Moving to Netherlands from Lesotho

moving to

What to Expect

Considering a move from Lesotho to Netherlands? Here's how the two countries compare on cost, climate, safety, and more.

If you moved from Lesotho to Netherlands, and you’d need to navigate life in Dutch. You’ll also switch from driving on the left to the right. Expect a noticeable climate shift — Amsterdam averages 56°F vs 74°F in Maseru, making it significantly cooler.

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Who Else Is Making This Move?

What the data shows about people moving from Lesotho to Netherlands.

Moved in 2023
3 ↑ 50% vs 2022

people moved from Lesotho to Netherlands · OECD (latest data available)

Who's moving to Netherlands?

Top countries of origin for Netherlands's foreign-born residents.

Foreign-born population · UN DESA (2020)

Key Indicator Comparison

The numbers behind daily life in Netherlands compared to Lesotho.

Is it safe?

Homicide rate United Nations SDG Indicators, 2022

per 100,000 people per year

LS
37.7
NL
0.8
Road traffic deaths United Nations SDG Indicators, 2021

per 100,000 people per year

LS
21.6
NL
3.4

Netherlands performs significantly better than Lesotho across all safety metrics.

How's the healthcare?

Healthcare spending per person World Bank, 2024

annual government + private spending per person

LS
$386
NL
$8,195
Doctors per 10,000 people United Nations SDG Indicators, 2022

affects wait times and access to care

LS
1.5
NL
39.1

Netherlands generally does better on health & wellbeing, though Lesotho leads in healthcare spending per person.

What about the environment?

Air pollution deaths United Nations SDG Indicators, 2019

deaths attributable to air pollution per 100k people

LS
100.0
NL
13.0
CO₂ emissions per capita World Bank, 2024

tonnes of CO₂ emitted per person per year

LS
0.4t
NL
6.6t

Lesotho generally does better on environment, though Netherlands leads in air pollution deaths.

Will I have good infrastructure?

Broadband per 100 people United Nations SDG Indicators, 2022

fixed broadband subscriptions — key for remote work

LS
0.4
NL
44.4
Water stress level United Nations SDG Indicators, 2021

higher means greater strain on freshwater supply

LS
2.6%
NL
16.1%

Lesotho generally does better on infrastructure, though Netherlands leads in broadband per 100 people.

What are the job prospects?

Unemployment rate The World Factbook, 2023

percentage of the labour force without work

LS
16.5%
NL
3.6%
GDP per capita The World Factbook, 2023

a broad measure of economic output per person

LS
$2,500
NL
$69,300

Netherlands generally does better on employment & economy, though Lesotho leads in top income tax rate.

Is it good for families?

Life expectancy The World Factbook, 2022

average years of life at birth

LS
59.6 yrs
NL
82.2 yrs
Infant mortality The World Factbook, 2022

deaths per 1,000 live births — lower is better

LS
48.4
NL
3.4

Netherlands generally does better on family life, though Lesotho leads in education spending.

Data: Ministry of Finance, The World Factbook, United Nations SDG Indicators, World Bank

What's the Climate Like?

Monthly averages — select a city to compare.

Maseru Rain: 25.3 in/yr (642 mm)
74° / 47°F

Avg. annual high / low

Amsterdam Rain: 30.7 in/yr (780 mm)
56° / 43°F

Avg. annual high / low

Months Maseru Amsterdam
Jan–Mar 81°/57°F (27°/14°C) 45°/34°F (7°/1°C)
Apr–Jun 67°/39°F (20°/4°C) 61°/45°F (16°/7°C)
Jul–Sep 68°/37°F (20°/3°C) 69°/53°F (21°/12°C)
Oct–Dec 79°/53°F (26°/12°C) 50°/40°F (10°/4°C)
View all months
Month Maseru Amsterdam
Jan 84°/59°F (28.7°/14.8°C) 42°/33°F (5.4°/0.5°C)
Feb 82°/58°F (27.6°/14.6°C) 43°/32°F (6.0°/0.2°C)
Mar 78°/54°F (25.7°/12.5°C) 49°/36°F (9.2°/2.4°C)
Apr 73°/47°F (22.9°/8.6°C) 54°/39°F (12.4°/4.0°C)
May 67°/39°F (19.7°/3.7°C) 63°/46°F (17.1°/7.8°C)
Jun 62°/32°F (16.7°/0.2°C) 67°/51°F (19.2°/10.4°C)
Jul 62°/31°F (16.9°/-0.5°C) 71°/54°F (21.4°/12.5°C)
Aug 67°/36°F (19.7°/2.4°C) 71°/54°F (21.8°/12.3°C)
Sep 74°/44°F (23.3°/6.9°C) 65°/50°F (18.4°/10.2°C)
Oct 77°/50°F (24.8°/10.1°C) 57°/45°F (14.1°/7.0°C)
Nov 79°/53°F (26.3°/11.9°C) 49°/39°F (9.2°/3.9°C)
Dec 82°/56°F (27.9°/13.4°C) 44°/35°F (6.5°/1.9°C)

Data: Lesotho Meteorological Services Lesotho Meteorological Services, Royal Netherlands Meteorological Institute Royal Netherlands Meteorological Institute

Visitor Visa Requirements

Short-stay tourist visa rules between Lesotho and Netherlands. To live, work, or study long-term in Netherlands, you'll need a separate residence or work visa — check Netherlands's immigration authority.

Lesotho passport

Lesotho passport holder visiting Netherlands

Visa Required
Lesotho passport holders need a visa to enter Netherlands.
Netherlands passport

Netherlands passport holder visiting Lesotho

Visa Free
Netherlands passport holders can enter Lesotho without a visa.

Data: Henley Passport Index. Check with the destination country's embassy for the most current requirements.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I work remotely from Netherlands?

Connectivity is usually fine (Netherlands: 44.4 fixed broadband per 100). What actually decides it is legal: does Netherlands offer a digital nomad visa, will your employer permit overseas work, and where are you tax-resident?

Is Netherlands safe for expats?

Netherlands performs significantly better than Lesotho across all safety metrics. The homicide rate in Netherlands is 0.8 per 100,000 people, compared to 37.7 in Lesotho.

How is healthcare in Netherlands compared to Lesotho?

Netherlands generally does better on health & wellbeing, though Lesotho leads in healthcare spending per person. There are 39.1 doctors per 10,000 people in Netherlands, compared to 1.5 in Lesotho. Netherlands scores 85 on the WHO universal health coverage index (Lesotho: 53).

What's the weather like in Netherlands compared to Lesotho?

The average high temperature in Amsterdam is 56°F, compared to 74°F in Maseru. Amsterdam receives around 30.7 in of rainfall per year, while Maseru gets 25.3 in.

What language do they speak in Netherlands?

The official language in Netherlands is Dutch. In Lesotho, the official languages are English and Sotho.

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At a Glance

LS NL
Population 2,193,970 17,400,824
Currency Lesotho Loti (LSL) Euro (€)
Languages English, Sotho Dutch
Driving side Left Right
Calling code +266 +31
Time zones 1 1
Emergency number 112