Moving to the Netherlands from South Africa: Go-to Guide!
Discover how to move to the Netherlands from South Africa, including the different visa types, cost of living, how to find jobs, open a bank account, and more.
Everything you need to know before your move from South Africa to the Netherlands!
Hallo! Are you gearing up for a move to the Netherlands? If so, get ready for a genuine Dutch adventure. It's more than just the stereotypical clogs and windmills (although they're still very much a part of the scene). Picture a country in Europe that stands out, with tall, health-conscious, straight-shooting folks who have a peculiar love for the colour orange. Join us as we delve into the key aspects of Dutch culture, covering everything from dikes and bikes to hagelslag.
We also help you with big money matters like sending money back home⁴. With Wise, you can send money back to South Africa from the Netherlands at the mid-market rate¹!
How expensive is the Netherlands in comparison to South Africa?
While many South Africans are eagerly packing their bags and heading to greener grass, it may be a little surprising to hear that the Netherlands is one of the top 10 places Saffas head to! This could be because the requirements to immigrate to the Netherlands from South Africa are relatively easy to meet, and people who move over for work reasons are typically well looked after in their new jobs. But, like moving on to anything better, it comes with an added cost. Consumer prices in the Netherlands are 94.4% higher than in South Africa, and renting is 114.7% more costly5. Understanding the cost of living in the Netherlands is very important if you’re planning a move to ensure you’re not sad in this very happy country.
The currency in the Netherlands
The Euro € (EUR) is the official currency of the country, the same as that of other members of the European Union. This makes travelling between member states a breeze as you don’t have to struggle with exchange rates. The Euro is one of the most powerful currencies in the world. Find out the latest Euro to Rand conversion rate using our online currency converter.
But sending money back home and converting euros to rands can be a stressful process with everchanging exchange rates. Some banks and services promise the best rates, but hidden costs lurk in the fine print. How do you stay protected?
Send money from the Netherlands to South Africa using the mid-market exchange rate
As a bank alternative, Wise can help South African expats living in the Netherlands save money¹ when making international payments to South Africa.
The mid-market exchange rate is the rate that banks use to transfer money between them. Find out what you would pay for an international money transfer with Wise:
While some Dutch banks support international payments, they usually add a markup on top of the mid-market exchange rate for this transaction that customers end up paying.
Wise uses the mid-market rate for international payments and only applies a small transparent fee to make an international payment¹.
This means that with Wise, South African expats could save money¹ when making overseas transactions from the Netherlands.
Cost of living in the Netherlands vs. South Africa
The Netherlands is a small country, but the cost of living depends directly on the city you choose to live in. It is pretty affordable when compared to its Western European counterparts, but living in Amsterdam, for example, can be heavier on your pocket than any other city there. Amsterdam, Netherlands’ capital city ranks 28th on Mercer’s list of most expensive places to live in6. The cost of living in the Netherlands will depend largely on your lifestyle and on whether you’re moving as a single person or with your family.
In the following sections, we break down major costs like rent, transport, leisure, and healthcare to prepare you for a move to the orange country.
Rental costs in the Netherlands
Like most other countries, the rental crisis is also prevalent in the Netherlands. Private sector rents went up 4.5% as compared to the 3.8% rise in 20227.
You need to be aware that properties in the Netherlands mostly come unfurnished and only include basic things like carpets, curtains, light fittings and fridges. So, before you get around to furnishing, you could almost be living in a cave that everyone can see into. Kringloopwinkels, or recycle shops, come to your rescue here. They sell used furniture and old appliances at super low prices to help you set up your brand-new home.
The following table breaks down rents in major cities in the Netherlands.
Average rental costs in Amsterdam8
| Rental for | Average monthly rent in Amsterdam |
|---|---|
| 1-bedroom apartment (in the city centre) | €1,743.39 (R35,787.72) |
| 1-bedroom apartment (outside the city centre) | €1,390.78 (R28,549.49) |
| 3-bedroom apartment (in the city centre) | €2,795.73 (R57,389.79) |
| 3-bedroom apartment (outside the city centre) | €2,083.85 (R42,776.50) |
Average rental costs in Rotterdam9
| Rental for | Average monthly rent in Rotterdam |
|---|---|
| 1-bedroom apartment (in the city centre) | €1,365.03 (R28,020.91) |
| 1-bedroom apartment (outside the city centre) | €1,057.00 (R21,697.74) |
| 3-bedroom apartment (in the city centre) | €1,869.67 (R38,379.89) |
| 3-bedroom apartment (outside the city centre) | €1,573.96 (R32,309.69) |
Average rental costs in Groningen10
| Rental for | Average monthly rent in Groningen |
|---|---|
| 1-bedroom apartment (in the city centre) | €942.05 (R19,337.99) |
| 1-bedroom apartment (outside the city centre) | €711.87 (R14,613.07) |
| 3-bedroom apartment (in the city centre) | €1,261.84 (R25,902.67) |
| 3-bedroom apartment (outside the city centre) | €1,054.88 (R21,654.24) |
Cost of groceries in the Netherlands
Everyday items are not overtly expensive in the Netherlands. Supermarkets such as Albert Heijn and Dirk are affordable options for your regular grocery haul. If you want to save even more on groceries, you have stores such as Aldi and Lidl to make sure your bills are lower than usual.
