's to-do list

• Valid passport
• Valid employment contract
• If you want to rent, you will need a salary requirement of 3.5 to 4 times the rent amount (before taxes). You can include your partner’s income in the calculation

Important: Many websites state that you need a BSN number before renting or buying. That is not correct.

Start looking for a place to live

1. Decide where you want to live
2. Decide whether you want to rent or buy

   Is this the first time you will be coming to the Netherlands to live and/or work and are not so familiar with the Dutch housing market? If that is the case we advise you to first rent a place temporarily, like a room or apartment. This will allow you to get some things done right away, like requesting a BSN number, opening a bank account and getting a Sim Only plan. Do you like it here? And do you want to stay in the Netherlands for a few years? Then buying is an interesting option.

Important: If you move to the Netherlands without a job, it will be extremely difficult to find a place to live.

Renting

There are different rental types. You could do a shortstay or AirBnB rental, which is convenient if you are only staying in the Netherlands for a few weeks or haven’t yet found a permanent home. You can also rent for a longer period, for example several years. Most dwellings in the Netherlands are rented out unfurnished and sometimes even bare, i.e. without flooring or window dressings.

Looking for a place to live in the Netherlands? The following websites have a wide range of rental homes throughout the entire country.

Pararius
Funda
Huurwoningen

Shortstay

Are you looking for temporary accommodations? Take a look at these options.

The Student Hotel 
Serviced apartments

Sharing a place/renting a room
Do you want to share a dwelling or living space temporarily? Via Kamernet or AirBnB you can look for a room anywhere in the Netherlands.

Kamernet
AirBnB

Buying

Buying a place takes a lot of time and energy. You would be well served by engaging a reliable partner who can advise you from A to Z in all real estate matters, especially if you are not familiar with the Dutch housing market.

Getting a BSN number is the basis of your temporary or permanent stay in the Netherlands. You get a BSN when you register as a resident in the personal records database (BRP) of your municipality.

• A BSN number is a personal identification number. The Dutch government uses this number to process your personal data. With a BSN number you can:
  • Open a bank account
  • Apply for health insurance
  • Communicate with various government agencies
• Your employer uses your BSN number to pay taxes and employer contributions.
• Are you coming to the Netherlands with family? Every family member will need their own BSN number
• A personal number is not the same as a work visa/work permit
• Will you not be working or studying and are you staying less than four months? In that case you don’t need a BSN number, so you do not need to register

Important: Current waiting times at the municipalities and RNI (registration for non-residents) locations is longer than usual (1-2 months), so keep this in mind.

What do you need before you can register at a municipality

• Valid passport
• Non-EU residents must bring a residency permit and work contract (if applicable)
• Proof of residence in the Netherlands (rental contract, deed of sale or written authorization from the main resident), unless you are staying in the Netherlands for less than four months, in which case you should give your address back home

Note: If you do not have a valid address in the Netherlands yet, you will need to register as soon as your rental contract or deed of sale is signed. Still looking for a place to live? Then you can register with a temporary correspondence address, for example that of a friend, relative or coworker. This should be an official, BRP-recognized address. You cannot use a post office box or nonresidential address (like a business address). Someone must actually be living at that address. You will also need written authorization from the main resident of the address where you want to register. To register with a correspondence address, make an appointment with the municipality where that address is located. It is explained below how you can make that appointment.

Registering at the municipality

Depending on whether your stay in the Netherlands is shorter or longer than four months, choose the situation that applies to you:

1. Staying longer than four months

Will you be living or working in the Netherlands and will you be staying longer than four months? In that case you are required to register with the municipality where you will be living or are already living. You will automatically receive a citizen service number (BSN). Nearly all municipalities require you to make an appointment within five days of your arrival.

Below is a list of the most popular municipalities. Is the municipality where you will be living or are living, or where you want to register, not listed? No problem! Just google that municipality + contact. For example: ‘Municipality Eindhoven contact’. It’s better to call to make an appointment, as many municipalities, especially the smaller ones, only have a Dutch-language website. Say that you want to make an appointment for a ‘registration from abroad’.

2. Staying less than four months

If you are staying less than four months in the Netherlands but will be working or studying, you must register as a non-resident (RNI) at one of the 19 RNI locations. You will immediately get a BSN number. If you’re not planning to work or study, then you don’t need a BSN number and don’t need to register as a non-resident either.

Important: If you are staying longer than four months in the Netherlands but do not meet the requirements to register with a municipality, you cannot request a temporary BSN number via RNI.

If you’re coming to live or work in the Netherlands, we strongly recommend getting a DigiD. With a DigiD you can identify yourself online to the government, the tax authority, healthcare institutions and pension funds.

• Requesting a DigiD is not obligatory, but strongly recommended
• A DigiD gives access to confidential information about you, so you should store your login details in a safe place

What do you need before you can apply for a DigiD?

• BSN
• Dutch home address

Requesting a DigiD

You have to go through two steps:

1. Navigate to https://digid.nl/en/aanvragen and go through the application process;
2. Activate your DigiD. You will receive a letter with an activation code within three working days after registering. You can activate your DigiD using the app. You can log in after activating your DigiD.

