[{"t":"Indian restaurants","d":"Every Indian restaurant in the Netherlands, updated automatically and searchable by town.","u":"/en/india-in-the-netherlands/restaurants/","k":"India in the Netherlands From North Indian curries and tandoori to South Indian dosas and street food: almost every Dutch town now has one or more Indian restaurants. Surinamese-Hindustani cooking, best known for its roti, is widely available too. The list below comes straight from OpenStreetMap, the free world map maintained by volunteers. Is a restaurant missing or out of date? You can correct it on OpenStreetMap yourself and this page will pick up the change automatically."},{"t":"Indian shops and groceries","d":"Where to find Indian spices, vegetables, sweets, clothing and jewellery.","u":"/en/india-in-the-netherlands/shops/","k":"India in the Netherlands Indian supermarkets and groceries are concentrated in the larger cities. Well-known shopping areas include Paul Krugerlaan and surroundings in The Hague, Amstelveen and Amsterdam-Zuidoost, and the area around West-Kruiskade in Rotterdam. More and more shops also deliver nationwide. Because shops open, move and close frequently, we do not keep a list of our own. The search buttons below always show what is currently available near you."},{"t":"Temples and places of worship","d":"Hindu temples (mandirs), Sikh gurdwaras and Jain temples in the Netherlands.","u":"/en/india-in-the-netherlands/temples/","k":"India in the Netherlands The Netherlands has dozens of Hindu temples, founded by both the Surinamese-Hindustani and the Indian community, and gurdwaras in Amsterdam, The Hague, Rotterdam, Almere and elsewhere. Many temples also host language classes, music and celebrations such as Diwali and Holi. The list below is compiled automatically from OpenStreetMap."},{"t":"Film and Bollywood","d":"Indian films in Dutch cinemas: Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam and more.","u":"/en/india-in-the-netherlands/film-bollywood/","k":"India in the Netherlands Major Indian films usually open in the Netherlands on the same day as their worldwide release, mainly in cinemas in The Hague, Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Utrecht and Eindhoven. Screenings generally have English subtitles. Programmes change weekly, so check the cinema chains directly: their websites let you search by film or filter by language."},{"t":"Festivals and events","d":"Diwali, Holi, Navratri, concerts, dance and cultural evenings.","u":"/en/india-in-the-netherlands/festivals-events/","k":"India in the Netherlands The major Indian festivals are celebrated with enthusiasm in the Netherlands. Holi (Phagwa) in spring and Diwali (the festival of lights) in autumn draw thousands of visitors, especially in The Hague, Amsterdam, Amstelveen, Rotterdam and Eindhoven. Navratri brings garba and dandiya nights, and there are concerts, classical dance and yoga days throughout the year. The dates of these festivals follow the lunar calendar and shift every year. The search buttons below show what is on right now."},{"t":"Community and associations","d":"Indian associations, expat groups and the Surinamese-Hindustani community.","u":"/en/india-in-the-netherlands/community/","k":"India in the Netherlands The Netherlands is home to one of the largest communities of Indian origin in continental Europe. It consists of two groups: Surinamese Hindustanis, whose ancestors moved from India to Suriname in the nineteenth century, and Indians who came to the Netherlands for work or study, mostly in the past twenty years. There are associations by region and language (Tamil, Telugu, Marathi, Bengali, Malayali, Gujarati, Punjabi and more), student associations at the universities and active social media groups. The embassy maintains an overview of Indian associations in the Netherlands."},{"t":"Visas and residence permits","d":"A Schengen visa for a short visit, or a residence permit for work, study or family.","u":"/en/moving-to-the-netherlands/visa-residence/","k":"Moving to the Netherlands Indian citizens need a Schengen visa for visits of up to 90 days. You apply in India through the VFS Global visa application centre, which accepts applications on behalf of the Netherlands. For a longer stay you need a residence permit, usually combined with an entry visa (MVV). The Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND) decides on these. In most cases the employer, educational institution or partner in the Netherlands submits the application. Requirements, fees and processing times change regularly; the IND website is always the authority."