Moving contains things which, in the web-editor’s humble opinion, can be of interest to movers, be it from the Netherlands to the United Kingdom or vice versa. For the social security, pensions and other dimensions, take a look at this European Union site: //europa.eu.int/citizensrights/ The BPM is a tax on passenger cars in the Netherlandss, which can amount to up to 40% of the purchase price of a car. This webite gives hints on how to avoid its bite : www.eu-cars.com/pages/nl.htm, but please keep in mind that the site is a trade site, and that the contents do not necessarily cover your situation or take account of recent legal findings. Buyer beware would be a good motto. Need to find UK government documents? The electronic front door to almost anything -from building codes to taxation- made public is at the Direct.Gov website. The UK ‘Bevolkingsregister’ or GBA is the Registrar of Birth, Death and Marriage. You also need to apply to be on the electoral roll - fine up to £1000 for failing to do so. Dutch nationals can vote for Dutch Parliamentary and European elections. To do so, one traditionally applied to the “Burgemeester van ‘s-Gravenhage”. Nowadays, send (a request for) an application to: Dienst Burgerzaken, Projectbureau Kiezers buiten Nederland, Postbus 12620, 2500 DL DenHaag. E-mail: verkiezingen@dbz.denhaag.nl Website: ukomttochook.nl Resist the temptation to vote for both a Dutch and a UK candidate, you may well be found out, and there are penalties! House prices: www.funda.nl and www.zoekallehuizen.nl are websites listing all houses for sale via the NVM (Dutch League of Estate Agents) and even more via the second site, to learn how much one would expect to pay for a property in the Netherlands, and www.hometrack.co.uk to do so in the UK Expatica - English language resource for those living in or moving to the Netherlands. Employment / Work: www.undutchables.nl specialise in matching native foreign speakers with jobs. Others in no particular order are: www.YER.nl - Young Executive Recruitment, www.Randstad.nl, www.Vedior.nl and of course //uitzendbureau.pagina.nl Looking for work with local government? www.gemeentebanen.nl is held to be the largest job-seekers site for this. No real legal advice here, just a couple of points that we picked up over the years. Buying a house: In England one makes an offer, and buys ‘subject to survey, finance, and contract’. The result is that until completion each party in the ‘chain’ (of buyers and sellers) can pull out. And frequently does, even to the point that one seller feels that they can get a better price. In the Netherlands, the ‘voorlopig koopcontract’ (preliminary purchase contract) is in fact a legally binding commitment, which can be ‘bought off’ for approximately 10% of the agreed sale price. Normally, completion will take place some ten days after signing the ‘voorlopig’. When it comes to a divorce, the Netherlands recognises any foreign procedure which followed a due process of law and where both parties have acquiesced in the result. For more (in Dutch) view this link by a legally qualified person: http://www.wereldexpat.nl/nl/terugnaarNL/verzekeringenbelasting/experts_echtscheiding_linda Looking for a mover? Mr Gregory de Lange reminded me of a long established firm which some years ago took part of my parents’ stuff to Bermuda, and safely stored the rest in their facility at Alblasserdam. No guarantees on my part, but they did a good job then! W: www.dehaan.nl E: internet@dehaan.nl. based on e-mail 22 apr 05. Looking for more movers? Mr Michel Karsdorp pointed out the site - so far in Dutch only: www.verhuisadviseurs.nl. It shows further links, one to international, and one to national movers - i.e. inside the Netherlands. based on e-mail 22 oct 05. Parking in the UK: read this article by the BBC on what the rule is, and how the parking enforcement works, based on the BBC’s undercover work. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/magazine/4596907.stm Main points: a driver has five minutes from the start of the ticket issuing process to drive away without a ticket, the ticket issuing person receives a bonus which may not be linked to the number of tickets issued, one in four will cancel the ticket for half the amount of the fine. See also: www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,18389-1742023,00.html | 