Average cost of groceries in Amsterdam8
| Basic groceries | Average cost in Amsterdam |
|---|---|
| Bread | €1.62 (R33.31) |
| Milk | €1.20 (R24.59) |
| Eggs | €4.12 (R84.47) |
| Cheese | €11.37 (R233.44) |
| Chicken fillets (1kg) | €11.21 (R230.13) |
| Bottle of wine (mid-range) | €5.99 (R122.96) |
Average cost of groceries in Rotterdam9
| Basic groceries | Average cost in Rotterdam |
|---|---|
| Bread | €1.65 (R33.91) |
| Milk | €1.07 (R21.93) |
| Eggs | €3.85 (R79.12) |
| Cheese | €10.53 (R216.25) |
| Chicken fillets (1kg) | €10.99 (R225.68) |
| Bottle of wine (mid-range) | €5.99 (R122.96) |
Average cost of groceries in Groningen10
| Basic groceries | Average cost in Groningen |
|---|---|
| Bread | €1.15 (R23.61) |
| Milk | €1.10 (R22.57) |
| Eggs | €3.76 (R77.18) |
| Cheese | €11.46 (R235.33) |
| Chicken fillets (1kg) | €11.86 (R243.54) |
| Bottle of wine (mid-range) | €5.99 (R122.96) |
Transport costs in the Netherlands
Tell us a more iconic duo than the Netherlands and the bicycle. We’ll wait. The bond between the Dutch and the bicycle is so strong that bicycles currently outnumber the number of people living there! However, they also have a very robust public transport system that helps you get around easily if cycling isn’t your cup of tea. See the table below to understand the costs of using public transport in the Netherlands.
| Ticket type | Cost |
|---|---|
| 1-way ticket in Amsterdam8 | €3.40 (R69.79) |
| Monthly transport pass in Amsterdam8 | €81.45 (R1,671.98) |
| 1-way ticket in Rotterdam9 | €4.00 (R82.11) |
| Monthly transport pass in Rotterdam9 | €67.00 (R1,375.35) |
| 1-way ticket in Groningen10 | €2.50 (R51.32) |
| Monthly transport pass in Groningen10 | €60.00 (R1,231.66) |
Eating out in the Netherlands
Dining out in the Netherlands is as affordable as you make it. The country is home to several cuisines from all around the globe, and the nightlife, especially in Amsterdam, is widely popular amongst the youth.
Dinner can cost between €10 to €25 per person in an affordable restaurant and around €50–100 per person in an average restaurant. Average tipping is around 10%, but if you’re feeling generous, you can shell out 15% or more. The table below gives you an idea of the cost difference between major cities in the country.
| Category | Amsterdam8 | Rotterdam9 | Groningen10 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Meal, Inexpensive Restaurant | €17.00 (R348.97) | €15.00 (R307.91) | €13.00 (R266.86) |
| Meal for 2 People, Mid-range Restaurant, Three-course | €80.00 (R1,642.21) | €60.00 (R1,231.66) | €77.50 (R1,590.89) |
| McMeal at McDonalds (or Equivalent Combo Meal) | €10.00 (R205.28) | €9.00 (R184.75) | €10.00 (R205.28) |
| Cappuccino (regular) | €3.69 (R75.70) | €2.84 (R58.28) | €3.07 (R63.05) |
Study costs in the Netherlands
Several programmes at Dutch universities are conducted in English, making it an attractive option for South Africans looking to pursue higher studies. This, combined with its affordable tuition fees makes it a perfect fit for South Africans. Technical, scientific, engineering, and research-oriented courses are well-known in the Netherlands. Graduate, postgraduate, and doctoral degree programs are the options available to South African students. According to the current QS Rankings 2023, five institutions in the Netherlands are among the world’s top-ranked universities.
