The legal requirements for a person to visit or stay in the Netherlands depend on their citizenship (EU or non-EU citizen), reason for entry into the country and intended duration of stay, income, and in some cases age.
Organizations involved in the process of registration and obtaining a residence permit are:
Basisregistratie Personen (BRP), which takes care of the registration of foreigners
Immigratie en Naturalisatiedienst (IND), responsible for all immigration and integration decisions. Their English website is easily comprehensible and detailed for foreigners.
The BRP (Personal Records Database of the Municipality) is the organization that handles all aspects of the administration procedure for residence permit requests and the arrival of all people (Dutch and foreign) in a municipality (Gemeente). Any person planning to stay in the Netherlands for more than 90 days must register at the local BRP within three to five days of arrival. This applies to both EU and non-EU citizens.
Registering at the BRP
The following documents are required for registration with the BRP:
Passport
Employment contract (if applicable)
Rental contract (or proof of address)
Birth (long version) and marriage certificates of each family member
These documents will need to be authenticated (known as "legalisation"). For information on legalisation see the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The BSN (Burgerservicenummer) number (formerly a SoFI–number) is a unique, personal number issued to everyone registered in the Basisregistratie Personen (BRP), or the Personal Records Database of a municipality. It is required when starting a job, opening a bank account, using the health care system, applying for benefits, buying a car and announcing a change of address. Foreigners arriving in the Netherlands must register within 5 days of their arrival at the registration office (Dienst Burgerzaken) of the Basisregistratie Personen (BRP) of a municipality. Within weeks of applying, the new resident will receive a letter containing registration details and the BSN number.
For more information on how and where to get a BSN number: click here.
For detailed information from the Burgerservicenummer website (in English BSN is called the Citizens Service Number)
Note: Foreign residents who have previously been issued with a SoFI number need not change this to the BSN number - this will have happened automatically.
The IND (Immigration and Naturalisation Service) makes decisions regarding immigration and residence. The IND process the following:
MVV (machtiging tot voorlopig verblijf) temporary residence permit
Permanent residence permit
Special visa requests
Visa extensions
Emergency visas
Return visas
Immigratie en Naturalisatiedienst
Address: Immigratie- en Naturalisatiedienst Postbus 17 9560 AA Ter Apel
Tel: 088 043 04 30 (Monday to Friday from 09:00-17:00)
Tel: +31 88 043 04 30 (from outside the Netherlands)
EU citizens do not require a visa to enter the Netherlands, regardless of their planned duration of the stay and may enter the Netherlands on a valid passport. If they intend to stay for more than 90 days, then they must register at the local BRP office.
Citizens of the European Union may lawfully reside in the Netherlands providing:
They have a valid passport or other valid travel document
Sufficient financial means (for a table of average amounts required: Click here)
Proof of health insurance
Residence permits are not necessary for European Union citizens who are in the Netherlands on the basis of the EC Treaty. The following purposes of stay are regarded as a residence under the EC Treaty:
Employment
Study
Economically non-active
Staying as a family member of a citizen of the Union
EU citizens staying for any other purpose must apply for a residence permit.
EU nationals staying for longer than 90 days must (in addition to registering with the BRP) register with the IND. The declaration of residence can be made by appointment only with the IND (088 043 0430). Note: This is not a residence permit.
Confirmation of the appointment will be sent to the person's residence along with a registration form and details of which documents to bring. When registering at the IND an official will check all the details and the applicant’s documents. If approved, a declaration of registration is issued. It is demonstrated with a sticker placed in the passport or other identity document and has unlimited validity (although it needs to be replaced if the passport is renewed). There is no charge for this.
Note: Before registering with the IND a person must be registered at the municipality (BRP) where they live.
Non-EU citizens who are staying in the Netherlands for more than 90 days need a visa that must be applied for at the Dutch Embassy in their home country (or country of legal residence) before departure. Some non-EU citizens need a tourist visa for stays of less than 90 days.