},{"t":"Working in the Netherlands","d":"Highly skilled migrant, EU Blue Card, orientation year and the 30% ruling.","u":"/en/moving-to-the-netherlands/working/","k":"Moving to the Netherlands Most Indian professionals come to the Netherlands as highly skilled migrants. The employer must be registered with the IND as a recognised sponsor and the salary must exceed a threshold that is set annually. Partners and children can come along, and the partner is free to work. Graduates of a Dutch institution, or of a top university abroad, can apply for an orientation year to look for work here. Employees recruited from abroad may qualify for the 30% ruling, a tax advantage for incoming employees. Its rules have changed several times in recent years; check the current conditions with the Dutch Tax Administration."},{"t":"Studying in the Netherlands","d":"Programmes, scholarships, admission and the student residence permit.","u":"/en/moving-to-the-netherlands/studying/","k":"Moving to the Netherlands Dutch research universities and universities of applied sciences offer a large number of programmes taught in English, and India has for years been one of the largest non-European countries of origin for students. Your institution applies for your residence permit once you have been admitted. Be prepared for the higher institutional tuition fees for non-EU students, proof of sufficient funds and a tight housing market in student cities: start looking for a room well in advance. After graduating you can apply for an orientation year."},{"t":"Getting settled","d":"Registering with the municipality, BSN, DigiD, health insurance, banking and driving licence.","u":"/en/moving-to-the-netherlands/getting-settled/","k":"Moving to the Netherlands Anyone staying longer than four months registers with the municipality and receives a citizen service number (BSN). You need that number for almost everything: salary, bank account, health insurance and DigiD, your digital login for government services. Dutch health insurance is mandatory as soon as you live and work here. With an Indian driving licence you may drive for a limited period after registering; exchanging it for a Dutch licence is only possible in certain cases. In the larger cities, expat centres help with the formalities, often in a single appointment together with the IND."},{"t":"Indian passport and consular services","d":"Passport renewal, OCI card, attestations and help from the Indian embassy.","u":"/en/moving-to-the-netherlands/consular-services/","k":"Moving to the Netherlands The Embassy of India in The Hague provides consular services for Indians in the Netherlands. Applications for passports, OCI cards and attestations are handled through the VFS Global application centre; the embassy takes the decision. Renew your passport well in advance: your Dutch residence permit is tied to a valid passport."},{"t":"Visa and travel advice","d":"The Indian e-visa, official Dutch travel advice and help from the Dutch embassy.","u":"/en/going-to-india/visa-travel-advice/","k":"Going to India Dutch nationals always need a visa for India. For tourism, business visits and some other purposes you can apply for an e-visa online. Only do so through the official Indian government website: many commercial sites look official and charge considerably more. Before you leave, read the travel advice from the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs. It is updated whenever the security situation changes and also lists areas that require special permits."},{"t":"Health and vaccinations","d":"Vaccinations, malaria, bringing medication and insurance.","u":"/en/going-to-india/health/","k":"Going to India Vaccinations are recommended for India; which ones depends on your destination, length of stay and health. Make an appointment with the municipal health service (GGD) or another travel clinic well before departure. If you bring medication covered by the Dutch Opium Act, such as some sleeping pills, painkillers and ADHD medication, you need a legalised certificate. Also check that your health and travel insurance cover India."},{"t":"Living, working and studying in India","d":"Employment visa, registration, internships, study and volunteering.","u":"/en/going-to-india/living-working-studying/","k":"Going to India For work, an internship, study or volunteering in India you need the right type of visa; a tourist visa does not allow it. For longer stays you usually have to register online with the foreigners' registration office (FRRO). If you will be abroad for more than eight months, you deregister from your Dutch municipality. This affects your health insurance, state pension accrual and taxes. India offers international students a dedicated portal with programmes and scholarships."