Dentist

Studentist

This is the dentist for students in Amsterdam. It is possible to register online and schedule appointments. The dentist is also located near several university buildings
It’s incredibly easy to switch to this dental practice. First, make an appointment online and on-location all papers will be filled in and will be sent. It takes little time to make the switch between dental practices and all the administration is largely done for you.

Lastly, Studentist indicates to be very cheap, and especially younger dentists work at this practice.

Click here to go to their website.

ACTA

ACTA is a knowledge institute where research is carried out, students are educated and 350 patients are cared for on a daily basis. ACTA even ranks among the top 5 dental research institutes in the world. The institute is a collaboration between the Vrije Universiteit in Amsterdam and the University of Amsterdam. 

Also, dental care is available at the Academic Centre for Dentistry Amsterdam (ACTA), where treatment is provided by university dental students who are supervised by qualified dentists.

Treatments can take slightly more time because they may be carried out by several students, but the cost is lower (65% of the normal fee, on average).

A selective examination will be carried out before you can register at ACTA in order to establish whether you are a good candidate for treatment by students. It is possible that you will not be admitted to ACTA as a patient.

For more information about ACTA, click here. 

Click here to see what the UvA recommends.

General Practitioner

There are loads of different General Practitioners (GP) in Amsterdam. For internationals who may not know a GP is a doctor based in the community who treats patients with minor or chronic illnesses and refers those with serious conditions to a hospital. The health care system in The Netherlands might be different than what you are used to. For more information about insurance, you can check out the UvA website and their advice.

To know the closest General Practitioner in your area, search on Google for GPs in your area. For example, “General Practitioner in Amsterdam East”. Then a list of GPs in your district will be shown. You can also find GPs in your area on this website. The UvA also provides information about GPs. Click here for more information. 

Finally, the GP also deals with the mental health of the student. If you are having problems related to your mental health that are not study-related (if it is check out the UvA Psychologists) you should get a consultation appointment with your GP and they will refer you to a professional (psychologist or psychiatrist).

What documents do I need to register at a Dutch GP?

Registering to a GP takes little time and is very user-friendly. You can register for the GP of UvA (details down below) or any other GP usually via a from or through a phone call. Also, if you are unhappy with your current GP transferring from one GP to another is very easy. Just fill in a few forms and a few days later all the data is transferred.

What you need to fill in:

– Information about your previous General Practitioner
– Personal information, so your name, address, etc.
– Your Citizen Service Number (BSN in Dutch)
– Details about your health insurance

https://www.huisartsenamsterdam.nl/international/

This is a general practice in the center of Amsterdam. The practice cooperates with the UvA and the HvA, which means that every student from these institutes can contact this general practitioner. Here they specialize in students, taking into account the body of students but also the lifestyle of the student. They are specialized in burn-outs, travel advice & vaccination, birth control, drugs, STD’s etc. They also give a lot of attention to E-health. On the internet, it is possible to follow the training, carry out tests and follow therapy.

https://www.centraldoctors.nl/

There are also general practitioners in the Amsterdam Centraal Station. They are ideally located for residents of the city center who are looking for a new, easily accessible general practitioner with extended opening hours. Travelers and commuters can also contact them. All kinds of investigations are carried out via their own laboratory collection point. You can also get medication at the adjacent pharmacy. This is ideal to keep in mind in case of emergencies as well (the UvA GP can get crowded certain times of the year) since they accept walk-ins.

Traffic Rules

Strict traffic rules have been drawn up in the Netherlands and in Amsterdam in order to allow all residents to move around the streets as safe as possible. Here are the most important rules:

  • Firstly, it is forbidden to drive a vehicle with alcohol or drugs in your body. This is life-threatening. It is forbidden to cycle with alcohol in the body, so be very careful! The police do not check bikers with any alcohol in their blood. However, it is still forbidden. If you are not an experienced cyclist, be careful on the road. Even experienced cyclists regularly fall hard on the ground when they’re drunk.
  • All vehicles drive on the right side of the road. Left overtaking is allowed.
  • Since 2019 it is forbidden to hold a mobile phone while riding a scooter, motorbike, moped, or bicycle. This law was introduced this year because of the many accidents on the road, caused by one or more drivers who hold their phones. Calling is also not allowed except hands-frees, such as a mobile holder on the handlebars or earphones. Fines for holding a phone when driving on the road are €95,-.
  • Traffic from the right has priority
  • Trams always have priority (watch out for tram rails on bicycles!)
  • On the motorway, in most cases, the maximum speed is 100 or 120 km/hour.
  • Everywhere in the city of Amsterdam, there are cycle paths. Drive on these paths and avoid the asphalt roads where cars drive.
  • The most important rule of cycling in Amsterdam: many people abide by the rules. The bicycle network in Amsterdam does not run on a system but on intuition. Lots of people ignore the stop signs/red lights, cycles fast, and maneuvers swiftly past other cyclists, pedestrians, cars, and trams. Be aware that it takes time to get used to the bicycle system because you have to make the system your own.