To find out visa requirements for the Netherlands: Click here
Most non-EU citizens will have to apply for an authorization of temporary stay (MVV - machtiging tot voorlopig verblijf) at the Dutch Embassy or Consulate of their home country or country of legal, continuous residence before arriving in the Netherlands.
In most cases, the applicant will need a sponsor (or referent) in the Netherlands. This is a person or organization responsible for financing or accommodating the applicant. It is possible for the sponsor to request a recommendation regarding the issue of an MVV at the IND. Positive recommendations from the IND often guarantee a successful application for an MVV. Applications for an MVV or requests for recommendation at the IND take on average three months to assess.
As of 15 March 2006, many citizens requiring an MVV will also have to take a Civic Integration Examination.
Note: To find out more about this test and to see which nationalities are exempt: Click here
In general, a person is eligible for a temporary stay permit (MVV) or residence permit (VVR) if the following requirements are met or if they have the following documents:
Valid passport
No criminal record
They do not constitute a risk to public order, national security, or national peace
They (or their referent) have sufficient means of support or income
Prepared to undergo a tuberculosis test
Have health insurance coverage in the Netherlands
If the requirements for "purpose of stay" are met
Different documents will be necessary depending on the reason for your stay. For example, someone planning to work in the Netherlands will need to produce an employment contract, while someone re-joining a spouse will need to produce a marriage certificate. On the IND website, you can find all the information about the required documents for each different situation.
Note: All documents must be in English, French, Dutch, or German or translated by a sworn translator from a Dutch court. Official foreign documents such as birth or marriage certificates must be legalized or provided with an apostille stamp. Embassies are able to provide this service.
1) Aliens Police: On arrival a non-EU citizen must register with the Aliens Police (Vreemdelingenpolitie) within three working days. The Aliens Police can be found in the Police Department of nearly every Dutch municipality. They supervise foreign nationals in the Netherlands.
Documents required:
A valid passport
An address in the Netherlands
Proof of sufficient finances for the stay
The police will place a sticker on the passport which marks the date until when a person may legally be in the Netherlands (duration of visa or three-month stay permit). The police issue a card that states that the holder is legally in the country. There is no charge for this.
Aliens Police (Vreemdelingenpolitie), National Police Enquiry Tel: 0900 8844
2) Temporary residence permit can be applied for in the Department of Civil Affairs of the local municipality. The IND checks that the applicant meets all conditions and undergoes testing for tuberculosis.
Applications for residence permits (VVR) should also be made at the local municipal authority. Necessary documents will depend on the purpose of stay, however, a recent passport photograph and a valid passport are always necessary. The municipal authority will then place a sticker on the passport to prove that the person is lawfully residing in the Netherlands while awaiting the decision of the IND (this can take up to six months). To download an application for a residence permit see the section "Brochures & Forms": Click here
Documents required:
Completed application form
Valid passport
A recent passport photograph
In general, the residence permit is issued for one year and is renewable annually if the conditions continue to be met.
After the first year, it is possible to apply for an extension to the residence permit. This must be done before it expires. The IND usually sends a letter three months before the permit expires with an application form. Whether the permit is extended and for how long will depend on the person's situation, the maximum period for which the permit can be extended is five years. Make sure to do this on time, as it can take the IND some time to review your application for an extension.
Changing a residence permit
It is necessary to apply for a change in the residence permit if:
The purpose, or reason for stay changes
There is a change in the personal situation
There is a change in the situation of a sponsor, for example, a change of employer or if the person chooses to stay with someone else
Residence permit for continued residence
A person staying in the Netherlands with a residence permit for a definite period may be entitled to a permit for continued residence. To find out more about the conditions for this, click here.
There is a fee payable to obtain an MVV, residence permit, or to pass the Civic Integration Examination. This is payable where the application is submitted or where the examination takes place. It is not refunded if applications are rejected or if the person fails the examination.
