Amsterdam Coffeeshop Directory Forums

Hey guys,
I've been lurking on the boards for quite a while now and i'd love some advice, i'm sure some of you have been/are in the same boat.

I moved away from Scotland after working a shit job, I'm currently in Madrid and my savings are getting quite low. I've decided I want to make one last stab at it before I have to move home, and i've been wanting to move to Holland since i was 18.

I have been on a few websites looking for a cheap(ish) flatshare and I want to just move there, get my tax number and hit every bar/coffeshop/store with my CV.

Is it possible and feesable to do this? I have over a grand, which i know isn t much at all for a trip to amsterdam usually, but i have become adapt at frugle living, spending hardly anything after my rent and bills are paid. Do you guys think it is possible to get a job pretty quick to pay the rent if i can get a place, or try to camp cheaply while trying to find a place/job?

Any advice would be appreciated, even if there might be a member who has a spare room, or a friend who has a place, etc.

Thanks in advance,
Nitram

How to search for work if you do not already have a job

The following websites may help in your search for employment:

Foreign Office - Employment
Job Centre Plus
4ICJ
Euro Jobs - Finding work in the Netherlands
Jobs Abroad
Executives on the Web
Tip Top Jobs

-----------------

Social-fiscal number (Sofi-nummer)

If you are going to work in the Netherlands, also if it is only for a short time, you will need to obtain a registration number for tax purposes. This is known as a ‘sofi-nummer’, and you can obtain one at the local tax office (belastingkantoor).

Who can obtain a social-fiscal number and which documents are needed?

EU/EEA citizens who reside outside the Netherlands but who do work in the Netherlands, only need to show a valid passport/identity card in order to obtain a social-fiscal number.
EU/EEA citizens who reside in the Netherlands, need to show a valid passport/identity card and proof that they have registered with the municipality in order to obtain a social-fiscal number.
Non EU/EEA citizens who have applied for a residence permit and who are subject to tax (belastingplichtig) can obtain a social-fiscal number. A residence permit implies that you will stay in the Netherlands for more than 3 months. To get the social-fiscal number you need to show your passport, your MVV (if applicable), your application for a residence permit, your work permit and your registration with the municipality. If you receive a Dutch scholarship you need to proof that you’re subject to tax.

Non EU/EEA citizens staying in the Netherlands for less than 3 months can also sometimes get a social-fiscal number. This is possible in the following situations, and the following documents have to be shown:

· if you stay in the Netherlands for up to 3 months in order to work. Documents: passport with a short stay visa (if applicable), and the sticker from the local aliens police to prove that you reported there, a work permit, and the contract with your employer.
· if you stay in the Netherlands for up tot 3 months in order to study. Documents: passport with a short stay visa (if applicable), and the sticker from the local aliens police to prove that you reported there, proof that you receive a Dutch scholarship, proof that you are registered as a student at a higher education institution, and a statement from the educational institution explaining why you need a sofi-nummer.

Where and how can you obtain the social-fiscal number?

The tax department (belastingdienst) has local offices in most cities. Your municipality can give you the address of the local office closest to you. Go to the tax office; normally it is not necessary to make an appointment for this. When you show them all the papers required in your case, you will receive your social-fiscal number on the spot.

Hope some of this helped

give it a go... what have you got to lose? The summer is the best time to find some work and also the best time to camp if you have to

tpelling wrote:How to search for work if you do not already have a job

The following websites may help in your search for employment:

Foreign Office - Employment
Job Centre Plus
4ICJ
Euro Jobs - Finding work in the Netherlands
Jobs Abroad
Executives on the Web
Tip Top Jobs

-----------------

Social-fiscal number (Sofi-nummer)

If you are going to work in the Netherlands, also if it is only for a short time, you will need to obtain a registration number for tax purposes. This is known as a ‘sofi-nummer’, and you can obtain one at the local tax office (belastingkantoor).

Who can obtain a social-fiscal number and which documents are needed?

EU/EEA citizens who reside outside the Netherlands but who do work in the Netherlands, only need to show a valid passport/identity card in order to obtain a social-fiscal number.
EU/EEA citizens who reside in the Netherlands, need to show a valid passport/identity card and proof that they have registered with the municipality in order to obtain a social-fiscal number.
Non EU/EEA citizens who have applied for a residence permit and who are subject to tax (belastingplichtig) can obtain a social-fiscal number. A residence permit implies that you will stay in the Netherlands for more than 3 months. To get the social-fiscal number you need to show your passport, your MVV (if applicable), your application for a residence permit, your work permit and your registration with the municipality. If you receive a Dutch scholarship you need to proof that you’re subject to tax.

