How do I ask "Do you speak English?" in Dutch?

Say "Spreekt u Engels?" (pronounced SPRAYKT ew ENG-uhls).

What do I say at my residency appointment in Netherlands?

"Good day, I have an appointment." is "Goedendag, ik heb een afspraak.". "Do you speak English?" is "Spreekt u Engels?".

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Dutch

Netherlands Bureaucracy Phrasebook

Q: Is an interpreter provided at government offices in Netherlands?

Generally no. At residency, healthcare, banking, and housing appointments in Netherlands you are usually on your own, and English is not guaranteed, which is exactly what this phrasebook is for. Bring photo ID (and your BSN once you have it) to every appointment. Nearly all Dutch bureaucracy runs on scheduled afspraken; walk-ins are uncommon and often refused. The gemeente handles your address registration and issues your BSN in the same visit; the IND handles the residence permit itself. Many forms and confirmation emails still arrive in Dutch even if the counter conversation happened in English.

For the appointments where nobody hands you an interpreter: your residency office, healthcare registration, the bank, and signing a lease.

Most people in the Netherlands, especially in cities, speak excellent English, and officials will often switch languages the moment you ask Spreekt u Engels? That said, official letters, DigiD and gemeente portals, insurance paperwork, and some counter staff still default to Dutch, so knowing a few working phrases still matters and reads as respectful. Every phrase below uses the polite u form.

Before you go

Bring photo ID (and your BSN once you have it) to every appointment. Nearly all Dutch bureaucracy runs on scheduled afspraken; walk-ins are uncommon and often refused. The gemeente handles your address registration and issues your BSN in the same visit; the IND handles the residence permit itself. Many forms and confirmation emails still arrive in Dutch even if the counter conversation happened in English.

Residency and immigration appointments

For appointments at the IND, applying for a verblijfsvergunning (residence permit), and registering at the gemeente (municipality) for your BSN.

Good day, I have an appointment.

Goedendag, ik heb een afspraak.

KHOO-duhn-dakh, ik heb un ahf-SPRAHK
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Do you speak English?

Spreekt u Engels?

SPRAYKT ew ENG-uhls

Extremely common and welcomed; nearly every official can answer this.
Open in translator
I would like to apply for a residence permit.

Ik wil graag een verblijfsvergunning aanvragen.

ik vil khrahkh un vur-BLAYFS-vur-KHUN-ing AHN-vrah-khun
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Where is the IND office?

Waar is het IND-kantoor?

vahr is het ee-en-DAY kan-TOHR
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I need to register with the municipality.

Ik moet mij inschrijven bij de gemeente.

ik moot may IN-skhray-vuh bay duh khuh-MAYN-tuh
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I would like to apply for a BSN.

Ik wil graag een BSN aanvragen.

ik vil khrahkh un bay-es-EN AHN-vrah-khun

In practice the BSN is issued automatically at gemeente registration.
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Here is my passport.

Hier is mijn paspoort.

heer is mayn PAS-pohrt
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What documents do you need from me?

Welke documenten heeft u van mij nodig?

VEL-kuh doh-kew-MEN-tuh hayft ew van may NOH-dukh
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Healthcare registration and at the doctor

For registering with a zorgverzekering (mandatory health insurance), signing up with a huisarts (GP), describing a symptom, and booking an afspraak.

I would like to take out health insurance.

Ik wil graag een zorgverzekering afsluiten.

ik vil khrahkh un ZORKH-vur-zay-kuh-ring AHF-slow-tuh
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I would like to register with a GP.

Ik wil mij graag inschrijven bij een huisarts.

ik vil may khrahkh IN-skhray-vuh bay un HOWS-arts
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I would like to make an appointment.

Ik wil graag een afspraak maken.

ik vil khrahkh un ahf-SPRAHK MAH-kuh
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I don't feel well.

Ik voel mij niet goed.

ik vool may neet khoot
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I have a headache.

Ik heb hoofdpijn.

ik heb HOHFT-payn
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I have a fever.

Ik heb koorts.

ik heb kohrts
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Do you have an appointment available today?

Heeft u vandaag nog een afspraak vrij?

hayft ew van-DAHKH nokh un ahf-SPRAHK vray
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Could you prescribe medicine for me?

