# Borderline Deranged

> Just a splash of my thoughts


## Posts

- [Public Transport in the Netherlands: OVpay, Trains and Bikes Explained](https://borderlinederanged.com/public-transport-netherlands-guide/): How public transport in the Netherlands works: paying with OVpay or an OV-chipkaart, NS trains, off-peak discounts, OV-fiets, bike rules and apps.
- [Dutch Citizenship and Permanent Residence: Rules and the Proposed 10 Year Change](https://borderlinederanged.com/dutch-citizenship-permanent-residence/): How to get permanent residence or Dutch citizenship, the proposed change from 5 to 10 years, dual nationality, and what it means for South Africans.
- [How to Learn Dutch: Courses, Free Resources and Exams for Expats](https://borderlinederanged.com/how-to-learn-dutch-expats/): The best ways to learn Dutch as an expat: courses, apps, free resources like the Taalhuis, language levels, the NT2 exam and inburgering explained.
- [Dutch Income Tax for Expats: A Simple Guide for 2027](https://borderlinederanged.com/dutch-income-tax-expats-2027/): Dutch income tax for expats explained: the 2027 tax rates, tax credits, your payslip, the M form, the tax return deadline and the 30% ruling.
- [How Healthcare Works in the Netherlands: GP, Eigen Risico and Emergencies](https://borderlinederanged.com/healthcare-netherlands-huisarts-expats/): How Dutch healthcare works for expats: registering with a huisarts, the eigen risico in 2026 and 2027, emergencies, what is covered and medicine.
- [How to Find a Job in the Netherlands as an Expat (2026 Guide)](https://borderlinederanged.com/find-job-netherlands-expat/): How to find a job in the Netherlands as an expat: sectors that are hiring, where to look, Dutch CVs and interviews, contracts, salaries and visas.
- [Highly Skilled Migrant Visa Netherlands: Salary Requirements and Process (2026)](https://borderlinederanged.com/highly-skilled-migrant-visa-netherlands/): How the Dutch highly skilled migrant permit works: 2026 salary thresholds, recognised sponsors, costs, family, the MVV and how long it takes.
- [Best Cities to Live in the Netherlands for South Africans and Expats](https://borderlinederanged.com/best-cities-to-live-netherlands-south-africans/): The best cities to live in the Netherlands for South Africans and expats: Amsterdam, The Hague, Utrecht, Rotterdam, Eindhoven and more, with 2026 rents.
- [Best Coffee in Amsterdam: Specialty Coffee Bars by Neighbourhood](https://borderlinederanged.com/best-coffee-amsterdam/): The best coffee in Amsterdam, by neighbourhood: roaster cafés like Lot Sixty One, Friedhats, Bocca and Back to Black, plus tips and prices.
- [King's Day 2027 in the Netherlands: The Complete Guide (and Freedom Day)](https://borderlinederanged.com/kings-day-2027-netherlands/): King's Day 2027 is on Tuesday 27 April, the King's 60th birthday. Where to go, how the vrijmarkt works, Haarlem and Zandvoort, and SA Freedom Day.
- [Music Festivals in the Netherlands 2027: Dates and Calendar](https://borderlinederanged.com/music-festivals-netherlands-2027/): All confirmed 2027 dates for Dutch music festivals: Lowlands, Pinkpop, DGTL, Paaspop, Awakenings, North Sea Jazz, Defqon.1, Mysteryland and more.
- [Moving from South Africa to the Netherlands: The Complete Guide](https://borderlinederanged.com/moving-from-south-africa-to-the-netherlands/): Everything you need to move from South Africa to the Netherlands: visas, BSN, banking, housing, schools, pets, health insurance and settling in.
- [Bringing Pets from South Africa to the Netherlands: The Complete Guide](https://borderlinederanged.com/bringing-pets-south-africa-to-netherlands/): How to bring your dog or cat from South Africa to the Netherlands: microchip, rabies titre test, the 3 month wait, health certificate, flights and costs.
- [Where to Get Good Coffee in Zandvoort (and Haarlem)](https://borderlinederanged.com/best-coffee-zandvoort-haarlem/): Where to find good coffee in Zandvoort, from New Zealand style flat whites to beach pavilions, plus the best specialty coffee bars in nearby Haarlem.
