Living in Amsterdam

Planning a trip to the Netherlands? Post the details here.
gsutoker
Posts: 60
Joined: Mon 7th Jun 2010 09:25 pm
Location: ATL

Post by gsutoker »

I dont know if they allow any new coffeeshops or not, but it is a dream of mine to own one. And like you said, were going to have awesome business plans


abcdabcd
Posts: 123
Joined: Sun 1st Nov 2009 10:42 pm

Post by abcdabcd »

gsutoker wrote:How tough would it be for an American to move out to the Netherlands? In less than a year I will graduate with a degree in business management. Would that degree find me a job, or should I open my own business? I think I'd even prefer to own my own business if possible. Is this a possible dream for me to move there for good? I am not limiting myself to Amsterdam, and I plan to learn dutch.
It would be much easier to own/start your own business if you're from the U.S. There's the "Dutch American Friendship Treaty" (google it) that lets you open a business in NL and bypass the normal point system. The only thing is that it can't be a food related business as I recall. I'm also from the U.S. and interested in opening a business out there and trying to look for some like-minded people to get involved with.
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Marco
Posts: 3017
Joined: Thu 10th Sep 2009 11:12 am
Location: Amsterdam

Post by Marco »

gsutoker wrote:How tough would it be for an American to move out to the Netherlands? In less than a year I will graduate with a degree in business management. Would that degree find me a job, or should I open my own business? I think I'd even prefer to own my own business if possible. Is this a possible dream for me to move there for good? I am not limiting myself to Amsterdam, and I plan to learn dutch.
If you are serious, PM me....but if you are just coming here for the weed....then it probably won't work....
DownWithDam
Posts: 17
Joined: Tue 28th Dec 2010 02:15 am
Location: USA

Home Sweet Amsterdam

Post by DownWithDam »

I am an American that would love to call Amsterdam home. BTW, I just joined this forum in preparation for my New Year's trip to the Dam. Please check out my intro at https://www.coffeeshopdirect.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=16094.

I've recently begun some research on the topic and have the impression that getting a work permit in Netherlands will be very difficult for me. I am a software architect/developer with a lot of experience. I am thankful that my skills are in strong demand in the USA. And from the job boards I've seen, my skills are in strong demand in the Netherlands as well.

I will appreciate any assistance anyone can provide to point me in the right direction. I will be in Amsterdam from 1/1/2011 - 1/9/2011 for vacation. But I am happy to stay longer for interviews or possibly discussing start-up ideas. I currently own a very small consulting firm and have heard that starting a software consulting firm in the Netherlands may be my best bet for getting residency.

Please let me know if you can assist me with calling Amsterdam home.

Thanks and cheers to everyone.
Last edited by DownWithDam on Wed 29th Dec 2010 11:59 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Marco
Posts: 3017
Joined: Thu 10th Sep 2009 11:12 am
Location: Amsterdam

Post by Marco »

I sent you a PM. If you have the skills needed, there is a chance you can find a position. But if you need a work permit, then you need to be better than a local and it needs to be a job where you do not need to speak Dutch. They exist, but in reality they will usually always choose a Dutch speaker over a non-Dutch speaker, all things being equal.

As I told you in the PM, network in your field. Good luck!
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