Surviving is not thriving
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We hear it every week: you can survive in the Netherlands with English. That is true for many situations, especially in big cities and international companies. But if you want to belong, grow your career, and make daily life easier, Dutch changes everything. Below is a practical, no-nonsense look at where Dutch gives you a real advantage, and what most expats actually want to know when they search for answers.
Do you really need Dutch for work?
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More and more jobs can be done in English, yet Dutch still widens your options. Indeed’s analysis in 2024 found that about 8 percent of vacancies did not require Dutch. That means the other 92 percent did list Dutch as required or preferred, especially in people facing roles and many office teams. In other words, English opens the door to some jobs, Dutch opens more doors and often the better ones.
You pick up informal context in meetings, you can join side conversations, and you stop missing the quick jokes and asides where trust is built. In client work, Dutch often moves you from support tasks to ownership and billable responsibility. These are the moments that influence promotions and pay.
You pick up informal context in meetings, you can join side conversations, and you stop missing the quick jokes and asides where trust is built. In client work, Dutch often moves you from support tasks to ownership and billable responsibility. These are the moments that influence promotions and pay.
How far should you go: A2 or B1?
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If you are on a civic integration track, the government expects you to learn Dutch and complete integration within three years.
Under the current system many newcomers follow a route that prepares for B1 within that period, with the option to scale down to A2 in consultation with your municipality if B1 proves out of reach within the time frame.
Practically, B1 is the level where daily life and most office communication start feeling manageable without constant switching. It's also the level of the average Dutchie
A handy rule of thumb:
A2 helps you survive. B1 helps you participate.
Aim for B1 if your goal is long term residence, career growth, or study.
You can find more information on inburgeren here.
Aim for B1 if your goal is long term residence, career growth, or study.
You can find more information on inburgeren here.
Will Dutch actually improve daily life?
Yes, and faster than you think. Dutch changes your relationship with the country in three high impact areas.
The huisarts is your first point of contact for most health concerns. Most GPs speak good English, but being able to state symptoms, history and concerns in Dutch shortens appointments and reduces misunderstandings.
You are also expected to register with a GP once you have basic Dutch health insurance in place. Knowing the core health words helps you register and navigate referrals with less friction.
You are also expected to register with a GP once you have basic Dutch health insurance in place. Knowing the core health words helps you register and navigate referrals with less friction.
If you have children in Dutch education or childcare, Dutch becomes essential. It is the difference between reading the school app yourself and waiting for someone to translate every message, and between joining the parent community or staying at the edges.
Volunteering, sports clubs, neighbourhood chats, the conversation at the bakery. These are where friendships begin. You will feel the shift from being served in English to being welcomed in Dutch once you try, even with simple phrases.
At Dutch Online we built entire lessons around these exact situations, because they matter most for expats.
In A2 Part 2 you will find practical modules on health and doctors, daycare and school, insurances and municipalities. Each one gives you the words, sentences and confidence you need to handle these everyday challenges in Dutch.
Is Dutch worth it if my job is already in English?
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Yes, for three reasons.
Career insurance
Markets change. Teams reorganise. Roles that are English today may require Dutch next quarter, especially when responsibilities shift to customer contact, compliance, or hiring. Speaking Dutch protects you from being boxed into the international bubble and keeps you competitive across a wider set of teams. The job market still favours candidates with Dutch in many sectors.
Social trust
Colleagues open up when you try their language. You will be invited to more informal settings and hear more honest feedback. That trust is often what moves your career forward.
Life design
From finding a better GP to understanding your rental contract to joining a club in your neighbourhood, Dutch reduces friction everywhere. Friction removed is time and money saved.
How long does it take to see results?
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Weeks, not years, if you focus on the right things. Most learners feel a practical shift once they can power through common A2 tasks and begin using B1 patterns in a few key situations.
Build around small daily wins: ordering, appointments, short calls, fast messages to colleagues. Momentum matters more than perfect grammar.
Learning Dutch is not about being perfect. It’s about unlocking opportunities and feeling at home. Every small step you take makes life here easier.
Ready to take your first step?
Try Dutch Online free for 7 days and see how our structured lessons and Smart Practice help you go from daily wins to real confidence in Dutch.
Looking for more tips? Check out our other articles!
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