can annoy native Dutch speakers! They will usually correct you when you say it incorrectly. The correct pronunciation is “digh-ee-day,” with the famous Dutch “g”. You may discover when you say it correctly that the people you’re speaking to, whether on the phone or in a government office, will suddenly smile and be more helpful.

You must make sure you keep this information confidential. No one may ask you for your username, password, or activation code – not via e-mail, telephone, or any other way.

Keeping Your DigiD Secure

Your DigiD consists of a username and a password of your choice. You must make sure you keep this information confidential. No one may ask you for your username, password, or activation code – not via e-mail, telephone, or any other way. In fact, I recently witnessed on online scam with a website using an URL similar to the official government URL asking for the DigiD to access. Good thing it looked fake! You must be as vigilant with your DigiD as you are with credit cards, bank card info, etc.  

For additional protection, you can apply for your DigiD with an extra verification step via SMS. Some organizations require the extra SMS verification to use their files. You can still use the SMS function without a mobile phone (in case you still have one of those landlines I mentioned). In this case, you receive a voice message on your fixed phone number.

Important note: If you set up SMS, you have to wait three days for an activation code to be sent by post. So if you need to use your DigiD quickly and don’t need the SMS code for your first task, you can actually skip that step and add it at a later date.

When you log in with your DigiD, a secure, encrypted connection is established between DigiD and your computer. If you are concerned about security, you can check the DigiD website for more details about the many ways they try to keep your data safe.  

Who Accepts DigiD?

The list of organizations for which you can use the DigiD is a mile long. There are banks, healthcare organizations, pension funds, water boards, municipal governments, courts, and many more. You can access student aid, the Tax Authority (Belastingdienst), and the police. You can even use your DigiD with HEMA, although for what I’m not exactly sure! 

Quickly Complete Tasks with Your DigiD

Here are just a few examples of routine duties you can perform easily from home with a DigiD:

• Access the SVB or Sociale Verzekeringsbank (Social Insurance Bank) to check how much kinderbijslag (child allowance) you will get and when it will be paid.
• Receive and file tax bills with the Belastingdienst. Their website also allows you to change the bank account you would like them to use for any tax refunds (always lovely when you get them!).
• Check water bills and tax with Waternet.
• Log-on to the UWV or Uitvoeringsorgaan Werknemers Verzekeringen (Social Insurance Agency) to sign up for unemployment/sick leave benefits.   
• Do a calculation with the rekentool (online calculator) on your Gemeente (local goverment) website to calculate and request an official quotation for the cost of buying your erpfacht (land lease).
• Request an excerpt from the municipal personal records database through your local Gemeente website.
• Empower others to use you DigiD without actually giving it to them, such as lawyers helping you navigate a government process or tax advisors filing your taxes.

So, spare yourself all those trips to government and other offices. Get a DigiD for convenient, at-home, digital access, and enjoy a cup of tea in your pajamas while you take care of life’s tedious but necessary paperwork in the comfort of your own home. 

The post DigiD? What It Is, and Why You Need It appeared first on Amsterdam Mamas.