A dike beneath a broad sky in the northern Netherlands

Friesland

Moving to the Netherlands: the admin checklist

Arriving in the Netherlands means a wall of paperwork — and most of it has an order and a deadline. Here's what you need to do, roughly in sequence, with a guide for each step. When you're ready, ResideNL turns this into a checklist personalised to your situation, with your own dates.

The single most time-sensitive step: if you're staying longer than 4 months you generally must register with your municipality (BRP) within 5 days of arriving. Book that appointment first — everything else depends on it.

1. Register with your municipality (BRP)

Your first official step. Registering in the Personal Records Database (BRP) at your gemeente is what makes you a legal resident and triggers your citizen service number. How to register with your municipality (BRP) →

2. Get your BSN (citizen service number)

The BSN is your national ID number for tax, healthcare, work and banking. You can't do much without it — and you get it by registering (step 1). How to get a BSN in the Netherlands →

3. Set up DigiD

DigiD is your login for almost every Dutch government and healthcare service. You need a BSN first, then apply online and wait for an activation code by post. How to get a DigiD as an expat →

4. Take out Dutch health insurance

Almost everyone who lives or works in the Netherlands is legally required to take out basic Dutch health insurance — generally within 4 months of arriving, backdated to your arrival date. It's not optional, and there are fines for going without. Dutch health insurance for expats →

5. Open a Dutch bank account

You'll usually need a Dutch IBAN for your salary, rent and direct debits (automatische incasso). Most banks want your BSN and proof of a registered address — so this comes after your municipality registration. How to open a Dutch bank account →

6. Register with a GP (huisarts)

In the Dutch system your huisarts is your first point of contact for medical care and the gateway to specialists. Register with one near you soon after you arrive — good practices fill up. How to register with a GP (huisarts) →

7. Sort your driving licence (if you drive)

An EU/EEA licence can be used and exchanged easily. A non-EU/EEA licence usually has a limited window before you must exchange it or retake tests — so check the deadline early. Exchanging a foreign driving licence →

Also worth reading: the 30% ruling explained, a tax facility for skilled migrants recruited from abroad.

When your situation isn't the standard one

The steps above assume a fairly typical move. If yours has a wrinkle — no permanent address yet, a short stay, temporary housing, or a job starting before the paperwork catches up — these go deeper:

Turn this checklist into your personal plan.

The order and deadlines depend on your citizenship, reason for moving and dates. ResideNL builds your own version in about a minute.

Build my plan → Get it on the App Store

ResideNL is not a government service and does not provide legal advice. Rules, fees and deadlines change — always confirm the details on the official pages we link to before you act.