Public Transport

OV-chipcard

Within Amsterdam, it is easy to travel quickly by bike, but also by public transport. The tram, bus, and metro are good means of transport to travel throughout the city. The infrastructure in Amsterdam is so good that the trams, buses, and metros follow each other in quick succession.

To pay for public transport it is important to buy a public transport chip card. With this card, you can check in when you arrive at the means of transport and check out when you disembark. No more cash is accepted in Amsterdam.

Regular public transport OV-chipcard (personalized)

Only Dutch students can get free public transport. International students can buy a public transport chip card. The card is valid for 5 years.

With this link, you can fill in your details and request a personal chip card (OV-chipkaart).

  1. Then you have to upload a personal photo which can be seen on your personal chip card.
  2. Then you can indicate the function to automatically upload the OV-chipkaart. This means that when the amount of money is lower than a certain value, the OV-chipkaart will be charged with money from your bank account. This action takes place automatically when this threshold is reached.
  3. Then you check everything and fill in your payment details.
  4. You can only pay with iDeal and PayPal.
  5. Within a few working days, you will receive the OV-chipkaart at home.

Anonymous public transportation OV-chipcard

There is also a possibility to travel with an anonymous OV-chipkaart. When people don’t travel much with OV or don’t want to share their personal information, you can choose to travel anonymously. You can share the card with the whole family (but not at the same time). For example, you travel to the library by metro with the anonymous card and your flatmate uses the same card one day later to go to football by bus.

  1. The card is available at railway stations, metro stations, tobacco shops, and service desks.
  2. If you load a balance on it, the card can be used immediately.
  3. The card is valid for five years from the date of production.
  4. A disadvantage of the card is that you can use prices that are not related to age. So a child will cost the same price as an adult.

Deals and discounts

NS is the principal passenger railway operator in the Netherlands. This company offers plenty of discounts and package deals for student public transportation, which are called ‘Flex Subscriptions’. These deals are structured in such a way that you pay a monthly rate and in return have access to many advantages for example a 40% discount on public transportation during the weekend or a 20% of discount during peak hours.

For more information, you can visit this website and decide which deal is best for you.

Night buses

Night buses also run between 01.00 and 05.00 hours in the Amsterdam region. The OV-chipcard can also be used or you can buy a separate ticket on the bus. The prices are a bit more expensive and there are fewer buses at night.

The University of Amsterdam: public transport

The University of Amsterdam also wrote information about public transport in Amsterdam. For more information, check out their website.

Roaming in the Netherlands

Recently the roaming rules changed within the EU. The new “roam like at home” rules mean that when you use your mobile phone while travelling outside your home country in any EU country you don’t have to pay any additional roaming charges. The new rules are intended for people who visit a country for a short period of time – it is not meant to be used for permanent roaming . If you are planning to stay for a longer period in the Netherlands, we strongly advise against roaming since you can get a big fine if you get caught.

Prepaid or contract

You can choose between a contract (Abonnement) or a prepaid card. The prepaid option is easier to get and there are cards available with internet included which will save you roaming costs. You can top it up with cards from the supermarket or online.

A contract will usually work out cheaper if you know that you will use your mobile often and will stay in the country for a year or more. In order to sign a contract you’ll need:

-proof of identity

-an address

-an official bank statement 

& bank account details.

If you have an unlocked phone, it’s also possible to buy only a Dutch sim card.

How to save money on international calls

Making international calls can be really expensive. One of the cheapest ways to keep in touch with your family and friends is to use an international prepaid calling card.

Prepaid international calling cards offer you a wide range of advantages on international calls:

  • They usually offer the lowest rates available – you can save up to 90% of the cost of a normal call.
  • You can use them from every phone (work, home, mobile and public phone)
  • If you use a toll-free number, you can call from work or a friend’s phone without them being charged for the call.
  • It’s easy to control your spending and avoid the ‘bad surprise’ of an astronomical monthly phone bill. Card providers offer such cheap calls because they buy high quantities of international minutes at large discounts. Prepaidzero is an international calling card provider.

Expat Mobile

Expat Mobile is a mobile phone operator specialized in the expat and student market. They provide cheap national and international rates, so you can always keep in touch with friends and family back home. No residence permit or Dutch bank account needed. So, get yourself connected with a sim card from Expat Mobile! Go to expatmobile.nl and check it out!

Bank Options

ING 

ING is one of the most used bank options in the Netherlands for international students. You can create a student account without any monthly costs.

