Fortunately at the UT the faculties and the central Personnel Department (P&O) can give a hand. Netty Haandrikman, who now works as personnel adviser for Chemical Technology, knows a lot about these problems because she used to work at the UT's central P&O. She likes working with people even though this work implies a permanent smile and a willingness to listen, understand and help. As faculty P&O adviser she knows of a number of situations where foreigners may need some guidance. But although P&O can sometimes help, other times someone may have to do the work for themselves. Netty Haandrikman unveils for us the thorny steps a foreigner must take when settling in the Netherlands. So, newcomers watch out!
Once foreigners are admitted for a job at the UT, they have to send (personally or via a contact person in their own country, e.g., a professor) their CV, copy of passport and copy of the contract with UT. All these papers are forwarded by faculty P&O to central P&O, where they submit applications for a work permit and, when necessary, the visa. When everything is ready all the papers are sent to the Dutch embassy in the employee's home country.
But this is just a small part of the bureaucratic maze the foreign employee has to navigate. Once in the Netherlands, a foreigner has to report to the City Hall (Stadskantoor), to the Alien Police (Vreemdelingendienst) and to the Tax Office (Belastingdienst). In Enschede, it is not possible to just pop into the City Hall, for example, an appointment needs to be made beforehand. And then the following list of papers need to be taken to the appointment: passport, birth certificate, marriage certificate, contract, and work permit. In some cases, because of inter-countries regulations and/or international regulations the certificates must be translated and authenticated. It is therefore better to have that done before coming here. This registration, naturally, is not free. Non-EU citizens pay around 260 euro, EU citizens only a tenth of that.
The Alien Police will register your application for a residence permit (that is another costly experience for non-EU employees).
The visit to the Tax Office will not cost any money, taxes are taken directly from one's salary, but do not forget to bring passport, registration from the City Hall, contract and work permit.
From now on any changes in your life, e.g., home address, working place, or marital status, must be reported to the City Hall and Tax Office and/or Alien Police.
Afterwards, but as soon as possible, you have to get a bank account, liability insurance (can be done at the bank), and health insurance (most usually Amicon via the UT).
Health insurance in the Netherlands is compulsory. A family doctor, a pharmacist, or a hospital doctor will ask for your insurance type and number, to check whether your medical expenses are covered.
As in any ordered society, once you have a number you are in!
