MOVING TO THE NETHERLANDS

The Netherlands - known as the land of tulips, good cheeses and bicycles. But the little country in the northwest of Europe has much to offer in every way. You can look forward to your move but do not forget that there might be small challenges, too! When you are moving to the Netherlands as a foreigner, for example, a few legal matters will change.

But don´t worry! In this article, you find a short summary of the most important steps you need to remember for a stress-free move to the Netherlands! So, keep reading to be 200% ready for you new home country!

Immigrate to the Netherlands as EU citizen

The Netherlands is a member of the European Union and therefore subject to the Freedom of Movement Act. This allows citizens of European countries to live and work in the Netherlands. When you move from a European country to the Netherlands, you first have to think about these matters:

When you only spend a short time (not longer than 3 months) in the Netherlands, you can register as a non-resident. For this, you only need a valid identity card / passport.

When you want to live in the Netherlands for a longer period of time or permanently, you are required to register in your new community within 5 days. For this, make an appointment by phone - the confirmation will be sent to you by post or e-mail. You will receive the so-called BSN ("Burgerservice number") when you register. In the beginning, for example, you need it at your employer, at the tax office, in order to take out health insurance, when opening a bank account and at other authorities - that is to say: everywhere.

Do your partner and / or your children move with you? They all need to personally attend the appointment.

You need to bring to the appointment:

a valid passport / identity card;
proof of the residential address (for example, the rental agreement);
a certified copy of the birth certificate;
if applicable, a marriage certificate / divorce certificate.

TIP: Some of these documents may need to be legalized and / or translated into Dutch. Check that in time!

It is better to look for a job before you move to the Netherlands. Without an employment contract or proof of financial security, renting an apartment might be difficult. And you need this lease contract again for your registration at the community.

After your own registration, you should officially register your car - if you have one - in the Netherlands or at least deal with the Dutch car tax.

Further tips for moving to the Netherlands can be found on the website "The Netherlands and You". You can find the specific website for your current home country here.

Immigrate to the Netherlands as a non-EU citizen

To work or study in the Netherlands, you need a long-term visa or another permit. You can find more information about all types of visa and the application process here.

You need to register at your new municipality within 5 days after moving to the Netherlands. For this, make an appointment by phone - you will receive the confirmation via e-mail or post.

You need to bring to the appointment:

a valid passport and a Dutch permit or
a valid residence permit of the IND or
an entry visa (Machtiging tot Voorlopig Verblijf - MVV);
a rental / purchase agreement;
a certified copy of the birth certificate;
if applicable, a marriage certificate / divorce certificate.

TIP: Some of these documents may need to be legalized and / or translated into Dutch. Check that in time!

When you are moving to the Netherlands with pets from a non-European country, you should check that all animals have an ID and a microchip for identification. In addition, you need to vaccinate them against rabies and hand in a proof 21 days before your move. Since this is a long process (7-9 months), it is best to start early.

Further tips for moving to the Netherlands can be found on the website "The Netherlands and You". You can find the specific website for your current home country here.

Moving to the Netherlands with ScanMovers

An international move can be very exciting but sometimes also stressful. You have to get used to new neighbors, a new language, and a new culture. ScanMovers want to help to reduce this stress! For your easy-going, hassle-free move to the Netherlands, all you need to do is fill in our online form with your moving details. We will look for matching moving companies and within 48 hours you will receive at least 3 different offers for comparison. Did you make your choice? Let us know and we will take care of the rest!

Do you have any questions or comments about comparing moving offers or the ScanMovers platform in general? Just call us on +31-85-8888641 or write an e-mail to info@scanmovers.com. We are happy to help!

We wish you a stress-free move!

Team ScanMovers