- [Schools in the Netherlands: A Guide for South African Families](https://borderlinederanged.com/schools-netherlands-south-african-families/): How Dutch schools work, what they cost, when kids must start and how to choose between a Dutch or international school. A guide for South African families.
- [Supermarket fridges hacked to 50°C in France, and Albert Heijn hit by a cyber incident](https://borderlinederanged.com/supermarket-fridges-hacked-koelkasten-gehackt/): Hackers turned supermarket fridges into ovens in France, while Albert Heijn, Etos and Gall & Gall were hit by a separate cyber incident. Here is what we know and what it means in the Netherlands.
- [Rainy Day Things to Do in Haarlem and Zandvoort (Near Amsterdam)](https://borderlinederanged.com/rainy-day-things-to-do-haarlem-zandvoort/): What to do in Haarlem and Zandvoort when it rains: museums, a brewery in a church, F1 simulators, a beach sauna, a tropical pool and more.
- [Renting a Home in the Netherlands as a South African (2026 Guide)](https://borderlinederanged.com/renting-netherlands-south-africans/): How renting in the Netherlands works in 2026: where to look, what landlords ask for, deposits, your rights as a tenant and how to avoid rental scams.
- [Slachthuis Haarlem Reopens (Sort Of): Patronaat and Hart Take Over the Rehearsal Studios](https://borderlinederanged.com/slachthuis-haarlem-reopens-patronaat-hart/): The Slachthuis rehearsal studios in Haarlem are open again, run by Patronaat and Hart for at least six months. Here is what is open, what is not, and what happens next.
- [Plague Scare in Russia: What We Know About the Irkutsk Lab Death (Live Updates)](https://borderlinederanged.com/russia-plague-irkutsk-what-we-know/): A lab worker at a Siberian anti-plague institute has died and around 200 people are under observation. Here is what we know, what we don't, and whether there is any risk for the Netherlands.
- [Zandvoort Beach Clubs: A Local’s Guide to the Best Beach Near Amsterdam](https://borderlinederanged.com/beach-clubs-zandvoort/): The best beach clubs in Zandvoort: which strandtenten are open all year, where to go with kids or dogs, sunset spots and how to get there.
- [How to Get a BSN and Open a Dutch Bank Account as a South African](https://borderlinederanged.com/bsn-dutch-bank-account-south-africans/): How to get your BSN and open a Dutch bank account as a South African: registering at the gemeente, apostilled documents, banks without a BSN and more.
- [Expat and South African Events in the Netherlands 2026 to 2027](https://borderlinederanged.com/expat-south-african-events-netherlands/): Expat fairs, Springbok matches, SAFFA Fest, King’s Day and the Rugby World Cup: the best expat and South African events in the Netherlands for 2026 and 2027.
- [Cost of Living in the Netherlands vs South Africa (2026)](https://borderlinederanged.com/cost-of-living-netherlands-vs-south-africa/): How expensive is the Netherlands compared to South Africa? Rent, groceries, health insurance, transport and salaries in 2026, in euros and rands.
- [Best Christmas Markets in the Netherlands 2026 (Plus Germany)](https://borderlinederanged.com/christmas-markets-netherlands-2026/): The best Christmas markets in the Netherlands in 2026, from Valkenburg’s caves to Dordrecht and Haarlem, plus Aachen, Cologne and Düsseldorf. Dates and tips.
- [Surviving Your First Dutch Winter: A Guide for South Africans](https://borderlinederanged.com/first-dutch-winter-guide-south-africans/): Dark at half past four, rain, wind and no braai weather. How to survive (and even enjoy) your first Dutch winter when you’re used to South African sunshine.
- [Sinterklaas Explained for South Africans](https://borderlinederanged.com/sinterklaas-explained-for-south-africans/): Who is Sinterklaas, what happens on pakjesavond and why the Dutch don’t do Christmas the way we do? Sinterklaas explained for South Africans, with the 2026 dates.
- [South African and Afrikaans Speaking Psychologists in the Netherlands (and Help for Expat Depression)](https://borderlinederanged.com/south-african-psychologists-netherlands/): South African and Afrikaans speaking psychologists in the Netherlands, English speaking expat therapists, and how to get help for expat depression.
- [Running and Walking Events in the Netherlands 2027: Dates and Calendar](https://borderlinederanged.com/running-walking-events-netherlands-2027/): Running events in the Netherlands 2027: dates for Egmond, CPC, Rotterdam and Amsterdam marathons, the Vierdaagse and more, with registration info.
