Useful Apps in the Netherlands

The Netherlands is a digitalized country. Almost everything — from paying for groceries, to making doctor’s appointments, to requesting holiday days — is done through apps. For a DB Work professional arriving in the Netherlands for the first time, this may seem complicated. In reality, it is very simple.

Below you will find the 10 most useful mobile apps used daily by DB Work workers. They are grouped by category, so you can install them according to your needs.

Money and payments

1. Tikkie — for sending and receiving money between friends

Tikkie is the Dutch app used by colleagues to send money to each other. Did you have a coffee together? Did you buy something as a group? Someone sends you a “tikkie” — more exactly, a link — and you pay in 5 seconds. All Dutch people use it. You need to have it.

You can download it for Android HERE.

You can download it for Apple HERE.

2. Wise or Revolut — for transfers to your home country

If you send money home, traditional bank fees can take a lot from you. Wise and Revolut offer real exchange rates and low fees, sometimes even zero fees. Many DB Work workers use one of the two.

Shopping and saving money

3. Albert Heijn, or AH — the most used supermarket

The official Albert Heijn app gives you personalized discounts through the bonus card, shopping lists, and the best offers of the week. Many products have discounts ONLY in the app.

4. Jumbo — the cheaper alternative

Jumbo has a similar app, with lists, coupons, and weekly offers. Many DB Work workers alternate between AH and Jumbo, depending on which one has better discounts.

5. Too Good To Go — good food at one third of the price

A revolutionary app. At the end of the day, restaurants, bakeries, and supermarkets sell products that would otherwise be thrown away in “magic bags” at one third of the price. You pay €3–€5 and receive food worth €10–€15. Perfect if you want to save serious money.

Transport and mobility

6. 9292 — public transport planner

When you want to go to Amsterdam, Rotterdam, or anywhere else during the weekend, 9292 tells you exactly which train, tram, or bus to take, at what time, and how much it costs. It is the official app for all Dutch public transport.

7. NS — for train tickets

NS, or Nederlandse Spoorwegen, is the Dutch railway company. Their app gives you train tickets directly on your phone, without needing to use a ticket machine. It is especially useful on weekends, when you go on trips.

Health and official services

8. DigiD — your digital key in the Netherlands

DigiD is your access to all government services: tax returns, insurance, doctor’s appointments, and municipality services. Without DigiD, you cannot do anything official. The mobile app allows you to log in with your fingerprint or Face ID, instead of using an SMS code.

To install DigiD, you need a BSN and an activation code received by post. You can find clear steps on the official DigiD website.

9. Your health insurer’s app

Every Dutch health insurer, such as Zilveren Kruis, CZ, VGZ, Menzis, and others, has its own app. There, you can see your digital card, schedule visits, and submit reimbursement claims. Your DB Work coordinator will tell you which insurer you have.

For DB Work workers

10. Plan4Flex — the DB Work app

Plan4Flex is the app where you can see your worked hours, payslips, and communicate with the DB Work team. It is the app used by every DB Work worker and is installed in the first days after employment, using the login details received from our team.

Bonus: useful but optional apps

Buienradar — weather in the Netherlands, very accurate and essential if you work outside.

Google Translate — the offline Dutch function is useful at the shop or at the doctor.

Marktplaats — the Dutch version of eBay, useful for buying things at lower prices, such as second-hand bikes or furniture.

Frequently asked questions

What is the most important app to install when you arrive in the Netherlands?

DigiD is the first one you need to have, because it gives you access to all official services. Immediately after that, Tikkie, for money transfers between friends, and the app of the supermarket closest to you, AH or Jumbo, are also useful.

Do the apps work only in Dutch?

Most apps are available in Dutch or English. Albert Heijn, Jumbo, 9292, and NS work in English. DigiD is only in Dutch, but it is very simple to use even if you do not know the language.

Can I use my home country banking apps in the Netherlands?

Yes, banking apps work anywhere. But for fast and cheap transfers between your home country and the Netherlands, Wise or Revolut are much more convenient.

Do I have to pay for these apps?

No. All 10 recommended apps are free. Some of them, such as Wise and Revolut, charge small fees for certain transfers, but installation and basic use are free.

Conclusion

With these 10 apps on your phone, life in the Netherlands becomes much easier — from paying for groceries to dealing with official documents. You install them in the first days and avoid half of the problems. And if you want a broader guide about adapting, read our article with the 6 essential apps for adapting to work and life in the Netherlands.

To better understand how Plan4Flex, the official DB Work app, works, read our complete Plan4Flex guide.

And if you have experience in the naval, industrial, logistics, or construction field and want to work in the Netherlands in 2026, send your CV to job@dbwork.com. At DB Work, we offer you a Dutch employment contract and a full benefits package, from accommodation with utilities included to local transport and health insurance.