Nicknamed the Little Tokyo on the Rhine, it is also home to the largest Japanese community in Germany. There are also a number of Dutch regional specialities, such as the Brabant sausage roll. The head of the German state, known as the federal president, is a largely ceremonial position. Compared to Germany - and many other countries around the world - the Netherlands doesn't have the most generous allowance of public holidays. The second-biggest city in Germany, Hamburg lies on the River Elbe and bears traces of its mercantile history wherever you look: in its port (which is the third-busiest in Europe), its infamous red-light district, and its particular liking for pickled herrings. These two countries have a long-standing rivalry when it comes to football and hockey. The Netherlands has its own version of carnival, known as carnaval, that's a yearly highlight for many! Abi studied History & German at the University of Manchester. The number of international companies is growing in Germany, but the main language of business is still undoubtedly German. The federal state with the most public holidays is Bavaria, where residents enjoy 13 public holidays per year. Like the Netherlands, Germany also streams children at secondary level: Depending on the school qualification a child receives, they may be able to go on to study at a university of applied science or a university. And while rents may be high,salaries in the Netherlandstake this into account. He then travels around the country on his white horse, until pakjesavond on December 5, when children leave out shoes for him to fill with snacks and sweets. Mainhattan is Germanys beating heart of business and finance, home to more than 200 national and international banks. Prepare to witness an entire country turning orange as Kingsday(Koningsdag) rolls around on April 27. Homeschooling is illegal in Germany. The high point of the festivities is the Sunday parade. The states with the highest proportion of migrant inhabitants were Berlin, Hamburg and esse. Popular breakfast breads includeontbijtkoek,krentenbol(a soft roll filled with currents) andrye bread. Alongside being the country's financial, cultural, commercial and business capital, Amsterdam is a unique and historic city with beautiful architecture - pictures of its iconic crooked buildings have made it to the farthest reaches of the globe! Nowadays, tasty and authentic food is never hard to find. The second-largest city in the Netherlands and an increasingly popular choice for internationals, Rotterdam is home to one of the largest ports in the world, making it a hub of industry and commerce. With a no shortage of international companies setting up shop in the city, The Hague is home to an exceedingly diverse population, but it has a quieter and calmer vibe than Amsterdam or Rotterdam, making it a popular choice among families. Germany's 24-year winning streak (they won the UEFA Championships six times in a row) only came to an end in 2017, when the Netherlands's women's team won their first major trophy, beating theDanish team 4-2 in the final (Germany lost to Denmark in the quarter-finals). The Dutch are well-known for being fond of bread in general and sandwiches in particular, and so the food item of choice at a Dutch breakfastis - you guessed it - slices of bread topped with either sweet or savoury items, such as cheese orthosefamous chocolate sprinkles known ashagelslag. There are three tiers of government in Germany: the municipalities, the federal states, and the federal government, who share political power between them. The royal family fulfil certain ceremonial duties, but have little real power. While the Munich fairs are probably the most famous, many towns and cities across Germany hold their own annual spring folk festivals. Alongside those that are commonplace elsewhere, such as Christmas Day, New Year's Day and Easter Monday, there are two national holidays specific to the Netherlands - Kings Day (Koningsdag) on April 27, and Liberation Day (Bevrijdingsdag) on May 5. Other Pride celebrations take place in cities across Germany, usually under the name Christopher Street Day (CSD), which is a reference to Christopher Street, where the Stonewall Riots took place. In 2020, the country experienced a record-breaking heatwave that last 13 days. Are you an expat considering relocating to Germany or the Netherlands - or perhaps from one to the other? But where there are higher rents, there are higher salaries. Head Coach Rinus Michels stood in front of the Dutch Royal Palace and said, "We won the tournament, but we all know the semi-final was the real final.". The former rivals are now working together (with Belgium) in their bidto host the 2027 Womens World Cup. There you have it - clearly, in their own ways, both Germany and the Netherlands have a lot to offer. In their final year of primary school, the children sit an exam to determine which stream they will enter for secondary school. Thecanal paradeis a true sight to behold and has the wonderful accolade of being the