Expats & new international staff
Moving to another country is a big step. In the Netherlands—and at Wageningen University & Research—you are well supported at every stage. Many practical matters are clearly organised and achievable independently, while strong support is always available from the Dutch government, WUR and the Welcome Center Food Valley. This page helps you and your family settle in with confidence.
Pre-arrival
Finding housing in the Netherlands can be challenging, especially in and around Wageningen, where demand is high and the rental market is tight. Many internationals successfully find housing by combining their own search with guidance and reliable information. For realistic expectations, practical tips and up-to-date support options, we strongly recommend checking the information and contacts provided by the Welcome Center Food Valley.
Thanks to the Netherlands’ small size and excellent public transport, considering nearby towns and cities—such as Arnhem, Nijmegen and Utrecht—often makes the search easier while keeping commuting time reasonable.
Childcare and education in the Netherlands are high-quality, accessible and well regulated.
For children under 5 years old, childcare in Wageningen is well organized. Several types of childcare are available, and parents who make use of these services are often eligible for government benefits, as explained on the website of the Dutch Tax Office. A unique advantage of Wageningen University & Research is that the campus itself hosts an on-site daycare center, Prins Vleermuis offering childcare directly on campus.
The Dutch education system actively supports children from abroad. Schools provide language assistance, and International Transition Classes help older children prepare before joining regular education. International Schools are available if preferred, and universities offer a wide range of English-taught bachelor’s and master’s programmes.
Because the Netherlands is small and well connected, childcare facilities and schools are usually within easy travel distance.
Dutch is the official language, but English is widely spoken in daily life, public services and the workplace. This makes settling in comfortable from day one. Would you like to learn Dutch or improve your English? Wageningen in’to Languages offers courses at all levels, from beginner to academic writing, helping you feel at home even faster.
On-arrival
Working at Wageningen University & Research means clear, flexible and well-organised employment conditions. You can tailor your benefits to your personal and family situation, supported by transparent tax rules and a strong social security system. Flexible working hours, professional development opportunities, collective insurance and a solid pension scheme contribute to long-term stability and peace of mind.
Banking
When you are employed in the Netherlands, or when you receive a scholarship and will stay for a longer period, you might consider opening a bank account in the Netherlands. In Wageningen, you will find several banks that will gladly assist you in opening an account. When you want to open a bank account, you must bring with you:
- Your passport with visa sticker.
- Your invitation letter of your host organisation, or your employment contract.
- Your rental or sub-rental contract.
- Your BSN number.
Insurance
If you are in paid employment with a Dutch employer, you must have basic health insurance. On the website EurAxess the Netherlands you will find more information for expats and new international staff, about the Dutch healthcare system.
If you do not qualify for the Dutch social security system and thus cannot apply for Dutch basic health insurance, you will need to find another solution to make sure you have adequate insurance whilst staying in the Netherlands. The immigration experts of Welcome Center Food Valley can arrange insurances for you (and your family members) with one of these companies.
Insurance checker
Each country has it’s own way of dealing with unexpected or unpleasant costs. The Netherlands has a highly developed insurance culture, in which everyone is expected to be appropriately insured. Nuffic has developed the insurance checklist to provide students and researchers an insight into the possible costs you might want to be insured for.
The Dutch healthcare system is likely to be different from the healthcare system in your home country. Here you can find more about the Dutch healthcare system:
PhD students
PhD candidates will have to complete all the registration related steps outlined in the PhD timetable to be fully registered.
Staff
On the first day after arrival you will need to do the following:
- You must register at your department and bring along a passport photo
- You need to sign a work agreement and, if applicable, a confidentiality agreement, depending on whether you have paid employment or if you are here as a guest without a work agreement
- If you have paid employment, you will have an appointment with a personnel advisor, who will inform you about the most important rights and duties with respect to your work and provide you with some essential information about, for example, pension rights, holidays, and what to do in case of illness. If you have any questions about your contract, you may ask them during this appointment.
At destination
Wageningen University & Research offers introduction activities for new PhD candidates and staff members. We want to welcome you all! Get informed and have fun, for a good start at Wageningen University & Research.
Welcome Center Food Valley (WCFV) welcomes expats to the Netherlands. The Dual Career Program enables their loved ones to approach the job market with confidence. To help the partners to have a happy landing & living, a career helps to feel part of the Dutch society and to feel at ease in our small country.
Knowing where to go and what to do is essential for settling in a new country. At your request a buddy can help you find your way around in Wageningen in a quick and sympathetic way. For partners of international staff and students and their children a Partner Programme is being organised with a variety of interesting activities.