Her move to the Netherlands was "traumatic", says Argentine Marta Galano with a wink. From 40 degrees in Buenos Aires, she found herself in a country with snow, strong winds and screeching cold. "And that's just the beginning," she says. "When you move to another country, everything is different, from the weather to the people, from the culture to the customs."

The number of people in The Hague with an international background increased steadily between 2010 to 2022, according to a report by research firm Decisio, commissioned by The Hague International Centre. During that period, the number of knowledge workers grew by an average of 3.3 per cent each year, while the number of labour migrants saw an average annual increase of 7.1 per cent (see box for definitions of these groups).

Knowledge workers

Together, these two groups comprised 104,695 people in 2022 in the entire region of The Hague (The Hague, Delft, Leidschendam-Voorburg, Midden-Delfland, Pijnacker-Nootdorp, Rijswijk, Wassenaar, Westland and Zoetermeer), of whom 25,145 were knowledge workers and 79,550 labour migrants. That does not include other international groups, such as students, status holders and children; adding them brings the total number to 157,425.

The largest groups of knowledge workers in The Hague come from India, the United Kingdom and Germany. Of those, 24 per cent work in business services and 16 per cent in education. It is also notable that around 2/3 of knowledge workers in The Hague are relatively young, aged between 25 to 45.

Workers defined

Decisio's study uses the following definition of a knowledge worker: an international worker, with a minimum wage requirement and a minimum number of social security days. In 2022, the minimum wage requirement (expressed in fiscal wages) was €32,197 for a knowledge worker up to 30 years old and €43,908 for those aged 30 and above. International workers who do not meet that wage requirement are migrant workers.

Knowledge workers form a large, diverse group in the Hague region, says Gerko Visée, who provides newcomers with advice and support on formal matters at The Hague International Centre. They work for large international companies, for instance, as diplomats or scientific researchers, while Visée also encounters more and more young IT professionals in recent years.

"There are many differences within the large group of knowledge workers - in work, origin, culture - but by and large they speak English, are self-reliant and are supported by an employer or consultancy firm in their new home country." And earn an ample living. 35 per cent of knowledge workers in 2022 had a salary between 50,000 and 75,000 euros per year, 30 per cent more than 75,000.

Smooth transition

Knowledge migrants’ employers often try to make the transition as smooth as possible. Larger companies in particular usually provide a relocation package, consisting of money and support. For example, assistance from Marta Galano, who works as an international account manager at Eurohome. "You (and your family) have a lot to deal with when you move, and I wanted to help expats like me." For example, with opening a bank account, applying for a citizen service number (BSN) or arranging your first language lesson. Galano comments, "Simply put, we relocate families and their belongings and support them in everything."

So too with finding a house. In that regard, Galano's clients, who work for large companies such as KLM, IKEA and BMW, often have to slightly adjust their initial wishes. "Houses are generally smaller in the Netherlands compared to other countries," she explains. "Some expect a detached house with a swimming pool, but of course that’s not very common here."

Decisio's report shows that Bezuidenhout is the most popular area among international knowledge workers, followed by Statenkwartier and Zeeheldenkwartier. They are quiet neighbourhoods, close to the city centre. "Our clients usually don't know The Hague when they first arrive. They think the Netherlands consists only of Amsterdam," says Galano. "But they are often pleasantly surprised by how nice it is to live here. It's clean, the city is diverse, and everyone speaks English." She laughs, "Although, they are surprised by the steep stairs, and that a four-storey building has no lift. But houses are generally in good condition, which in turn is much appreciated."

International mindset

The presence of several international schools for the international knowledge workers with (young) children is also appreciated. Roswitha Kruijsse is Head of Admissions at The International School of The Hague in Kijkduin that has some 2,000 international pupils. "People who move frequently look for an international school because they want a certain continuity in education," Kruijsse states. "At international schools, the language of instruction is English, they often offer the same curriculum, and the children have a somewhat similar mindset."

"They have all moved house at some point, so they know what that means. They are therefore tolerant and understand that some children have different holidays or perhaps celebrate different things than they do. The children respect other cultures and opinions and embrace diversity." At school, children with the same origins do seek each other out, but "certainly don't just stay in that group," Kruijsse assures us.

Read also: What makes The Hague attractive to international talent? Mayor Jan van Zanen on The Hague as an international city

Tax benefits

For knowledge migrants who earn more than €46,107 a year, there is a special tax scheme. Under certain conditions, it is possible for them to get up to 30 per cent of their salary paid tax-free by their employer. This scheme, intended to cover things including housing and living expenses, can be used by employees for 5 years. The greater financial clout that the scheme provides, gives knowledge migrants an advantage in the impenetrable housing market.

The scheme was to be drastically reduced from 1 January 2024, but the new Cabinet is virtually abandoning that move. Instead of a lower tax-free percentage, which decreased ever so slightly over the course of 5 years, the percentage will now simply be reduced to 27 per cent.

While trade unions were in favour of the measure, the business community was less positive. Companies feared that it would affect their competitive position and inhibit innovation. The new Cabinet seems to share those concerns.

Dutch steadfastness

Whether the same applies to their parents is another matter, but that is not necessarily down to them. The Dutch usually keep work and private life fairly separate. Gerko Visée states, "In southern Europe, your co-workers often become your friends too, but that’s not always the case here. The Dutch are also known for having a close group of friends, which they often formed during their school or student days. It can be difficult for internationals to penetrate that group. So, they mainly build friendships with other internationals, and contact with Dutch people often remains somewhat fleeting."

Dutch people are far from always open to new friendships, Galano thinks." It varies from person to person, of course, but sometimes your neighbours don't even say hello to you. That's very different from Buenos Aires, where they welcome you with a present and are always there for you.

I do prepare newcomers for that too: don't be surprised if it takes four months to connect with other mothers in the schoolyard, or if at work it takes a while to get to know your colleagues better. The Hague is very welcoming to the expat community, but it may take a bit longer to make friends than you are used to."

The fact that 54 per cent of knowledge workers work in The Hague for less than two years will not help this, although it cannot be ascertained from the data whether those people actually all leave after their work ends. The people who continue to work and live in The Hague for longer are indeed more engaged in integration, Visée argues.

"Once people live here longer, they really have a different orientation to the Netherlands than people who are here only for a short time. They don't always realise it at the beginning, but The Hague really is a family city with a good quality of life. There are beautiful, old residential areas, it's green, it's by the sea. The Hague has a very good image among knowledge migrants. Once they get used to it a bit here, they often don't want to leave."