A year in review - 2026

An overview of our activities to date in 2026

For details of upcoming events and activities, go to our Events Calendar and News and Announcements page.

TU/e Information Market for new international students – August 2026

Holland Expat Center South participated in TU/e's information market

This event provided an opportunity to introduce Holland Expat Center South and the Homewards Program to students beginning an exciting new chapter in the Brainport region. International students are an important talent group for our region. They bring knowledge, innovation, and fresh perspectives, making them an essential part of Brainport Eindhoven's future. 

We are committed to helping create a warm landing for international students and supporting them during their first steps in the Netherlands.

Students at Holland Expat Center South's stand

Internationals Guide to Settling in Brabant – July 2026

New edition of this Holland Expat Center South publication

From formalities to healthcare, and from banking to transport, leisure, and learning Dutch, this handy guide helps internationals navigate life in the Netherlands. Each page links to the corresponding page on our website, where internationals can find more detailed information on the specific topic along with links to official sources.   

The number one source of information for internationals settling into Brabant! 

Find out more about this publication 

Cover of the Internationals Guide to Settling in Brabant

The Living In Guide: Eindhoven region - July 2026

New edition of this Living In Program publication 

This supplement to the Internationals Guide to Settling in Brabant specifically targets internationals in the Eindhoven region, offering more in-depth information on a variety of topics such as culture and leisure, education and careers, and more.  

Find out more about this publication 

Cover of the Living In Guide Eindhoven Region

The STREAM Festival - July 2026

Sponsored by Holland Expat Center South

The STREAM Festival is a young, community-driven, international festival for children that promotes S.T.E.M. disciplines as well as arts, reading, and more generally literacy and creativity skills. 

The event is open to all, Dutch and internationals, promoting mutual discovery and conviviality.

A science experiment

Official launch of Praat Nederlands Met Me campaign - June 2026

A Holland Expat Center South campaign to help internationals master the Dutch language

One of the best ways for international knowledge workers and their families to settle quickly and easily into life in the Netherlands is to learn the language, and an important aspect of learning any language is the opportunity to practice speaking. 

The aim of our campaign is to encourage locals and internationals to speak Dutch together.

Find out more about our campaign

Praat Nederlands Met Me button

Talent100 Information Sessions - multiple dates throughout the year

A Holland Expat Center South collaboration with Werkcentrum Zuidoost Brabant and Expat Spouses Initiative

Talent100 is a regional career program to help partners rebuild their careers. Various editions are held throughout the year.

Find out more about the Dual Career program.

 

Woman taking a work call

TEDx Eindhoven Commercial Partner event - June 2026

A Holland Expat Center South event for our Commercial Partners

The main theme was partnership and there were presentations on various topics including collaboration in nature, important lessons in building a company, designing breakthroughs through collaboration, and collaborating with AI agents.

Find out more about our Commercial Partner program

Commercial Partner logo

Rotary Speeddate Event - June 2026

A Holland Expat Center South collaboration with Rotary Club Eindhoven Centrum and supported by Rotary Club Eindhoven International

This event brings together internationals and locals in an informal setting to meet, exchange experiences, and build new connections.

Find out more about the Living In program.

A room of people chatting at tables

High Tech Campus International Fair - June 2026

Holland Expat Center South participated in this event

We had a stand at this international fair where companies opened their doors to the public, giving people of all ages a unique behind-the-scenes look. 

An opportunity for us to talk to internationals about how we can help them settle into the region and give out our guides and our Praat Nederlands Met Me beach bags and umbrellas.

 

Photo of the High Tech Campus Eindhoven

For Employers: Global Talent Journey - Alles wat je immigratie- en arbeidsrechtelijk moet weten - June 2026

A Holland Expat Center South collaboration with two of our Commercial Partners, Pallas Advocaten and Kroes Advocaten

An interactive meeting for employers of internationals, covering both labor law and labor migration law.

Find out more about our Commercial Partner program.

