03 Jun 2025
When you move from Gambia to the Netherlands, you're not just changing countries, you're stepping into a completely different legal system. What seems normal or even harmless back home might get you into trouble abroad.
So if you're a Gambian planning to live, work, or study in the Netherlands in 2025, this guide is for you. Let’s look at common things people do in Gambia that might be illegal or frowned upon in the Netherlands, so you can avoid problems and settle smoothly.
In Gambia, it's common to see people toss plastic bags or bottles on the roadside. But in the Netherlands, littering is strictly forbidden. Even throwing chewing gum or cigarette butts on the ground can lead to fines.
Use public bins. They are everywhere—at train stations, on streets, and in parks. If there’s no bin nearby, keep your trash with you until you find one.
In Gambia, music is a part of life. It's normal to play loud music on public transport or outside your house. But in Dutch cities, this is seen as noise pollution.
Police or neighbours can file a complaint, and you could get fined or even asked to move out if you live in shared housing.
Use headphones and keep music volumes low in public spaces or shared accommodation.
Back home, many people pay for land, cars, or other big items using cash. In the Netherlands, large cash payments (usually over €3,000) can raise suspicion under anti-money laundering laws.
Use bank transfers for big purchases. It’s safe, traceable, and shows you’re doing everything legally.
You can also send money to Gambia from Netherlands safely using secure services like ACE Money Transfer, which is often cheaper than banks.
In Gambia, tipping or offering something small to get quicker service is common. In the Netherlands, any form of “off-the-record” payment to public servants is considered bribery, and it’s illegal.
Even suggesting a gift in exchange for help from immigration or police officers can land you in serious trouble.
Back home, many people use phones while riding a bicycle or driving a car. In the Netherlands, this is illegal and heavily fined.
Even holding your phone in hand while biking can cost you up to €140. For drivers, the fines are even higher.
Use a hands-free device or stop in a safe place before answering calls or checking messages.
In rural Gambia, burning waste in your compound is normal. But in the Netherlands, open burning of trash is a violation of environmental law.
Even burning leaves or cardboard in your garden can result in a fine.
Use recycling bins. The Netherlands is very organized when it comes to separating paper, plastic, and organic waste.
If you’re used to keeping animals without formal rules, know this: the Netherlands has strict animal welfare laws. Dogs must be registered, vaccinated, and leashed in public areas. Leaving animals alone for long hours or not cleaning up after them is illegal.
In Gambia, you can smoke almost anywhere. But in the Netherlands, smoking cigarettes (or cannabis) is banned in most public spaces like train stations, offices, and restaurants.
You can only smoke in designated smoking areas or private homes. The rules apply strictly even in outdoor spaces attached to public buildings.
Many people in Gambia sell homemade food from their homes. But in the Netherlands, food businesses must follow strict hygiene rules.
Selling cooked food without a license, even from home, can get you fined or shut down by authorities.
If you want to start a food business, register your kitchen and get inspected by the Dutch Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA).
In Gambia, people speak freely, even making strong statements about religion, politics, or other groups. In the Netherlands, freedom of speech exists, but hate speech is illegal.
Making public comments that target someone's religion, race, sexuality, or gender can lead to legal action.
Many things you’re used to doing in Gambia might be illegal in the Netherlands, not because one culture is better than the other, but because laws and values differ.
If you're planning to migrate in 2025, take time to understand:
And always keep yourself informed. Mistakes can be costly, not just in money, but also in your immigration status.
Living smart means learning fast. Respect the law, use secure platforms like ACE to send money from Netherlands to Gambia, and build a positive life abroad.
Technically yes, but it's considered rude. In some places, littering with gum can result in fines.
It’s decriminalized in small amounts for personal use in licensed “coffeeshops.” But smoking cannabis in public or carrying large quantities is still illegal.
It’s safer and often cheaper to use regulated platforms like ACE Money Transfer, which offers fast online money transfer from Netherlands to Gambia.
