Brexit: Why the Netherlands is a favourable country to work in

Brexit has brought about many changes for the English and the rest of Europe. In this article, Payingit International talks about these changes and how they might apply to you. 

Which companies moved their offices to the Netherlands before Brexit?

The Netherlands Foreign Investment Agency (NFIA) conducted a survey in August 2019 into the number of British companies that decided to move to the Netherlands just before Brexit. It turns out that 98 companies had already moved, whilst 325 other companies were seriously considering moving to the Netherlands before Brexit.

The companies that opted for this were mainly present in sectors like IT, the financial sector, media, marketing and biotechnology. Think of big names such as Discovery, AMBest, MarketAxess and Norinchukin. These companies had already announced their move to the Netherlands in the media.

Financial companies saw no other solution than to move before Brexit, as they are only allowed to have European customers if they are operating from a European country. The Netherlands Authority for the Financial Markets (AFM) mainly saw that locations in London were moved to Amsterdam. The AFM explains that most British companies choose to partly establish themselves in the Netherlands, and therefore in the EU, and to remain partly active in the United Kingdom. In this way, they can continue to participate in both the British and European markets.

Another reason to partially settle in the Netherlands is to avoid delays at the border. When the companies are also located across the channel, it is easier to remain in contact with the rest of Europe. 

Make sure you have applied for a Brexit residence permit

Did you know that if you are British, you can apply for two types of permits? The type of permit that applies to you has to do with the number of years that you have been living in the Netherlands. Have you lived in the Netherlands for less than five years? Then you need to apply for a residence document for temporary residence after Brexit.

Have you been living in the Netherlands for more than five years in a row? Then you can immediately apply for a permanent residence document. Both types of residence permits can be applied for online. The application can also be made immediately for any children or registered and married partners.

If you prefer to submit a written request, that is also possible. Any application can be made by keeping the following information and items on hand:

• Your DigiD
• iDeal
• Scans of the front and back of the passport with your personal details or the details of any partners and children
• Scans of any other documents that need to be uploaded (employer statement)
• Your Citizen Service Number (BSN)

The application for both the temporary and permanent residence permit costs 64 euros for adults and 33 euros for children under the age of 18.

When are you a British frontier worker?

A frontier worker is a person who works in the Netherlands but does not live here. As a Brit, you can be employed by a Dutch company or have a company established in the Netherlands as a self-employed person.

There are two ways to work in the Netherlands as a frontier worker. A distinction is made between frontier workers who were already working as frontier workers in the Netherlands before December 31, 2020, and frontier workers who were working in the Netherlands as of January 1, 2021. People who were already working as frontier workers before December 31, 2020 can continue to do so after this date. In that case, a frontier worker document must be requested from the Dutch IND. This document proves that you have the right to work as a frontier worker in the Netherlands.

In order to be eligible for this special document, the work you perform must be carried out through free movement of employees or free movement of establishment (for the self-employed). If you are working in the Netherlands due to the free movement of services, you, unfortunately, do not fall under the conditions to apply for a frontier worker document. If you have received the document confirming you as a frontier worker, you can use it to continue travelling between the United Kingdom and the Netherlands.

Do you want to work as a frontier worker in the Netherlands as of January 1, 2021? Then you have to follow the rules for all people who want to enter the Netherlands from outside the EU to work there. You must ask your Dutch employer to apply for a work permit.

Family reunification on or after January 1, 2021

As a third-country national, it is important to apply for a residence document within three months of arrival in the Netherlands. If you do this too late, the documents will not be in order on time and you will not comply with the applicable rules. It is important to also apply for family members immediately. You can apply for family reunification by applying for a residence document via the withdrawal agreement. 

If you apply for the residence documents too late, you will not be asked for a reason why you are late until October 1, 2022. So, there is still a good chance that the residence document for family reunification will be issued. If you are late after October 1, 2022, you are really too late and you will no longer receive the residence document.

Living in the Netherlands for the first time on or after January 1, 2021

As of January 1, 2021, citizens of the United Kingdom are no longer EU citizens, which means you will be seen as a third-country national. A third-country national is someone who does not belong to the EU / EEA or Switzerland.

UK citizens who want to move to the Netherlands now, so after January 1, 2021 will need a specific purpose of residence and stricter rules will apply. 

 A valid purpose of residence is, for example, staying with a partner who already lives in the Netherlands, studying (for secondary school, MBO, HBO and university), work and when you want to apply for Dutch citizenship.

What are the benefits for Britons when it comes to working in the Netherlands?

If British people choose to continue working in the Netherlands, they have a number of advantages. First of all, as a British citizen in the Netherlands, it is much easier to travel to other parts of Europe. Furthermore, you earn your money in euros, so it does not matter if the pound rate falls. Have you always lived in the Netherlands? Then it is nice to stay in a place where you have built up a (social) life. It would be a shame to suddenly have to return to the United Kingdom because of Brexit.

Dpo you have any questions regarding moving to and working in the Netherlands? Payingit International is on hand to help you with all your expat needs. From immigration services to setting up a bank account to arranging health insurance, Payingit International has got you covered.