Photo of people at a presentation

Career Compass Netherlands - May 2026

 A Holland Expat Center South collaboration with SHEXON,  EuFlex Technificent | powered by TU/e, and Technische Universiteit Eindhoven - Alumni (Alumni Relations)

An event designed to inform, inspire, and connect international graduates with companies. Through real stories, practical insights, company perspectives, and networking, we helped international talent gain more clarity, confidence, and direction in their career journey in the Netherlands. This event also allowed companies to meet international talent, understand their challenges, and explore how diverse early-career professionals can contribute to their teams.

More than 120 participants - 38 nationalities - many honest conversations

Photo of people in library

Launch of Dare to Ask game - May 2026

A Living In Program and Praat Nederlands Met Me initiative to promote the learning of Dutch

An interactive board game which aims to help participants explore Eindhoven while learning practical Dutch language skills.

Find out more about our Praat Nederlands Met Me campaign

Find out more about the Living In Program

Dare To Ask Game packaging

Brabant International Expo - April 2026

A Holland Expat Center South event 

An event where internationals can find local businesses, support services, and social clubs and organizations all under one roof! Internationals can speak directly to the experts for practical advice on housing and taxes, career and work, learning Dutch, and more. A great opportunity to learn about life in the region and meet other internationals and newcomers.

Be informed - Get connected - Feel at home 

Find out more about the Expo 

Entrance at Brabant International Expo 2026

Praat Nederlands Met Me umbrellas - April 2026

A Praat Nederlands Met Me and Spiekkleding initiative to promote the learning of Dutch

Our handy Praat Nederlands Met Me umbrella shows locals that you would like them to speak Dutch with you AND comes with all kinds of useful Dutch phrases on the inside of the umbrella.

Find out more about our Praat Nederlands Met Me campaign.

A smiling lady holding a cheat-sheet umbrella

Praat Nederlands Met Me beach tote bags - April 2026

A Praat Nederlands Met Me and Spiekkleding initiative to promote the learning of Dutch

Our beach tote bags are perfect for the summer season, and they are covered with essential Dutch phrases to help internationals feel more confident speaking Dutch in everyday life.

Find out more about our Praat Nederlands Met Me campaign.

A Praat Nederlands Met Me beach tote bag on a beach with flowers, hat and sunglasses

Homewards - multiple dates

A Holland Expat Center South collaboration with Brainport Eindhoven and This is Eindhoven 

In 2026 we organized 3 editions of this popular 3-month program for both locals and newcomers who want to explore the city together and meet new people.

Find out more about Homewards

 

Group photo of all Homewards participants

Opening of exhibition at Museum Klok&Peel – April 2026

Living In Program at opening of 'Uitgeleefd! Beesten & Botten uit Brabantse Bodem’ exhibition

Officially opened by Jeroen Dijsselbloem, Chair of the Eindhoven Metropolitan Region and Mayor of Eindhoven, this event highlighted the museum’s ambition to evolve into Museum ECHO, an innovative concept where heritage, technology, and visitor experience come together.  A unique feature of the exhibition is the use of AI technology, allowing visitors to interact with animal skeletons such as a mammoth, wolf, horse, and aurochs. These interactive “chat bones” make scientific knowledge accessible to a broader audience and represent an innovative first within the Dutch museum sector.

Find out more about the Living In program

Visitors around a display at an exhibition at the Klok en Peel museum

Presentation on Social Connection and Preventing Loneliness – April 2026

A Living In Program presentation at a regional meeting at Veldhoven Library

The meeting focused on both reaching people who experience loneliness and on preventing loneliness among internationals. The Living In program’s presentation provided insight into the experiences of internationals and the significant impact that relocating to a new country can have on people's lives, especially for accompanying partners who often struggle to build new social networks and find their place in society. While internationals may not immediately be viewed as a vulnerable group, the reality shows that they can be at considerable risk of social isolation and loneliness. There were also presentations by SWOVE, Veldhoven and Movisie. The meeting offered participants inspiration and practical tools for strengthening social connections and creating more inclusive communities.

