This blog dives into the lives of Dutch expats worldwide. We discuss the challenges that come with living and working abroad, such as cultural differences and homesickness. Additionally, we focus on the importance of familiar Dutch products in the daily life of an expat. From peanut butter and meal mixes to cake and snack nuts – Dutch flavors provide a sense of home, wherever you live.

Living as a Dutch expat: between adventure and longing for Dutch coziness

Life as a Dutch expat is adventurous, enriching, and full of new impressions. But no matter how wonderful your experience abroad is, the need for something familiar remains — and nothing evokes that familiar feeling as strongly as food. Whether you crave a sandwich with peanut butter in the morning or feel like having a slice of cake on Sunday: Dutch products bring a piece of home, wherever you live.

These countries have the most Dutch expats

Dutch people can be found all over the world. The most popular countries where many Dutch expats settle temporarily or permanently are:

1. Germany

2. Belgium

3. United States

4. United Kingdom

5. Spain

6. France

7. Switzerland

8. Canada

9. Australia

10. United Arab Emirates

Whether you moved abroad for work, study, or love — every country offers new flavors and experiences, but also challenges. By joining the Internations communities, you come into contact with other expats and can quickly integrate into the local social life.

Companies with many Dutch expats worldwide

Many Dutch people live abroad through work at multinationals. These are 10 large companies with a high expat population:

1. Shell

2. Unilever

3. Philips

4. Heineken

5. ASML

6. ING

7. DSM-Firmenich

8. FrieslandCampina

9. AkzoNobel

10. Rabobank

These companies often have branches worldwide, meaning thousands of Dutch people live in places where you don’t just walk into an Albert Heijn, PLUS, or HEMA.

The daily challenges of expat life

As an expat, you encounter practical and emotional issues. Think of:

• Language barriers and cultural differences

• Bureaucracy and tax regulations

• Missing family and friends

• Lack of Dutch products and customs

It is precisely at those moments that you want something familiar. And that often lies in the smallest things: the smell of a cup of Douwe Egberts coffee, the taste of Calvé peanut butter, or a warm stroopwafel with tea.

The power of Dutch products abroad

Local dishes are delicious — think tapas in Spain, curries in India, or ramen in Japan — but Dutch expats regularly turn back to familiar flavors:

✅ Essentials you miss:

• Calvé peanut butter

• Unox smoked sausage

• Knorr or Honig meal mixes

• Maggi seasoning

• Douwe Egberts coffee

Treat products that make you feel at home again:

• Koopmans cake mix

• De Ruijter chocolate sprinkles

• Verkade cookies

• Duyvis cocktail nuts

• Tompoucen

Whether you organize a Saturday lunch in Dubai or celebrate Sinterklaas in Canada: those typical Dutch products make the difference.

Tip for expats: keep the Netherlands close through your taste buds

It doesn’t matter if you’ve been away for years or are just starting your adventure — a pantry stocked with Dutch products is essential for your expat survival kit. Because sometimes one bite of a rusk with sugared aniseed sprinkles is enough to make you feel at home again. Good to know that you can order these products very easily and quickly at Dutchshopper. Affordable, low shipping costs, and a huge wide assortment.

Wherever you live in the world: the Netherlands tastes good everywhere.

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