3. Moving to the Netherlands . The Kvk, starting a bank account, Biometrics and over view of process

[@dutchman7623]

At the KvK they are very investigative, many come there to register a company that is going to be used for dishonest purposes. That is why they want to make sure you are who you say you are, and that you were not send there by someone else. But once they get satisfying answers, and everything matches up, they are very cooperative.

[@sfosav]

I am just starting the DAFT process, coming from NYC- your videos are really boosting my confidence, and your kind, warm hearted informative attitude is an absolute pleasure to watch. Thank you!

[@Paul_C]

It is paramount to understand one thing of the Dutch mindset: As long as you ask questions most understand the difficulties to both the language barrier and the way the government functions. It was my gripe coming over to the USA, and that started with entering the country. Getting used to 'it is my job but I'm not here to help you' was hard coming from the Netherlands. That said, some things are easier in the USA. Then again, returning was the best thing I ever did.

[@mehmetcakmak8699]

Appreciate the encouraging tone, honesty and clarity! You are literally, my favorite youtuber!

[@ebbieintech3085]

Thank you so much for doing these 3-part videos!!! I love other "Moving to the Netherlands" videos but I always felt like things were missing when I would go back and do my research. You touched on just about everything and it has been invaluable!! This helps me put into perspective what I need to do to prepare before moving and then afterwards!

[@toomfath]

I enjoy your content about the ins and outs of the Netherlands. Very informative. All though we're a small country, we have it rather good here. Of course there are flaws, but I'm sure there are far worse countries. Welcome to the Netherlands. Enjoy your time and keep up the good work 👍🏼

[@guyband]

My wife and I are moving end of next month! We are super excited! we are from Arizona

[@sfosav]

Thanks!

[@SoultoSoulTravels]

Sav...THANK YOU so much!!! We never ask any super thanks when we tape BUT you are the first person to do it for us....so thank you soooo much for your generosity!!! Thank you Eric and Tammy

[@mariadebake5483]

Very informative to newcomers I think. Are you having Dutch lessons yet? I hope they're going well! And if you haven't visited your GP yet, don't expect him to give you antibiotics every time you visit him! Dutch doctors very seldom give antibiotics

[@alexgray1905]

Just curiosity, what is the nature of your new business in the Netherlands?

[@alexanderlindner5808]

Thank you for these videos, that was some fantastic information. I forwarded them to American friends of mine who think about immigrating to Europe. They visited us here in Spain, and we went and saw an immigration attorney, but the Spanish route into Europe is very difficult. Learning about DAFT was a true eye-opener to me. it's actually funny because I am half-Dutch and half-German (spent all my childhood summers in the Netherlands when I was a kid) but I didn't know about the DAFT. This really looks like a feasible route for my American friends. Chris has actually a bg KZbin channel with good Patreon support. I hope he could declare this a business in Holland, that would be awesome.

[@flower_power]

Health insurance is a must if you live or work in the Netherlands. But there are exceptions due to agreements between the Netherlands and other countries. But you are not allowed to have a Dutch health insurance if you are not registreerd. Therefore the health insurance company cannot help you untill you have a bsn and an IDN card

[@TP-meyer]

It's me again! I believe that in one of your videos you mentioned using a "virtual mail" service back in the US. Have you had a good enough experience with that company to recommend them? We've had a family member helping us with mail, but that person is now moving to Europe as well! Earthclassmail was mentioned in some digital nomad literature (pre-Covid) but I have recently read some very bad experiences with that provider on several expat blogs so am reluctant to take the chance.

[@SoultoSoulTravels]

Hi again! We use Traveling Mailbox out of North Carolina. We have had positive experiences with them.

[@marcusfranconium3392]

Dutch tax system can be your friend in many ways , as there is much you can declare as expense for your bussines and even studies. For example you , need a computer course for say book keeping . or language skill to enhance your bussiness or improve your self for the jobmarket . etc you can declare it and get the percentage of what you pay in income taxes back . Another thing with dutch taxes is that you might pay 50% taxes but its not over the total amount . as their is a first tax level that is free of taxation , then there is a 2nd level between the first amount and 3rd amount of taxation and is 32% , and then there is the amount your are clasified in . so you pay taxes per taxation class of 50 % so the total amount of taxes you pay is less than the 50% and you can aply for a tax discount if working as an employee , but this only counts for one employer. so you might be in a tax scale of 50+ % but you might only pay 33% The dutch tax revenue has a slogan we cant make it enjoable but we can make it easier.

