What is the difference between an internship and a traineeship?

Posted on by Genoveva

A traineeship is a paid job for those who recently graduated, while an internship is part of a study.

An internship (stage) is usually a mandatory part of the education that focuses on learning. It is a work
placement or practical training arrangement that allows the student to gain practical work experience in the field of one’s study in a company. Internship is typically shorter-term work (3 months to a year) experience for students. Internships are usually not paid, but can be remunerated modestly. Because an internship is a learning goal, this allowance is not regarded as a salary.
A traineeship in the Netherlands is typically a starter’s position for graduates with a normal salary. Essentially you get paid to learn. A traineeship is a paid (entry level) position in a company/ organisation for a graduate who aims to develop professional skills etc. It is a job.

My landlord doesn’t maintain the house properly. What can I do?

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The landlord is responsible for major repairs and maintenance of the rented accommodation. The tenant is responsible for minor, not expensive repairs.You can find an overview of repairs and who is responsible for them on the website of the government. (Dutch only)  If you have a complaint about the maintenance of the house, you have to contact your landlord. It is suggested to do this in writing. If you and your landlord can’t agree about the maintenance, you can go to court or ask the rental committee (huurcommissie) to judge the situation. You can only go to the huurcommissie if your house qualifies as social housing (rent up to a maximum, determined by the government). On the website of the government  you  can find out if your house qualifies as social housing.

If your house qualifies as “free sector” (vrije sector) you can only  go to court. It is suggested to ask  help from a lawyer as the rules as quite complicated. The Juridisch loket can advise you what to do.

 

I am going to leave the Netherlands. Do I have to pay local taxes for the full year?

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When you are leaving the Netherlands, you will only have to pay local taxes for the months you lived in the Netherlands. Some municipalities arrange any refunds automatically; in other municipalities you need to apply for it. It is suggested to contact your municipality and ask for the procedure

Which formalities are needed when I move within the Netherlands?

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Whenever you move within or to a new municipality, you must register with your new municipality. You can do this online. Visit the website of your new municipality and login with DigiD. If this doesn’t work for you, contact the new municipality and ask for other options your new municipality will inform several government organisations. You can ask them which organisations will receive your new address and which organisations you have to inform yourself.

In addition, it is important to inform your bank and utility providers about your new address.

What should I do when I am ill and unable to work?

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When you are ill and unable to work, you need to inform your manager as soon as possible. Every organisation has its own rules regarding when you need to inform your employer. Sometimes you need to call the administration. You don’t have to give any medical information. The company doctor (bedrijfsarts) will invite you to see him if your illness lasts longer than just a few days or a few weeks. He will also advise your employer if you can do your work or if there are any limitations to take into account (e.g. fewer hours, no physically heavy work). If you would like to discuss anything with the bedrijfsarts when you are not ill, you can make an appointment. Sometimes employers don’t like this, but you have the legal right to see a bedrijfsarts.

Your manager will probably ask you if there is any work that needs urgently looked after by a colleague and when you expect to be back at work. When your illness lasts longer than 6 weeks your employer must get in touch with you to make a reintegration plan. This plan has to be finished six weeks after you became ill.

I have heard employees receive a holiday allowance. How much do I get and when?

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In the Netherlands, all employees receive at least 8% holiday allowance over their gross income during 12 months. It is common to pay it every year in May, but another payment date is possible too.  If you have worked extra hours and got paid for this, the holiday allowance is also calculated over this income.

What are the rules for a landlord or rental agent to follow when renting out property?

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Landlords and rental agents  should follow certain rules and take care of the tenant’s rights.

The most important rules are: 

  • Landlords and rental agents have a clear procedure as to how the allocation of tenants works and the grounds on which someone is accepted or rejected as a tenant. Any kind of intimidation or physical threatening is forbidden, e.g. it is not allowed to threaten non-repayment of the deposit.
  • The deposit is a maximum of twice the monthly rent and must be paid back within two weeks after the rental agreement has ended.
  • The rental agreement must be put in writing.
  • The landlord or rental agent must inform the tenant in writing about their rights and obligations.
  • Any service fees should be reasonable and permitted by law.
  • If required by the municipality, the landlord must have a licence to rent out a property

Municipalities have the authority to supervise this and take measures if anyone doesn’t follow the rules.

More detailed information about this law can be found on the website of the government (Dutch only).

How can I avoid scams?

Posted on by Genoveva
Unfortunately scams are always around ; criminals get smarter and find new tricks continuously.
Some general rules:
  •  if someone calls you saying they are from your bank, call them! Don’t use the number they called you but check the number of your bank’s customer service and use that number. Then check if they called you. If it is really the bank who called you they will understand and be happy you are careful. This also appies if any other financial organisation calls you.
  • if you receive an email/text message or other message (e.g. WhatsApp)  from a family member or friend asking urgently to pay a bill or give them a loan, CALL this person on his/her usual number and check. You will recognise the voice of the person and can be sure it was (or wasn’t) really this person.
  •  if you receive a bill you didn’t expect (e.g. from the taxes, your energy supplier, phone company etc.) don’t pay immediately but check your administration. If this doesn’t help, CALL the organisation sending you the bill on their usual number (not the number on the bill as it could be fake) and check.
It is suggested to check every request to pay or to transfer your money to another account carefully.
Are you still a victim of scams/cybercime, report to the police and make sure no traces get lost (don’t close your computer/phone, save as much information as possible and give this to the police. Also inform your bank. Sometimes they can give you your money back.

Do you have a partner but is he/she not officially registered as partner?

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If you are not married, but are living together without formal registration of your relationship this can cause problems if you pass away. In such a situation your partner doesn’t inherit anything (unless you have laid it down in a will) and your partner will not be entitled to a part of your pension (unless you informed your pension fund about your partner). Legally your partner doesn’t have any rights.
In order to avoid this, it is suggested to officially register your relationship with a notary or -if you don’t want that- ask advice. A notary can help you.

Does the Netherlands offer cancer screening?

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The Netherlands has three cancer screening programs  (bevolkingsonderzoek):

  • breast cancer screening for women aged 50 to 75
  • cervical cancer screening for women aged 30 to 60
  • bowel cancer screening for men and women aged 55 to 75

These programs are free and participation is voluntary. You can find more information on https://www.bevolkingsonderzoeknederland.nl/en/