Holland

[DS23]

"There is a 30% ex-pat tax allowance"

and also note that the 30% rule is not allowed if expenses are claimed. either / or is the option.

you pay a portion of tax upfront in holland too - they take a "witholding tax" from your paypacket and then after reviewing your annual tax return they might give you some back. there again, if my experience is anything to go by - they won't.

[WindyAnna]

Think hard and get plenty of advice before taking a contract in the Netherlands. It isn't usually possible for you to work ltd co with employers out there, there are all sorts of pieces of legislation to prevent you from doing it so usually contractors go via a Dutch 'umbrella'. Then there's the tax and NI-type thing situation, it's higher than here and they tend to err on the side of taxing you too much and then work back from there. There is a 30% ex-pat tax allowance you can get but you have to apply, be supported by your client and it takes a while to come through. You also usually have to have a Dutch address and a Dutch bank account. Do not trust an agent (preaching to the converted I know) who tells you it is easy or straightforward!

Provided that you can sort this out it is a great place to work! Very chilled out, fab people, everyone speaks English ... assuming you don't speak Dutch, very nice beer!

Usual is commute out Monday, back Friday. Book your flights enough in advance, all the cheapo airlines go out there, and they tend to be bargains except in school holidays or when there is footie on over there. For roles in Amsterdam you can fly from just about anywhere, the Hague/Rotterdam are more limited, Eindhoven even more so and anywhere after that it's fly to the dam and get a train - but it's not a big country so you're never far from anywhere.

Generally rates are similar to UK, or a bit lower, but you are always dependent on exchange rates.

Best gig is to get taken on by UK client who places you over there. That way you don't have to worry about all the tax/NI/residence issues and you get the pleasure of working there.

I worked over there a few years ago, hubbie is currently starting is second year over there and only just getting his tax sorted! Ah well they pay interest on what they owe us.

Cheers

Windy

[Jawz .]

And they now have a cricket team?

[DS23]

no - feathers - just the same as here.

[portseven]

I wouldn't mind a gig on the continent, whats it like?

Do you need a foreign language? What do people do commute wise? Fly out early Monday morning and back on Friday afternoon?

Do the birds have hairy armpits?

[Churchill]

You won't hack it in the Red Light District, so don't even think about it.

HTH

So speaks the voice of experience.

Oh FFS!

[AtW]

You won't hack it in the Red Light District, so don't even think about it.

HTH

[el duder]

What is it with the dutch?

Ive just been looking out for a few contracts and there are tulip loads of jobs going in Holland for short term assignments....!!?!?

Any ideas?