What is the OV-chipkaart?

Posted on by Katerina Triantafillou

The smart-card system, the OV-chipkaart (chip card used to pay for public transport), is the form of paying for public transport. OV stands for openbaar vervoer (public transport). It resembles a bank card and contains an invisible chip and must be topped up before the start of any journey. The OV-chipkaart can be used on public transport all over the Netherlands.

For further details visit the website of the OV-chipkaart and select ‘English’ at the top right corner of the site to change the language: www.ov-chipkaart.nl.

Are there any subscriptions to travel cheaper by public transport?

Posted on by Katerina Triantafillou

Subscriptions are available for a particular route, for a discount outside rush hours, for unlimited travel by train or by other means of public transport as well. If you don’t know which subscription fits best, you can use the information on the Dutch Railroads (Nederlandse Spoorwegen – NS) website. It is the principal passenger railway operator in the Netherlands: www.ns.nl/en/season-tickets.

It is highly advisable that you drop into a service counter and ask for help when deciding which subscription would be the most adequate for your situation. For more information visit the NS website.

I find it difficult and expensive to park my car in many major cities. Is there a way for me to park my car easier and cheaper?

Posted on by Katerina Triantafillou

There is a severe lack of parking space in most big cities in the Netherlands. In an effort to reduce congestion, many cities have a park and ride scheme (P+R- locaties). The driver parks at an organised, out of town location and then finishes the journey via public transport to the city centre. ANWB (the Royal Dutch Touring Club) lists all park and ride schemes in an area. This scheme is very helpful to many people for finding a parking space more quickly as well as for spending less on parking fees. You find the parking space via the routeplanner of ANWB on https://www.anwb.nl/verkeer/routeplanner?displayType=instructions.

Each city in the Netherlands has a Municipal Parking Department for all affairs related to parking such as parking permits. Please contact your municipality for further details.

 

 

Where can I find dierenarts (veterinarian)?

Posted on by Katerina Triantafillou

There are good dierenartsen (veterinarians) and animal hospitals in the Netherlands. Ask neighbours or friends for a recommendation, or look up dierenarts on Google maps using the filter ‘search nearby’.

In addition,  you can look for a veterinarian of one of the following chains:

  • Anicura, www.anicura.nl
  • Evidensia, https://evidensiadierenziekenhuis.nl/

At https://cooperpetcare.com/animal-emergency-contacts-in-the-netherlands/ you can find contacts if your pet has an emergency.

 

You can also contact the ACCESS Helpdesk for a list of veterinarians in your area.

Do I need to register my pet in the Netherlands? And are there any costs involved?

Posted on by Katerina Triantafillou

Dogs must be registered with the gemeentelijke belastingdienst (municipal tax department), and a hondenbelasting (dog tax) is charged annually, calculated on the number of dogs in each household. You need to inform the municipality about the number of dogs you have. The number of municipalities charging dog tax is decreasing.

Other pets don’t need to be registered. However it is compulsory to have your dog chipped.  It is suggested to have your cat chipped as well. However, if it is born in the Netherlands it is not an obligation . Having your cat chipped is especially useful if it is lost, Then, it is easy to locate you as the owner and bring your cat home.

Although not compulsory, it could be a good idea to take out an insurance for your pet. Pet insurance can cover much of unexpected vet expenses in case of an injury, illness or damage to third parties. Some of the things you may consider when choosing a pet insurance could be:

  • Does the policy cover all chronic, congenital and hereditary conditions?
  • Is there a time limit on treatment per condition?
  • Is there a cost limit on treatment per condition?
  • Are there flexible coverage options to fit your budget and needs exactly?
  • Does the insurance cover for damage or injury caused to third parties?

Can I take my pet with me on the passenger’s cabin?

Posted on by Katerina Triantafillou

On flights of less than ten hours, many airlines will allow small cats or dogs to be taken with the passenger in the cabin (except travel to the UK and Hong Kong). Generally, the airline will only allow one pet per passenger and a maximum of two pets per cabin. The container for the pet must fit under the seat in front of you and must have a waterproof bottom and adequate ventilation. The Sherpa, Bergan and SturdiBag pet carriers are all airline compliant as long as the carrier is the proper size for your pet.

