Expatcenter Newsletter: April 2010

Expatcenter enters new phase

We are pleased to announce the Expatcenter’s pilot phase has now officially ended. As of April 1st the Expatcenter is now a permanent part of the Economic Affairs department of the City of Amsterdam.

The Expatcenter started of as a pilot project in June 2008 and since then over 750 international companies and their expat employees have made use of the Expatcenter’s streamlined procedures. In 2009, an average of 350 new expats visited the Expatcenter each month to process their paper work. Some 100 expats also contacted the center monthly for informational requests. Feedback from clients remains positive (average of 8.9) and the living section of iamsterdam.com attracts more than 25,000 unique visitors each month.

Co-operation with Almere, Haarlemermeer and ACCESS

February marked the kick-off of the cooperation with the cities of Almere and Haarlemmermeer, as well as the start of a pilot partnership between the not-for-profit foundation ACCESS and the Expatcenter. Find out more about the new phase for the Expatcenter.

Expatcenter Informational Meeting, April 22nd

On 22 April 2010, an informational meeting will be organised for companies that are new to the Expatcenter procedure. Furthermore, all qualifying Almere and Haarlemmermeer based companies, as well as newly eligible companies based in Amsterdam and Amstelveen will be invited. We will be organising this meeting in cooperation with the IND and will offer information on the Expatcenter procedure only. In the fall we will organise a larger informational meeting with workshops on related topics. For this meeting all of our contacts will be again invited. For more information on the Expatcenter’s informational events, please contact Sietske van Tuin.

Invitation to ‘Pranzo internazionale dell Giro’ on 10 May

Three stages of the popular cycling event ‘Giro d’Italia’ will kick-off in Amsterdam this May. On Monday May 10th, the course will start from the business district of Amsterdam, “the Zuidas”, and head for the Dutch city of Middelburg.

We would like to extend an inivtation to yourself and your expatriate colleagues to experience this important sporting event in international style. At the Mahler square at the Zuidas, a delicious Italian “pranzo” (luncheon feast) will be served “al fresco”.

Expat Welcome Event, 8 June

The Expat Welcome Event (a senior level cultural and social exchange for expatriates) took place for the first time in 2009. The event was hosted by the Mayor of Amsterdam, Mr. J. Cohen, and organized by a number of business players in the Amsterdam area, including the Expatcenter. On June 8th, the second edition of this event will take place in the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam. If you would like an invitation for senior management expats within your company or if you would like more information, please contact Merel van der Putten-Anten.

Cross-Border Labour: new legal and tax legislation Seminar

Legally and fiscally there are many changes approaching in the short term, which will affect both Dutch workers abroad as well as expatriates working in the Netherlands. This masterclass held at Nyenrode Business University will inform you from several legal and tax perspectives, helping you to thoroughly understand the consequences for your organisation. View a full overview of the programme and speakers.

Survey on accommodation for expats and extended stay business travellers

With a general housing shortage and long waiting lists for subsidised houses, getting situated in Amsterdam can be quite an undertaking. Finding an affordable place to stay is especially difficult for expats and extended stay business travellers. The Expatcenter recognises this problem and therefore wants to bring the following to your attention.

HotelsAhead is a private organisation that addresses the housing problem for expats and extended business travellers by developing a new hotel concept for this group of people. They would like to have input from the target group (HR managers and expats) to help them define the concept, called Zoku. Therefore, they kindly ask for your co-operation, by filling out a short questionnaire. By participating, you may be the lucky winner of a two-night stay for two (including dinner and breakfast) in a hotel in the forest, near the sea! View the questionnaire.

BSN now available at appointment for Amsterdam and Amstelveen

The City of Amsterdam and the City of Amstelveen are now able to provide clients their BSN directly at the appointment. This allows clients to open a Dutch bank account, among other things, even sooner than before.

Application parking permit Amstelveen

Clients that are going to live in Amstelveen are able to apply for a parking permit at the Expatcenter during their appointment.