Contracting in Europe - Advice please

**NotAllThere** · 28 September 2007, 05:54

Which countries and what languages do you speak?

**scooby** · 28 September 2007, 07:08

i dont speak any languages. the ones i've been looking at are english speaking.

Belgium or Holland.

**basshead** · 28 September 2007, 07:46

Originally posted by scooby View Post

i dont speak any languages.

Might be tough for a mute to get work

**funkyd** · 28 September 2007, 07:57

Why on earth would your missus and the baby want to be shacked up in a hotel for a year?

Not speaking any other languages is a bit restrictive I would think....

**SizeZero** · 28 September 2007, 08:24

How do you go about getting accommodation? Can you rent for short term, or hotels? Do / will agency / client help? I wouldn’t be coming home every weekend…

We moved a few months ago to Holland, but on a permie contract, so can't help with the tax part. Try Monster.com as a starting point to find agencies who deal with Europe.

There are lots of English-speaking IT departments/companies here, (also lots of expats) but don't be fooled into thinking everyone speaks English all the time; out of meetings and off-the-phone it's Dutch all the way - be prepared for some degree of isolation as it's not an easy language to get to grips with.

You will not qualify for social housing until you've lived here 'years' so you will rent from the vrijsector which is very expensive around the Randstad (the area cornered by Amsterdam, Rotterdam, The Hague and Utrecht - ie, where all the jobs are). If you are happy to live in the suburbs, it's much cheaper and greener: www.funda.nl (choose Huur for Hire/Rent) - play around with that site as it shows every property registered with an estate agent. Beware local ads in newspapers as sublets are illegal, and if they tell you that you can't register with the gemeente (local council) then you know it's dodgy.

It's possible to find some companies who will put you up in temporary accomodation for a month or two while you find your feet. Anyway, before this becomes a huge wall of text, I'll just say it's the best thing we ever did (we're from up north too), and send me a private message if you want to know anything else.

Incidently, the cloggies don't tend to work through their own limited companies, but through some kind of collectives - where the 'managers' find the work for them, sort the lease cars, etc. Don't write off 'going permie' for a couple of years to get the tax perks, then leaving again

**NotAllThere** · 28 September 2007, 09:37

I've successfully contracted all over Europe for the past five year, all English speaking projects (I do speak French and German, but not fluently).

**WindyAnna** · 28 September 2007, 11:53

Scooby

Holland is a bit of an odd one for a contractor.

If you are based there it is very difficult to contract via a UK company (umbrella or Ltd) but have to work via a dutch company. You can look at an umbrella like ITECS who do a lot of work over there. You will need to register for Dutch tax and get a SOFI number - in order to do this you will need a dutch address. You will also need a dutch bank account. If you are an ex-pat you can claim the 30% taz free which is to cover you for the expenses you incur on travel and extra accomodation. If you are over there and retain your UK residence you can also offset your UK mortgage interest against your dutch tax. you will also get an allowance for children.

In terms of accomodation - it does tend to be expensive to rent but the longer you can sign a rental agreement for the better the deals you will get. Also it does depend on the area. Generally rent will be less than hotels no matter where you are. Umbrella may be able to help you by recommending estate agencies but there are many rental companies and my experience is that they are helpful and english speaking. There are various expat publications that can help.

The Netherlands are a fab place to be with a small child. They are incredibly child friendly. My daughter is almost 2 and Mr Windy Anna has been working over there since she was 3 months old and throughout that time it has been a great place for her to be. English is very widely spoken. Work ethic there is generally really good, long hours are frowned upon and family commitments are smiled upon! Life is relaxed and people are laid back (last time I posted this on a similar thread someone pointed out that I was out of date and it isn't like that any more - but unless it has changed in the last month since Mr Windy Anna came back to UK then I stand by the staement!!).

Rates, in my experience, are lower than in the UK. Cost of living is about the same.

Beer is lovely. Chips with peanut sauce are an acquired taste.

Depends on what you PM in but have worked via MBA before.

If you want to know anymore then PM me.

Windy

**Sockpuppet** · 28 September 2007, 12:11

Originally posted by scooby View Post

i dont speak any languages. the ones i've been looking at are english speaking.

Prague.

Czech is not used that much in the capital. Not the greatest city by the looks of it though (certainly not paris etc)

**TheFaQQer** · 28 September 2007, 19:36

Originally posted by Sockpuppet View Post

certainly not paris

Ah - but where is?

Contracting in Europe - Advice please