Moving to the Netherlands

Are you coming to live in the Netherlands for at least 4 out of the coming 6 months? If so, you must register with the municipality.

You can register if you are living legally in the Netherlands. This is known as ‘lawful residence’. The term 'lawful residence' will apply in the following cases:

• If you have Dutch nationality.
• If you have the nationality of another country in the  European Union.
• If you are a citizen of Liechtenstein, Norway, Iceland or Switzerland.
• If you have a valid residence permit.
• You may stay in the Netherlands while you are waiting for the decision on your application for a residence permit.

Make an appointment. Cal: (0224) 210 400

• You must come in person to the Town Hall of the municipality where you wish to register. Do this within 5 days of your arrival in the Netherlands.
• Register at your fixed long-term address.
• Your date of registration in the Netherlands and of settlement at the address in the municipality is the day you have an appointment at the Town Hall. This is because that is also the date on which we established your identity.
• Has your partner come with you to live in the Netherlands? If so, your partner must come with you to the Town Hall.
• Have your children come with you to live in the Netherlands? They must come with you to the Town Hall.
• After you have completed your registration you will receive a Citizen Service Number (BSN). You will need this number when contacting the Dutch authorities. For example, if you apply for benefits.
• We will complete your registration as soon as possible. This will take no longer than 4 weeks.

Will you be staying in the Netherlands for less than 4 months? You will not need to register with the municipality. Do you still need a Citizen Service Number (BSN)? If so, you must register as a non-resident in the BRP. You can do this from your address abroad. This is known as Registration as a non-resident (RNI).

You will need the following:

• A valid identity document.
• A travel document or other document that proves your nationality. Do you have more than one nationality? You will need to prove each nationality with a valid travel document or other official document.
• Documents proving that you live here. For example, a rental contract or proof of ownership of the property.
• Are you moving in with someone or living together? You will need written consent from the main occupant of that address.
• Official documents issued to you when you lived abroad. For example: a birth certificate, a marriage certificate, a divorce certificate or an acknowledgement certificate. Please note that if these documents are not in Dutch, English, German or French, they must first be translated. Your certificates may need to be legalised. This varies from country to country. Do this before coming to the Netherlands. Documents from the European Union do not need to be legalised.
• If you are moving to the Netherlands from Aruba, Bonaire, Curaçao, Saba, Sint Eustatius or Sint Maarten, you will need a certificate of deregistration.
• A valid residence permit or proof that it has been applied for if you are not a national of a country in the European Union, Liechtenstein, Norway, Switzerland or Iceland.
   

If you do not have a fixed address, you will have to apply to us for a postal address. For example: if you work as an inland shipping operator or if you are living in an institution. For more information, call: (0224) 210 400.