- [Running and Walking Events in the Netherlands 2026: The Full Calendar](https://borderlinederanged.com/running-walking-events-netherlands-2026/): All upcoming running and walking events in the Netherlands for 2026: the Amsterdam Marathon, Zevenheuvelenloop, Singelloop and more, with dates.
- [Dutch Health Insurance 2027: How to Choose and When to Switch](https://borderlinederanged.com/dutch-health-insurance-2027/): Dutch health insurance explained for expats: what changes in 2027, eigen risico, natura vs restitutie, extra insurance and how to switch before 31 December.
- [ADE 2026: A Guide to Amsterdam Dance Event from Haarlem and Zandvoort](https://borderlinederanged.com/ade-2026-guide-haarlem-zandvoort/): Amsterdam Dance Event runs from 21 to 25 October 2026. Dates, tickets, getting there from Haarlem and Zandvoort, and how to get home afterwards.
- [The 30% Ruling Becomes 27% in 2027: What Expats Need to Know](https://borderlinederanged.com/the-30-ruling-becomes-27-in-2027/): From 1 January 2027 the Dutch 30% ruling becomes a 27% ruling for most expats. Who is affected, the new salary thresholds and what it means for your payslip.
- [Prinsjesdag 2026: What Changes for Expats in the Netherlands in 2027](https://borderlinederanged.com/prinsjesdag-2026-what-changes-for-expats-2027/): Income tax, health insurance, housing and solar panels: what the Prinsjesdag 2026 plans mean for expats in the Netherlands in 2027, in plain English.
- [The South African Community in the Netherlands: Where to Meet Other Saffas](https://borderlinederanged.com/south-african-community-netherlands/): More than 40,000 South Africans live in the Netherlands. Here’s where to find them: Facebook groups, the Zuid-Afrikahuis, rugby, events like SAFFA Fest and South African shops.
- [Where to Watch the Springboks in the Netherlands](https://borderlinederanged.com/where-to-watch-springboks-netherlands/): From a South African sports bar in Amsterdam to Irish pubs and rugby clubs: where to watch the Springboks in the Netherlands, plus the Boks’ November 2026 matches.
- [Moving from South Africa to the Netherlands: Your Visa Options Explained](https://borderlinederanged.com/moving-from-south-africa-to-the-netherlands-visa-options/): The main ways South Africans can live and work in the Netherlands: highly skilled migrant, EU Blue Card, orientation year, partner, self-employed and study, explained in plain English.
- [Slachthuis Haarlem Is Bankrupt: What Happened and How You Can Help](https://borderlinederanged.com/slachthuis-haarlem-bankrupt/): Slachthuis, the Haarlem music venue in the old slaughterhouse on the Rockplein, has gone bankrupt. What happened, what happens next and how you can help by signing the petition.
- [Can You Use Your South African Driving Licence in the Netherlands?](https://borderlinederanged.com/south-african-driving-licence-netherlands/): You can drive on a South African licence in the Netherlands for 185 days after you move here. Then what? The rules, the 30% ruling shortcut and the exams explained.
- [Where to Buy South African Food in the Netherlands](https://borderlinederanged.com/where-to-buy-south-african-food-netherlands/): Craving biltong, rusks or Mrs Balls? The South African shops and webshops in the Netherlands that sell the real stuff.
- [Afrikaans vs Dutch: How Easy Is Dutch for South Africans?](https://borderlinederanged.com/afrikaans-vs-dutch/): Speak Afrikaans? You’ll understand more Dutch than you think. The similarities, the traps, false friends and tips for learning Dutch as a South African.
- [A Week in a Camper Van at the Zugspitze: Hiking, Biking and Paddle Boarding in the Bavarian Alps](https://borderlinederanged.com/a-week-in-a-camper-van-at-the-zugspitze-hiking-biking-and-paddle-boarding-in-the-bavarian-alps/): A week in a camper van at the foot of Germany's highest mountain. Hiking, mountain biking, paddle boarding on the crazy clear Eibsee and a trip to the top of the Zugspitze. Here's how it went and what to know before you go.
