Moving to Amsterdam: the complete checklist for tenants

You have a room in Amsterdam. The keys are in your hand. Now the real work starts: the move itself. Some renters arrive from another Dutch city, others are stepping out of the family home for the first time, and a third group lands here from abroad. The to-do list overlaps a lot. This is the checklist, in chronological order.

Two weeks before moving day

Signed rental contract

Make sure you have a signed copy. Keep it safe, both digitally and on paper.

Deposit and first month paid

By bank transfer, not in cash. Keep the payment confirmations.

Moving company or van

Arrange a van if you are taking large items. Parking in Amsterdam is a nightmare, so plan your timing. Early on a weekday is the quietest moment. You can apply for a moving-van permit at amsterdam.nl (around 25 euros per day, request at least two business days in advance).

If you are travelling light: a few moving boxes, a borrowed bakfiets (cargo bike) and one trip is often enough.

Insurance

Before moving day, arrange:

Home contents insurance (from around 5 euros per month)
Personal liability insurance (around 3 euros per month)
Dutch health insurance under your own name if you do not have it yet (mandatory from age 18)

Moving day itself

Take photographs

Photograph the room before you put anything in it. Walls, floor, windows, ceiling. Email them to your landlord with the date in the subject line. This is your deposit evidence: at the end of the rental period it determines what counts as your wear and tear and what is pre-existing damage.

Note the meter readings

If the room has its own gas, water or electricity meters, write down the readings. This prevents disputes over usage that was not yours.

Check the keys

How many keys are there? Front door, room door, possibly the mailbox. Write it down and confirm it with your landlord in writing.

The first week

Municipal registration (BRP)

Mandatory within five days of moving. Online via amsterdam.nl or by appointment at a stadsloket. You need: DigiD, your new address, written permission from the main resident if you are moving into someone else's home. Read why this matters in our guide on BRP registration when renting a room.

Family doctor (GP)

Register with a GP near your new address. Amsterdam has a chronic GP shortage with many practices fully booked. Start searching on day one, not when you fall ill.

Dentist

Same story. Many Amsterdam dental practices have waiting lists of months.

Forward your address change

PostNL (mail forwarding service, a few euros per month)
Tax office (Belastingdienst, via MijnOverheid)
DUO (student finance, if relevant)
Your bank
Your health insurer
Your employer or school
Telephone provider
Gym and any other subscriptions

Claim allowances

Check via Mijn Toeslagen whether you are eligible for housing benefit (huurtoeslag) and healthcare benefit (zorgtoeslag). Update your new address.

Practical Amsterdam essentials

Buy a bike

A bike is not optional in Amsterdam. It is your primary transport. Options:

Swapfiets: subscription from around 17 euros per month, repairs included
Second-hand: Marktplaats, Budget Bikes, Recycled Bicycles. Expect to pay 50 to 150 euros for a usable city bike.
New bike: at a bike shop, from 200 euros up

Buy a good lock. Two locks are better than one. Bike theft in Amsterdam is a real problem.

OV chipcard

If you use public transport, you need an OV chipcard. Or use the OVpay function on your bank card (now available on almost every Amsterdam line).

Groceries

Get to know the supermarkets in your neighbourhood:

Albert Heijn: the default, everywhere
Lidl: cheaper, everywhere
Jumbo: comparable to AH
Turkish and Moroccan supermarkets: by far the cheapest for vegetables, fruit, bread and herbs
Outdoor markets: Albert Cuypmarkt, Dappermarkt and Ten Katemarkt are cheaper than supermarkets for fresh food

Waste

Amsterdam uses underground containers for general waste, paper, glass and plastic. You need an afvalpas (waste card) for general waste. Apply via amsterdam.nl.

Administration

Bank account

If you do not yet have a Dutch bank account (international arrivals), open one at ING, ABN AMRO or Rabobank. See our dedicated guide on opening a Dutch bank account as an international student. Most banks have branches near Centraal Station.

BSN (citizen service number)

If you are new in the Netherlands, you receive a BSN after registering with the municipality. You need this number for everything: work, healthcare, taxes.

DigiD

Your digital identity for government services. You need a BSN first. Apply at digid.nl.

The first month

Get to know your neighbourhood

Walk or cycle through your area. Find the nearest supermarket, bakery, park, cafe. Amsterdam is a city of neighbourhoods and each has its own character. Our neighbourhood guides cover the main areas for renters.

Meet your housemates

If you are in a shared house, plan a meal together in the first week. It breaks the ice and sets the tone. Our guide on living with housemates in Amsterdam covers the full social side: matching, house rules, splitting costs and resolving conflicts.

Build a routine

The first weeks are chaotic. That is normal. After a month you find your rhythm: your route to work or uni, your favourite lunch place, your spot in the park. Amsterdam starts to feel like home.

Find your room in Amsterdam

Still looking for a room? On Huismaatje you search free of charge for rooms in Amsterdam: browse the map, filter by neighbourhood and price, see who your potential housemates would be. The broader entry into the Amsterdam search funnel is our renting a room in Amsterdam pillar, which covers platforms, timelines and how to write a strong profile.

Frequently asked questions

How do I apply for a moving-van permit on the street in Amsterdam?

Via amsterdam.nl you can request an exemption for parking a delivery van or moving van at a specific address. The application costs around 25 euros per day and must be submitted at least two business days in advance. Without a permit you risk a parking fine.

How long can I wait to forward my address change to the tax office?

The Belastingdienst is usually informed automatically through your BRP registration with the municipality. But check via MijnOverheid that the address came through correctly. For benefit payments it is especially important: payments go to the registered address, so any lag risks money arriving at your old home.

Should I find a new GP or can I keep my current one if I move within the Netherlands?

Practically it is wise to register with a GP near your new address, especially if you have moved across cities. For minor issues a GP can be reached by phone, but for home visits or urgent care, proximity matters. Many Amsterdam practices are full: start looking immediately.

Is a Swapfiets or a second-hand bike the smarter option in Amsterdam?

It depends on how long you stay. Swapfiets is around 17 euros per month including repairs: useful if you do not want to maintain a bike yourself. A second-hand bike of 100-150 euros is cheaper over the long term but you handle maintenance yourself. For longer stays, your own bike is usually the better deal.

When should I forward my postal address change to PostNL?

As early as possible, ideally one or two weeks before moving day. PostNL offers a mail-forwarding service at around 3 euros per month for a year, redirecting mail from your old address automatically. Also inform the main senders directly (bank, employer, DUO) so they update your address at source.

Do I need to deregister at my previous Dutch municipality before moving to Amsterdam?

No. Registering at the BRP in Amsterdam automatically deregisters you from your previous municipality. The two systems sync overnight. You only need a manual deregistration if you are moving out of the Netherlands altogether (then file an "emigratie" notification before you leave).