Moving to the Netherlands
If you move to the Netherlands, you must register with the local government ( enrol ). This also applies if you have lived in the Netherlands before.
How does it work?
If you plan to live in the Netherlands for at least 4 months within a 6-month period, you must register with the municipal authorities enrol .
You can enrol with the municipality if you are in the Netherlands legally. This is called lawful residence. Your residence is lawful in the following cases:
- You hold Dutch nationality.
- You hold the nationality of DE other EU country.
- You hold the nationality of Liechtenstein, Norway, Iceland, or Switzerland.
- You hold a valid residence licence.
- You are permitted to await the decision on your application for a residence licence in NL.
What to do?
- Visit the municipality in person to register. Do this within 5 days of arriving in NL.
- Register at your permanent residential address.
- If your partner has also moved to NL, your partner must accompany you to the municipality.
- If your children have also come to NL, they must accompany you to the municipality.
- After your “ enrolment ,” you will receive a citizen service number (BSN). You will need this number to interact with government agencies—for example, to apply for benefits.
You are living in NL for less than 4 months
If you’ve been living in the Netherlands for less than 4 months, you don’t need to register with the municipality. In that case, you’ll register enrol as a non-resident in the “ BRP.” You do this using your address abroad. This is called the Non-Resident Registration (RNI).
What do I need?
- Your valid ID.
- A travel document or other document proving your nationality.
- Documents proving that you live here. For example, a rental agreement, proof of ownership, or a declaration from the principal occupant of the residence.
- Official documents from your time abroad. For example, a birth certificate, marriage certificate, acknowledgement certificate, or divorce decree. Please note: if these documents are not in Dutch, English, German, or French, they must first be translated and legalised. Do this before coming to NL.
- If you are moving in with someone or moving in together, you will need written authorisation from the primary resident of that address.
- If you are coming to NL from Aruba, Bonaire, Curaçao, Saba, Sint Eustatius, or Sint Maarten, you need a proof of deregistration.
- If applicable: your valid residence licence or proof that it has been applied for.
How long does it take?
The municipality will register you as soon as possible. This takes a maximum of 4 weeks.