Moving to the Netherlands
Plan your arrival, one step at a time
A move with
fewer loose ends
Plan your arrival, one step at a time
Starting a new job, finding somewhere to live and arranging the practical details of a move can quickly become one long to-do list. Breaking it into stages helps you see what needs attention now and what can wait until you arrive.
Start with your right to live and work in the Netherlands, your arrival accommodation and the documents you need. Then build the rest of your move around those essentials.
01
Before you move
- Check your residence and work requirements.
- Confirm your arrival accomodation.
- Prepare your documents
02
Your first days
- Register with your municipality.
- Check your health insurance obligations.
- Record your home’s condition.
03
Settling in
- Arrange utilities and internet.
- Find local services.
- Build your daily routine.
Make your housing search part of the plan.
Your budget, moving date and preferred location shape your search. Find a rental approach that fits your plans and see wat to do next.
Related guides
Explore these practical guides to help you prepare for your move.
Choosing where to live in the Netherlands
Exploren popular areas, neighbourhoods and what makes each place unique.
Understanding Dutch rentals: what to expect
Key features of the rental market. common contract types and useful tips before you sign.
01
Before you move
Check residence and work requirements
Prepare your documents
Plan your arrival accomodation
Keep a moving budget
Confirm your residence and work requirements
Confirm your residence and work requirements
What you need to arrange depends on your nationality and circumstances. Check which requirements apply to you through the Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND), and agree with your employer who is responsible for each application or document.
If your partner or children are moving with you, check their requirements separately.
Check residence and work requirements with the IND →
Plan where you will stay on arrival
If you have not secured a longer-term home, investigate temporary accommodation before booking your journey. Check the total price, cancellation conditions, maximum stay and whether extending your booking would be possible.
Ask what documentation the accommodation provider can supply for municipal registration. A temporary booking does not automatically resolve your registration arrangements.
Keep a separate budget for overlapping accommodation, luggage storage and an additional move.
Prepare your documents
Ask your destination municipality which documents you will need and whether any require translation or legalisation. Requirements can depend on where your documents were issued and your family situation.
Keep your original documents accessible during the journey, alongside secure digital copies. Prepare housing-related documents separately, so you can respond to suitable rentals without searching through your moving paperwork.
Keep a moving budget
Relocating to the Netherlands involves various upfront and hidden costs that can quickly add up. Beyond your initial basic rent and security deposit (which typically equals one to two months of rent), make sure to account for municipal registration fees, travel expenses, and potential translation or legalisation of foreign documents.
If you plan to rent a shell (kaal) or semi-furnished property, budget separately for flooring, light fixtures, kitchen appliances, and furniture. Additionally, keep a financial buffer for overlapping housing costs—such as paying rent or utility bills in your home country while already securing temporary accommodation or your new home in the Netherlands.
02
Your first days
Register with your municipality
Check your health insurance obligations
Record your home’s condition
Register with your municipality
If you are moving to the Netherlands for more than four months, you must register as a resident with the municipality where you live, within five days of arrival. Registration gives you a citizen service number, known as a BSN, if you do not already have one.
Check appointment availability before your move. If you cannot get an appointment within the required period, contact the municipality for instructions.
Check your health insurance obligations
Check whether your circumstances require Dutch basic health insurance. If they do, arrange it promptly: the usual deadline is within four months, but this does not mean you can leave the first four months uninsured.
Your residence and employment situation can affect the rules that apply.
Record the condition of your home
At the handover, walk through the property with the landlord or agent. Record existing damage, photograph meter readings and check the inventory and keys.
Keep the handover report and report anything missing or damaged in writing. This gives everyone a clear record of the condition at the start of your tenancy.
03
Settling in
Utilities & internet
Local healthcare
Your daily routine
Get to know your neighbourhood
Once your address and immediate arrangements are clear, work through the services you will use regularly:
- Confirm which utilities and internet services you need to arrange yourself.
- Apply for DigiD when eligible, so you can access Dutch public services online.
- Look for a local GP and ask whether the practice accepts new patients.
- Test your commute before your first working day.
- Check local waste collection arrangements and how to report maintenance issues.
Your address matters
Your accommodation and municipal registration are connected. Before committing to a property, ask whether you can register at the address and what evidence you will receive.
If an advertisement says “no registration”, clarify the situation with the municipality before proceeding. If you do not yet have a residential address, ask the municipality about the options available in your circumstances.
Make your housing search part of the plan
A realistic housing approach helps you decide where to focus, what to prepare and whether additional support would be useful.
Find your route →
For a personalised overview of official moving requirements, use the NetherlandsWorldwide relocation checklist →.