- [Friday Night Skate Amsterdam: Why You Need to Roll Out on a Friday Night](https://borderlinederanged.com/friday-night-skate-amsterdam-why-you-need-to-roll-out-on-a-friday-night/): Hundreds of skaters, one big loop through Amsterdam, every Friday night since 1997. Friday Night Skate is free, fun and needs more people to keep it going. Here's everything you need to know.
- [Roadsurfer, We Need to Talk: Our Week in a Van That Smelled Like Cat Piss](https://borderlinederanged.com/roadsurfer-we-need-to-talk-our-week-in-a-van-that-smelled-like-cat-piss/): We rented a Roadsurfer camper van for a week and it smelled like cat piss the whole time. Add a leaking roof tent, an empty gas bottle and an AI assistant that led nowhere, and you've got our holiday.
- [Navigating the Dutch Housing Market: An Expat's Guide to Buying a Home](https://borderlinederanged.com/navigating-the-dutch-housing-market-an-expats-guide-to-buying-a-home/): The dream of owning a home in the Netherlands is a common one for expats, but the reality of the Dutch housing market can feel like navigating a maze blindfolded.
- [Driving in the Netherlands: Your Expat Guide to Getting a Dutch Driver's License](https://borderlinederanged.com/driving-in-the-netherlands-your-expat-guide-to-getting-a-dutch-drivers-license/): So, you've made the leap and are now living the expat life in the Netherlands!
- [Finding the Best Boerewors in the Netherlands](https://borderlinederanged.com/finding-the-best-boerewors-in-the-netherlands/): As a South African living in the Netherlands, I sometimes crave for some boerewors on the braai.
- [Netherlands survival guide when arriving in the Netherlands as a South African expat](https://borderlinederanged.com/netherlands-survival-guide-when-arriving-in-the-netherlands-as-a-south-african-expat/): Welcome to the Netherlands - Your Expat Survival Guide as a South Africa but actually any new expat.
- [The Last Dutch Grand Prix: Why F1 Left Zandvoort After 2026](https://borderlinederanged.com/the-final-lap-why-the-dutch-grand-prix-in-zandvoort-will-end-after-2026/): Why the Dutch Grand Prix ended after 2026: the real reasons F1 left Zandvoort, how the last race went, and what’s next for the circuit.
- [Best Burger in Zandvoort (2026): Tried and Ranked by a Local](https://borderlinederanged.com/best-burger-in-zandvoort/): The best burger in Zandvoort in 2026, tried and ranked by a local: ’t Wapen van Zandvoort, Mango’s Beach Bar, Het Plein and the one place to skip.
- [Upcoming Vinyl Record Fairs in the Netherlands 2026: Full Calendar](https://borderlinederanged.com/upcoming-vinyl-record-markets-in-the-netherlands-for-2026/): Every upcoming record fair in the Netherlands in 2026: Mega Record & CD Fair, Haarlem Vinyl Festival, Ahoy and 20+ vinyl markets, with dates and prices.
- [Weekend Getaways: Escape Amsterdam for a Nature Retreat](https://borderlinederanged.com/weekend-getaways-escape-amsterdam-for-a-nature-retreat/): Amsterdam, known for its remarkable architecture, vibrant culture, and bustling streets, represents the epitome of urban life.
- [The 44 Best Markets in the Netherlands to Visit in 2026](https://borderlinederanged.com/best-markets-to-visit-in-the-netherlands/): The 44 best markets in the Netherlands for 2026, city by city: flea markets, food and farmers’ markets and cheese markets, with opening times and tips.
- [Hello world. Yip my first post will just be a short hello to the world.](https://borderlinederanged.com/hello-aliens/): Hello and I guess welcome to my new blog? I've decided to start writing blog posts again.

## Pages

- [Contact](https://borderlinederanged.com/contact/): Questions, corrections, event tips or a complaint about my boerewors rankings? Send a message and I’ll get back to you.
- [About](https://borderlinederanged.com/about/): A South African in Zandvoort, writing about life in the Netherlands: the useful bits, the weird bits and the stuff I just need to get off my chest.
- [Home](https://borderlinederanged.com/): A South African on the Dutch coast, writing the guides I wish I had: visas, health insurance, boerewors, markets, events and the stuff I just need to get off my chest.
- [Privacy Policy](https://borderlinederanged.com/privacy-policy/): The short version: I collect as little as I can, I don’t sell your data, and you can ask me to delete it at any time.

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