},{"t":"Dutch heritage in India","d":"Forts, cemeteries and trading posts of the Dutch East India Company, from Gujarat to Bengal.","u":"/en/going-to-india/dutch-heritage/","k":"Going to India From the early seventeenth to the early nineteenth century, the Dutch East India Company (VOC) had trading posts all along the Indian coast: in Gujarat (Surat), on the Malabar coast (Kochi), on the Coromandel coast (Pulicat, Sadras, Nagapattinam) and in Bengal (Chinsurah). Much can still be visited. Kochi has the Mattancherry Palace, known as the 'Dutch Palace', and a Dutch cemetery. Pulicat, Sadras and Chinsurah have cemeteries with richly decorated tombstones and remains of forts. Dutch archives hold kilometres of VOC records on India, part of which can be consulted online."},{"t":"Doing business in India","d":"For Dutch companies: market information, trade missions and on-the-ground support.","u":"/en/business/doing-business-in-india/","k":"Business India is one of the fastest-growing major economies in the world, and the Netherlands has for years been among its larger foreign investors. Opportunities lie in water, agriculture and food, healthcare, logistics, energy and high tech, among others. The Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO) is the first point of contact, with country information, subsidies and trade missions. In India itself the Dutch trade network helps: the embassy in New Delhi, the consulates-general and the Netherlands Business Support Offices."},{"t":"Doing business in the Netherlands","d":"For Indian companies and entrepreneurs: setting up, starting a company and the startup visa.","u":"/en/business/doing-business-in-the-netherlands/","k":"Business Hundreds of Indian companies, including the large IT service providers, have an office in the Netherlands, often as their base for Europe. The Netherlands Foreign Investment Agency (NFIA) supports foreign companies free of charge and has offices in India. Starting a company begins with registration at the Netherlands Chamber of Commerce (KVK). There are specific residence permits for entrepreneurs from outside the EU, including the startup scheme, which gives you a year under the guidance of a recognised facilitator."},{"t":"Business networks","d":"Chambers and networks connecting Dutch and Indian entrepreneurs.","u":"/en/business/networks/","k":"Business A good network is indispensable in trade with India. The Netherlands India Chamber of Commerce & Trade (NICCT) organises seminars, networking events and trade missions in both directions. The embassies of both countries also have an economic section that helps companies get started."},{"t":"Marriage and documents","d":"Getting married in India or the Netherlands, and legalising Indian documents.","u":"/en/family-law/marriage-documents/","k":"Family and law A marriage validly concluded in India is in principle recognised in the Netherlands. If you live in the Netherlands, you are required to register the marriage with your municipality. For that you need the Indian marriage certificate bearing an apostille. The same applies to birth certificates, diplomas and other Indian documents you want to use in the Netherlands: they must be apostilled in India by the Ministry of External Affairs. The Dutch government describes exactly which steps are needed for each type of document."},{"t":"Adoption and roots","d":"For adoptees from India searching for their origins, and the status of intercountry adoption.","u":"/en/family-law/adoption-roots/","k":"Family and law Since the 1970s several thousand children from India have been adopted by Dutch families. Many of them later search for their origins. The INEA expertise centre offers adoptees information, psychosocial and legal support and help with tracing family. The adoption file can be requested from the organisations that were involved at the time. The Netherlands is phasing out intercountry adoption. Since May 2024 no new adoption procedures can be started; ongoing procedures are still being completed. The Dutch government publishes the current state of affairs."},{"t":"Nationality and OCI","d":"Becoming Dutch, losing Indian citizenship and the OCI card.","u":"/en/family-law/nationality-oci/","k":"Family and law India does not allow dual citizenship. Anyone who becomes Dutch thereby loses Indian citizenship and has to surrender the Indian passport and apply for a surrender certificate. After that you can apply for an OCI (Overseas Citizen of India) card. This is not citizenship but a lifelong visa that lets you travel to India without limit and live and work there, with some exceptions such as voting and buying agricultural land. Children and grandchildren of Indians, and spouses, may also qualify under certain conditions; a broader arrangement applies to Surinamese Hindustanis."},{"t":"Tax, pensions and money","d":"Tax treaty, social security, taking your pension along and income or assets in both countries.","u":"/en/family-law/tax-pensions/","k":"Family and law The Netherlands and India have a tax treaty that prevents double taxation, and a social security agreement. The latter ensures, among other things, that seconded employees do not pay contributions in both countries and that Dutch state pension (AOW) can also be paid out in India. Anyone living in the Netherlands declares their worldwide income and assets in the Dutch tax return, including Indian bank accounts, investments and property. Indians who move abroad must have their Indian bank accounts converted to NRI accounts. In complicated situations an adviser who knows both systems is well worth it."