Practical guide
Practical steps around moving and living in the Netherlands: registering with the municipality, BSN, utilities, insurance and a checklist for your first room.
13 articles, newest first.
Moving to Amsterdam in 2026: a complete cost overview
What does moving to Amsterdam cost in 2026? Deposit, first rent, registration, removal, furniture and monthly costs: a realistic budget for internationals.
No BRP registration: postal address options
No BRP address in Amsterdam? Consequences for allowances, DigiD, and services. Options: briefadres, family address, anti-squat, and what counts as proof.
Your first room in the Netherlands: a complete checklist
A complete checklist for living on your own for the first time in the Netherlands. Registration, insurance, deposit, budget, furniture and house rules.
Moving to Amsterdam checklist: tenants and internationals
What to arrange when you move to Amsterdam, from abroad or within the Netherlands: BRP and BSN, insurance, deposit photos, bank, bike and GP, in order.
Shared bank account with housemates in the Netherlands
How do you organise shared bills with housemates in the Netherlands? Contract holder, household kitty, Tikkie, Splitwise and fair cost-splitting in 2026.
Setting up utilities and internet in a new Dutch rental
Moving into a Dutch rental? Step-by-step guide to electricity, gas, water, and internet. Providers, costs, timing, and the pitfalls international renters miss.
Open a Dutch bank account as international student 2026
Which Dutch bank can you open without a BSN? How much does it cost? Comparison of ING, ABN AMRO, Bunq and N26 for international students arriving in 2026.
Student visa Netherlands: international student guide 2026
How to apply for a student visa for the Netherlands: IND procedure, requirements, costs and timeline for international students in 2026.
Furnished vs unfurnished room: what's the difference?
What's the difference between a furnished, semi-furnished and unfurnished room in the Netherlands? Meaning, expectations and price impact in 2026.
BSN for international students in Amsterdam: how to apply
How to get your BSN as an international student in Amsterdam: BRP registration step by step, documents, wait times and what to do without a contract.
Renting a Room in Amsterdam: Overcoming the Language Barrier
International student renting a room in Amsterdam? Practical tips for English-only searching, translating documents, and finding a room despite the language barrier.
BRP Registration in the Netherlands: What It Is and Why It Matters
BRP registration is mandatory for anyone living in the Netherlands longer than 4 months. Here's what it involves, how to do it, and why you need it.
Renting a Room in Amsterdam With a Pet: How to Pull It Off
Renting a room in Amsterdam with a pet? Learn how to find a landlord who allows pets, what your rights are, and which tips actually work in 2026.