Let’s be honest, how many times have you heard from people that it is absolutely not needed to speak Dutch if you live in the Netherlands? Millions of times, right?!
In fact, it is a false myth which doesn’t apply to everywhere under every circumstance, and from a social and integration point of view it’s wrong. And I am being brutally direct saying it, since I believe it is extremely important.
I’ll guide you step by step into this journey of realising how much Dutch can actually help if you decide to live in the Netherlands. Basically, the same exact concept can be applied to any other country and its local language. The only difference? In the Netherlands you have more chances to find a job and start a life without speaking Dutch.
No, I am not contradicting myself – here’s why. It’s true that it is possible to move to the Netherlands and find a job in an international company in the main cities, or in restaurants, hotels and cafés, only speaking English. But to really live here, become integrated and get the most out of the experience, that’s another story. Many jobs require Dutch and their number has been growing in the last years. In any case, outside the main cities, which are becoming less and less affordable, not everyone is comfortable speaking English. And of course, all official communication from the government (except in Amsterdam) and the tax authority is in Dutch. The list of arguments to learn Dutch can easily be lengthened.
And yet, the practical argument is only half of it. The real turning point comes the moment you realise that language is not just a tool for communication, it’s a door to culture. Dutch people are famously direct, often pragmatic, and surprisingly warm once you crack the initial layer of social distance. What many newcomers interpret as coldness is often just a mismatch in communication style. Understanding the language helps you understand the intention behind the words, the humour hidden in the phrasing, and yes, even the famous Dutch gezelligheid that somehow has no direct English translation.
Once you start speaking Dutch, even imperfectly, people immediately soften. They switch from ‘talking to a foreigner mode’ to ‘talking to a fellow human being mode’. It’s as if the moment you try, even with an accent and broken sentences, the country exhales and says, ‘okay, you’re one of us now’. Suddenly the cashier at the supermarket smiles a bit more, your neighbours linger a little longer at the mailbox, and those subtle social codes stop feeling like impossible riddles. You stop being a temporary guest and start becoming part of the daily rhythm of the place.
There’s also something incredibly empowering about no longer relying on translations or guesses. You understand letters from the gemeente without panicking, you pick up nuances during meetings, you hear jokes before they’re explained. And perhaps most importantly, you can finally participate. You can join conversations instead of politely smiling through them. You can ask questions without switching languages. You can show curiosity in people’s stories in the language that shapes their lives.
And let’s not underestimate how much easier it becomes to build genuine connections. Dutch people might speak excellent English, but expressing emotions or personal matters in a second language is never the same. When they get to speak in their native tongue, they open up more, they trust more, they reveal more. Language is not a barrier; it’s a bridge. And in this case, it’s a bridge you absolutely want to cross. This happens also in practical situations. For example, when you’re on the phone with a customer service agent because your boiler is suddenly not working, instead of getting a quick ‘I’ll send a technician’ – who you probably have to pay afterwards – speaking Dutch might help you figure out the problem on the phone (real story, mine!). Or imagine when suddenly all passengers leave the train and you don’t know why and whether you should follow too.
So no, you don’t need Dutch to survive here. But if you want to live here, understand the culture, feel included and be treated as more than just a passing expat, then Dutch is not optional, it’s essential. Not because the country requires it, but because the people behind the country do.
And that, in the end, is what makes the whole experience truly gezellig.
Written by Rossella Davì