You can open a student account via your phone by following the instructions on this website if:

  • You have a Dutch passport or ID card (no driver’s license)
  • You have an iPhone 7 or higher (Apple) or a phone with NFC (Android)
  • You live in The Netherlands
  • You are 18 years or older

If you do not apply to the criteria above, you can go to an ING-Service point with an appointment to create your account. Make sure to bring the following documents with you:

  • A valid ID (passport, ID card, official residence document)
  • A copy of your registration at a Dutch educational institution (full-time study), so-called proof of enrollment
  • If you are an international student without Dutch ID: an original extract from the Personal Records Database (BRP), not older than 3 months
  • Your burgerservicenummer (BSN) or, if you don’t have one, your Tax Identification Number (TIN). When you register in the BRP you will receive a BSN.

ABN Amro 

ABN Amro is another bank in the Netherlands that offers a free student account. Creating an account on ABN-Amro is very easy through their app. All you need is a Dutch ID or a valid passport for international students. You can check out their website for more information on how to create an account.

Bunq 

Bunq is another very easy-to-use online banking option in the Netherlands. Additionally, it is a sustainable bank! To open an account, all you need to do is download their app. The only downside of this option is that you need to pay a monthly fee of €2,99. Bunq has different plans that you can check out through their website to choose a plan with benefits that fit you. Please note, they are completely online and have no physical branches.

Some other sustainable options can be, Triodos, SNS, and ASN. However, this may be a bit more costly compared to other banks.

 

Ideal payment system

In the Netherlands, iDeal is a well-known payment system. Through this system it is possible to complete your payments safely and quickly with any Dutch bank.

iDeal is not an app, it’s an online system! You don’t have to download anything to get access. If you apply for a Dutch bank account, there will never be any problems with iDeal payments. When transferring money from your mobile banking app to another bank account, iDeal takes care of the online transfer. You will also immediately get a notification if the transfer successfully is completed. Other advantages are not having to enter account numbers and other data, it’s very easy to transfer money via your smartphone or tablet and last but not least, no extra costs are charged.

Another great app to download is Tikkie. With this app, you can send payment requests to everyone who uses iDeal. So if a friend paid for your dinner and he wants you to pay him back, he will just send you a ‘tikkie’ and within 3 clicks on your phone, the money has been transferred to his bank account through iDeal. Incredibly quick and safe as well.

Last but not least, usually Dutch people give a 10% tip to the waiter in a restaurant. It is possible to pay this in cash or with your bank account.

Districts of Amsterdam

In order to get a clear and more structured view of the city of Amsterdam, where you can find some more information about how the city is geographically organized. To get an overview, let’s divide Amsterdam into several districts: Centre, North, South, West, East, South-East, New-West, and Westpoort.

In the center of Amsterdam, you will find canals, many tourists, beautiful churches, most museums, and other cultural hotspots. In the north of the center lies Central Station, from where you can travel to every city in the country, but from here you can also easily travel from one district in the city to another.

Amsterdam North (Noord) is amongst other things home to the NDSM area, an area with sheds where many artists work, trendy cafes can be found, and where quite a lot of students live. Furthermore, North has some of the greenest parts of Amsterdam and is home to many suburban families. Last but not least, various cultures disperse across the streets and therefore there are many shops offering various cultural products. North is gradually becoming more and more booming with trendy places. 

South (Zuid) is known for its parks and business center called the Zuidas. In this beautiful part of the city live the generally more affluent people. If you like architecture you can see the beautiful architecture style of the Amsterdamse School here. The neighborhood de Pijp is also part of Amsterdam-Zuid. Here you can find trendy cafes, shops, and restaurants.

Amsterdam West (West) is home to the classic ‘Amsterdammer’. Residents with a somewhat modal income live mostly in this part of the city. But also here the diversity in culture is very much to be found, which gives the West a cozy and convivial atmosphere. In Amsterdam West, quiet, beautiful residential areas alternate with busy, pleasant shopping streets. If you’re looking for a place of tranquillity or busy summer days, do visit Westerpark! A great place to go for a walk or a coffee in a diverse cultural area is for example the Kinkerstraat, Jan van Galenstraat, and the Jan Evertsenstraat.

In Amsterdam East (Oost) you will find the Roeterseilandcampus, where you will be spending most of your time studying. But Science Park is also located in this district. Furthermore, Oost is mainly known for the many students that are housed here, but also for the Young Urban Professionals, the many canals, and multicultural shopping streets, like the Dappermarket!

South East (Zuidoost) is a bit further away from the center of Amsterdam. Most people who live in this area earn a little bit less than average. That is why many family homes, flats, and industrial estates are located here. If you like football: The Johan Cruijff Arena, the football stadium of AFC Ajax is also located in this area. Finally, there is a good chance that your exams will take place in the Southeast. 

New-West (Nieuw-West) is mainly dominated by green parks, houses, and hip, more alternative coffee places. However, on the other side, the area is also known by its many multicultural flats and single-family houses. South of New-West is the airport Schiphol located. 

Last but not least, Westpoort consists mainly of the port and industrial estates. However, new, modern residential complexes are also being built here on the border of this area, lying close to Amsterdam West. In principle, Westpoort is not really interesting to visit, but mainly a place for people to go to their work.