Apps to Have in the Netherlands as an Expat
So you are moving to the Netherlands! While I am sure you have a zillion other things on your plate to think through with the move, add in apps that you will need to download on your phone to make your time over here more simple. There are a few apps to have in the Netherlands as an expat. Some apps Charlie and I already knew about and others we learned once we got here.
Keep in mind, you don’t need to rush to download all of the apps before you move! You can download them once you have moved and gotten your bank account and utilities all set up.
1. NS – Dutch National Rail Company for Train Tickets
One of the best part about living in the Netherlands is the train system. Living in Amsterdam close to Amsterdam Centraal has been nothing short of a blessing as we can take a quick train to anywhere within the Netherlands and to other countries! NS is the Dutch train network, and it’s great to have downloaded so you can access your train tickets in your phone. Just scan the tickets in the app through the gates and you are on your way!
2. Buienradar – Weather App
The Dutch love to talk about the weather and they have a reason to – it’s so unpredictable! That doesn’t make for the best climate for a city that loves to bike everywhere, unfortunately. Buienradar is a weather app that lets you see when the next rain shower is coming and how heavy it is going to be. This means you can check the rain hour by hour or literally minute by minute to make sure you plan your day accordingly.
3. DigiD – Digital Identification App
DigiD, short for digital identification, is an app that is linked to your citizen number (BSN) and allows you to access a wide range of Dutch organizations. You can use it for the Dutch tax authorities and local government service, pension funds, and health insurance companies. It takes a little while to set it up as you need to receive information through snail mail, however, it is well worth it in the long run.
4. Tikkie – Payment Requests App
I’m sure you have heard “let’s go Dutch” when it comes to paying a bill. 🙂 Well, living in the Netherlands, a lot of times you can’t split a bill at check out. At many restaurants one person will pay the entire bill and will request payments from others at the table. Just like people use Venmo in the US, the Dutch use Tikkie! You will hear “just Tikkie me” from many Dutch friends when it comes to splitting costs so make sure to download this app.
5. Too Good To Go – Sustainability App
People are working on living as sustainability as possible here in the Netherlands. This probably isn’t top of mind with everything else you have going on with your move, but this is a good app to have on your radar! Too Good To Go is a sustainability app that connects you with local cafes, restaurants, and bakeries to ensure that left-over food doesn’t go to waste.
6. Bunq (or whatever bank account of your choosing)
We chose Bunq as a bank when we initially moved over to the Netherlands since we didn’t need a BSN to open an account. Getting your BSN can take a little while, but you cannot set up all of your utilities and internet until you have a bank account! And to open a bank account with a major bank in the Netherlands… you need a BSN. Catch 22, right?
Bunq was fairly easy to set up, though does have some hidden fees to make sure to do your research to figure out what works best for you! We are still very happy with Bunq and it has been working out very well for us!
7. Albert Heijn – Grocery Store App
There are a few grocery stores that you can choose from once you move to the Netherlands. We have chosen Albert Heijn since it is the closest to where we live. Having the grocery app is helpful to see what specials are going on as you are creating your grocery list!
8. Google Translate – Dutch to English
We originally were just going to google and typing in “Dutch to English” and then copying and pasting what we needed to translate into the website. It’s easier if you just click to open the app on your phone! You can also screenshot something on your phone, upload it to the app and it will translate it all for you (game changer!). This is very helpful with government letters you get in the mail and other items that are long and you don’t want to type everything into the app!
9. SnappCar – Car sharing App
Odds are, you won’t be driving much in Amsterdam or in the Netherlands! The public transportation is top-notch and most people cycle around to and from work. You might occasionally want to drive somewhere if it’s easier (I.e. a day trip outside of Amsterdam that isn’t a straight forward train ride away). SnappCar is a Dutch car-sharing platform that operates in cities across the country. The app connects you to cars in your local neighborhood which you can rent in minutes!
10. 9292 – Public Transportation in the Netherlands
This is another app similar to the NS app, though this app allows you to plan your trip whether you are taking a train, tram, bus, or even ferry. If you are only taking the train system, the NS app is all you need for support, though 9292 is more all-inclusive and it also allows you to stay up-to-date with the latest travel news and disruptions.
11. Duolingo or Babbel – Language Learning App
As an expat, odds are you speak English and likely no Dutch. The Dutch find it respectful if you are moving to the Netherlands to at least attempt to learn their language. Using apps like Duolingo or Babbel to help improve your Dutch proficiency will take you a long way! This will also help when it comes to reading letters through the mail, utility bills, shopping for groceries and other weekly essentials.
Now you are all set!!
Did we miss anything important? The above apps are the ones that we use the most, though I am sure there are others! Comment below if there are other apps to have in the Netherlands as an expat! If you want to learn more about moving abroad, make sure to check out our post about the additional things people don’t talk about living abroad!
