Moving to the Netherlands

How does it work?

If you are coming to live in the Netherlands for at least 4 months within a period of 6 months, you must register with the municipality.

You can register with the municipality if you are legally in the Netherlands. This is called lawful residence. Your residence is lawful in the following cases:

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

What should I do?

• Call to make an appointment to register (from the Netherlands 14 0487, from abroad +31 487 599 500). Do this within 5 days of arriving in the Netherlands.
• Register at your permanent address.
• If your partner has also come to the Netherlands, your partner must accompany you to the municipality.
• If your children have also come to the Netherlands, they must accompany you to the municipality.
• After registering, you will receive a citizen service number (BSN). You will need this number for all contact with the government, for example when applying for benefits.

You have been living in the Netherlands for less than 4 months

If you have been living in the Netherlands for less than 4 months, you do not need to register with the municipality. You can register as a non-resident in the BRP at . You can do this using your address abroad. This is called the Registration of Non-Residents (RNI).

What do I need?

• Your valid ID.
• A travel document or other document proving your nationality.
• Documents proving that you live here. For example, a rental agreement, proof of ownership, or a statement from the main occupant of the residence.
• Official documents from your time abroad. For example, a birth certificate, marriage certificate, acknowledgment of paternity, or divorce certificate. Please note: if these documents are not in Dutch, English, German, or French, they must first be translated and legalized. Do this before you come to the Netherlands.
• If you are going to live with someone or move in with them, you will need written permission from the main occupant of that address.
• If you are traveling to the Netherlands from Aruba, Bonaire, Curaçao, Saba, Sint Eustatius, or Sint Maarten, you will need proof of deregistration.
• If applicable: your valid residence permit or proof that it has been applied for.

How long will it take?

The municipality will register you as soon as possible. This will take a maximum of 4 weeks.

Additional information

If you do not have a permanent address, you must first apply for a correspondence address from the municipality. This may be necessary if you are a bargee or reside in an institution, for example.