If you think assisting expatriates on their way into the Netherlands is hard, then start preparing now for their departure. Patrick Rovers of Van Velzen CS explains.

Due to a decline in Dutch economic growth and a shrinking world economy, many companies are rethinking their current expatriate dependency and related employment strategies. Certain companies have already started reorganising their "high-cost" departments, which often results in cancelling assignments and hiring experienced locals who are now more widely available on the Dutch and European labour markets.

Surveys show that most expatriates based in the Netherlands are on two- to three-year assignments before they are transferred out again, back home or to another country, for whatever reason.

Before the actual departure however, the expatriate and the HR official should take care of some outstanding "legal" matters, such as informing the local Aliens Police department, the local municipality, the tax department, and the (Central) Employment Office. The essentials are as follows.

Returning the residence permit

Technically, the expatriate’s Dutch residence permit is and remains the property of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. Therefore, expatriates are obliged to return the residence permit before they officially return home.

It’s recommended that expatriates return their residence permits to the local Aliens Police department in person and ask for a receipt. Or they could send it in by registered mail. Do remind them to keep the proof of transmission.

Before returning a residence permit, the HR manager should make a colour photocopy of the front and the back of the permit for future reference, and also file a photocopy of the receipt or proof of transmission. It is important that the HR manager keeps this information on file in case the expatriate returns for another assignment in the Netherlands or Aliens Police/IND (Immigratie- en Naturalisatiedienst) have any questions.

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