Best apps for expats in the Netherlands: local life, travel, groceries and trusted deals
If you are new in the Netherlands, do not install every app at once. Cover four jobs first: official identity, travel, groceries and local-life discovery. Hokimi helps with restaurants, events, practical guides and trusted deals; NS handles trains; Mandje helps compare supermarket folders; DigiD is for government and healthcare logins.
1. Local-life discovery: Hokimi
Hokimi brings restaurants, events, family activities, grocery highlights, practical guides and trusted local deals into one trilingual hub, so newcomers do not have to search across Google, social media and chat groups every day.
2. Travel: NS and 9292
NS is the default for train tickets and rail planning. 9292 is useful for bus, tram, metro and mixed public-transport routes.
3. Groceries and everyday savings: Mandje + Hokimi Grocery Folders
Mandje is useful for mainstream Dutch supermarket folders. Hokimi adds curated products, Asian-community context and local saving ideas.
4. Official services: DigiD
DigiD is the login layer for Dutch government, health insurance, tax and many public services. Set it up early after arrival.
FAQ
How is Hokimi different from Social Deal?
Is Hokimi only for Chinese users?
Related picks