Veldhoven library

Holland Expat Center South website on digital screens in various GP practices – April 2026

A Holland Expat Center South collaboration with Stroomz and PoZoB

Since April, our website has been featured on digital screens in various GP practices affiliated with Stroomz and PoZoB, as well as in healthcare centers across the region. Through this initiative, we aim to help international residents find their way around a wide range of healthcare topics, while also connecting them to valuable information on other aspects of life in the Netherlands. Our goal is to support their integration and help them feel at home as quickly and comfortably as possible.

Find out more about healthcare

Digital screen showing link to information about the Dutch healthcare system

Launch of Community Partner Program – March 2026

A new addition to Holland Expat Center South’s Partnership Program

The new Community Partner program connects international knowledge workers with non-profit social clubs and cultural organizations, creating a supportive environment and encouraging integration. This reciprocal partnership helps internationals meet locals and get involved in their local community.

Our Partnership Program consists of Commercial, Support, and Community Partners.

Find out more about our Partnership Program
View our Community Partners

Community Partner logo with icons for family, social contact and sustainability

Launch of Support Partner Program – March 2026

A new addition to Holland Expat Center South’s Partnership Program

The new Support Partner program connects international knowledge workers with non-profit support organizations, creating a supportive environment. This reciprocal partnership offers internationals practical help, support, and advice.

Our Partnership Program consists of Commercial, Support, and Community Partners.

Find out more about our Partnership Program
View our Support Partners

Support Partner logo with icons for services such as cycling, money and talking

Visit from International House Helsinki – March 2026

An inspiring and valuable exchange of knowledge and best practices

We had the pleasure of welcoming International House Helsinki to Holland Expat Center South to share insights into our expat services, the Living in Program, and the Expat Spouses Initiative. We exchanged experiences and discussed topics such as relocation and settlement challenges, partnership programs, collaboration with commercial and support partners, event organization, visitor engagement, and the management of our Internationals Guide.

Find out more about the Living In Program 

International House Helsinki logo

Visit from the Amsterdam Metropolitan Area – March 2026

An excellent opportunity to share knowledge, experiences, and best practices

We welcomed a delegation from the Amsterdam Metropolitan Area (Amsterdam, Amstelveen, and Almere) who wanted to gain insights into our Living In program and explore which elements could potentially be implemented within their own region.

The delegation was particularly impressed by the strong ecosystem and comprehensive support structure we have established for internationals in the Eindhoven region. The visit highlighted the growing interest in our approach and the value of collaboration between regions in supporting international talent.

I Belong project – March 2026

Living In Program participates in the I Belong project

We participate in the Ruimte voor Eenzaamheid (Space for Loneliness) - I Belong project in collaboration with Fontys University of Applied Sciences. We joined a workshop exploring the relationship between the built environment and loneliness among young people. The session examined how the physical environment influences loneliness through three key mechanisms: behavior (social interaction and activities), experience (feelings of safety, belonging and relaxation), and exposure (factors such as noise, traffic, pollution and crime). One of the key findings was that young people have two important social needs: the need to spend time alone for reflection or distraction, and the need to be around familiar people. Places that support both needs include green spaces, walkable neighborhoods, and community facilities or “third places.” These locations are most effective when they are attractive, accessible, nearby, safe, welcoming, and not overly crowded. A valuable insight into how urban design and public spaces can help foster social connection, wellbeing, and a stronger sense of belonging.

Screen and audience at the presentation

Walk-in hours at The Gate - monthly

Holland Expat Center South became a partner of The Gate, the platform for tech startups in the Brainport Eindhoven region

Employers can make an appointment with us during The Gate's monthly walk-in hours. We can offer free advice on topics such as:

  • Clear guidance on residence permits and IND procedures
  • Practical preboarding, onboarding and offboarding support
  • Tailored one-to-one consultations for both first-time and experienced international employers

 

Go to the website of The Gate 
 

Walk-in hours at The Gate