A warm welcome
Expat Centre Maastricht Region has the knowledge and expertise to understand not just the complex administrative requirements of relocating a business, a job or a family to the Maastricht Region, but also the more personal needs and emotional support that can be required. Our team utilises their professional know-how and extensive experience to provide a warm welcome and remain a reliable source of support for as long as necessary.
Anticipating expat needs from even before they arrive
Expat Centre Maastricht Region has a number of processes and services in place to ensure that expats and entrepreneurs’ unique immigration and administrative requirements are dealt with, in some cases even before they arrive. Our Fast Track process is an example of an accelerated means of processing immigration applications and municipal registration.
Some expats are moving jobs, family, house and home for the first time and require a steady hand to guide them through the sometimes daunting and complicated administrative processes in an unfamiliar country and language. Others have relocated a number of times and are just keen to settle in to their new surroundings and get on with making friends and exploring the area. For both these expats and all those in-between, our dedicated team has the experience and the expertise to make every move an enjoyable one.
Entrepreneurs and businesses can also depend on Expat Centre Maastricht Region to deliver effective services for organisational and immigration requirements on an operational level.
Dual careers – supporting spouses and life partners
Expat Centre Maastricht Region works to support equally talented spouses accompanying their partners to the Netherlands.
We do this by;
- Facilitating their speedy integration into Dutch society,
- Providing them with potential career opportunities and social networking events, and
- Bringing all the relevant information together to make their relocation as efficient as possible.
This leaves more time and energy for furthering their own career.
Securing a new position in the Maastricht Region can be more easily achieved when applicants have access to a broad network of professional contacts, as well as having a basic knowledge of Dutch. In the Maastricht Region many connections and introductions are made in more casual settings and although Dutch is not necessarily a pre-requisite for work, it is definitely helpful when communicating with customers, suppliers, prospective colleagues and potential employers. It is also important to remember that attending language classes is a great way to meet new people.
Being aware of the substantial potential contribution that dual careers can provide expats, Expat Centre Maastricht Region is joining forces with expat services across the Euregio Meuse-Rhine. A project commenced this year in cooperation with our team, Expat Centre Hasselt and Newcomer Service Aachen to develop a cross-border Dual Career Service. This project is being led by the universities located within the Euregio Meuse-Rhine.
One of the largest employers in the region, Maastricht University offers Staff Career Counselling Services which assists university staff members who have questions about their careers, opportunities in or outside the university, facilitates work-related coaching and conducts training courses, while also welcoming family members of Maastricht University's international employees.
Engaging in local life – volunteering
Many organisations in the Maastricht Region can use volunteers: food banks, museums and other cultural organisations, helping at schools and care homes may be an option, providing transport for elderly people, helping people with their financial administration, gardening, and helping people with their English.
Volunteering is another way to further one’s education and come into contact with potential employers. If just arrived in the Netherlands, it is a productive way to become acquainted with or improve knowledge of the Dutch language and can increase chances of prospective employment.
Citizens of non-European Union (EU) / European Economic Area (EEA) countries require a valid work permit to engage in volunteer activities.
Holders of a tourist visa are not allowed to do volunteer work. Recipients of unemployment benefits may not be allowed to volunteer without prior consent from the Uitvoeringsinstituut Werknemersverzekeringen – UWV (Employee Insurance Agency).
The following websites (in Dutch) feature volunteer opportunities across the Netherlands;
In the Netherlands a Verklaring Omtrent het Gedrag – VOG (Certificate of Good Conduct) is sometimes required before starting volunteer work. It is a document by which the Minister voor Rechtsbescherming (Minister for Legal Protection) declares that the applicant has not committed any criminal offences that may affect the performance of their duties.