[@hansworst45]

or one of your worst enemies re: toeslagen-affaire

[@marcusfranconium3392]

@@hansworst45 Not realy that was something every one wanted during the 2009 financial crises . with bulgarian and romanians declaring assistence while they didnot have children in this country . Remember there where a lot of angry people that wanted harsch measers against fraud . This had nothing to do with the tax revenue service as they where doing exactly what the dutch population wanted tough hard measures against fraud .

[@gert-janvanderlee5307]

@@marcusfranconium3392 I guess you missed the news the last few years? The victims of the toeslagenaffaire weren't the same as the eastern Europeans who abused the housing benefit and/or health care benefit. No, the victims of the toeslagenaffaire were Dutch citizens who were targeted by racial profiling and who were dealt punished extremely harshly for even the slightest mistake without any serious indication of anything criminal. Different people, different nationalities, different benefit.

[@marcusfranconium3392]

@@gert-janvanderlee5307 Who cares , remember Silvana Simons Housing subsidie fraud , tara singfarma medical and tax fraud all fraud commiting politicians , and gues where they came from . If a large % with any background commits fraud or crimes , who do you think they check more the ones the demographic that commits the lowest fraud , or the ones that commit the most. If 7 out of the 10 yelow car owners are regular drunk drivers . and 1 out of 10 red cars is infrequent drunk driver what car do you think will be pulled over more for an alcohol test. Statistics dont lie . and you know the saying a few bad aples ruin it for every one.

[@gert-janvanderlee5307]

@@marcusfranconium3392 This is complete bullshit of course. Those who are innocent shouldn't be punished for doing nothing wrong.

[@robertboender5816]

And what's the business you started? Could you tell us a bit more?

[@SoultoSoulTravels]

Still in the set up mode…going public soon. Service industry.

[@lindaraterink6451]

You tube ^^

[@robertboender5816]

@@SoultoSoulTravels OK let me know when the event is taking place 😁

[@toomfath]

We're curious 😉👍🏼

[@timdettmann4067]

Great information! Are there rules on how much your business must profit in order for a DAFT visa to stay current?

[@SoultoSoulTravels]

Sorry…good question, I’m really not aware at this point,

[@timdettmann4067]

@@SoultoSoulTravels thank you for answering all my questions, you are great. Is your plan to become a permanent resident of NL, or is that an unknown. Can you have duel citizenship with NL and U.S.?

[@onnob404]

Profit is not required! What you need is enough funds to survive for five years. After that you can apply for permanent residency or citizenship.

[@timdettmann4067]

@@onnob404 that is wonderful news! I have enough funds to survive for 5 years.

[@TP-meyer]

This series was very helpful - thanks! One question - would you be winning to share the name of the accounting firm you are using for your bookkeeping and tax returns?

[@SoultoSoulTravels]

Hello! We use DK Accountants (Amsterdam office) Our contact there is Robert-Jan Brouwer. His email is [e-mail] .. here is a link to the corporate website www.dkaccountants.nl/

[@TP-meyer]

@@SoultoSoulTravels I really appreciate it! One other question - did the Dutch government keep the apostilled copy of your birth certificates or just examine them? I wondered if I should order more than one if we might need them for anything else.

[@SoultoSoulTravels]

@@TP-meyer they just examined it😊

[@onnob404]

The DAFT (Dutch American Friendship Treaty) does not require that you make a profit, and your residence can be your place of business. Your business can actually run losses, it will not affect your DAFT residence status. Furthermore, you don’t have any rights like Dutch citizens regarding social benefits, i.e., unemployment, subsidized housing, etc. After surviving under the DAFT for five years (just bring sufficient funds), you can apply for either permanent residency or citizenship (the latter has a language proficiency requirement @B1-level, aka “inburgering”), giving you full rights.

[@spiritualanarchist8162]

I get the Dollar/Euro confusion, and it probably doesn't matter with smaller amounts. But once you go into the thousands, the Euro-Dollar rate will make a big difference. One really needs to learn to think in Euros, otherwise one ends up spending hundreds of dollars more then intended.

[@nanokmusic]

Did you setup a BV or ZZP?

[@angeloavanti2538]

instead of dollars, we say bucks. goes for euros or dollars but in europe it would mean euros. wondering if i'm covered under medicare and a supplement and most likely a rider for long term travel, if that flies. patience is the key for sure. be and nl are really on their own time. i went to securex in be and they gave me a print out of all the taxes, medical and actual retirement account. amazing!

