Find love with Expatica DatingAre you looking to meet single expats and potentially find 'the one'? Finding love as an expat can be challenging, but that's where an online dating site can help. Expatica Dating will help you meet eligible singles in the Netherlands and find the perfect match. Register for free today and begin your quest!
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An overview of dating in the NetherlandsWhen it comes to dating, the Dutch like to keep things casual and let things progress naturally. And just like anything else in life, they prefer to approach their romantic pursuits with a sense of practicality. This laid-back approach to dating doesn’t mean that Dutch men and women don’t take love and relationships seriously. Far from it. It is more down to the fact that the Dutch can be cautious with letting newcomers in; whether this is a friendship or a romantic partnership. This is an important thing to remember if you are an expat looking to date a local man or woman.
Breaking through the cultural barriersMany expats claim that the Dutch avoid making real connections with foreigners; making it difficult to get past the first dating hurdle and meet a suitable match. Some also say that once they do make the breakthrough, reaching a serious relationship level can take time. Again, this is not necessarily personal but rather a result of typical Dutch personality traits. As an expat, it is possible to find love with a local, and many foreigners report happy relationships and marriages with Dutch nationals.
Freedom and choice in relationshipsCouples living in the Netherlands have more choice than most when it comes to official types of living arrangements. Depending on a couple’s preferences, they can get married (huwelijk) or enter into a registered partnership (geregistreerd partnerschap). They can also sign a cohabitation agreement or live together without signing any formal agreement at all. Fortunately, LGBTQI+ couples living in the Netherlands have the same options as their heterosexual counterparts.
Read our Guide to gay marriage in the Netherlands
This modern and progressive way of living perhaps accounts for the substantial decline in marriages in recent years. According to figures from Statistics Netherlands (CBS), 64,400 couples tied the knot in 2017, compared with around 85,000 couples 20 years ago. Registered partnerships are also becoming more popular in the Netherlands. In fact, they now account for 18% of all unions in the country. In 2017 alone, 17,900 couples entered a partnership; a significant increase of 11,000 over the last decade.
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How to meet people in the NetherlandsFortunately, the casual nature of Dutch society means that meeting potential partners is relatively easy. Dating practices are also similar to other European countries. Teenagers generally begin to socialize with peers at school, within their neighborhood, or through social activities and local clubs. Young adults, meanwhile, tend to meet at bars and clubs, through social groups and activities, and via dating apps and websites.
Like many other cultures, the Dutch like to meet potential new partners through trusted friendship circles. That way, they can gradually get to know someone before developing a romantic relationship. Whether this means heading to a house party or a casual borrel with friends, there are plenty of opportunities to meet like-minded singles.
Discover how to meet single expats in the Netherlands
Also similar to other cultures, dating apps and websites are becoming the norm in the Netherlands; particularly among expat communities in the larger cities such as Amsterdam, Utrecht, and Rotterdam. According to a survey by Statista, the most popular dating app in the Netherlands in 2019 was Tinder; used by roughly 60% of Dutch singles seeking a relationship. Badoo and Happn are also popular options for casual dating.
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Dating etiquette in the NetherlandsYou might say that the Netherlands has less of a dating etiquette than other countries like the US or UK. For starters, there are fewer ‘rules’ about when to call back, kiss, or spend the night. Actions are based more on instinct rather than a set of arbitrary guidelines. And because Dutch men and women value honesty and efficiency, playing hard-to-get and silly games have little value in the Netherlands. Instead, people prefer to put their cards on the table so you don’t have to assume anything.
Confidence and being to-the-point also rank high, which means being successful in dating can require a level of assertiveness; if you want something, just do it. Of course, you might get a flat-out rejection but at least you won’t waste your time where it’s not appreciated. The importance of honesty also means that Dutch men and women are unlikely to mislead someone. This is good news if you are seeking a meaningful relationship.
A typical dating scenario in the NetherlandsThe Dutch are renowned for being straight-forward, straight-talking, and down-to-earth, and this transcends to the world of dating. Fancy dinners at swanky restaurants are likely to be replaced by a cold pint and a Dutch snack at a cozy (gezellig) café or bar. Furthermore, the Dutch love for the great outdoors might also mean that some dates involve having a picnic in a park, cycling to the beach, or visiting other popular nature spots. Whatever you end up doing, it will almost certainly be casual.
