Essential terms you'll encounter navigating Dutch bureaucracy and daily life.
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Government and Immigration
| Dutch | English | Notes |
|---|
| IND | Immigration and Naturalisation Service | Handles all residence permits |
| Gemeente | Municipality / City Hall | Local government office |
| BSN | Citizen Service Number | Dutch social security number |
| BRP | Basic Registration of Persons | Population register |
| DigiD | Digital Identity | Online government login |
| Verblijfsvergunning | Residence Permit | Your legal right to stay |
| MVV | Provisional Residence Permit | Entry visa (not needed for Americans) |
| Rijbewijs | Driver's License | |
| Paspoort | Passport | |
| Identiteitsbewijs | ID Document | |
Business and Finance
| Dutch | English | Notes |
|---|
| KvK | Chamber of Commerce | Kamer van Koophandel - business registration |
| Eenmanszaak | Sole Proprietorship | Simplest business structure |
| BV | Private Limited Company | Besloten Vennootschap |
| VOF | General Partnership | Vennootschap onder Firma |
| BTW | VAT (Value Added Tax) | Belasting Toegevoegde Waarde |
| Belastingdienst | Tax Authority | Dutch IRS equivalent |
| Boekhouder | Bookkeeper/Accountant | |
| Factuur | Invoice | |
| Rekening | Account / Bill | |
| Bankrekening | Bank Account | |
| IBAN | International Bank Account Number | Dutch format: NL## BANK #### #### ## |
| Dutch | English | Notes |
|---|
| Inkomstenbelasting (IB) | Income Tax | |
| Box 1 | Income from work and home | Progressive rates 37.07%-49.5% |
| Box 2 | Income from substantial interest | BV dividends |
| Box 3 | Income from savings/investments | Wealth tax on assets |
| Voorlopige aanslag | Provisional Tax Assessment | Estimated tax bill |
| Definitieve aanslag | Final Tax Assessment | Actual tax owed |
| Aangifte | Tax Return / Report | Also means police report |
| Teruggave | Refund | |
| Zorgtoeslag | Healthcare Allowance | Subsidy for health insurance |
| Huurtoeslag | Rent Allowance | Subsidy for rent |
| 30% Ruling | 30% Tax Ruling | Tax benefit for skilled migrants |
| Dutch | English | Notes |
|---|
| Zorgverzekering | Health Insurance | Mandatory basic insurance |
| Huisarts | General Practitioner (GP) | Your primary doctor - gatekeeper |
| Specialist | Specialist | Need huisarts referral |
| Apotheek | Pharmacy | |
| Ziekenhuis | Hospital | |
| Eigen risico | Deductible | €385 mandatory deductible (2024) |
| Huisartsenpost | After-hours GP | For urgent but not emergency care |
| GGZ | Mental Healthcare | Geestelijke Gezondheidszorg |
| Tandarts | Dentist | Not well covered by basic insurance |
| Recept | Prescription | |
| Dutch | English | Notes |
|---|
| Huur | Rent | |
| Huurder | Tenant | |
| Verhuurder | Landlord | |
| Borg | Deposit | Usually 1-2 months rent |
| Huurcontract | Rental Agreement | |
| Gemeubileerd | Furnished | |
| Ongemeubileerd | Unfurnished | May have no flooring or fixtures! |
| Kale huur | Base rent | Before utilities/service costs |
| Servicekosten | Service Costs | Building maintenance, common areas |
| Hoofdbewoner | Main Occupant | Primary registered resident |
| Kadaster | Land Registry | Property ownership records |
| Dutch | English | Notes |
|---|
| OV-chipkaart | Public Transit Card | Openbaar Vervoer |
| Trein | Train | NS = Nederlandse Spoorwegen |
| Bus/Tram/Metro | Same as English | |
| Fiets | Bicycle | Most common transport |
| Supermarkt | Supermarket | Albert Heijn, Jumbo, Lidl |
| Pinnen | Pay by debit card | Maestro debit - most common payment |
| Contant | Cash | Less common, but still used |
| Dutch | English |
|---|
| Spreekt u Engels? | Do you speak English? |
| Ik heb een afspraak | I have an appointment |
| Ik wil me inschrijven | I want to register |
| Kan ik pinnen? | Can I pay by card? |
| De rekening, alstublieft | The bill, please |
| Ik begrijp het niet | I don't understand |
| Kunt u dat herhalen? | Can you repeat that? |
| Acronym | Full Dutch | English |
|---|
| IND | Immigratie- en Naturalisatiedienst | Immigration Service |
| KvK | Kamer van Koophandel | Chamber of Commerce |
| BSN | Burgerservicenummer | Citizen Service Number |
| BRP | Basisregistratie Personen | Population Register |
| BTW | Belasting Toegevoegde Waarde | VAT |
| BV | Besloten Vennootschap | Private Limited Company |
| GGZ | Geestelijke Gezondheidszorg | Mental Healthcare |
| NS | Nederlandse Spoorwegen | Dutch Railways |
| OV | Openbaar Vervoer | Public Transport |
| SVB | Sociale Verzekeringsbank | Social Insurance Bank |
| UWV | Uitvoeringsinstituut Werknemersverzekeringen | Employee Insurance Agency |
| DUO | Dienst Uitvoering Onderwijs | Education Executive Agency |
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