Expat Life in the Netherlands: Shivraj's story

Connecting to Hilfort

Because his employer wasn’t an IND-recognised sponsor, they contacted Hilfort to employ Shivraj under our payrolling service. This meant that while he continued working for his company, Hilfort became his legal employer on paper and handled the legal and administrative side of things.

“Usually, I’ve seen the scenarios where expats land here, work for someone, and then things get arranged... But in my case, it was the other way around. I was still in India when the relocation started.

Hilfort connected me with multiple people and guided me through the entire process, what was needed, how to move forward, what documents were required, and how much time it would take. To be honest, it was pretty smooth.”

Once he arrived in the Netherlands, Hilfort helped him with his visa, residence permit applications, and the 30% ruling. We also walked him through his employment contract and explained how Dutch payslips work, something that can feel unfamiliar at first. Most importantly, we were there when he had questions.

“The entire immigration process, visa applications, residence permit, and even the BSN. Hilfort was there every step of the way. I never felt like I was left alone to figure it out. Everything was clear, and the team was always reachable.”

Life beyond work

Life isn’t just work. And though he came here for his job, he brought his life along and had to fit that into a different world. He spoke candidly about the real-life adjustment: finding a home, struggling with the language, and discovering the joys and culture in the Netherlands.

“In India, food is the centre of everything. Here, you suddenly miss the mangoes, the masalas, the warmth of local markets. Even my wife refuses to eat the mangoes here, says if I buy them, I’ll have to eat them myself.”

Still, there have been beautiful experiences too: the kindness from strangers, and the long Dutch summer evenings.

“The culture here is so different, but I’ve come to appreciate it. The Dutch are direct, yes. But at least you know where you stand. And people are kind, even strangers on the street say hello and smile. It’s different. But it grows on you.”

He also finds comfort in the small details of Dutch safety and structure.

“If you lose something here, it somehow finds its way back to you.”

What could be better?

His partner found it especially hard to adjust without a clear path forward. That sparked a thought:

“My wife also has an HR background, but coming here, she didn’t know where to begin. Maybe Hilfort could offer something, even if it’s a paid service, to help spouses find direction. Even just knowing where to look and what’s possible. That kind of support would mean a lot.”

It’s a thoughtful suggestion and one we take to heart. Every expat’s journey includes their family, and we’re always looking for ways to evolve our services to meet those wider needs.

Looking ahead

Shivraj’s professional role has continued to grow since arriving. He now manages multiple teams and has become more rooted in Dutch work culture. And despite the busy work life and language struggles, he finds joy in the little things like biking with his son, visiting the weekend markets, and slowly building a new sense of home.

Advice to fellow Expats

We asked Shivraj what he’d say to someone preparing to move to the Netherlands.

“If you’re moving to the Netherlands, talk to Hilfort. I’ve seen others struggle. I didn’t. That’s the difference.”

And with a smile, he added, “Oh, and pack your meds. Especially antibiotics.”

Final thoughts

Shivraj’s story reminds us why we do what we do at Hilfort. I want to thank Shivraj for this interview and his continued trust in us. On behalf of the whole Hilfort team, we wish him all the best and will continue to support him to the best of our abilities, as we do with all our expats.