The spooky season has come to a close and the oliebollen stands are back. You know what that means? We’re one month closer to Christmas, so get those festive decorations out of storage and let the countdown begin for the holiday season. As we enter a new month, here’s what you need to know about November 2024 in the Netherlands.

1. IamExpat Fair returns to The Hague

The IamExpat team is once again heading to The Hague to create a meeting place for expats and local businesses, and this time the event will be bigger than ever before! On November 9, from 10am to 5pm, the 16th edition of the IamExpat Fair will take place in the Grote Kerk in The Hague, where visitors can find free workshops on every expat-relevant subject you could think of, from housing and Dutch language courses to finding a job and childcare.

With opportunities to speak to experts from companies such as ABN AMRO, Expat Mortgages and UvA Talen, you can ask all the questions you need to help you settle and integrate into life in the Netherlands, as well as having a great opportunity to network with other expats and share tips and tricks about living the Dutch life. Get your ticket now and book your favourite free workshops to avoid disappointment!

2. Health insurers in the Netherlands to announce 2025 premiums

While some health insurance providers such as DSW have already announced their premium increase for 2025, the rest have until November 12 to announce their rates for 2025. It is expected that the premiums will rise by around 10 euros per month. Luckily, it will still be possible to compare packages and change health insurers until the end of the year.

3. Dutch border controls could come into effect

If all goes to plan, stricter border controls will be introduced in the Netherlands as part of plans by the Dutch government to reduce the number of people coming to the Netherlands to seek asylum. As long as the border checks are approved, the measures will be implemented from the end of November.

4. Long COVID centres accepting registrations

The first outpatient clinics for patients with long COVID are opening on Friday, November 1. From this date, people who suffer from the condition, causing extreme fatigue and brain fog among other symptoms, can ask their doctors for a referral to one of the clinics located in Amsterdam, Rotterdam or Maastricht. 

These clinics will perform tests and determine which treatments are best for each individual. Experience and knowledge gained from the first three centres will then be used to open more clinics and will also be shared with other GPs and hospitals to benefit more patients.

5. Dutch children celebrate Sint-Maarten

While Halloween might be growing in popularity in the country, the Netherlands has its own door knocking tradition: Sint-Maarten. On November 11, Dutch children will head from house to house carrying homemade lanterns and singing songs in exchange for sweets. Find out more about this wholesome Dutch tradition in our expat guide to Sint-Maarten.

6. Sinterklaas arrives in the Netherlands

The first Christmas festivities of the year are set to start in the Netherlands, beginning with the arrival of Sinterklaas. While Sinterklaas itself is not actually celebrated until December 5, it is a Dutch tradition for families and kids to watch Saint Nicholas and his helpers make their way into various Dutch cities on his boat from Spain. This year, Sinterklaas will first land in the small town of Vianen, near Utrecht, on November 16.

7. First Christmas markets pop up across the Netherlands

For those Christmas lovers out there who start singing along to festive tunes as soon as the weather begins to turn, the fact that Christmas markets are already kicking off is something to celebrate in itself. Whether you want to do some early holiday shopping or make the most of the festive season, there are many fairs and events to enjoy from November, such as one of the most impressive Christmas markets in Europe, Christmas Town Valkenburg.

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