Things will go wrong. Here's how to handle the most common crises.
Back to Home | First 30 Days
Situation: Arrived but can't find housing where you can register
Immediate Actions:
- Contact expat-focused rental agencies: HousingAnywhere, Pararius Expat, Expatrentals.com
- Look for extended-stay options that explicitly allow registration (ask BEFORE booking)
- Consider smaller cities nearby with easier housing markets
- Check Facebook groups: "Expats in Amsterdam", "Americans in Netherlands"
Short-term Solutions:
- Some anti-kraak (anti-squat) arrangements allow registration
- Temporary furnished apartments for expats (more expensive but usually allow registration)
- Reach out to expat community for leads
Timeline Impact: This can delay everything by 2-4 weeks. Adjust your other deadlines accordingly.
Landlord Scam
Situation: Paid deposit but apartment doesn't exist or landlord disappeared
Immediate Actions:
- File police report (aangifte) at nearest police station
- Contact your bank to attempt chargeback if paid by card
- Report to Fraudehelpdesk: 0900-111 3 111
- Document everything: emails, payment receipts, listings
Prevention:
- Never pay before seeing the property in person (or live video call)
- Never wire money internationally for Dutch apartments
- Verify landlord identity through Kadaster (land registry)
- Use secure payment methods through reputable platforms
Situation: Bank won't open account for you (common for Americans due to FATCA)
Immediate Actions:
- Try Bunq first - most US-friendly, fully online, fast approval
- Try ABN AMRO - traditionally works with Americans
- If still rejected, try N26 (German neobank, available in NL)
Temporary Solutions:
- Use Wise (TransferWise) for a Dutch IBAN temporarily
- Use Revolut for daily transactions
- These aren't full Dutch banks but provide IBANs
For Business Account:
- Bunq Business is most accessible for Americans
- Some banks require meeting in person with all documents
- Consider a Dutch accountant to help navigate bank requirements
Situation: US bank locked you out due to foreign access
Immediate Actions:
- Call bank international line (have your account info ready)
- Use VPN set to US location for online access
- Add international phone number to account
- Request temporary international access
Prevention:
- Notify bank of travel/move BEFORE leaving
- Keep a US phone number active (Google Voice works)
- Have VPN ready and tested
Situation: Can't get IND appointment or appointment was cancelled
Immediate Actions:
- Check IND website multiple times daily - appointments get released
- Check different IND desk locations (Amsterdam, Rotterdam, The Hague, Eindhoven)
- Call IND Information Line: 088-043-0430
- Consider traveling to a less busy IND desk location
If 90-Day Tourist Stay is Expiring:
- As long as you have documentation of attempting to apply, you're generally protected
- Keep evidence of appointment attempts
- Consider consulting immigration lawyer for documentation
Situation: Passport lost or stolen
Immediate Actions:
- File police report (aangifte) - REQUIRED
- Contact US Embassy/Consulate Amsterdam: +31 20 575 5309
- Emergency passport appointment available for urgent cases
- Bring: police report, ID photos, proof of citizenship, travel plans
Embassy Locations:
- Amsterdam: Museumplein 19, 1071 DJ Amsterdam
- Walk-in emergency services for US citizens
Timeline:
- Emergency passport: Same day (for life/death emergencies)
- Regular replacement: 2-3 weeks
Situation: Need medical care but don't have Dutch insurance yet
Immediate Actions:
- Life-threatening emergency: Call 112 immediately. You WILL be treated regardless of insurance.
- Urgent but not life-threatening: Go to Huisartsenpost (after-hours GP)
- Less urgent: Find a huisarts (GP) accepting new patients
Payment:
- Emergency care will be provided; payment sorted later
- If you have US travel insurance, it may cover this
- Keep all receipts for potential reimbursement
- Once Dutch insurance active, it can backdate to BSN registration date
Situation: Need medication refill but don't have Dutch prescription
Immediate Actions:
- Go to any huisarts (GP) with your US prescription documentation
- Bring: medication name (generic!), dosage, US doctor's letter
- Most GPs can write emergency prescriptions for ongoing medications
- Apotheek (pharmacy) can sometimes provide small emergency supply
Controlled Substances:
- More complicated - may require specialist referral
- ADHD medications, opioids, benzodiazepines have stricter rules
- Bring Schengen certificate if you have one
Situation: Expenses higher than expected, funds running low
Immediate Actions:
- Calculate absolute minimum needed for rent, food, transport
- Contact family/friends for emergency loan
- Look for quick freelance work (Fiverr, Upwork - you can work remotely)
- Reduce accommodation costs (share housing, move to cheaper area)
What NOT to Do:
- Don't dip below €4,500 in your business account (visa requirement)
- Don't skip health insurance payment (legal requirement)
- Don't skip rent (eviction = registration problems)
Situation: Credit/debit card not working in Netherlands
Immediate Actions:
- Use backup card (always have 2+)
- Wise/Revolut can create virtual cards instantly
- Western Union for emergency cash transfer
- Call card issuer to unblock or report lost
Cash in Emergency:
- Geldmaat ATMs most widely available
- US cards may have daily withdrawal limits
- Some Dutch businesses are cash-only
| Service | Number |
|---|
| Emergency (police/fire/ambulance) | 112 |
| Police (non-emergency) | 0900-8844 |
| IND Information Line | 088-043-0430 |
| Poison Control | 030-274-8888 |
| Fraud Helpdesk | 0900-111-3111 |
- Address: Museumplein 19, 1071 DJ Amsterdam
- Phone: +31 20 575 5309
- After Hours Emergency: +31 70 310 2209
- Don't panic: Most problems have solutions
- Document everything: Keep records of all attempts, communications, receipts
- Ask expat community: Facebook groups, Reddit r/Netherlands
- Juridisch Loket: Free legal advice (juridischloket.nl)
- Consider a fixer: Some expat services help navigate bureaucracy
Prepare for problems before they happen. Keep backup options ready for housing, banking, and money access.