Please note that airlines will normally insist that you acquire a special travelling container for the pet animal. The rules regarding approved types of containers for cats, dogs, ferrets and birds flying in the cabin and as cargo were created by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and for the most part have been accepted by the world’s airlines. We have listed below the minimum requirements for the containers but we suggest you to read the IATA requirements to travel with your pet:

  • The container must be large enough for the animal(s) to stand, turn around, and lie down
  • Both water and food bowls must be attached to the inside of the front door and be refillable from the outside of the container without opening the door
  • The container must have ventilation on all sides for international travel and three sides minimum for domestic travel
  • The container must have LIVE ANIMAL stickers on the top and sides in letters at least one inch tall
  • NO WHEELS. If the container has wheels, they should be removed or taped securely so that the kennel cannot roll
  • The container must be identified with your pet’s name and owner’s contact information. The best way to do this is to attach your pet’s information to the outside of the crate
  • Make sure to attach an extra copy of your pet’s health certificate to the container

In addition, airlines often have their own regulations. Please check with your airline well in advance.

What is a contactless payment?

Posted on by Katerina Triantafillou

Contactless is a payment feature that has been introduced by banks in the Netherlands (as in other countries) on their payment cards. The aim is to make small value purchases quicker and more convenient for both retailers and consumers. The idea is that by using the contactless facility on the debit card, the customer’s payment transaction will be quicker, as no cash needs to change hands and entering a PIN (Personal Identification Number) is not required.

When making payments of €25 or less, you can simply hold the card against the reader to pay – rather than inserting a card into the chip and PIN machine and entering a PIN. In just a few seconds, the payment will be completed and the lights on the reader will illuminate, confirming that the transaction has been approved. For higher amounts you can also use the contactless payment feature, but you will have to enter your pin code.

To use this feature, you should look out for retailers who display this payment reader sign.

What types of loans are available?

Posted on by Katerina Triantafillou

A wide range of loan facilities is offered by the Dutch banks. Personal loans (usually for a fixed term and a fixed interest rate during the term of the loan), overdraft facilities and credit loans (the ability to withdraw as much as you need and repay in full whenever you can afford to do so) are typical. They offer varying degrees of flexibility, but it is better to discuss your requirements in detail with your bank before deciding which type of loan will suit you best. Insurance to protect your repayments is available should you become unable to pay due to disability, unemployment, etc. Generally, anyone between the ages of 18 and 65 years who is a resident in the Netherlands and in possession of a residence permit (where applicable) and has proof of a regular income is eligible for a loan. All loan applications are also checked and registered with the Bureau Krediet Registratie – BKR (Central Credit Registration Agency). The loans must be fully repaid before leaving the Netherlands.

Can I directly invest money in the stock exchange?

Posted on by Katerina Triantafillou

If you wish to make an investment, you will have to open a separate investment account. Your bank will normally offer you three different approaches. If you are experienced in making investments, you can simply instruct the bank to buy stocks and shares for you. Alternatively, you can ask the bank for advice before making any investment or you can let the bank make decisions regarding what investments to make on your behalf. This third option is called vermogensbeheer (managed portfolio fund). You will usually be given a choice of various types of managed fund, depending upon how much risk you are willing to take on your initial investment. Needless to say, the higher risk funds may yield larger returns, but normally require a commitment for considerable time (more than 10 years). Depending on the bank, you can directly purchase shares on the Nederlandse effectenbeurzen (Dutch stock exchange) as well as from some overseas markets. Managed funds will typically be managed by the bank’s own fund managers (and include investments in liquid assets, bonds, real estate and shares). The bank will charge a fee for administering your investment portfolio.

What happens with my money if my bank goes bankrupt?

Posted on by Katerina Triantafillou

If your bank goes bankrupt or runs into trouble, you will not lose all your money. This is because there is a guarantee system in place to help account holders: the Deposit Guarantee Scheme .

All banks holding a banking authorisation granted by De Nederlandsche Bank (DNB) are covered by the Deposit Guarantee Scheme.  Your money is safe with a maximum of €100,000 per person and per bank.  In general this only applies to your current account and your savings account. Investments are usually not covered. Please contact your bank for more information which accounts are covered.

If your bank has its main office in another country, the rules of that country apply when it comes to a Deposit Guarantee Scheme.  It is important to check if your bank has a Dutch licence or a licence from another country.  You can find an overview of all banks covered by the Dutch Deposit Guarantee Scheme on https://www.dnb.nl/en/supervision/public-register/WFTDG/index.jsp