},{"t":"OpenStreetMap","d":"Add or correct a restaurant yourself.","u":"https://www.openstreetmap.org/","x":1},{"t":"Pathé","d":"Largest cinema chain; regularly screens Indian films.","u":"https://www.pathe.nl/","x":1},{"t":"Kinepolis","d":"Cinemas in Utrecht, Rotterdam, the Hague region and elsewhere.","u":"https://kinepolis.nl/","x":1},{"t":"Vue","d":"Cinemas throughout the Netherlands.","u":"https://www.vuecinemas.nl/","x":1},{"t":"Embassy of India – events","d":"The embassy and its cultural centre regularly organise concerts, yoga and celebrations.","u":"https://www.indianembassynetherlands.gov.in/","x":1},{"t":"Embassy of India, The Hague","d":"Includes an overview of Indian associations.","u":"https://www.indianembassynetherlands.gov.in/","x":1},{"t":"IamExpat","d":"News and practical information for internationals in the Netherlands.","u":"https://www.iamexpat.nl/","x":1},{"t":"IND – Immigration and Naturalisation Service","d":"All residence permits, requirements, fees and forms.","u":"https://ind.nl/en","x":1},{"t":"VFS Global – Netherlands visa in India","d":"Book an appointment and submit your application in India.","u":"https://visa.vfsglobal.com/ind/en/nld","x":1},{"t":"Netherlands Worldwide – India","d":"Dutch government: visas, the embassy in New Delhi and consulates.","u":"https://www.netherlandsworldwide.nl/countries/india","x":1},{"t":"Government.nl – Immigration","d":"Overview of Dutch admission policy.","u":"https://www.government.nl/topics/immigration-to-the-netherlands","x":1},{"t":"IND – Highly skilled migrant","d":"Requirements and current salary thresholds.","u":"https://ind.nl/en/residence-permits/work/highly-skilled-migrant","x":1},{"t":"IND – Register of recognised sponsors","d":"Check whether an employer is a recognised sponsor.","u":"https://ind.nl/en/public-register-recognised-sponsors","x":1},{"t":"Dutch Tax Administration (English)","d":"Including the 30% facility and the annual tax return.","u":"https://www.belastingdienst.nl/wps/wcm/connect/en/individuals/individuals","x":1},{"t":"Business.gov.nl","d":"Official information for entrepreneurs and freelancers, in English.","u":"https://business.gov.nl/","x":1},{"t":"Study in NL","d":"Official portal: all English-taught programmes, scholarships and practical information.","u":"https://www.studyinnl.org/","x":1},{"t":"Nuffic","d":"Dutch organisation for internationalisation in education; diploma recognition.","u":"https://www.nuffic.nl/en","x":1},{"t":"IND","d":"Residence permits for study and the orientation year.","u":"https://ind.nl/en","x":1},{"t":"Government.nl – BSN","d":"How to get a citizen service number.","u":"https://www.government.nl/topics/personal-data/question-and-answer/how-do-i-get-a-citizen-service-number-bsn","x":1},{"t":"DigiD","d":"Digital login for government and healthcare.","u":"https://www.digid.nl/en","x":1},{"t":"RDW","d":"Driving with or exchanging a foreign driving licence.","u":"https://www.rdw.nl/en","x":1},{"t":"IN Amsterdam","d":"Expat centre for the Amsterdam area.","u":"https://www.iamsterdam.com/en/live-work-study/in-amsterdam","x":1},{"t":"The Hague International Centre","d":"Expat centre for The Hague region.","u":"https://www.thehagueinternationalcentre.nl/","x":1},{"t":"Embassy of India, The Hague","d":"Consular services, notices and emergency helpline.","u":"https://www.indianembassynetherlands.gov.in/","x":1},{"t":"VFS Global – India services in the Netherlands","d":"Appointments and applications for passport, visa and OCI.","u":"https://services.vfsglobal.com/nld/en/ind/","x":1},{"t":"OCI Services","d":"Official online OCI card application.","u":"https://ociservices.gov.in/","x":1},{"t":"Indian e-visa (official)","d":"The only official e-visa website.","u":"https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/evisa/","x":1},{"t":"Dutch travel advice for India","d":"Current advice from the Dutch foreign ministry (in Dutch).","u":"https://www.nederlandwereldwijd.nl/reisadvies/india","x":1},{"t":"Netherlands Worldwide – India (Dutch)","d":"Embassy in New Delhi, consulates, applying for a Dutch passport in India.","u":"https://www.nederlandwereldwijd.nl/landen/india","x":1},{"t":"Incredible India","d":"India's official tourism website.","u":"https://www.incredibleindia.gov.in/","x":1},{"t":"GGD Reisvaccinaties","d":"Advice per country and appointments (in Dutch).","u":"https://www.ggdreisvaccinaties.nl/","x":1},{"t":"LCR","d":"Dutch national coordination centre for travellers' health advice.","u":"https://www.lcr.nl/","x":1},{"t":"CAK","d":"Certificates