Moving to the Netherlands

How does it work?

If you come to live in the Netherlands for at least 4 months within a 6-month period, you must register with the municipality.

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

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

What to do.

• Go to the municipality in person to register. Do this within 5 days after you arrive in the Netherlands.
• Register at your permanent residential address.
• If your partner has also come to the Netherlands, your partner must come with you to the municipality.
• If your children have also come to the Netherlands, they must come with you to the municipality.
• After your registration, you will receive a citizen service number (BSN). You need this number for contact with the government. For example, to apply for benefits.

You live in the Netherlands for less than 4 months

If you live in the Netherlands for less than 4 months, you do not have to register with the municipality. You then register as a non-resident in the BRP. You do this with your address abroad. This is called the Non-Resident Registration (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 contract, proof of ownership or statement from the main occupant of the property.
• Official documents from your time abroad. For example, a birth certificate, marriage certificate, acknowledgement certificate or divorce certificate. Please note that if these documents are not in Dutch, English, German or French, they must first be translated and legalized. Do this before coming to the Netherlands. 
• If you are moving in with someone or you are moving in together, you need written permission from the primary occupant of that address.
• If you are coming to the Netherlands from Aruba, Bonaire, Curaçao, Saba, St. Eustatius or St. Maarten, you need proof of deregistration.
• If applicable: your valid residence permit or proof that it has been applied for.

Civil Affairs assesses the (foreign) documents submitted. For legal events that have taken place abroad, legalized birth, marriage or divorce certificates drawn up in the Dutch language may be requested. More information can be found on the site of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. If you do not have Dutch nationality and are not a citizen of the European Union, you must prove that you are legally residing in the Netherlands when submitting the declaration of residence. This can be done, for example, by submitting proof that you have applied for a residence permit.