Kunt u mij medicijnen voorschrijven?

kunt ew may may-dee-SAY-nuh VOHR-skhray-vuh
Open in translator

Opening a bank account

For opening a rekening (bank account) using your BSN and proof of address, and getting a pinpas (debit card).

I would like to open a bank account.

Ik wil graag een bankrekening openen.

ik vil khrahkh un BANK-ray-kuh-ning OH-puh-nuh
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Here is my BSN.

Hier is mijn BSN.

heer is mayn bay-es-EN
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Do you need proof of address?

Heeft u een bewijs van adres nodig?

hayft ew un buh-VICE van ah-DRES NOH-dukh
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Here is my rental contract as proof of address.

Hier is mijn huurcontract als bewijs van adres.

heer is mayn HEWR-kon-trakt als buh-VICE van ah-DRES
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When will I receive my debit card?

Wanneer ontvang ik mijn pinpas?

vah-NAYR ont-VANKH ik mayn PIN-pas
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I would like to set up online banking.

Ik wil graag internetbankieren instellen.

ik vil khrahkh IN-tur-net-bank-EE-ruh IN-stel-luh
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What is the monthly fee for this account?

Wat zijn de maandelijkse kosten voor deze rekening?

vat zayn duh MAHN-duh-luk-suh KOS-tuh vohr DAY-zuh RAY-kuh-ning
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I forgot my PIN code.

Ik ben mijn pincode vergeten.

ik ben mayn PIN-koh-duh vur-KHAY-tuh
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Housing and signing a lease

For apartment viewings, renting, the borg (deposit), the huurcontract (lease), and utilities.

I would like to view the apartment.

Ik wil graag de woning bezichtigen.

ik vil khrahkh duh VOH-ning buh-ZIKH-tuh-khun
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Is this apartment still available?

Is deze woning nog beschikbaar?

is DAY-zuh VOH-ning nokh buh-SKHIK-bahr
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What is the monthly rent?

Wat is de maandelijkse huur?

vat is duh MAHN-duh-luk-suh hewr
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How much is the deposit?

Hoeveel bedraagt de borg?

HOO-vayl buh-DRAHKHT duh borkh
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Are utilities included in the rent?

Zijn de nutsvoorzieningen inbegrepen bij de huur?

zayn duh NUTS-vohr-zee-nin-guh IN-buh-khray-puh bay duh hewr
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I would like to sign the lease.

Ik wil graag het huurcontract ondertekenen.

ik vil khrahkh het HEWR-kon-trakt ON-dur-tay-kuh-nuh
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When can I move in?

Wanneer kan ik de woning betrekken?

vah-NAYR kan ik duh VOH-ning buh-TREK-kuh
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Who do I contact for maintenance issues?

Bij wie kan ik terecht voor onderhoud?

bay vee kan ik tuh-REKHT vohr ON-dur-howt
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Everyday essentials on arrival

Greetings, courtesy phrases, asking if someone speaks English, buying a SIM card, directions, and prices.

Good morning.

Goedemorgen.

KHOO-duh-MOR-khun
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Please.

Alstublieft.

als-tew-BLEEFT
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Thank you very much.

Hartelijk dank.

HAR-tuh-luk dank
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Excuse me.

Pardon.

par-DON
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Do you speak English?

Spreekt u Engels?

SPRAYKT ew ENG-uhls
Open in translator
Where can I buy a SIM card?

Waar kan ik een simkaart kopen?

vahr kan ik un SIM-kahrt KOH-puh
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Could you show me the way to the train station?

Kunt u mij de weg naar het station wijzen?

kunt ew may duh vekh nahr het stah-SHON VAY-zuh
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How much does this cost?

Hoeveel kost dit?

HOO-vayl kost dit
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Planning the move itself?

This phrasebook is the language layer. For the visa route, the true cost, and the tax reality of Netherlands, read the full corridor guide.

Moving to Netherlands from the USA All country phrasebooks

Take Root Abroad is a planning tool, not legal, tax, or immigration advice. Phrasing and office names change; confirm the current requirements for your situation locally. Translations are a starting point, not a substitute for a professional interpreter in high-stakes settings.