For most foreign nationals wanting to work in the Netherlands, the employer must apply to the UWV (Institute for Employee Insurance) for a work permit. The person must fulfill the following conditions and have the necessary documents:
Valid passport
Health insurance valid in the Netherlands
The person must not constitute a risk to the public order
The person must be prepared to undergo a tuberculosis test
The person must have sufficient funds
An employer does not have to apply for a work permit if the employee is:
a national of a member state of the EU/EER or Switzerland
a Dutch national
or has a valid Dutch residence permit or a document from the Aliens Police stating "No employment restrictions. TWV (work permit) not required".
The ABN AMRO Singel branch in Amsterdam provide a comprehensive Expat Service that will complement your international lifestyle. They are experienced and familiar with the distinct needs of Expats and speak a high standard of English. To arrange all your banking affairs at once, please come by the branch or make an appointment. If you would like to open an account for yourself and your partner or child under 18, please come to the branch together.
To open an account, we request that you bring the following:
A valid passport, Dutch drivers’ license or identity card and/or residence permit.
Evidence of income, such as a contract of employment and/or employment permit.
You can make an appointment to open an account by calling 020 3434422 (from outside the Netherlands +31 (0)20 343 40 02) or send an email: to appointmentdesk.internationals@nl.abnamro.com
Getting to the branch
Click on one of the cities on the ABN AMRO information page to find the address of the International Client Desks' locations.
Or you can go to:
Address: Singel 548 entrance behind the Munttoren
(Mint tower Flower market)
1017 AZ AMSTERDAM
Trams 4, 9, 16, 24 and 25 stop close to their office.
Please let them know whether you need a parking place ahead of time.
When you want to buy a house instead of renting one, you can contact Chris van Maasdijk from Expat Mortgages. He is a specialist for expats and he makes it possible to buy a house.
Contact: Chris van Maasdijk, chris@expat-mortgages.nl Office direct +31 (0)20-7173908
In the Netherlands it is compulsory to have a health insurance. You have to organise this within 4 months of your arrival in the Netherlands. The Dutch health insurance exists of two parts: compulsory basic insurance (basisverzekering) and optional additional insurance (aanvullende verzekering). To find out more about different health insurance providers and regulations, click here
Loonzorg is specialised in health insurances for expats in the Netherlands, with an English website.
Please note that international insurance does not cover the insurance in the Netherlands.
There are also a number of other insurances you can take out, such as household insurances, car insurances and travel insurances. We recommend you to take liability insurance (WA) To find out more click here.
When you want to get a telephone contract in the Netherlands there are two options. You can either get a contract (abonnement) or prepaid. In order to apply for one or the other, you will need the following documents:
Valid proof of identity (not a driving licence)
Official bank statement
Bank account (details or card)
Please check this website for more information: https://www.iamexpat.nl/expat-info/communication/mobile-telephony-netherlands
Information for American citizens from the Royal Dutch Embassy on moving to the Netherlands
Information for British nationals from the British Embassy in the Hague on moving to the Netherlands
Information for Canadian citizens from the Royal Dutch Embassy on moving to the Netherlands and further information from the Canadian Embassy in The Hague
Institute for Employee Insurance (UWV)
Please check out this website for more information about living in the Netherlands.
In the Netherlands, you can travel a lot by tram, metro, and train. You need to buy an OV-chipcard (personal card for public transport) to travel. This can be done online or at one of the public transport stations. Also, you must have the OV-chipcard to travel to and from work by public transport. These travel costs can be declared via Declaree our declaration system.
To plan your journeys with public transport we recommend you use the 9292 OV website. There is also an app, that can be downloaded in your app store or Google Play Store. The train, NS, has its own website and app, which we also recommend using when traveling by train.
If you live in larger cities within the Netherlands, having a bike can be very efficient to help you travel from home to the office and other locations. In case you don't want to buy a bike, there are several bike renting options that we would like to let you know about.
For long-term rental, we would advise the following:
These leasing costs are at your own expense.