Moving to Amsterdam checklist: tenants and internationals

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, with the extra steps for internationals in a separate section.

Moving from abroad: the extra steps for internationals

If you are coming from abroad, the order matters. Most people get stuck because they try step three before step one is in place.

The sequence: confirmed housing → BRP registration → BSN → bank account → health insurance (if it applies to you).

Before you leave

Visa and residence permit. EU citizens can live and work in the Netherlands without a visa. Non-EU students and workers usually need a residence permit, which the university or employer typically applies for through the IND (Immigration and Naturalisation Service). Start early, because processing can take weeks.
Housing. Without a confirmed address you cannot register in the BRP, and without registration you cannot get a BSN. Start searching well before you arrive, and register with student housing providers as soon as you have your acceptance letter.
What to bring: a valid passport (and visa if applicable), your acceptance letter or employment contract, proof of your Dutch address (rental contract or written confirmation from your landlord), copies of diplomas if needed, and a debit card that works in the Netherlands for the first days.

In your first weeks

BRP registration and BSN. You register at your address with the municipality, which also gives you your BSN (citizen service number). In Amsterdam you book an appointment for this; waiting times can run to a few weeks, so book as soon as you can. Ask your university or employer whether they have a quicker route for newcomers. Read more about getting a BSN as an international student in Amsterdam.
A valid basis for registration. You can only register with a rental contract or written permission from the landlord or main resident. Informal sublets can make registration difficult, so ask before you sign. If a landlord says no, read what to do when your landlord refuses address registration.
Bank account. With your BSN you can open a Dutch bank account. Some online banks can be opened before arrival and switched to your Dutch address later, which helps you bridge the first weeks.
Health insurance. Whether you need Dutch basic health insurance depends on your situation, for example whether you work here. Check this with your university or employer. If you do need it, arrange it promptly: arranging it late can lead to a backdated bill plus a fine.
Find your people. Most universities and employers run onboarding events for newcomers, and the public library (OBA) is a good place to study, work and meet people.

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; check the current fee and apply a few 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 basic health insurance in your own name, if it applies to you and you do not have it yet

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 (if you already have one), your new address, and written permission from the main resident if you are moving into someone else's home. Registration matters for your BSN, allowances and almost every official process.

Family doctor (GP)

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

Dentist

Same story. Many Amsterdam dental practices have waiting lists.

Forward your address change

PostNL (mail forwarding service, for a monthly fee)
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 healthcare allowance (zorgtoeslag) and update your new address. Housing allowance (huurtoeslag) is mainly for self-contained accommodation; for most rooms with a shared kitchen or bathroom you are not eligible.

Practical Amsterdam essentials

Buy a bike

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

Swapfiets: a monthly subscription with 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, which works 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: often the cheapest for vegetables, fruit, bread and herbs
Outdoor markets: Albert Cuypmarkt, Dappermarkt and Ten Katemarkt are good value for fresh food

Waste

Amsterdam uses underground containers for general waste, paper, glass and plastic. In some neighbourhoods you need a waste pass (afvalpas) for the general-waste container; check amsterdam.nl for your address.

Administration

Bank account

If you do not yet have a Dutch bank account (international arrivals), open one at ING, ABN AMRO, Rabobank or an online bank. You need your BSN, passport and proof of address.

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. If you are coming from abroad, mention that in your profile together with your arrival date; many hospitas have experience with international tenants. The broader entry into the Amsterdam search is our guide to renting a room in Amsterdam, which covers platforms, timelines and how to write a strong profile.

Frequently asked questions

I am moving from abroad. In what order should I arrange things?

Housing first, then BRP registration (which gives you your BSN), then a bank account, then health insurance if it applies to you. Without a confirmed address you cannot register, and without registration most other steps are blocked. Book your registration appointment as soon as you know your address.

Can I register at a temporary accommodation address?

Only if the landlord or main resident confirms in writing that you live there; without that, the municipality can refuse your registration. If your university or a student housing provider arranges your room, ask for a proof of rental letter to bring to your appointment.

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. Check the current fee and apply a few 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. A Swapfiets subscription includes repairs: useful if you do not want to maintain a bike yourself. A second-hand bike of 100 to 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 paid mail-forwarding service that redirects 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. You only need a manual deregistration if you are moving out of the Netherlands altogether (then file an "emigratie" notification before you leave).