You don't need to be fluent. You need to be functional.
Most people moving to the Netherlands worry about speaking perfect Dutch before they arrive. That's the wrong goal. The Netherlands has one of the highest English proficiency rates in the world — in Amsterdam, The Hague, and Rotterdam, you can get by in English almost everywhere.
But "getting by" and "integrating" are different things. Dutch people switch to English the moment they sense you're struggling — which means if your Dutch is shaky, you'll never get the practice you need to improve. And without Dutch, you're excluded from a large part of daily life: local communities, government services, the housing market, and Dutch-language workplaces.
Here's what Dutch you actually need, in order of urgency.
Before you arrive: survival Dutch (A0)
These basics will help you in your first week:
- Greetings: Hallo, goedemorgen, goedemiddag, goedenavond, dag, tot ziens
- Politeness: Alstublieft (please / here you go), dank u wel (thank you), graag gedaan (you're welcome), sorry, pardon
- Asking for help: Spreekt u Engels? (Do you speak English?), Kunt u mij helpen? (Can you help me?), Ik begrijp het niet. (I don't understand.)
- Numbers: 1–100 for prices, addresses, and phone numbers
- Basic directions: links (left), rechts (right), rechtdoor (straight ahead), hier (here), daar (there)
Month one: administrative Dutch
Your first month involves a lot of paperwork. Most Dutch government forms are available in English, but knowing the Dutch terms helps enormously.
The gemeente (municipality)
You must register at your local gemeente within 5 days of moving in. Key vocabulary:
- inschrijven — to register
- burgerservicenummer (BSN) — citizen service number (like a national ID number, essential for everything)
- DigiD — digital identity for government websites
- paspoort / identiteitsbewijs — passport / ID card
- huurcontract — rental contract
Health insurance (zorgverzekering)
You must arrange Dutch health insurance within 4 months of registering. Key terms:
- zorgverzekering — health insurance
- eigen risico — deductible (the amount you pay before insurance covers costs)
- huisarts — general practitioner / family doctor
- apotheek — pharmacy
- spoedeisende hulp — emergency room
Banking
- betaalrekening — current account / checking account
- spaarrekening — savings account
- pinnen — to pay by card (PIN payment)
- iDEAL — the Dutch online payment system (used for almost all Dutch websites)
Month two onward: workplace Dutch
Even if your workplace operates in English, Dutch colleagues will switch to Dutch in meetings, at lunch, and in casual conversation. Understanding these situations — even passively — matters for your career.
Key phrases for Dutch workplaces:
- vergadering — meeting
- agenda — agenda / schedule (not "agenda" in the political sense)
- deadline — same as English
- collega's — colleagues
- verlof — leave (annual leave)
- ziek melden — to call in sick
- loonstrook — pay slip
The Inburgeringsexamen: do you need it?
If you're a non-EU citizen, you likely need to pass the Inburgeringsexamen (civic integration exam) to obtain a permanent residence permit. This tests Dutch at A2 level across reading, writing, listening, and speaking — plus knowledge of Dutch society (KNM).
The deadline to pass is typically within 3 years of receiving your residence permit, though this depends on your exact visa category. Check the DUO website (Dienst Uitvoering Onderwijs) for your specific requirements.
EU citizens, highly-skilled migrants, and some other categories may be exempt — but learning Dutch is still strongly recommended for integration and career progression.
A realistic Dutch learning plan for new arrivals
Months 1–3: A0–A1. Focus on survival vocabulary and basic grammar. Aim for 30 minutes per day. You should be able to greet people, buy things, and handle basic interactions.
Months 4–9: A2. This is where Dutch gets genuinely useful. You can follow simple conversations, write basic emails, and navigate official situations without English.
Months 10–18: B1. You can participate in meetings, understand Dutch media, and have real conversations with Dutch colleagues. This is where most expats start to feel genuinely integrated.
NederPro's structured A0–B2 curriculum is designed exactly for this journey — starting from zero and building up systematically to the level you need for work, exams, or daily life. The Inburgeringsexamen preparation section covers all five exam components with practice sets and feedback.