Discovering MM2H: A Dutch perspective on relocating to Malaysia

As a Dutch citizen living in Holland, I've always been intrigued by the idea of living abroad, especially in a country where the sun shines a bit more often than it does Holland.

Now, to be honest, sure, Holland has its charms. It's just that the typically long, dreary winters can really make you dream of a more sun-kissed life in the tropics. It was during one of these drab never-ending winters that I stumbled upon the Malaysia My Second Home visa, more commonly called MM2H, I suppose. With this Golden Visa scheme, Malaysia offers everyone that meets the requirements long-term residency. Well, after some research and careful consideration, we decided to take the plunge.

Fast forward just over ayear and I'm now living happily in Kuala Lumpur with my family.

The Allure of Malaysia
So yes, arguably, one of the primary attractions of Malaysia, certainly for many Dutch citizens has to be its climate. Malaysia offers year-round tropical weather, perfect for those who enjoy a sun-drenched lifestyle, with regular outdoor activities. Additionally, the country is blessed with gorgeous beaches, lush rainforests and a wealth of natural beauty, which makes it the ideal destination for anyone looking to escape the low temperatures back home to enjoy a more relaxed way of life in the sun.

That being said, clearly, at least for us personally, another major draw is the huge difference in cost of living. For one, at about 5:1, the euro to ringgit exchange rate is highly favourable, meaning that all the funds we remit to Malaysia stretch much further than they would in Holland. As a result, this has allowed us to give our lifestyle here a significant boost. But more about money-matters later. I promise that you'll like it...

Our Home in a Welcoming Community
We found ourselves a spacious so-called landed home in KL, surrounded by a lovely good-sized garden. Now, this sort of thing is no longer a given in Holland, by any stretch, unless you have a small fortune to burn of course, or opt to live in the extreme north of Holland. Meanwhile, daily expenses like utilities, groceries, dining out and our club memberships are all much, much more affordable here as well, allowing for a more luxurious lifestyle. Yet for all that, we still have plenty of discretionary spending.

The people of Malaysia are incredibly welcoming and there is a sizeable Dutch community here as well, which, it has to be said, made the transition easier. But I quickly found that Malaysians, too, are kind-hearted, friendly and eager to share their culture with newcomers. Better still, English is widely spoken, which helped immensely in adjusting to life in a new country, since the whole family is well-versed in English.

The cultural diversity of Malaysia, with its mix of Malay, Chinese, Indian and indigenous influences, makes it a vibrant place to live, offering a rich tapestry of experiences and opportunities for cultural exchange. And all of it is generously on display in KL. We're seriously lapping up life here.

Family and Lifestyle Benefits
For families, Malaysia offers excellent international schools, many of which follow the British or American curriculum. This was a crucial factor for me, as I wanted my kids to continue their education in a familiar system while experiencing the benefits of living in a multicultural environment. Incidentally, in case you were wondering, the healthcare system is also top-notch, with modern facilities and well-trained medical professionals. Private healthcare is affordable, which also applies to private health insurance, by the way. So many expatriates, myself included, take out the higher-end policies, for additional peace of mind.

Malaysia's strategic location in Southeast Asia is another significant advantage. With major cities like Bangkok and Jakarta just a budget airline hop away, there's tons of affordable travel options to choose from, making it real easy to explore the entire region. Whether it's a weekend getaway to Bali, a shopping trip to Singapore, or a cultural excursion to Ho Chi Minh, living in Malaysia opens up a world of travel opportunities.

Financial Incentives and Tax Breaks
The MM2H visa itself offers several financial benefits that make it quite attractive, particularly for Dutch citizens, who, let's face it, tend to get taxed to the max in Holland. Malaysia's tax-regime is much friendlier. Take foreign income. Any money you transfer from Holland to Malaysia, be it pension, rental funds or any other investment-derived fixed income, all of it is tax-exempt. Obviously, this is a considerable financial tailwind. It certainly was a considerable pull-factor for us.

No Regrets Whatsoever
Looking back, we can confidently say that applying for MM2H was one of the best decisions we've ever made. The quality of life in Malaysia is exceptional, whilst the cost of living is a fraction of Holland's. We've traded grey skies for sunshine, cramped living conditions for tons of open space, a modest terraced house for a villa and a pressure-cooker lifestyle for a more contented and enjoyable way of life. Malaysia has truly become our second home and we're loving it.

Frankly, if you feel like you're stuck in Holland and you're aching for a fresh start, we encourage you to consider Malaysia's MM2H.

M. Bergsma,
Kuala Lumpur

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