Moving to the Netherlands: checklist for internationals

Moving to the Netherlands mixes excitement with paperwork. The good news: the system is reasonably well organised once you understand the sequence. Most people get stuck because they try to do step 3 without step 1 in place.

This article walks you through the full checklist, from before departure to your first month in the Netherlands.

What do you arrange before you leave?

Visa and residence permit

EU citizen? No visa needed. You have the right to live and work freely in the Netherlands.

Non-EU? It depends on your situation:

International students need a machtiging tot voorlopig verblijf (MVV, provisional residence permit) if staying longer than 90 days. Your university or college usually handles the application through the IND.
Workers with an employment contract receive a residence permit through their employer (the highly skilled migrant route or GVVA).

Start this process at least six to eight weeks before arrival. The IND (Immigration and Naturalisation Service) sometimes has long processing times.

Arranging housing before you arrive

This is step zero of the entire checklist. Without a confirmed residential address you cannot register in the BRP. Without BRP registration you cannot get a BSN. Without a BSN you cannot open a bank account or set up direct debit for rent.

The sequence is: confirmed housing → BRP registration → BSN → bank account → health insurance

Start looking for housing well before arrival. On Huismaatje you'll find hospita rooms and student rooms in Amsterdam with direct contact to the landlord or current housemates. For the rest of the Netherlands, Kamernet, HousingAnywhere and university housing offices are the most commonly used platforms.

What to bring

Valid passport (and visa/MVV if applicable)
University acceptance letter or employment contract
Proof of Dutch residential address (rental contract or landlord confirmation email)
Copies of diplomas and transcripts (apostilled if required)
Euros or an international debit card for the first few days

What do you do in your first week?

Applying for a BSN

The Burgerservicenummer (BSN) is your Dutch personal identification number. You need it for employment, tax, health insurance and banking.

You apply for a BSN at your local municipality. In Amsterdam this is done at the Stadsloket. You need:

Valid passport or national ID
Proof of residential address (rental contract or landlord confirmation)

Book an appointment as early as possible. Waiting times in Amsterdam can be two to three weeks. Ask your university or employer if there is a fast-track option for new students or employees.

For a detailed explanation of the BSN application process, read our article on getting a BSN as an international student in Amsterdam.

BRP registration

The basisregistratie personen (BRP) is the municipal population registry. You register at your residential address. This gives you official Dutch residency status.

In Amsterdam, BRP registration happens at the same appointment as BSN registration at the Stadsloket. In smaller municipalities these may be separate appointments.

You can only register if you have a valid rental contract or a written permission letter from your landlord. Sublet arrangements or informal housing situations without an official contract can make registration harder.

What do you arrange in your first month?

Health insurance

Anyone who works or studies in the Netherlands for more than four months must take out Dutch basic health insurance. You need your BSN for this.

Take out insurance within four months of arrival to avoid a penalty. In practice: once you have your BSN, arrange this.

Compare insurers via Independer or Zorgwijzer. The cheapest basic policy in 2026 costs around 135-145 euros per month. If you have a low income, check if you qualify for zorgtoeslag (a government health contribution of 80-150 euros per month).

Opening a bank account

With your BSN you can open a Dutch bank account. Most students and starters choose ING, ABN AMRO, Rabobank, or an online bank like Bunq.

Bunq and Revolut can sometimes be opened before arrival with a foreign address and switched to your Dutch address later. This helps bridge the transition period.

To open a bank account you need: BSN, passport, and proof of residential address.

SIM card and phone

Dutch SIM cards are easy to buy. Affordable options include Lebara (popular with internationals for cheap calls abroad), Simyo, Ben and Tele2. A SIM with 5 GB and calling costs 8-15 euros per month.

Your European SIM card works in the Netherlands without roaming if you're an EU citizen, but rates are often higher than a local Dutch plan.

Driving licence

Your foreign driving licence is valid in the Netherlands for 185 days after BRP registration. After that you need to convert it to a Dutch licence through the CBR (Centraal Bureau Rijvaardigheidsbewijzen).

Renting a car in the Netherlands works fine with a foreign licence as long as it's valid.

Useful apps and websites for newcomers

DigiD: digital identity for government portals. Apply as soon as you have your BSN.
MijnOverheid: personal government portal for taxes, allowances and extracts.
OV-chipkaart: required for bus, tram and train. Apply via ov-chipkaart.nl.
DUO (student finance): if you qualify for student finance as an EU student, apply via duo.nl.
Belastingdienst: for zorgtoeslag (health allowance) and huurtoeslag (rent allowance).

Also read our Dutch guide on moving to Amsterdam: the complete checklist for Amsterdam-specific registration details.

Finding a community in Amsterdam

Amsterdam has an active international community. A few places to start:

Internationals in Amsterdam (Facebook group): active group for questions, tips and events
Your university or employer: most institutions run onboarding events for new internationals
OBA (Amsterdam public library): free workspace and study spots, also a good social spot
Huismaatje profile: create a profile on Huismaatje and indicate that you're new to Amsterdam. Landlords and house-hunters see your situation and can tailor their questions to your starting point.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a DigiD to take out health insurance?

No, you can also arrange health insurance by phone or on paper forms without DigiD. DigiD does make online applications and later management easier. Apply for DigiD as soon as you have your BSN: it takes about five working days.

Can I register at a temporary accommodation address?

It depends on the municipality and the landlord. In Amsterdam you can only register if the main tenant or landlord provides a declaration confirming you live there. Without that declaration, the Stadsloket will refuse the registration. Always get written confirmation from your landlord.

What if my university arranges student housing?

Then the university or housing provider (e.g. DUWO or SSH) handles the rental agreement. This is almost always valid for BRP registration. At arrival, immediately ask for a proof of rental letter to take to the Stadsloket.

Can I work in the Netherlands as an international student?

EU students can work without restrictions. Non-EU students in 2026 can work up to 16 hours per week without a separate work permit, or full-time during holiday periods. Your employer handles the required UWV notification.

Do I need a Dutch bank account to pay rent?

Almost always yes. Most landlords in the Netherlands accept only direct debit from a Dutch or European IBAN. A Bunq or N26 account with a European IBAN usually works too. Payment by international wire transfer or cash is refused by most landlords.