Arriving

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General information, not legal advice. Rules can differ for your nationality and permit, so always check the official link.

1. 1. Register at your gemeente (BRP) within 5 days

   Staying longer than 4 months? Book an appointment at the gemeente (town hall) where you live and register in the BRP within 5 days of arriving. Your partner and children come along. Registration is free.

   Rijksoverheid · Wanneer moet ik mij in de BRP laten inschrijven? ↗ · Rijksoverheid · Wat moet ik regelen als ik in Nederland kom wonen? ↗
2. 2. Get your BSN

   You get your BSN (citizen service number) when you register. It's your key for tax, health insurance and almost every official form.

   Rijksoverheid · Wanneer moet ik mij in de BRP laten inschrijven? ↗ · Government.nl · Citizen service number (BSN) ↗
3. 3. Apply for DigiD

   DigiD is your login for government websites. You can apply once you're registered in the BRP; the activation code arrives by letter.

   Government.nl · Applying for a DigiD ↗ · DigiD · Apply and activate ↗
4. 4. Take out Dutch health insurance

   If you live or work here, Dutch basic health insurance (basisverzekering) is compulsory. Arrange it within 4 months, even if you still have insurance from abroad.

   Rijksoverheid · Health insurance when you work in NL (4 months) ↗ · Rijksoverheid · Is health insurance compulsory? ↗
5. 5. Register with a huisarts (GP)

   Pick a GP practice near home and register. It isn't compulsory, but it's strongly advised: your GP is your first stop for care, and some practices are full, so start early.

   Thuisarts · Registering with a huisarts ↗

Key facts

Register within

5 days of arrival, if you stay longer than 4 months Rijksoverheid · Wanneer moet ik mij in de BRP laten inschrijven? ↗

Staying under 4 months?

Register as a non-resident (RNI) to get a BSN Rijksoverheid · Wanneer moet ik mij in de BRP laten inschrijven? ↗

Health insurance

Compulsory; arrange it within 4 months Rijksoverheid · Health insurance when you work in NL (4 months) ↗

Non-EU nationals

Your residence permit comes via the IND; you may need it before you can register IND (Immigration and Naturalisation Service) ↗ · Rijksoverheid · Wanneer moet ik mij in de BRP laten inschrijven? ↗

30% ruling

Your employer applies to the Belastingdienst; in 2026 the salary threshold is €48,013 Belastingdienst · Can I apply for the Expat Scheme (30% facility)? ↗

Emergency

112 for life-threatening emergencies; 0900-8844 for police, non-urgent Politie · 0900-8844 or 112? ↗

Bookmark these

• Rijksoverheid · Wat moet ik regelen als ik in Nederland kom wonen? ↗

  Rijksoverheid's checklist of what to arrange when you move to the Netherlands.

• Rijksoverheid · Wanneer moet ik mij in de BRP laten inschrijven? ↗

  When and how to register in the BRP, and the exceptions.

• Gemeente Amsterdam · Moving from abroad ↗

  Gemeente Amsterdam: first registration, in English. Other cities have their own page.

• Government.nl · Applying for a DigiD ↗

  How DigiD works and how to apply, in English.

• IND (Immigration and Naturalisation Service) ↗

  The IND: residence permits for non-EU nationals, family and work.

• IND · EU, EEA or Swiss citizens ↗

  Coming from the EU, EEA or Switzerland? What you do and don't need from the IND.

• Belastingdienst · Can I apply for the Expat Scheme (30% facility)? ↗

  The 30% facility (expat scheme): conditions and 2026 salary thresholds.

• Rijksoverheid · Health insurance when you work in NL (4 months) ↗

  Health insurance when you come to live or work here.

• I amsterdam · Move to the Amsterdam Area in 9 steps ↗

  I amsterdam's moving checklist, from permits to registration.

• I amsterdam · My First Month booklet ↗

  I amsterdam's free booklet with FAQs and tips for your first month.

• I amsterdam · Official procedures ↗

  I amsterdam on visas, permits, registration and driving licences.

• I amsterdam · Registering in the Amsterdam Area ↗

  Registering in the Amsterdam Area: the City Office route, step by step.

• I amsterdam · Residence permit ↗

  Residence permits explained, with links to the IND.

• IN Amsterdam (expat centre, Gemeente Amsterdam) ↗

  IN Amsterdam, the official expat centre for newcomers and their employers.

Common questions

What should I do in my first week in Amsterdam?

Staying more than 4 months? 1) Register at the gemeente within 5 days of arriving; you get your BSN when you register. 2) Apply for DigiD once you're registered. 3) Arrange Dutch health insurance (within 4 months at the latest). 4) Register with a GP near home. From outside the EU? Your residence permit comes via the IND. Rijksoverheid · Wanneer moet ik mij in de BRP laten inschrijven? ↗ · Government.nl · Applying for a DigiD ↗ · Rijksoverheid · Health insurance when you work in NL (4 months) ↗ · Thuisarts · Registering with a huisarts ↗ · IND (Immigration and Naturalisation Service) ↗

I don't have a permanent address yet. Can I register?

You register at your fixed home address. Without one, the gemeente decides whether a postal address (briefadres) is possible. Never buy an address from a website or company: it can lead to address fraud. Rijksoverheid · Wanneer moet ik mij in de BRP laten inschrijven? ↗ · RvIG · Als je in Nederland wilt komen wonen (don't buy an address) ↗

How long does it take to get a BSN?

You get it when you register at the gemeente. Book your appointment as early as you can, as waiting times vary by city. Rijksoverheid · Wanneer moet ik mij in de BRP laten inschrijven? ↗ · Rijksoverheid · Wat moet ik regelen als ik in Nederland kom wonen? ↗

I'm from the EU. Do I need a residence permit?

EU, EEA and Swiss citizens have their own rules; the IND page shows what applies to you and your family. You still register in the BRP at the gemeente. IND · EU, EEA or Swiss citizens ↗ · Rijksoverheid · Wanneer moet ik mij in de BRP laten inschrijven? ↗

Do I really need Dutch health insurance if I'm insured at home?

If you live or work in the Netherlands, usually yes. Take out a Dutch policy within 4 months, even if you still have foreign cover. Rijksoverheid · Health insurance when you work in NL (4 months) ↗

Can I get the 30% ruling?

Only if you're recruited from abroad and meet all the conditions, including the salary threshold (€48,013 in 2026, or €36,497 if you're under 30 with a master's). Your employer applies. Belastingdienst · Can I apply for the Expat Scheme (30% facility)? ↗

Do I have to do civic integration (inburgering)?

It depends on your nationality and permit. Rijksoverheid explains who has to integrate; see Learning Dutch for the details. Rijksoverheid · Do I have to do inburgering? ↗