How the Netherlands Compares

💡 How does NL stack up against other EU countries for families?

When planning an international move as a family—especially if one of you works in tech—the Netherlands often tops the shortlist. It has a reputation for being open, international, and family-friendly. But is it really the best fit for your family?

After more than a decade here, I can say: the Netherlands is wonderful in many ways, but no country is perfect. The real question is whether the Dutch way of life matches your family’s priorities better than, say, Germany, France, Hungary, or even the Baltics.

Moving as a family: Is The Netherlands the right choice?

🇳🇱 The Netherlands — What You Actually Get

Why families, especially in tech, often choose NL:

• Jobs: Strong in tech, logistics, and creative industries; English widely used at work.
• Safety & Structure: Daily life feels safe, with excellent infrastructure, childcare, and schools.
• International vibes: Very expat-friendly in major cities; biking everywhere is genuinely part of daily life.

But watch for:

• ⚠️ Housing crunch – High prices, limited availability, long waiting times.
• ⚠️ Budget pressures – Daycare, healthcare extras, and rent eat into even good salaries.
• ⚠️ Weather – Grey and rainy much of the year—sun lovers might struggle.

🌍 A Closer Look at Other EU Countries

Every family weighs different things: salaries, childcare, language, lifestyle… and also how safe a place feels in everyday life.

Western Europe

• 🇩🇪 Germany – Strong tech and engineering sectors, generally better pay. Safe overall, but big cities like Berlin, Cologne, and Frankfurt have districts with higher crime or social tensions. Smaller towns are calmer and family-friendly. English is common in tech hubs.
• 🇫🇷 France – Generous family benefits (longer parental leave, childcare support). Smaller towns and suburbs are family-friendly, but big cities like Paris and Marseille face challenges with crime in certain areas. French is usually required for work.
• 🇧🇪 Belgium – Multilingual (Dutch/French) and Brussels has a large international community. Safety depends on the neighborhood: some are peaceful and green, others less so. Families often settle in suburban areas around Brussels, Ghent, or Leuven.

Central & Eastern Europe

• 🇵🇱 Poland – Growing IT and finance sectors (Warsaw, Kraków). Very safe in daily life, low violent crime, and lower costs. English increasingly common among younger professionals.
• 🇨🇿 Czech Republic – Prague has a booming startup scene. Very safe compared to many Western capitals. Czech dominates, but English works in international roles.
• 🇭🇺 Hungary – Offers generous family benefits (tax allowances, childcare subsidies, housing programs like CSOK, tax exemptions for mothers), though not all are open to expats. Child allowance is modest, but extras like reduced fares and free school meals help balance costs. Daily life can be cheaper than NL or Germany, though housing and imports vary. The job market is smaller, centered on Budapest, where English works in multinationals but Hungarian dominates daily life. Overall safe, especially outside nightlife areas.

Nordic Countries (Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Finland)

Top-tier social welfare, excellent parental leave, and egalitarian societies. Everyday life is very safe and orderly. The exception is Sweden, where youth gang violence has been an issue in some cities—though still far below global levels. Very high costs, but English is widely spoken.

Switzerland (not EU but relevant)

💶 Extremely high salaries, high quality of life, and very safe. But costs are also sky-high. English works in cities, but German/French/Italian are needed depending on region.

Southern Europe

• 🇪🇸 Spain & 🇵🇹 Portugal – Great lifestyle, weather, and affordability. Safe for families, though tourist-heavy areas see more petty theft. English common in expat hubs.
• 🇮🇹 Italy – Strong family culture, affordable healthcare. Safe overall, but some cities (Naples, Rome, Milan) have higher petty crime. Tech salaries lower, English less common outside big cities.
• 🇬🇷 Greece, 🇨🇾 Cyprus, 🇲🇹 Malta – Generally safe. Malta is English-speaking, while Greece and Cyprus rely more on local language.

The Baltics (Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania)

Affordable and increasingly attractive for digital workers. Estonia is strong in digital innovation. Safe overall, though Latvia’s crime rate is slightly higher. English common in business and among younger people.

Southeastern Europe

• 🇸🇮 Slovenia & 🇸🇰 Slovakia – Safe, affordable, growing economies. Very family-friendly with low crime rates. English usable in urban centers.
• 🇭🇷 Croatia – Beautiful, affordable, and safe. English works well in tourism and increasingly in business. Job market limited.

Other Mentions

• 🇮🇪 Ireland – English-speaking, strong tech hub, high salaries. Dublin is expensive and some areas face social issues, but overall safe.
• 🇦🇹 Austria – Safe, high quality of life, similar to Germany. German essential.
• 🇧🇬 Bulgaria & 🇷🇴 Romania – Lower costs, everyday life safe, but infrastructure less developed. English mainly in IT.

✅ So, Who Thrives in the Netherlands?

From what I’ve seen, families who do well here usually:

• Have at least one partner in a solid, in-demand field (tech, healthcare, finance).
• Can handle the housing market with patience (and budget).
• Value safety, international exposure, and strong childcare systems.
• Don’t mind biking through the rain. 🚲💨

If that sounds like your family, the Netherlands might be a great fit. But if your top priorities are lower costs, more sunshine, or generous family benefits, other countries—from Spain to Hungary—could surprise you.

✨ Final Thoughts

There’s no single “best” country for expat families.

• The Netherlands offers structure, jobs, and international life — but that comes at a cost.
• Germany or the Nordics shine for stability.
• Southern Europe wins on lifestyle.
• Central/Eastern Europe stand out for affordability and family benefits.

If you want to go beyond comparisons, joining a local expat Facebook group is often the best way to hear honest, real-life stories from families already living there.

The key is knowing your family’s priorities — career, budget, childcare, climate, and yes, how safe a place feels — and choosing the country that ticks the most boxes for you.

Because in the end, the best place to live is where your family can thrive, not just survive.

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Be kind, be curious, and feel free to share where you’re reading from — I love meeting people across borders. 🌍

— Veronika