Can you register at a temporary address in the Netherlands?

In most cases, yes. You register in the BRP at the address where you are actually living — and that can be a temporary rental, a sublet, or a room in someone else's home. You don't need to own the place or hold a long lease. What varies is the evidence your municipality asks for and whether the main occupant has to consent. Because gemeenten handle the details differently, treat the specifics below as "usually", and confirm with your own municipality.

The principle: you register where you genuinely live, even if it's short-term. Registration is tied to where you reside, not to owning property.

Temporary rentals and sublets

A fixed-term or temporary tenancy is normally a valid address to register at. Bring your rental agreement. With a sublet, some municipalities also want to see that the main tenant is allowed to sublet and consents to your registration — because they can see who else is already registered at the address.

Staying with friends or family

You can usually register at the address of the person you're staying with. Many municipalities ask the main occupant to sign a consent form and provide a copy of their ID, since you're being added to their address in the records. Ask them before you book — it's a small step, but appointments stall without it.

Short-term and holiday accommodation

Hotels, hostels, and holiday or tourist rentals often cannot be used for registration — many are zoned so that no one may register there. If your only option is that kind of accommodation and you're staying long term, ask the gemeente about alternatives such as a correspondence address (see below).

If a landlord objects

Registration reflects where you live, and a tenant generally shouldn't be prevented from registering at the home they rent. In practice, disputes do happen — with informal sublets, with landlords worried about tax or contract terms, or where the property isn't permitted for registration. If you hit a wall, contact your municipality directly and explain the situation; they can tell you what they'll accept. We're describing the common pattern here, not giving a legal ruling on any specific tenancy.

Correspondence address (briefadres), where applicable

If you truly have no residential address, some municipalities allow a briefadres — a registration at an address where you receive post rather than live, with someone registered there agreeing to receive your mail. The gemeente decides whether you qualify. More context in getting a BSN without a permanent address.

What evidence you may be asked for

A valid passport or ID card.
Your rental or sublet contract, or a consent statement from the main occupant.
Possibly a copy of the main occupant's or landlord's ID.
Your birth certificate (often legalised/translated) for the underlying BRP registration.

Don't miss the clock. Temporary housing doesn't pause the deadline — if you're staying more than 4 months you're still expected to register within about 5 days of arriving. See the 5-day rule.

Official source: government.nl — Personal Records Database (BRP). The evidence required, sublet rules, and how a briefadres is handled are decided by each municipality — always check your own gemeente's website or ask them directly.

Registering from a temporary address?

ResideNL works out whether you can register now, your deadline, and what to bring for your situation.

Build my plan → Get it on the App Store

Related:

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