FactCards and ACCESS: helping internationals find the right information

FactCards helps international academics prepare for a career in research in the Netherlands. Some questions are very specific to academic life: finding a PhD or postdoc position, understanding the Dutch research landscape, exploring academic career paths, research funding, universities, university medical centres and research institutes.

Other questions are broader. They matter just as much, but they are not unique to academia. How do I arrange housing? What do I need to know about healthcare? Where do I start when relocating to the Netherlands? What about schools, childcare, my partner’s career, daily life, or leaving the Netherlands again?

For these general questions, FactCards works together with ACCESS-NL.

ACCESS-NL is a not-for-profit organisation that helps internationals in the Netherlands with practical information, support, and guidance. Their website offers clear information and FAQs on many aspects of moving to, living in, and leaving the Netherlands. When you cannot find the answer online, ACCESS-NL also offers a helpdesk.

This cooperation helps us keep FactCards focused and useful. FactCards will continue to provide information that is specifically relevant to international academics and researchers. For broader practical information, we will guide you to ACCESS, where these topics are maintained for the wider international community in the Netherlands.

Where should I go?

Relocating to the Netherlands

For questions about preparing your move, your first months in the Netherlands, registration, social security, banking, taxes, and practical arrival matters.

Go to ACCESS-NL Relocating
 

Housing

For questions about finding a place to live, renting, buying, mortgages, housing benefits, home insurance and other housing-related matters.

Go to ACCESS-NL Housing
 

Healthcare

For questions about health insurance, finding a GP, medical care, hospitals, dentists, mental health, vaccinations, pregnancy and emergency care.

Go to ACCESS-NL Healthcare
 

Education

For questions about schools, international education, Dutch language learning, higher education, childcare-related education topics, and diploma evaluation.

Go to ACCESS-NL Education
 

Dual careers

For questions about your partner’s career, working in the Netherlands, employment contracts, volunteering, starting a business, legal rights at work, and Dutch business culture.

Go to ACCESS-NL Dual careers
 

Living in the Netherlands

For questions about daily life, Dutch culture, language, transport, mobile and postal services, social networks, expat groups, family life and settling in.

Go to ACCESS-NL Living
 

Leaving the Netherlands

For questions about deregistration, taxes, housing, insurance, banking, pensions, and other practical matters when leaving the Netherlands.

Go to ACCESS-NL Leaving
 

What remains on FactCards?

FactCards remains your starting point for information about academic and research careers in the Netherlands. We will continue to focus on topics such as PhD and postdoc careers, Dutch research universities, university medical centres, research institutes, research funding, science parks, academic career development, and the role of AcademicTransfer.

In short: ACCESS-NL helps you with practical life in the Netherlands. FactCards helps you understand academic and research careers in the Netherlands.

Together, we help international academics find their way more easily.