[@marcelsmeets4162]

I'm still puzzled which bank you used..🤔

[@SoultoSoulTravels]

BUNK Bank… on line only.

[@hans8740]

Is the Dutch American Friendship Treaty also meant for Dutch people who want to go the United States?

[@SoultoSoulTravels]

I’m not 100% about that…that would be worth researching…sorry.

[@onnob404]

Trust me, even if it did, you do not want to go there! Life’s not getting any better here.

[@hansutrecht6555]

As you started a business, didn’t anyone tell you about the VAT number you might need? In The Netherlands this is called BTW, not VAT. Just for your information. You might wanna look into this or ask the guy fromt the COC (KVK) office.

[@gert-janvanderlee5307]

I wouldn't recommend asking for the COC either if you're looking to start s business. That's a very different kind of organization around here.

[@hansutrecht6555]

@@gert-janvanderlee5307 Chamber of Commerce, smart ass 😂 hence my explanation (KVK). 👍

[@dvanurk]

The CoC sends the kvk application to the tax authorities, a VAT number will be assigned by the tax authorities.

[@barrygerritsen7053]

I can just imagine coming to the KvK to register and them asking "Are you daft?"

[@dutchman7623]

Nee, daftig... zoals het heurt.

[@Be-Es---___]

I don't think standard medical insurance covers dental work.

[@vriendzessennegentig7257]

Biometrics in just 10 minutes at your leisure if you are already in the country! Wow, try that when you go to the states! The waiting time for customs where they take your photo and fingerprints is longer than the flight to it.... and then you also have to try to catch your transfer on the next flight. even if you are a simple tourist :( How easy it is for our newcomers :)

[@AlbertZonneveld]

Most dealings with the government in the Netherlands are now per appointment. Which effectivly means there is a timeslot reserved for helping you. It avoides queues. However in many cases it means you have to wait a few days before you can go. So plan wisely.

[@ronaldderooij1774]

You already experienced the Dutch directness. And you experienced the Dutch efficiency. I hope you will also experience that if you fall ill, you will be taken care of as far as medical costs. I think you had a hunch of the Dutch mindset of not being afraid to make inquieries. People like to help professionally also in government. Unfortunately it all went tits up with the infamous "toeslagenaffaire". But that is politics....

[@ladystefanigebo5697]

We are planning on moving to the Netherlands in 30 months (we even have a count down calendar) Our daughter will be going to school and we will be helping her. I already have a established 17 year business that is all remote. Could I use this business for my KVK ? I was hoping so that I would like a "dutch branch" of the business. Do you know ? or does it have to be a brand new business ?

[@robbiebeijer9334]

Yes, that's a possibility. You can open a branch of an existing USA company in the Netherlands under the DAFT treaty.

[@SoultoSoulTravels]

That’s interesting…I would do a zoom consultation with an attorney (100 to 200 euro) to see what your rights are, what you can and can’t do. It would be well worth the peace mind that you’re on the right track!

[@racingweirdo]

Wait you start with a "eenmanszaak ?? Not a B.V?

[@edwinbiere9305]

Thats too bad your new glasses never reached you. Hope they weren't expensive. I wonder , did the guy at the KvK didn't ask for your 'Business Plan' ? What legal entity did you choose for your business and why? Did you look at your bookkeeping ? You're going to do that yourself or will you hire a professional / or will your accountant take care of that?

[@SoultoSoulTravels]

He did did not ask for it but we had it just in case he did. I am going into the service/travel industry. Almost ready to go public. Bookkeeping will be done by an account the first year and we’ll evaluate it from that point. Thanks for watching.

[@lowlandtech]

its euro not euros, you don't pluralize it. So, its 51 euro ...

[@SoultoSoulTravels]

Ahhh learned something new today…THANKS!

[@MB-co6qj]

@@SoultoSoulTravels to add: euroS only exists when counting the actual 1 euro coins :)

[@lowlandtech]

@@MB-co6qj really? I'd still say five euro coins, or do mean something else?

[@trentfowler2888]

Thank you for this. Love to learn tips.

[@MB-co6qj]

@@lowlandtech kan beide, zo'n beetje iedereen waar ik me bewust van ben zegt zowel 'I have two 1 euro coins for the shopping cart' as 'I have two euros for...'

