MBA Netherlands - Any Experience

[darmstadt]

I worked for them in Germany once and they tried to get me through some dodgy offshore scheme which isn't allowed here as many UK contractors are now finding out. They paid on time and even came to visit me once, well I say that, the agent spent most of the time somewhere else apart with the contractors there. Since then I've had nothing to do with them except for 3-4 e-mails a week from every office they have in Europe for roles that I have no qualification for and half of which I don't even understand and all seem to have this bollocks tacked to the bottom:

If you are interested in this position, please respond within 24 hours with a short motivation letter and your CV in Word format so MBA can contact you.

MBA do have a policy to fulfill job requests within 24 hours therefore a quick response is important.

Alternatively, you can call us on the number below.

MBA does apologise when this job does not match your profile. However, if you have any colleagues who may be interested in this contract opportunity; please forward this email to them. If they are successfully placed at our client site, we will award you with £150.00 (180 Euros).

Thank you for your time and we hope to hear from you soon,

This is an automated email. Our deepest apologies if this does not match your profile completely.

If its an automated e-mail then how come its from, possibly, a real person's e-mail address or are they all automatons at MBA?

[geoffreywhereveryoumaybe]

Worked through MBA in Switzerland

At first they tried to get me to sign up as a permie and pay all Swiss taxes etc - eventually they were happy to treat me as UK agencies do and payed for my services through my Ltd company - so same as the UK but without any VAT

[norrahe]

I've worked through MBA in the Netherlands, and they are very good. No problems at all.
Worked for Flip
(no that's his name..)

BA themselves are good but they try and put you through all their payroll companies etc.... ( which aren't that good). It is easy when you first move to a new country but then you realise you're stuck with expensive payroll company and also expensive health insurance that you don't need. I've spoken to a few contractors who've been lumbered with a lot of stuff they don't really need and they are shelling out a lot per month for nowt.

Their payroll company who are supposed to be expert with expat affairs haven't a clue how to deal with people who are there long term and often you get told you cannot use a UK ltd (you can but there are some forms you need to fill in etc.... with the local tax office).

Rule of thumb is if you intend to move to another country do some research before you move.

[doodab]

I've worked through MBA in the Netherlands, and they are very good. No problems at all.
Worked for Flip
(no that's his name..)

I once had a Dutch guy called Freek for a Neighbour.

[KentPhilip]

I've worked through MBA in the Netherlands, and they are very good. No problems at all.
Worked for Flip
(no that's his name..)

[norrahe]

Thanks Spod, Norrahe just PM'd me, which was nice.

They are offering 67% of earnings, plus whatever expenses I can get away with (kids education, moving fees etc), which would put it up to about 78% and it's a long gig, on fairly good terms. Maybe I am just being too cynical.

NL tax laws allow you to claim back a lot of stuff and as an expat you can apply for the 30% ruling which means 30% of your income is tax free for up to 8 years and also you do not pay tax on any assets you move to the country (saving etc), you can also claim back tax on any moving expenses.

MBA will try and get you to use their payroll company and as you have to have health insurance (mandatory in NL), the'll try and get you to use theirs. I've sent you a link to a very good accountant who is well versed in dealing with expats, NL tax laws but also the use of a UK limited in NL.

I used the same payroll company that MBA used for the first few months and while the admin was fine, they do not have a clue about dealing with expats, it was only when I moved to my accountant that I found out they shold have dealt with lots of stuff like the rebate on moving expenses etc...

Good luck!

NL is a very bureaucratic country to move to and you do need to do your reading before you move here. Once you're moved in and registered it should be fine

[Old Hack]

I should do some research with regards to working in the Netherlands.

"Norrahe" might be worth a PM.

Thanks Spod, Norrahe just PM'd me, which was nice.

They are offering 67% of earnings, plus whatever expenses I can get away with (kids education, moving fees etc), which would put it up to about 78% and it's a long gig, on fairly good terms. Maybe I am just being too cynical.

[norrahe]

I don't know, they seem to want everything now, will not work with Ltd's, seem to want to do all the payroll and by that, I mean handle all of your tax affairs, a one stop shop, and that is the only way they'll do business. I don't know, I guess sometimes you have a nagging feeling you want to put to bed, and I have one, so was hoping someone here had dealt with them before. Seem a large org.

And also, 7 people got hold of me for the same role, then all tried ot carry on, despite me telling them one of them had already contacted me. They just seem a bit, well, odd.

Working in NL is very bureaucratic, agencies will want proof that you are eligible to carry out business in the country etc... etc..

[SupremeSpod]

I don't know, they seem to want everything now, will not work with Ltd's, seem to want to do all the payroll and by that, I mean handle all of your tax affairs, a one stop shop, and that is the only way they'll do business. I don't know, I guess sometimes you have a nagging feeling you want to put to bed, and I have one, so was hoping someone here had dealt with them before. Seem a large org.

And also, 7 people got hold of me for the same role, then all tried ot carry on, despite me telling them one of them had already contacted me. They just seem a bit, well, odd.

I should do some research with regards to working in the Netherlands.

"Norrahe" might be worth a PM.

[Old Hack]

Odd?

How so?

I don't know, they seem to want everything now, will not work with Ltd's, seem to want to do all the payroll and by that, I mean handle all of your tax affairs, a one stop shop, and that is the only way they'll do business. I don't know, I guess sometimes you have a nagging feeling you want to put to bed, and I have one, so was hoping someone here had dealt with them before. Seem a large org.

And also, 7 people got hold of me for the same role, then all tried ot carry on, despite me telling them one of them had already contacted me. They just seem a bit, well, odd.

[SupremeSpod]

Odd?

How so?

[Old Hack]

I have been offered a long gig with Shell by MBA, and I am just going over their T&C's. Anyone got any experience of working with these guys? Maybe the wrong forum, but wanted to ask. They seem an odd lot.