Pre-Flight Visa/Relocation Cost Checklist

Know what to budget before you fly from the Philippines to the Netherlands, so nothing surprises you at the airport or in your first month.

Who this is for

Filipino devs who already have a job offer or are deep in visa/DMW processing for a Netherlands role, and want a clear picture of the money going out before they land.

What this helps you decide or do

This helps you separate the costs your employer covers from the ones that come out of your own pocket. A lot of relocation packages cover the big visa fees but leave smaller things to you, and those add up. Use this to ask your employer the right questions and to set aside the right amount of cash before you leave PH.

Quick checklist

1. Confirm in writing who pays the IND application/visa fee. Many recognised sponsors cover it, but get it in the contract, do not assume. Check the current IND fee for your permit type.
2. Ask your employer whether the MVV (entry visa) sticker fee and the TB test, if your nationality needs one, are covered or self-paid.
3. Budget for documents PH-side that are commonly asked for: PSA birth certificate, and if requested, NBI clearance, plus any apostille from DFA. These are case-specific, so confirm exactly which ones your employer or IND wants before paying for all of them.
4. If you are going through an agency, know the DMW placement fee rule: the cap for agency hires is up to one month basic salary. If anyone quotes you a percentage like 25 to 40 percent, stop and verify with DMW.
5. If you are a direct hire like I was, budget for the OEC/DMW processing and clearance steps. My total direct-hire cost was 6,703.75 pesos, yours will differ, so price your own steps.
6. Set aside your one-way flight cost if the employer does not book it, plus baggage for an overweight bag (you will overpack).
7. Budget your first-month NL cash buffer in euros: temporary housing or deposit, a 30-day public transport top-up, SIM card, and groceries before your first payslip lands. Remember 1 euro is roughly 69 to 70 pesos right now, so convert realistically.
8. Set aside money for the BSN registration trip and any certified Dutch translations of documents if your gemeente asks for them.
9. Keep a small emergency margin in euros on a card that works abroad, in case a deposit or fee is bigger than quoted.
10. Save every receipt. Some relocation costs may be reimbursable or relevant for tax, so ask your employer and verify with the Belastingdienst or a tax adviser.

Common mistakes

• Assuming the relocation package covers everything. Get the list in writing.
• Converting euros to pesos at an old rate. It is about 69 to 70 pesos per euro now, not 40-something.
• Paying for every clearance and apostille before confirming which ones are actually required for your case.
• Landing with no euro cash buffer and waiting two to four weeks for the first payslip.
• Trusting a verbal DMW fee quote instead of checking the official rule.

What to verify

Confirm current IND fees and permit type with the IND, confirm the DMW placement fee rule and your OEC steps with DMW, and confirm what is covered with your employer in writing. For anything tax-related, check with the Belastingdienst or a qualified tax adviser.

Jake note

I came as a direct hire and my actual PH-side cost was 6,703.75 pesos total, which surprised people who expected agency-level fees. The thing that nearly caught me out was not the visa, it was the euro cash buffer for my first weeks before payday. Plan that part now.