Daily life, traffic and customs in the Netherlands

The bicycle is the most typical Dutch means of transport. There are separate cycle paths (fietspaden) almost everywhere, and cyclists are protected by clear rules.

• A bicycle must have working lights at the front (white) and at the back (red), reflectors, a bell and brakes. Cycling without lights in the dark can get a fine.
• Traffic from the right has priority at a crossing without signs or markings. At a crossing with “shark teeth” (white triangles) you must give way.
• Hold your hand out to show you will turn. Do not use your phone while cycling, and do not ride in the wrong direction on a cycle path.
• Lock your bike with a good lock, always, because bicycle theft is common. Park in a bike rack, not in front of doors or on the pavement.
• Pedestrians use the pavement and crossings (zebrapad). Drivers must stop for people on a zebra crossing.

Exam tip: A typical question: “It is dark. What must your bicycle have?” Working lights, front and back.

Trains, buses, trams and metros connect the whole country. For longer distances, the train is the main choice.

• You pay with an OV-chipkaart or a contactless bank card or phone. Always check in at the start and check out at the end of every journey, or you lose money or get a fine.
• Travelling without a valid ticket or check-in is fined. Keep your seat free for people who need it more.
• To drive a car you need a driving licence (rijbewijs), car insurance (WA-verzekering, compulsory), and the car needs a valid MOT (APK). Wearing a seat belt is compulsory, and children need a child seat.
• The speed limit in built-up areas is often 30 or 50 km/h. Drinking and driving is forbidden above a low alcohol limit, and using a phone in your hand is forbidden.

Holidays are days off for many people, and several have their own traditions. Know the main ones and what they celebrate.

• King’s Day (Koningsdag), 27 April: the king’s birthday. People wear orange, hold street markets (vrijmarkt) and celebrate.
• 4 May is Remembrance Day (Dodenherdenking) with two minutes of silence at 20:00, and 5 May is Liberation Day (Bevrijdingsdag).
• Sinterklaas is on the evening of 5 December: children get presents and poems. Christmas is on 25 and 26 December. New Year is celebrated on 31 December with fireworks and oliebollen (fried dough balls).
• Other public holidays include Easter (Pasen), Ascension Day (Hemelvaartsdag) and Pentecost (Pinksteren). Religious holidays of other faiths, such as Eid, are not public holidays, but you can ask your employer for a day off.
• Birthdays are important: people congratulate everyone in the room, including family, and visitors sit in a circle. You say “gefeliciteerd!”.

Paying by card is normal, and in many shops cash is not accepted. Supermarkets are open most days, and on Sundays many shops in cities are open.

• You pay with a debit card (pinnen) or on your phone. For payments on the internet you use iDEAL. You need a bank account with an IBAN, which you can open with your identity document and BSN.
• Prices already include VAT (btw). Tipping is not compulsory; in a restaurant many people round up the bill.
• You can buy fresh food at the weekly market (weekmarkt) and second-hand items at the thrift shop or online. A deposit (statiegeld) is paid on many bottles.
• A typical Dutch day has bread for breakfast and lunch (broodmaaltijd), and a warm meal in the early evening, often between 17:30 and 19:00.
• If you are invited for dinner, be on time, tell the host about allergies or food rules beforehand, and bring a small gift such as flowers.

People in the Netherlands like to arrange things in advance. Spontaneous visits are less usual than in many countries.

• Make an appointment (afspraak) before visiting, even with friends and family. Use a calendar or an app, and keep to what you agreed.
• Greet with a handshake, and among friends a kiss on the cheek, often three times. Say “goedemorgen”, “goedemiddag” or “hallo” to neighbours and shop assistants.
• Many people are active in clubs (verenigingen) for sport, music or hobbies, and in volunteer work (vrijwilligerswerk). It is one of the best ways to meet people and practise Dutch.
• Small talk about the weather, work and sport is normal. Ask questions about the other person, and do not be afraid to say if you do not understand.

Exam tip: When you are asked how to meet people in a new neighbourhood, join a club or do volunteer work: both are very Dutch answers.