The best way to ensure your health and safety while abroad is through knowledge and by exercising commonsense. When you travel abroad the risks of contracting diseases may increase as a result of different climates, socio-economic conditions, food and general hygiene and your own behavior. As with everything, being prepared will help you avoid potential disaster.
Your country most likely has information regarding travel abroad for its citizens. Some may even have a registry where you can sign up and enter information about your travels so that your country can assist in the event of an emergency.
Emergency Number in the Netherlands is 112
Thigs to do and think about before coming to Utrecht.Download the PDF.
This includes vaccinations, insurances, travel logistics, housing suggestions.
A note about health insurance:
It may take some time before you are covered by a Dutch health insurance provider as you will first need a Burger Service Nummer (BSN), the equivalent of a tax ID number. You can only obtain a BSN after you arrive in The Netherlands and have registered in the town in which you will be living.
You may want to extend your own health insurance until after you have arrived in The Netherlands to bridge any gap that may occur.
Before any foreign student or employee performs patient-related tasks, that person must read and submit the appropriate health care reports.
Please download the Health and Safety Executive UMC Utrecht. This includes:
- Tuberculosis
- Hepatitis B
- MRSA Screening
- Childhood Diseases: Varicella (Chicken Pox), Rubella (German Measles), Morbilli (Measles)
The International Office will welcome you on your first day and guide you around the medical center and assist you with obtaining your ID badge/uniform; Medical check-up; MRSA screening; and direct or accompany you to pick up your accomodation keys.
The rules and regulations regarding visas and permits change frequently and depend on the reason and length of your stay as well as your nationality. Please inquire early about visas/permits as some may take weeks or months to obtain.
For up-to-date information, please visit the IND (Immigration and Naturalization Service). Generally, the department in which you will be working will apply for the necessary documents for your stay.
Types of visas/permits you may need to apply for are:
- Entry Visa
- Residence Permit
- Work Permit
- IND Registration or Proof of Lawful Residence
- City Registration
- Burger Service Nummer (BSN), the equivalent of a tax ID number
- Tuberculosis Test
You can also find information about living in The Netherlands at the Euraxess, Researchers in Motion’s site.
*Please note that the International Office is not responsible for third party information and we encourage you to inquire about details, as some information may change.
Please be aware that housing in Utrecht and the surrounding area is very difficult to find and we advise that you start early in your search.
Housing Options
1. Human Resources website. Click on "HRM pages in English" located in the left column.
2. Rental Agencies: some rental agencies cater to expats, so it may help to include expat in your search. If you go through a rental agency, most all of them will charge a 1-month fee.
3. International Neighbour Group (ING) has a mailing list where people (usually students, however) often advertise accomodation.
4. Kamernet: this is primarily for students, as most places available for rent are rooms.
5. Funda: site for both renting and buying (in Dutch)
If you are moving into an unfurnished place, in general, you may need to purchase applicances. We stongely encourage you to inquire as to what applicances come with the accomodation. You may have to buy a washer/dryer, dishwasher, refrigerator/freezer, cupboards/closets.
In general utilities (for example, electricity, gas, water) are averaged over the year and then split into a monthly cost. It is most likely that you may have to provide the first month of utilities payment up front.
At the end of the year, your utilities costs will be adjusted for what you actually used and you may receive money back (or have to pay more). The monthly cost is calculated by the amount the previous tenant paid, so if you think it's too high, you can call to adjust it when you first move.
Utrecht center is very close to the Uithof (pronounced "out-hoff"), the name of the campus where much of Utrecht University and all of the UMC Utrecht are located. It is about a 15 minute bicycle ride or 10 minute bus ride. The Netherlands is very flat and there are dedicated bicycle paths so commuting by bike is very easy. In addition, the bus #11 and #12 travel frequently from Utrecht to the Uithof.
Some landmarks of Utrecht center:
Dom Tower
Janskerkhof
Oudegracht (the old canal that runs through the center): main shopping area
De Bilt and Bilthoven are to the northwest of the Uithof, about a 15-25 minute bicycle ride. The bus runs less frequently to the Uithof. There is a train station in Bilthoven. More residential, each has a town center with an Albert Heijn (food store) and other essential shops.
Zeist is east of the Uithof and about a 20-30 minute bicycle ride. The bus #254 and #281 run from Zeist with stops at the Uithof. More residential, there is fairly large town center.
Although English is routinely heard in The Netherlands, we recommend learning some Dutch, especially for social interactions. The James Boswell Institute in Utrecht offers Dutch language for foreigners as a good foundation.
The Utrecht Summer School also offers 2-week intensive Dutch language courses during the summer.
You may wish to purchase an OV Chip Card (approximately 7.50 Euros).
There are three types of cards:
- a personalized one with a picture ID (non-transferrable and provides additional benefits) can be re-loaded;
- an anonymous card, (transferrable and does not have the additional benefits of a personalized card) can be re-loaded; and
- a disposible card, good for a pre-determined, short-term trip and can be thrown away after its use.
- All types of cards can be used at all public transportation services in The Netherlands. Be sure to check in and out when entering and leaving all public transportation vehicles
Please visit the OV Chip Card website for detailed information.