Undergraduate students can choose to study either part-time or full-time in the Netherlands. The average full-time course duration is 3 years. Course durations for academic Master’s are usually a year. However, many popular Master’s courses in Engineering, Agriculture, etc, require 2-years of study.
International students pay a higher fee than local and EU students - for Bachelor’s studies the tuition fee is approximately between €6,000 (R123,299) to €15,000 (R308,247) per year. For a Masters, it is a bit higher, with the fee range being between €8,000 (R164,398) and €20,000 (R411,181)11.
What is the average salary in the Netherlands?
Did you know that the Netherlands is the ninth best-paying country in the world? Yes, that’s one of the reasons that make it one of the happiest places on the planet. The country boasts of an average monthly salary of almost €3,333 (R68,492) in 2023, which equals a yearly pay package of €40,000 (R821,994)12!
But like everything else, ‘the average’ depends on the industry you work in, years of experience, and level of specialisation, to name a few. But there’s no harm in exploring your options, right? Listed below are the average salaries for jobs available in the Netherlands.
Average salaries in Amsterdam13
| Designation | Average salary in Amsterdam (EUR) | Average salary in Amsterdam (ZAR) |
|---|---|---|
| Attorney | € 24,823.89 | 510,130.94 |
| Physician | € 38,055.29 | 782,036.21 |
| Project Manager | € 54,825.68 | 1,126,667.72 |
| UX Designer | € 43,605.38 | 896,090.56 |
| Accountant | € 35,953.19 | 738,838.05 |
| Data Analyst | € 36,548.33 | 751,068.18 |
| Content Marketer | € 33,753.72 | 693,638.95 |
| Nurse | € 22,667.19 | 465,810.75 |
| Teacher | € 41,906.41 | 861,176.73 |
Average salaries in Rotterdam14
| Designation | Average salary in Rotterdam (EUR) | Average salary in Rotterdam (ZAR) |
|---|---|---|
| Attorney | € 40,443.13 | 831,106.32 |
| Physician | € 33,977.58 | 698,239.27 |
| Project Manager | € 43,775.55 | 899,587.55 |
| UX Designer | € 53,864.72 | 1,106,920.00 |
| Accountant | € 39,649.61 | 814,799.49 |
| Data Analyst | € 28,316.47 | 581,903.46 |
| Content Marketer | € 32,807.32 | 674,190.43 |
| Nurse | € 22,032.01 | 452,757.81 |
| Teacher | € 27,839.63 | 572,104.40
|
Average salaries in Eindhoven15
| Designation | Average salary in Eindhoven (EUR) | Average Salary in Eindhoven (ZAR) |
|---|---|---|
| Attorney | € 31,238.48 | 641,950.76 |
| Physician | € 50,739.78 | 1,042,702.48 |
| Project Manager | € 35,275.24 | 724,906.18 |
| UX Designer | € 32,062.03 | 658,874.72 |
| Accountant | € 34,945.82 | 718,136.60 |
| Data Analyst | € 36,548.33 | 751,068.18 |
| Content Marketer | € 35,330.75 | 726,046.91 |
| Nurse | € 23,726.43 | 487,578.14 |
| Teacher | € 29,890.77 | 614,255.32 |
What about healthcare costs in the Netherlands?
The Netherlands has a very high-quality healthcare system that is funded by a mandatory insurance scheme. It is a legal requirement for EU and non-EU residents to take out Dutch health insurance. The cover includes Zorgverzekeringswet, which is basic insurance covering standard medical care procedures, as well as the Wet Langdurige Zorg which provides coverage for long-term nursing care.
These are priced starting from around €135 per month16. In most cases, you get free or subsidized primary care, which is inclusive of prescription costs. It is also possible to receive a healthcare benefit that covers most of this cost.
A move to the Netherlands promises a unique blend of tradition and modernity. While the allure of easier immigration and job opportunities attracts South Africans, managing money ‘wisely’ is very important.
As one of the world's best-paying countries, the Netherlands offers exciting employment prospects but navigating the cost of living can pose a bit of a challenge. Wise helps currency exchange from the Netherlands back home to South Africa³.
We hope this guide helped answer some (or most) of your queries about the cost of living in the Netherlands. May your Dutch adventure be both culturally enriching and free of financial management woes. Veel success!
Sources:
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- Cost of living Netherlands vs South Africa
- Global list of expensive cities
- Rents in Netherlands
- Cost of living Amsterdam
- Cost of living Rotterdam
- Cost of Living Groningen
- Studying in Netherlands
- Average salaries in Netherlands
- Salaries in Amsterdam
- Salaries in Rotterdam
- Salaries in Eindhoven
- Healthcare in Netherlands
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