for taking medication abroad.","u":"https://www.hetcak.nl/","x":1},{"t":"e-FRRO","d":"Online registration and visa extension in India.","u":"https://indianfrro.gov.in/","x":1},{"t":"Study in India","d":"Official portal for international students.","u":"https://www.studyinindia.gov.in/","x":1},{"t":"Netherlands Worldwide – Living and working abroad (Dutch)","d":"Checklist: deregistration, insurance, state pension, tax.","u":"https://www.nederlandwereldwijd.nl/wonen-werken","x":1},{"t":"SVB","d":"State pension and child benefit while living abroad.","u":"https://www.svb.nl/","x":1},{"t":"Atlas of Mutual Heritage","d":"Maps, drawings and prints of VOC locations.","u":"https://www.atlasofmutualheritage.nl/","x":1},{"t":"Nationaal Archief","d":"The VOC archives, partly digitised.","u":"https://www.nationaalarchief.nl/","x":1},{"t":"Dutch in Chinsurah","d":"The Dutch past of Chinsurah in Bengal.","u":"https://dutchinchinsurah.com/","x":1},{"t":"DutchCulture","d":"Cultural cooperation and shared heritage.","u":"https://dutchculture.nl/","x":1},{"t":"RVO – Doing business in India (Dutch)","d":"Country information, schemes and contacts.","u":"https://www.rvo.nl/onderwerpen/landen-en-gebieden/india","x":1},{"t":"Internationaal Ondernemen","d":"Calendar of trade missions and events.","u":"https://www.internationaalondernemen.nl/","x":1},{"t":"Invest India","d":"India's official agency for foreign investors.","u":"https://www.investindia.gov.in/","x":1},{"t":"Netherlands Worldwide – India","d":"Embassy, consulates and business support offices.","u":"https://www.netherlandsworldwide.nl/countries/india","x":1},{"t":"Invest in Holland (NFIA)","d":"Free support for foreign companies.","u":"https://investinholland.com/","x":1},{"t":"Business.gov.nl","d":"All rules for doing business in the Netherlands, in English.","u":"https://business.gov.nl/","x":1},{"t":"KVK – Chamber of Commerce","d":"Company registration and the business register.","u":"https://www.kvk.nl/en/","x":1},{"t":"IND","d":"Residence permits for the self-employed and startups.","u":"https://ind.nl/en","x":1},{"t":"NICCT","d":"Netherlands India Chamber of Commerce & Trade.","u":"https://nicct.nl/","x":1},{"t":"Embassy of India – commerce","d":"Economic and commercial wing in The Hague.","u":"https://www.indianembassynetherlands.gov.in/","x":1},{"t":"VNO-NCW","d":"Dutch employers' federation; involved in trade missions.","u":"https://www.vno-ncw.nl/","x":1},{"t":"Netherlands Worldwide – Legalising documents from India","d":"Step-by-step guide per document.","u":"https://www.netherlandsworldwide.nl/legalisation/foreign-documents/india","x":1},{"t":"Same guide in Dutch","d":"Step-by-step guide per document (Dutch).","u":"https://www.nederlandwereldwijd.nl/legalisatie/buitenlandse-documenten/india","x":1},{"t":"Government of the Netherlands – Marriage (Dutch)","d":"Marrying abroad and registration in the Netherlands.","u":"https://www.rijksoverheid.nl/onderwerpen/trouwen-samenlevingscontract-en-geregistreerd-partnerschap","x":1},{"t":"MEA – Apostille","d":"India's Ministry of External Affairs on apostilles.","u":"https://www.mea.gov.in/apostille.htm","x":1},{"t":"INEA","d":"Dutch expertise centre for intercountry adoption: help with roots and searches.","u":"https://www.inea.nl/","x":1},{"t":"Government of the Netherlands – Adoption (Dutch)","d":"Current policy and the phase-out of intercountry adoption.","u":"https://www.rijksoverheid.nl/onderwerpen/adoptie","x":1},{"t":"Fiom","d":"Specialist in questions of parentage and family tracing.","u":"https://fiom.nl/","x":1},{"t":"CARA","d":"India's Central Adoption Resource Authority; also handles root searches.","u":"https://cara.wcd.gov.in/","x":1},{"t":"IND – Dutch citizenship","d":"Naturalisation and option: requirements and procedure.","u":"https://ind.nl/en/dutch-citizenship","x":1},{"t":"OCI Services","d":"Official online OCI application.","u":"https://ociservices.gov.in/","x":1},{"t":"Embassy of India – OCI card","d":"Requirements and applying from the Netherlands.","u":"https://www.indianembassynetherlands.gov.in/page/overseas-citizen-of-india-oci-card/","x":1},{"t":"Government of the Netherlands – Dutch nationality (Dutch)","d":"Acquiring and losing Dutch nationality.","u":"https://www.rijksoverheid.nl/onderwerpen/nederlandse-nationaliteit","x":1},{"t":"Dutch Tax Administration (English)","d":"Tax returns, worldwide income and treaties.","u":"https://www.belastingdienst.nl/wps/wcm/connect/en/individuals/individuals","x":1},{"t":"SVB","d":"State pension and social security agreements.","u":"https://www.svb.nl/en","x":1},{"t":"Income Tax Department of India","d":"Indian tax filing, including for non-residents (NRIs).","u":"https://www.incometax.gov.in/","x":1},{"t":"EPFO","d":"India's Employees' Provident Fund; rules for international workers.","u":"https://www.epfindia.gov.in/","x":1}]