Made by expats, for expats
NLCompass started from a simple frustration: moving to the Netherlands was exciting, but figuring out how everything actually worked was exhausting.
Our story
When we moved to the Netherlands, we quickly realised that getting settled required piecing together information from dozens of different places. Government websites were in Dutch. Forum threads were outdated. Useful guides were locked behind paid services or buried under pages of ads. And the questions that felt urgent, like how to get a BSN, what health insurance to pick, or how the Dutch rental market actually works, rarely had clear answers in one place.
We spent more time than we should have searching, second-guessing, and starting over. And when we talked to other expats, we heard the same story again and again. The information existed. It was just scattered, inconsistent, or gated behind services that charged for things that should be freely available to anyone trying to build a life here.
That experience is what led to NLCompass. We wanted to build the resource we wished had existed when we arrived. One place where expats could find clear, honest, up-to-date information without having to pay for it or hunt it down.
What we believe
Information should be free
Knowing how to register with your municipality, what your rights are as a tenant, or how to open a Dutch bank account should not require a paid subscription. We keep everything on NLCompass free and always will.
Practical beats perfect
Expats need answers that work in the real world, not just technically correct ones. We write from experience and we update our guides regularly to reflect how things actually work in practice.
No gatekeeping
Too much expat advice is locked behind Facebook groups, paid relocation services, or consultants charging hundreds of euros. We think the basics should be accessible to everyone, regardless of budget.
We keep it honest
Some pages on NLCompass include affiliate links. When we recommend a service, it is because we genuinely think it is useful, not because of the commission. We are transparent about this and always include non-affiliate options too.
What NLCompass covers
We cover the full journey of moving to and living in the Netherlands. Whether you just received your job offer or have been here for years and are still untangling the system, there is something here for you.
- →Visas and permits including the HSM visa, DAFT visa, work permits, and the 30% ruling
- →Housing including renting, buying, the housing crisis, and city comparisons
- →Healthcare including Dutch health insurance, GP registration, and dental care
- →Banking, taxes, and finances including Dutch bank accounts, DigiD, and income tax
- →Utilities and telecoms including mobile providers, energy, and internet
- →Daily life including Dutch culture, language basics, and getting around
Who we are
NLCompass is run by a small team of expats who live in the Netherlands. We are not a faceless corporation or a lead generation machine dressed up as a helpful website. We are people who have been through the same process you are going through, and we built this because we wanted something better to exist.
We keep the site running through affiliate partnerships and advertising. This allows us to keep all the content free. If you ever have questions, feedback, or spot something that is out of date, we genuinely want to hear from you.