Record number of foreign companies choose the Netherlands

Brexit important factor

The 397 new international companies in the Netherlands expect to create more than 14,000 direct jobs and invest 4.3 billion euros in their first three years here according to the Invest in Holland network. The Brexit has been an important factor for the relocations is proven in the annual results presented by the Netherlands Foreign Investment Agency (NFIA) and its regional partners like Rotterdam Partners. Since the Brexit referendum in 2016, 140 companies have opted for the Netherlands. 78 of these 140 companies made their decision in 2019.

Rotterdam has welcomed more than seventy international companies. Among the new companies are the Swiss telecom company SwissCom, juice manufacturer Innocent from the United Kingdom, the American car sharing provider Lev and oil and gas trader PetroChina. Riva can help international staff find accommodation. We support owners in renting out their homes to expats and international students. We look for the best tenant for the property, collect the rent and pay the rent. The more expats there are due to the influx of international companies, the more returns that can be achieved for the home owners affiliated with us.

Rotterdam is sexy

SwissCom says it has come to the Netherlands especially for IT staff, according to this article. ''In Switzerland, Swisscom has the greatest difficulty in finding suitable people. "We had to go abroad," says Tom Wunderlich of Swisscom. Not that software developers are walking around freely in Rotterdam, but the Dutch regulations for attracting foreign employees are among the most flexible in Europe, he says. "And they like to come to Rotterdam, because the city is sexy."

Indeed, the report notes the foreign companies coming to the Netherlands mainly operate in IT, the creative industry (including media and fashion), the life sciences & health and the chemical industry. It concerns all kinds of business activities. Think of European Head Offices, production facilities, data centers and research laboratories. This work always involves concrete and physical employment.

Around 70 international companies chose to move to sexy city Rotterdam

Eric Wiebes, Minister of Economic Affairs & Climate (EZK), and responsible for the NFIA, looks back positively on the results for 2019: “I am pleased with the acquisition work of the Invest in Holland network and the NFIA. Foreign companies make an important contribution to our economy. For example, they account for 30% of total private spending in research and development in the Netherlands. This contributes to solving the challenges that we face as a country and to our future earning capacity. That is why we must ensure that the Netherlands remains an attractive country for living, working and doing business, also internationally. I am constantly working on this with Dutch business policy and our Growth Strategy. "

Positive contribution

In a globalizing and digital world the Netherlands depends, on the international economy for its future prosperity. As such, increased attention is being paid to the NFIA’s work that is committed to foreign companies and fostering the necessary business climate. Research shows that international companies make a positive contribution to the Dutch economy and society. For example, various statistics show that foreign companies account for around 18 percent of the added value to our economy. These companies pay their employees an average of 7 percent more. They are also at the forefront of research and technology relatively often. Almost one million employees are working for foreign companies in the Netherlands. In addition, these companies account for 500,000 indirect jobs with suppliers in the Netherlands, mostly with Dutch SMEs.

NFIA Commissioner Nijland: “Just like these companies, it is important that we continue to focus on an international future as well. Each of the foreign companies we work with, makes a unique and tangible contribution to topics that we all find important, such as job creations and innovative research. They cooperate with Dutch companies, strengthen our international knowledge clusters and contribute to regional initiatives. These types of companies and their employees are significant to us all. It is fundamental to keep this in mind for our future economy and our international business climate.''

Riva acknowledges that importance. As a rental broker, we assist more and more foreign professionals (expats) who come to Rotterdam temporarily or move within the Netherlands. In addition, we also rent to international students. This offers a huge return potential and we have very good experiences with student accommodation for internationals. We try to find a reliable tenant for your home as quickly as possible. You only pay us start-up costs. We take professional photos and post them together with an attractive description on our site and relevant websites such as Funda and Pararius. We also present your property on our social media channels.

So take advantage of our network and our affordable service and rent your property in Rotterdam directly to expats or international students.