world's only pride parade on water. There is no designated rainy reason because it rains all year round - although, despite its reputation, the Netherlands isn't actually that rainy. In separate elections, the German population votes for representatives to send to both the Bundestag (Federal Diet) and the Bundesrat (Federal Council). The highest prices, unsurprisingly, are commanded in the cities of Amsterdam, Rotterdam, and the Hague. Here are just some of the German cities that are popular with expats: Since the fall of its infamous wall, Berlin has firmly established itself on the world stage as everybodys favourite German city. The Carnival of Cultures is a four-day street festival that includes music, food, performances and a colourful parade. Everybody dons orange clothes, eats orange food and drinks orange drinks in homage to their beloved monarch - come rain or shine. Alternatively, plenty of people simply opt for other popular breakfast items like muesli with yoghurt and fruit. Secondary schools in the Netherlands are split into three streams: There are a number of different types of schools in the Netherlands, includinginternational schoolswhich offer the International Baccalaureate (IB), European Baccalaureate, British qualifications, and more. It's also home to a wealth of famousmuseums, art galleries, theatres, cinemas, restaurants, bars and - of course - coffee shops and the infamous red light district.
TheDutch government is comprised of a Council of Ministers, which includes both the Prime Minister and the Cabinet Ministers. You may also be asked for references. So aside fromcheeseandbitterballenor Bratwurst andbeer, what do the Netherlands and Germany have to offer in the way of culinary delights? Here is a selection of articles, news and features you may also like. An interesting fact - the Netherlands and Germany are actually the only two countries to have one both the men's and women's European championships, while Germany is the only country to have won both World championships. It is also home to hundreds and thousands of Dutch and international inhabitants who live and work in the city. Unsurprisingly for a country famed for its pancakes, the Dutch have a lot of varieties to boast about: from the ever-popularpannekoekto the poffertje(a small, bite-sized pancake). Adding to this unpredictability, heatwaves are becoming a relatively frequent occurrence in the Netherlands. This charmingly rural city - where as much as 40 percent of the population has a migration background - is a tale of contrasts, with snappy suits, fancy restaurants and flashy cars coexisting happily with country walks and cosy bars. The cost of living in the Netherlands is around what you would expect for a western European country - although life in one of the big Dutch cities is considerably more expensive than in rural areas. No matter what time of year, theres always a good event or festival going on in Germany. This is especially true if youre searching for housing in one of Germanys larger cities, where demand far outstrips supply, and rents are consequently much higher than the average. Food in the Netherlands can be described using similar adjectives - mosttraditional Dutch dishesare hearty, warm and stodgy. Sadly, Sinterklaas is not an official holiday in the Netherlands, but it's still filled with festivities and family fun. Between 2009 and 2019, house prices in Germanys seven biggest cities - Berlin, Hamburg, Dsseldorf, Cologne, Munich, Frankfurt and Stuttgart - rose by an incredible 123,7 percent. Although this is still considered a very high score, English proficiency can be patchy in the federal republic, especially outside the main cities, and public institutions such as immigration offices are notorious for not having English-speaking staff. Thats not to say that renting in Germany is cheap: prices are also being squeezed on the rental market, especially in the countrys largest cities, where competition is fierce. However, the impact of climate change means that heatwaves and drought are becoming more prevalent across the country. Every Spring, residents of Berlin turn out en masse to celebrate the citys diversity. Compared to some other western European countries, the cost of living in Germany is actually relatively cheap - although the costs of food, housing, clothing and cultural activities are slightly higher than the EU average. While you can exert some control over the amount you spend on food and utilities by choosing where to shop and which provider to sign up with, by far your biggest expense is likely to be your rent - and you will have less choice when it comes to finding somewhere to live. Unlike Santa Claus, Sint arrives from his home in Spain on a steamboat in mid-November. Be warned that interviewers could ask questions unrelated to the position, with a view to getting to know you as a person. The Bremen Samba parade is a similar celebration of diversity and multiculturalism. Dutch primary schools, which children attend from age four to 12, are split into eight grades (groepen). If you haven't visitedAmsterdambefore, you've almost definitely heard of it. As the name suggests, the day is a nationwide celebration of the King's birthday and is a great excuse for a knees-up. Mandatory state insurance also covers long-term care, and some insurance policies also cover supplementary care like dental treatments and glasses, but it depends on your provider. TheDutch minimum wageis also very decent. If the hiring manager likes what they see on your resume, you will be invited to interview. Each year, it is attended by more than six million visitors from around the world, who collectively glug down more than seven million litres of beer. But for the original and best, youve got to be in the federal republic. A number of largeinternational companieshave their head offices in the Netherlands. The Bundestag, which consists of at least 598 members, elects the federal chancellor, the German office with the greatest political power. However, like Germany, there are a number of international influences on Dutch cuisine. Overall life satisfaction is slightly higher in the Netherlands than in Germany. Like its German cousin,Dutch carnaval is held annually on the Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday immediately preceding Lent. From the 1960s onwards, an influx of immigrants arrived in Germany, bringing with them new ingredients and dishes that have since become staples of the German diet - pizza, pasta, noodles and kebabs. The third-largest city in the Netherlands is The Hague, the home of the royal family, Dutch government, and a number of famous international courts. The only aspect in which the Netherlands would appear to be lacking in income and wealth, where it scores below average. However, you need to take into account the fact that as much as 30 percent of your monthly paycheck will go towards income taxes and compulsory social security contributions. For expatsespecially, work is always a key factor when considering a move abroad. The only areas where the Netherlands scored below average were income and wealth. If you are a high-earning expat, however, you can take advantage of a Dutch tax reduction scheme known as the30% ruling. People come from far and wide to take part inAmsterdams Pride celebrations, one of the highlights of summer in the Netherlands. Around a quarter of the country lies below sea level. The country is split into 16 federal states, three of which are city states (Berlin, Hamburg, and Bremen), while the rest are known as area states. The worlds largest and most famous folk festival, Wiesn (as the locals call it) is a 16- to 18-day festival that runs from mid- or late September to the first Sunday in October. The Netherlands fares even better, with the women's team coming in first in the world, and the men's team ranked third. Like Germany, the Dutch parliament has two houses:theSenate (Eerste Kamer, 75 seats) and House of Representatives (Tweede Kamer, 150 seats). After scoring a penalty in the second minute of the match, the Netherlands went on to let in another two goals and hand the trophy to West Germany - a bitter defeat for a country still full of anti-German sentiment after the Second World War. If the candidate's CV and cover letter impress the company, they may be invited to interview. In the first quarter of 2020, the average rent in Germany for a newly-constructed house was approximately 9,96 euros per square metre. As you may be slowly coming to understand, the Dutch love an excuse for a good party, and the summer months in the Netherlands are jam-packed with a number of renowned music festivals, celebrating every possible kind of music genre. Known in Dutch asde moeder aller nederlagen (the mother of all defeats), this match defined the sporting relationship between the two countries for many years. Unsurprisingly for a relatively cold and wet country, typical German cuisine is rich and filling, and heavily reliant on food preservation techniques like salting, pickling, smoking and curing. It was ranked the best in the world, for the second year in a row, in the 2020 Education First English Proficiency Index (EF EPI), a ranking of worldwide countries by English proficiency among non-native speakers. It's well-known for its impressive skyline of modern architecture and many feel it rivals the Dutch capital when it comes to history and culture. The latter is only an official holiday once every five years! In Germany, people scored their life satisfaction a 7. Buying a houseis a good financial investment, but with the average property price now pushing 300.000 euros, it is not an option for everybody.
