Internationals and Cross-border workers in the Maastricht Region survey
At the end of last year, Expat Centre Maastricht Region launched a survey through multiple channels including Maastricht Forum’s dedicated English-language panel of participants. The aim was to find out how internationals and cross-border workers experience living and/or working in the Maastricht Region.
The extensive online questionnaire was somewhat time consuming so we are very grateful to the more than 100 respondents who took the time to fill it out. Their comments not only gave us an indication of how internationals experience working and living here, but also provided insight into what helps them feel at home.
Here’s an overview of the results:
More than 5 years resident in the Maastricht Region
Almost half of the respondents have lived in the Maastricht Region for more than 5 years (45%). Of which the vast majority live in Maastricht. For a large proportion of those respondents it is not yet certain how long they will continue to live here (33%). Two thirds live here with their partner and/or children. Of the children, two-thirds attend a Dutch school. Over half of all partners of the respondents also work in the Maastricht Region.
Relocated for work reasons
Over 70% of those surveyed are currently employed in the Maastricht Region and a third of them also want to work here on a permanent basis. More than half of the respondents were invited to live and work in the region by an employer. Most of those interviewed have also been working here for more than 5 years. The sectors in which they work is varied, but education is the absolute leader in this survey (36%).Of those who filled in that they do not work in the Maastricht Region, 40% said they would consider doing so.
Feeling integrated and at home?
Here opinions were divided, 39% saying they do not feel particularly integrated in the Maastricht Region, 38% saying they are. Of this group, almost a quarter say they felt at home within the year. The biggest help in achieving this was from colleagues and friends/neighbours. A total of 38% of respondents also say they have between 1 and 3 friends who are local to the Maastricht Region. This is offset by 34% of respondents who said they had no local friends at all.
To our great satisfaction, we saw that a quarter of respondents indicated that Expat Centre Maastricht Region helps with integration and feeling at home. Two thirds of all respondents are aware of the services that Expat Centre Maastricht Region provides and, of those who have visited us before, 63% say they are satisfied or very satisfied with the help provided.
Tips for other newcomers to the Maastricht Region
Most newcomers say they have benefited from participating in cultural activities and events (37%). Learning Dutch also helps to feel at home in the Maastricht Region (28%), which also is the most frequently offered advice to other newcomers. In addition, the tip to network with other expats and international residents comes up regularly.
Interestingly, almost three quarters of respondents hold citizenship of another European Union Member State.
You can read the further results of the survey here (in Dutch).