[@kanaal-73]

don'tu derstand where they want your biometrics. I am dutch but i've never gave mine anywhere so.... is it because you 're from another country?

[@dutchman7623]

For a passport or an EU id-card you have to give your fingerprints. It is stored on it electronically together with your photo.

[@lindaraterink6451]

You will be very suprised when you have to use your health ensurance. I hope you do not have to use it soon, but it will be totaly different. Cause in litterly most cases you can leave your wallet at home. I don't know if health ensurances has a different procedure for xpats though, but most Dutch pay monthly. Even the own risk you can make arangements to pay it monthly if you know in advance you will use it all.

[@toomfath]

Indeed, our health insurance is pretty efficient. You're always taking care of. Unless of course you want something done outside of your insurance. But even then there are usually some arrangements.

[@katrinapalmquist9142]

Thanks for answering my question! Appreciate it!

[@JustinPittman]

😂 Coming from Canada, I'm sure I'm gonna have the same problem with saying euro vs dollar. Cheers.

[@2012inca]

If you like the idea you could make a video about the differences in work in the US compared to Europe and The Netherlands. For example people in Europe get 20 to 36 Paid vacation days from the first day of work that is the law. No need to earn paid vacation days. In the Netherlands they get around 20 to 25 paid vacation days the first day they start their job. Also woman who just got a baby in the Netherlands get 3 months paid leave, some men get paid as well when the baby is born I know this is completely different in the US, so maybe idea for a video. People here are fascinated by LA and the house prices and extremely expensive mansions. So maybe idea for video between house prices in LA and the Netherlands / Rotterdam and LA. I saw a man buying a house in LA for million dollars which was really small. In my hometown 1 million dollars would get one of the bigger more expensive houses in town. I also know about how expensive groceries and other things you buy in LA are, why is that ? Maybe idea for a video. I saw homeless people with multiple jobs in LA who were still homeless as they could not afford rent for an appartment thats crazy to us. I never met anyone with two jobs (not saying they dont exist here) as one job here means you can rent a house, drive a car and buy groceries and go on vacation. People here prefer from monday to friday 9:00-17:00, weekends of overtime extra work most dont care for. They work to live, not live to work for more money. I have been to LA, was beautiful but would not want to live there knowing what I know now, before I did want to live in LA. People love to know about LA what to do, what not to do, cool places to go, restaurants to eat, how people in LA are in general. I know you make video's of your move to the Netherlands / Rotterdam but switching it up with video's about LA would be cool for Dutchies wanting to go to LA on vacation. Last thing I saw was a house being sold for 140 million dollars in LA. I know that is extreme but many are sold from 1 to 50 million dollars every day in La. Where as here the most expensive house in the entire country is 25 million euro's. (Not counting the Kings palaces) Would love to see video's about LA if you run out of ideas for videos or just to switch it up with the Dutch videos or maybe start a second channel about LA and America. What to do, what not to do, cool places to go and restaurants to eat. Just an idea thought maybe you d like it. I travelled 5000 miles through the US with my friends, wish I could do it again, I met Dutch travellers along the way, so lots of Dutch people would be interested to know more about LA and the US for sure, hey just some ideas that came to mind watching your video's.

[@almanoor-bakker5964]

Oh yes, the KvK (chamber of commerce) WILL ask questions, they want to be sure you are legit, and not filing some scam. Good luck to you

[@TheSeNaBi]

Yessss puppy's

[@tonstuart4400]

Forget: Dollars,inch,feet,Farenheid,miles and all the imperial shit..! And you bee just fine..! Have a good time and a good business. Good Luck..!!

[@darklady6987]

the goverment works for us,we don't work for the goverment....

[@dutchman7623]

I do, and it pays well! 🤗

[@jaronimo1976]

first! 😁

[@SoultoSoulTravels]

lol lol lol

[@Be-Es---___]

I'll pay you the amount in dollars then... If you ask 5 euro I'll pay 5 dollar. ($1 = €0,88) 🤪

[@SoultoSoulTravels]

lol lol

[@dutchman7623]

Yep! The Ponzi Bank on Sesame Street!

[@maciejkarpinski708]

It’s hopeless for you man. You talk about euro and you still saying dollars when paying for KVK registration. Old age or high cholesterol. Either or. Be sharp it’s not Kansas anymore

[@SoultoSoulTravels]

lol lol lol