Yes! In fact, The Netherlands has one of the highest populations of English speakers in the world. Over 90% of the population speak English at a level comparable to a native speaker. If you're wondering if you need to speak Dutch when visiting Amsterdam, the answer is no.
Although the official language is Dutch, almost 95% of the population speaks English. Therefore, not knowing Dutch isn't an issue! Learning Dutch is difficult because the Dutch people are eager to speak English. There isn't a language barrier, and this makes life more comfortable for those coming from another country.
You can stay here for as long as your tourist visa lasts without having to learn Dutch. And if you speak English, you will find that many Netherlanders speak English as a second language. But if you want to live in the Netherlands, you must learn Dutch.
Inclusive and welcoming culture
In general, the Dutch are welcoming to foreigners and make an effort to engage newcomers into the community. They are known for their egalitarianism and are a fairly liberal society. Expats moving to the Netherlands will have plenty of opportunity to meet people in the Netherlands.
It's not impossible to live here without knowing Dutch, in fact it's quite doable. You can do your groceries, go shopping and make international friends. You can also speak and do business with your colleagues since many international companies use English as the main language to communicate.
If you're moving to the Netherlands temporarily for your studies or work, you won't necessarily have to learn Dutch. However, learning the language can help you a lot during your time in the Netherlands. ABN AMRO explains how learning Dutch can be beneficial to expats.
Language spoken in Amsterdam: English
Although it is not an official language, in Amsterdam - and in the Netherlands more generally - there are many Dutch people who speak English (90% of the population) at a level practically equal to that of a native speaker.
If you want to stay in the Netherlands for longer than 90 days, you may need a residence permit. In many cases you will also have to apply for a long-stay visa before you travel to the Netherlands.
They are disciplined, conservative, and pay attention to the smallest details. They see themselves as thrifty, hardworking, practical and well organized. They place high value on cleanliness and neatness. At the same time, the Dutch are very private people.
While there may at times be some amount of antipathy towards outsiders, most Dutch people are actually extremely humble, welcoming, and friendly towards outsiders. It's just that their way of being friendly is a little different from what most people are used to.
South Africa
Possibly the cheapest English-speaking country to live in is South Africa. Not only can you get by without having to go to language school, but most South African cities also have a high standard of living, similar to Western cities, which will make the transition much easier.
When meeting someone in a casual setting, it is common for people to say “Hoi” ('Hi') or “Hoe gaat het?” ('How are you? ') Meanwhile in formal settings, the most common greeting is “Hoe gaat het met u?” ('How are you? ').
EXPATS AND INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS
The influx of highly educated immigrants has led to more English being spoken around Amsterdam and other major cities. In certain parts of west Amsterdam it's more common to hear English on the streets than it is to hear Dutch!
The cost of living in the Netherlands is believed to be around 800-1000 Euros per month, including food, rent, transportation, books, and other expenses.
At first, Dutch might seem like a very difficult language, but it's surprisingly easy for English- and German-speakers. Dutch has even been described as a combination of the English and German languages! This makes it one of the easiest languages to learn for speakers of either language.
Dutch women have significantly longer and broader faces compared with UK women; their palpebral fissure and nasal widths are significantly greater, their nasal ridge length and upper face proportion are significantly reduced; and their nares are significantly more anteverted.
Dutch dinner
The Dutch eat relatively early starting from 5 to 7 p.m., families mostly eat together around the dinner table. A typical Dutch dinner meal consists of potatoes, meat and vegetables, served with gravy. Dinner is often followed by a dessert in the form of yogurt or coffee.
The average cost of living in Australia ($2104) is 18% more expensive than in the Netherlands ($1780). Australia ranked 11th vs 19th for the Netherlands in the list of the most expensive countries in the world.
The short answer is yes. The Netherlands does not place any restrictions on the purchase of property by foreigners, whether resident or non-resident.
Please always consult their website (available in English) for the latest information. Holders of Australian State or Territory Driving Licences should be aware that Dutch legislation means they may only use their licence for a maximum of 185 days from arrival in the Netherlands.
Of course! There are a lot of jobs in Amsterdam where you can work without speaking Dutch. Most of the jobs require you to speak English though. You can check out all the vacancies in Amsterdam or even make a vacancy alert to get all the new jobs directly in your inbox.
The Dutch people prefer you use “The Netherlands” as Holland is a Western region of the country and consists of two provinces: North Holland and South Holland [it used to be a single Province].
Amsterdam is a popular destination for tourists, but it's also important to know crime risks when visiting. Some things to remember include staying safe at night, being aware of your surroundings, and avoiding areas with a high concentration of drug dealers.