Sometimes you want a castle, sometimes a bird’s nest and sometimes just a safe roof for a limited time, but what you certainly don’t want is a pitfall. The question to buy or not to buy can therefore not be answered In general. Recently you have been able to read in the papers about how … Continued

The origins of ACCESS are firmly rooted in a concern for the mental well-being of the international community. It was acknowledged then, in 1986, as it still is now, 28 years on, that – when ‘dips’ are low or deep – not only is attention required, but that attention by and from those who implicitly … Continued

When you move to another country, you are subject to the taxes of that other country. Not only income tax, but also, for instance, gift tax and inheritance tax. Gift Tax The main rule in the Netherlands is that if the person making the gift is/was living in the Netherlands at the time of the … Continued

It’s in the numbers! 2013 in Amsterdam adds up to some magnificent and significant milestones, to be celebrated by multiple events, exhibitions and concerts throughout the year. Countdown 400 years of Amsterdam canals, 125 years of the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra and Concertgebouw, 175 years of Artis Royal Zoo, 160 years of Van Gogh, 125 years … Continued

For expatriates and global citizens the world over, finding a house or apartment in a new city / country is about much more than identifying the premises on which you will live (regardless of whether you are buying or renting). Finding a place to live subconsciously becomes a vital step in ensuring you can settle … Continued

How do we plan the education of our children given the unpredictable nature of an internationally mobile life? Diane Lemieux, co-author of The Mobile Life: a New Approach to Moving Anywhere, looks at tips for maximising the benefits of an international education. Our goal in selecting schools for our children is two-fold. Firstly, we want … Continued

Medical insurance is one of those matters that the Dutch have devoted particular thought to – meaning that the outcome is characteristically complex. It is a topic that requires some discipline to decipher, yet it is also a very important one, with considerable consequences if you fail to deal with it correctly. Trying to read … Continued

Expats all over the world may experience the unpleasant phenomenon of ‘culture shock’. This is not a sudden fright or a particularly bad moment caused by the unknown culture of a new country, but rather a phase in the process of adjustment. It can be compared to the estrangement one may feel after moving to … Continued

Owning ‘things’ brings not only pleasure, but sometimes also headache. What if there is a storm and a tree falls on your house? Or what if the pipes burst on a freezing winter’s night? And how about that lovely iPhone 5s that Santa Claus brought your teenage daughter this December – will it survive her … Continued

Every expat living in Holland knows that there are a lot of bikes and cyclists here. But did you realize that Holland is regarded as the best cycling nation on the planet? Well, it’s true. Cycling is a very hot topic these days, as more and more countries around the world attempt to emulate the … Continued

Amsterdam’s vibrant district De Pijp is a hub of both local legacy and innovative young businesses. While tourists flock to the famed Albert Cuyp market, residents flee a few streets down to the serene Sarphati Park. A mesh of flavours, trinkets and people colour the streets year round. Out of many, we have selected four … Continued