Non EU/EEA citizens staying in the Netherlands for less than 3 months can also sometimes get a social-fiscal number. This is possible in the following situations, and the following documents have to be shown:

· if you stay in the Netherlands for up to 3 months in order to work. Documents: passport with a short stay visa (if applicable), and the sticker from the local aliens police to prove that you reported there, a work permit, and the contract with your employer.
· if you stay in the Netherlands for up tot 3 months in order to study. Documents: passport with a short stay visa (if applicable), and the sticker from the local aliens police to prove that you reported there, proof that you receive a Dutch scholarship, proof that you are registered as a student at a higher education institution, and a statement from the educational institution explaining why you need a sofi-nummer.

Where and how can you obtain the social-fiscal number?

The tax department (belastingdienst) has local offices in most cities. Your municipality can give you the address of the local office closest to you. Go to the tax office; normally it is not necessary to make an appointment for this. When you show them all the papers required in your case, you will receive your social-fiscal number on the spot.

Hope some of this helped

Thanks man, Do you know where these offices are, or just google map them?
Nitram

The local office in Amsterdam is near Sloterdijk station, Kingsfordweg 1, 1043 GN Amsterdam, (0206877777).

Keep us updated

For all things immigration refer to the IND website, http://english.ind.nl/ Housing will probably be your biggest hurdle, here are couple of flat share sights you might want to sign up for. http://www.kamer.nl/en/ http://www.easykamer.nl/ You are not the first to think/attempt this. If you look through the "Other Amsterdam and Netherlands" forum you will see several threads that will be of some help.

Peace,
Balou

he's Scottish...he'll have no bother

have a look on http://www.elynx.nl under notices on the left

winnie wrote:he's Scottish...he'll have no bother

I saw that. Correct me if I'm wrong, but wouldn't he still have to register with the IND?

Peace,
Balou

Balou wrote:

winnie wrote:he's Scottish...he'll have no bother

I saw that. Correct me if I'm wrong, but wouldn't he still have to register with the IND?

Peace,
Balou

Don't think so. He does however need to register (with a legal apartment that allows registration) the city hall (Geemente) of the city/town where he lives, and he will get a stamp in his passport. My experience, is that one cannot obtain a SOFI/BSN number without this registration, and one needs a SOFI/BSN before one can get a Dutch bank account.

Not sure if its mentioned above, but if you stay you need health insurance (minimum 90e/month). You may be able to stay for a period with UK health insurance, but that is limited. If they find you living here for along time without insurance, you get fined for all the past payments plus fees.

Thanks all,
I have emailed countless replies to cheap flat shares, but never seem to get any replies. Also, many of them state that registarion is not possible, so does this mean i would be unable to get a tax number, and employment.

Its all very stressfull, i thought id be able to just get a semi affordable place for a month or two and try my hardest to get a job grrrr

nitram420 wrote:Thanks all,
I have emailed countless replies to cheap flat shares, but never seem to get any replies. Also, many of them state that registarion is not possible, so does this mean i would be unable to get a tax number, and employment.

Its all very stressfull, i thought id be able to just get a semi affordable place for a month or two and try my hardest to get a job grrrr

There may be ways around the registration, but i never found it. Its very hard to do things like this when you are not in Amsterdam. Good luck.

sorry if i'm repeating myself, it's just not going in.

am i wrong in thinking that because i'm an EU citizen, i can show my passport and get a tax/sofi number so i'm eligible to work, or do i need a residence first?

thanks guys o_O

nitram420 wrote:sorry if i'm repeating myself, it's just not going in.

am i wrong in thinking that because i'm an EU citizen, i can show my passport and get a tax/sofi number so i'm eligible to work, or do i need a residence first?

thanks guys o_O

From my limited understanding you'll still need a registered place of residence, that and your EU passport should get you a tax/sofi number so you can get your work on

sikz wrote:

nitram420 wrote:sorry if i'm repeating myself, it's just not going in.

am i wrong in thinking that because i'm an EU citizen, i can show my passport and get a tax/sofi number so i'm eligible to work, or do i need a residence first?

thanks guys o_O

From my limited understanding you'll still need a registered place of residence, that and your EU passport should get you a tax/sofi number so you can get your work on

This was my personal experience as well. EU passport=you can move here (and look for work). However, to live here normally (bank account, health insurance) you need a BSN/Sofi, which is very hard to get with out a an apartment that allows you to legally register at City Hall. I have heard stories that folks who got a account bank account without a SOFI, but I tried and it did not work for me.