Like many aspects of life in Germany, the number of national holidays per year varies from state to state. World-famous for its beer halls, lederhosen and oompah bands, Munich is a city where tradition is cherished, but not at the expense of the modern: high-tech industry, modern art, and science and innovation are equally important in the capital city of Bavaria. The issue, instead, is how unpredictable theDutch weathercan be. Children attend primary school (Grundschule) until the age of 10 or 12 (depending on the federal state). Unsurprisingly, therefore, buying a house is beyond the means of many. If you'rerenting, make sure to check your rental contract to see which utilities are included -energy, waterandinternetare usually factored into the cost, while some expenses such as municipal taxes might not be. A number of international schools also offer children internationally-recognised certifications like the IGCSE and IB diplomas - but they typically charge higher tuition fees than other types of schools. Read on to find out what makes Germany, well, Germany. Read on to discover how they're similar, and now they're different. Other Dutch favourites includestroopwafels(syrup waffles) anddrop(liquorice). TheDutch healthcare systemis widely considered one of the best and fairest in the world, covering basic and essential medical care (such as visits to theGPor hospital), supplementary care (like dental care), and long-term care for chronic illnesses. The cost of housing in the Netherlands is high - and it only seems to be increasing: 2020 has seen the largest increase in rent prices in six years, pushing up the national average to 16,77 euros per square metre. Here's an overview of the major Dutch citiesthat are popular among the international community. There are also government-run public schools (openbaar), which have no religious or philosophical affiliation, and independently-operated special schools(bijzonder) that adhere to a religion or education philsophy, such as Montessori or Steiner schools. So what do both the Netherlands and Germany have to offer in the way of career prospects and job opportunities for expats? The most populous are North Rhine-Westphalia, Bavaria, and Baden-Wrttemberg. And, of course, whats a German meal without some bread or potatoes on the side? There are 79 cities in Germany with more than 100.000 inhabitants - meaning that expats who come to the federal republic have a lot of choice when it comes to finding somewhere to live. Whichever you end up choosing, you will undoubtedly face both positives and negatives, but remember - since they share a border, the other country is never far away! Where the Germans have Nikolaus, the Dutch celebrateSinterklaas. If you work in an in-demand profession, or your wages exceed a predefined limit, you can reduce your taxable income from 100 percent to 70 percent, making the remaining 30 percent completely tax-free. It has long been a top destination among expats, who once came for its cheap rentals and enticing atmosphere of experimentation and hedonism. All kinds of schools participate in the streamed system of schooling and receive government funding - meaning that private schools in Germany are much more affordable than in other countries in Western Europe. And, as the number of companies seeking foreign workers grows, so too does the number of recruitment agenciesspecialisingin international candidates and expat-friendly job boards. Depending on the company, this could range from a fairly relaxed conversation to a more intense, formal interview. The Netherlands may be smaller by surface area, but it's dense: its cities pack no less of a punch than the German ones, catering to everyone's needs and preferences. The German healthcare system is funded by a mixture of employee and employer contributions and government subsidies and is run by both public and private healthcare providers, insurance schemes, regulatory bodies and the Federal Ministry of Health. Germany ranked a very respectable 10th in the 2020 EF EPI. The biggest city in the Netherlands may have firmly established itself as one of the world's top tourist destinations, but Amsterdam is so much more than its reputation as a party city would have you believe. Then you need to know what moving to the Netherlands or German could mean for you and your family. When it comes to daily life, what sets Germany apart? There are enough supermarket chains and service providers that you have a great deal of control over how much you spend on food or utility bills, but you should prepare for the fact that housing will take up quite a significant proportion of your living costs - especially if you live in one of the largercities in the Netherlands, where fierce competition is driving up rents. She has since worked as a writer, editor and content marketeer, but still has a soft spot for museums, castles Travel anywhere in Germany for 39,90 euros with new Egal-Wohin-Ticket, Lufthansa to cancel more flights, 20.000 suitcases pile up at Frankfurt Airport, July 2022: 15 changes affecting expats in Germany, Germany heading for a hot, dry summer with highs of up to 42 degrees, German cities soar through rankings in latest World Liveability Index. This may also include a skills assessment or other kind of test. Like Germany, the Netherlands performs well,achieving particularly high scores for the following categories: work-life balance (9,5 out of 10), life satisfaction (9,3), safety (9,2), health (8,4), and jobs (8,3). Most German companies alsoplace a strong emphasis on striking a good work-life balance, and so the average full-time working week is somewhere between 36 and 40 hours. As in Germany, the high cost of real estate is what pushes so many people to rent. There isn't as much of a strong English-language working culture in the federal republic, with German remaining the primary language of business. Germany is the most populous country in the EU - and its population of 83,1 million people makes it one of the most populous countries in the world! Another reason why this city tops so many people's wish lists: it's only a short tram ride away fromScheveningen, the most beloved beach in the Netherlands. The Maidult (Spring), the Jakobidult (Summer) and the Kirchweihdult(Autumn) each last for nine days and feature a number of attractions, including a market, funfair rides, food stalls and, of course, plenty of German beer. However, owning ones own home is also less of a social aspiration in Germany than elsewhere: thanks to strong tenant rights, high property transfer taxes and limited tax benefits for owner-occupiers, only around 45 percent of households in the federal republic own the home they live in. It covers both inpatient and outpatient care, and rehabilitation. The way everybody goes on about it, you'd think that Amsterdam was the only city in the Netherlands - but Rotterdam can more than give the capital a run for its money. But, ultimately, you can only really discover a country by living there yourself. The process is largely the same in Germany, although you should be aware thatGerman CVs and cover letters follow a pretty set format, so its worth making a few tweaks to ensure yours look the way recruiters would expect. Compared to most other countries, Germany performs well in the Better Life Index, with above-average scores in all 11 categories. Just make sure you wrap up warm, because the day isn't normally blessed with sunshine! The Netherlands is an ideal destination for expats looking for work abroad, offering a wealth of international-friendly job opportunities, expat-only job boardsandeven recruitment agencies that specialise in placing expats in jobs in the Netherlands. Bearing that in mind, let's look at how life in the Netherlands compares to life in Germany. Although traditional German cuisine is pretty varied - with each region having at least a handful of speciality dishes - there are some dishes that you are likely to come across no matter where in the country you are. 2009 was the first year that the Netherlands qualified for the UEFA Women's Euro, and they made it all the way to the semi-finals, where they lost 2-1 to England. Nestled in the middle of umpteen valleys and rivers, forests and vineyards, Stuttgart is famous for being the centre of car manufacturing in Germany. In 2019, for example, the average value for apartments in these cities was 5.687 euros per square metre. Germany has a temperate climate, ranging from oceanic in the north to continental in the east and southeast, meaning winters range from cold in the Alps to mild in other parts of the country.
School holiday datesare staggered in the Netherlands to avoid a busy holiday rush. While some, like New Years Day, Good Friday, German Unity Day and Christmas Day, are nationwide holidays, others are only observed in some federal states. All children in the Netherlands must attend school between the ages of five and 16. Bread rolls - and Germany has hundreds of different types - are typically eaten with butter, margarine, marmalade, honey or chocolate spread. To avoid overburdening the transport infrastructure, school holidays in Germany work on a staggered rota system that changes every year. These include Eintopf (a simple stew), Erbsensuppe (pea soup), Bratwurst, Leberkse, Schnitzel and Rouladen. Some of the most popular and well-known dishes gracing tables in the Netherlands includestamppot, pea soup and pancakes, all of which are traditionally eaten for dinner - yes, even the pancakes! However, with cycling being the most popular means of transport, you won't be spending a lot onpublic transportation. Breakfast in Germany is one of the most important meals of the day, and typically revolves around baked goods, which really should be bought fresh from the bakery in the morning. Its also consistently ranked as one of the best cities in the world for quality of life. It was not until 1988 that the Dutch managed to turn the tables, defeating Germany on home soil in the semi-final of the UEFA. From the infamous nightlife of Berlin to the traditional beer halls of Munich, each German city has its own unique charm. Receive the IamExpat Weekly and Special Offers from our Partners, Applying for a job in the Netherlands and Germany, The Netherlands may be smaller by surface area, but it's dense: its cities pack no less of a punch than the German ones, catering to everyone's needs and preferences. This traditional annual market is held three times on the Mariahilfplatz in the district of Au in Munich.