Maybe you have heard or read about it in the news; the earthquakes affecting the province of Groningen. Or maybe you have felt one yourself; it can be alarming.

In 2014 I was living in Groningen city centre when a earthquake hit near the city. It measured only 2.8 on the Richter scale, and yet I could feel the house around me trembling. At the time I had not heard about the earthquakes caused by the extraction of gas in the north of the province, so when it hit I was not prepared and did not know what was happening, or if I should be running out of my flat, or taking cover under a table- similar to the panic I felt the first time I heard the air raid siren drills.

Continue reading “Groningen Earth Tremors” →

If you live in the Netherlands, a bicycle is one of the most essential forms of transport, but they still have to follow the rules of the road.

Below is an overview of some of the fines and penalties that you can receive for not following the rules.

Continue reading “Cycling fines” →

On the 1st of May 2017 the price of a single ‘Eurokaartje’ was increased from €2 to €2,50.
Originally called the ‘Eurokaartje’ because they cost €1 (that was some time ago), this bus ticket is an alternative way to get around Groningen and Drenthe if you do not have an OV card, for example if you don’t use public transport often, or are only visiting the region.
The reason Qbuzz has increased the ticket price by 25% is to encourage more people to travel with an OV card, and thus have less cash in the buses.

Continue reading “Eurokaartje for on the bus in Groningen now €2,50” →

According to RTV Noord, the new La Place restaurant will be located on the ground floor and will be opening on Thursday 11^th May. The Jumbo supermarket will be opening a bit later on Tuesday 23^rd May.

Continue reading “La Place back in old V&D store + New Jumbo” →

Last month, the shopping street Zwanestraat/Kromme Elleboog was awarded the title of ‘Leukste winkelstraat van Nederland 2016’, the best shopping street in the Netherlands 2016. Zwanestraat took first place over Nieuwe Oosterstraat in Leeuwarden by 100’s of votes.

Continue reading “Groningen has the best shopping in the Netherlands” →

From 1^st of March 2017 you are able to submit your Dutch tax return (inkomstbelasting) for 2016.

I like to get mine done and out of the way as soon as possible, so I gather all the papers and numbers I will need in February, but I know very few people are like me, and it has taken a couple of years (and help) for me to understand the Dutch tax system, and how to fill in the forms (which are all in Dutch).

Continue reading “It is March! Time to file your tax returns!!!” →

Are you thinking about visiting or moving to Groningen? Or maybe you already live here but want to explore. Well now you can have a awesome 3D view of Groningen city centre via Google Maps and Google Earth.

This new feature was launched early February and gives a different perspective to the city layout. To view the map, open Groningen in Google Maps or Earth, change view format to ‘earth’ and click on the 3D icon in the settings panel.

Continue reading “Groningen in 3D” →

For an expat, the tax system is especially complicated. The Netherlands can take more than 50% of your salary for taxes. Your personal situation (type of work, partner’s work status, residency status and other assets and earnings – particularly from abroad) will affect your tax status. You may be filing a tax return in your home country and so will have to deal with double taxation agreements.

There are many expat financial specialists who can complete your tax forms for you or provide other consultant services. In addition, the tax office is the Belastingdienst and their website has information in English.

Continue reading “The Dutch Income Tax System” →