Rotterdam 101
Last Updated: 03 November 2019
1. Settle down
You typically need a residence permit, BSN (social security number) and DigID to settle down in the Netherlands.
1.1 Collect your residence permit
Yon can make an appointment online to collect your residence permit at IND office.
1.2 First Registration in Rotterdam
This first registration (‘eerste vestiging’) is needed so you can get a BSN number (Social security number), which is mandatory for all residents of the Netherlands.
Expats
For Highly skilled migrant (or a family member, scientific researchers, Intra Corporate Transferees(ICT) or an orientation year student, make an appointment at Rotterdam Expat Centre.
Expat既朋友經過左第一次register之後有咩要搞都係要去番City hall( Gemeente Rotterdam )，就算補交documents都係去番City hall。
After first registration, every rearrangement will be needed to be done in City hall. ( Gemeente Rotterdam )
1.3 DigID
With your DigiD you show who you are when you arrange something on the internet. Whether it’s with the government (i.e. Tax office, Belastingdienst and City hall, Gemeente), education, healthcare or your pension fund. Request for a DigID here.
基本上d政府網全部都係用DigID入，又或者你份健康保險都係用佢入，留意番申請o個陣佢會寄去你登記地址，which係跟你係city hall登記既地址，如果會短暫搬，預番一個星期收信，5係又要申請過
1.4 Banking 銀行
Typical Dutch banks
For typical Dutch bank, you will normally need a BSN and residence permit to open an account. Monthly fee is usually cheaper than mobile banks.
其實都仲有其他銀行，但依兩間比較多外國人用，有英文介面
Mobile banks/Fintech companies
Mobile banks can be an alternative solution if you have trouble to get a BSN in time. Monthly pricing is usually more expensive than typical Dutch bank. Some companies may not support mobile bank account for payroll.
Bunq (Monthly fee from €7.99, first month free trial)
Revolut (Standard plan is free)
TransferWise (Specializes for international money transfer)
BTW, TransferWise/Revolut/Bunq pre-paid debit cards are quite convenient as a backup card for travelling (coz maestro is sometimes not widely accepted outside NL, e.g. UK)
Transferwise Hello World Debit card (mastercard): Free when you have €20 balance in your ac
Revolut Debit card (Visa/maestro): With a shipping cost of £4.99, free when with referral link
Bunq Travel card (mastercard): One-time €9.99 for production and shipping
2. Public traffic 公共交通
2.1 OV-chipkaart
OV-chipkaart is the Dutch version of octopus card 八達通 in HK/oyster card in London. An OV-chipkaart costs €7.50.
(Left) Personal OV-chipkaart (Right) Anonymous OV-chipkaart
- Personal OV-chipkaart
- Anonymous OV-chipkaart
- Can share with family/friends (but not at the same time)
- Cannot apply for any subscription check travel history online and rent OV fiets)
- Where to get an Anonymous OV-chipkaart ?
- Check your balance for both types of OV-chipkaarts here. You can also check your balance at ticket machines at metro/train stations.
2.3 Between cities in the Netherlands
Subscription: NS Flex or Dal Voordeel (quite suitable for WH)
Flixbus (Within and outside NL)
3. Bicycles 單車
3.1 Get your own bike
3.2 Bike sharing 共享單車
OV fiets (Single speed bike, pedal brake)
How? You will need a personal OV-chipkaart and a season ticket (€0.01 per year)
Where? Major NS stations, ~ 300 loations
How much?: €3.85 per 24 hour
Where to return? Same location: free of charge, diff return location: €10 extra)
OV-fiets| NS
Uber JUMP (E-bike, hand brake)
How?: Download app on IOS/Android, same account as uber
Where? Open JUMP app, find a bike via GPS
How much? €0.2 per min, €1 unlock fee
Where to return? “No Parking Zones are clearly displayed in the Uber App. We recommend that you check if your destination is in a No Parking Zone before the start of your trip. A surcharge of € 30 will be charged when parking in a No Parking Zone.”
3.3 Useful links 更多有關單車
- A guide to traffic signs for cyclists 單車路牌辨認
- Bike on RET 單車上RET
- Bus and tram: No bikes at all time
- Metro: In metro lines A, B, C, D and E the bike is allowed, except on Monday through Friday before 9 am and between 4 pm and 6.30 pm
- Fold bike:: All time OK for metro, bus and tram, if folded
- Bike on NS train 單車上火車
- With a Fietskaart Dal, you can bring your bicycle along with you on weekdays between 09:00 and 16:00, and from 18:30 to 06:30 the next morning. This limitation does not apply at the weekend, on holidays, and during the months of July and August
- Fold bike:: All time OK, if folded
- Finding a cycling teacher 學單車
因為荷蘭好平，5需要太多上落斜，所以荷蘭人都幾鐘意踩單車，返工返學之類。同香港5同，荷蘭係靠右。雖然香港實係迫d，但荷蘭單車路都幾繁忙，如果踩單車，一開始可能要留意返多d。
4. Shopping 買野
4.6 Bedding 床品
5. Rent an apartment/room 租樓
- Funda
- Pararius
- Housing Anywhere
- Holland2Stay
- Facebook group
- Kamernet
Service charges may apply for different websites. Beware of scams.
因為係荷蘭要register地址，如果5係係犯法！所以搵屋要留意番佢俾唔俾你注冊!!!
In Netherlands, it’s legal requirement that you need to register your residental address to City Hall, so make sure that the place you rent will let you to register with City Hall.
BTW, 都係手痕想整理一下d資料，入面d suggestions純粹係個人意見。
No conflicts of interest to declare :)