Important: You must activate your DigiD within 20 days, otherwise you will have to go through the entire application process again.

Will you be living or working in the Netherlands and are you staying longer than four months? It would be a good idea to open a bank account.

• Opening a Dutch bank account is not obligatory, but is strongly recommended. You will need a Dutch bank account to pay your rent or mortgage, get a cell phone plan, pay utilities and receive your salary. In addition, Dutch shoppers and Dutch companies are using less and less cash.
• Use of credit cards in the Netherlands is not widespread. In many Dutch businesses and/or stores, for example in most Dutch supermarkets, it isn’t even possible to pay with a credit card.
• In the Netherlands you can get money from an automated teller using a debit card from another country, but you will be charged a fee.

What do you need to open a bank account?

Opening a bank account

The Netherlands has several banks where you can open a regular or online account. To keep things simple, we have compared three banks for you: the biggest bank in the Netherlands ABN, and online banks Bunq and Revolut. Bunq and Revolut are mobile banks: they do not have physical locations and handle everything online through their app. You can use the links in the following table to open a bank account.

Will you be living or working in the Netherlands and are you staying longer than four months? In that case, you are required to get health insurance. The same goes for family members that come to the Netherlands with you.

What do you need before you can apply for a Dutch health insurance?

• BSN number
• Valid passport
• Dutch bank account

How to get a Dutch health Insurance?

There are two steps to getting health insurance in the Netherlands:

There are dozens of health insurers in the Netherlands. To keep things simple, we have compared three health insurers for you: Menzis & Nationale Nederlanden, two of the biggest health insurers in the Netherlands. And ONVZ, a smaller insurer, but the most reliable health insurer in the Netherlands appears in “Health Insurance Customer Monitor 2023”. It also has an English-language website.. You can use the links in the following table to get a health insurance plan. The average costs for basic insurance are €100-€140 and are the same for everyone, regardless of age or health status.

After getting health insurance, register with a PCP near you. You can do this for free via https://www.zorgkaartnederland.nl/huisarts. From the moment your registration is confirmed and you actually want to see the doctor, you can make an appointment. If the doctor considers it necessary, they will refer you to the hospital.

In the Netherlands there are many insurance companies offering different types of insurance. Some of these insurances are legally required and others are optional, depending on your personal circumstances and preferences. The insurances listed below are optional and you are not obligated to get them. To avoid unexpected costs, we recommend that you get these insurances.

What do you need before you can take out insurance?

• BSN number
• Dutch bank account
• Valid passport

Home Contents Insurance

Home contents insurance covers damage to the contents of your home. By contents we mean all the things in your house that are not attached to it. The kitchen does not fall under home contents insurance, but your kitchen appliances do. Home contents insurance costs between 8 and 15 euros per month, depending on where you live and what type of dwelling it is. Both renters and owners are advised to get home contents insurance. In some cases the landlord’s insurance covers the contents. Check this in advance.

Liability Insurance

Liability insurance covers damage that you cause to property of others or to other persons, for example if you accidentally drop your friend’s new iPhone or if you cause injury to someone. Research from the Dutch Association of Insurers shows that about 92% of the Dutch population has personal liability insurance.

When you move to a new home (rental or owned), most of the time you will already have working electricity and/or gas, as well as running water. Still, you have to get a contract for these utilities.

• The energy market in the Netherlands is privatized, which means that as a consumer you are free to choose from among multiple energy suppliers.
• Water is supplied separately. Every region in the Netherlands has its own water authority. You cannot choose from several authorities. You have to register with the water management authority that is active in the region where you live.
• You do not have to contract gas and electricity from the same supplier, although many energy suppliers offer electricity + gas package deals. There are also energy suppliers that specialize in either electricity or gas.

What do you need before you can apply for utilities?

• Dutch home address
• BSN number
• Dutch bank account

Setting up your utilities

1. Check how your (older or new) house/apartment is heated, for example with gas or a heat pump.
2. Check whether solar panels have been placed on your (older or new) house/apartment.
3. From the energy suppliers listed below, choose the one that fits your needs and sign a contract on the supplier’s website.
4. Sign a contract with the water supplier that is active in your region.

Top Energy Deals 2023

The Netherlands has several energy suppliers. Due to the many problems in the world, energy suppliers are reluctant to take on new customers. However, at Vattenfall, Budget Energie and Frank Energie you can still conclude a contract. You can follow on of the links in the table below to sign an energy contract. Energy costs are different for everyone. It depends on the size of your family and your usage. The following table only gives an indication of the costs for average use (2500 kWh electricity and 1000 m3 gas). Do you have a gas-free home? Then you only need to sign a contract for electricity.

Water

Water is supplied separately. Every region in the Netherlands has its own water authority. You cannot choose from several authorities. Ask your real estate agent and/or the seller of the home which water supplier you should register with. Having trouble? Use this map to find out which water supplier you need for the region where you reside.

After you checked which authority supplies water for your postal code, you can navigate this list to the supplier’s website in order to sign a contract.

PWN waterleidingbedrijf Noord-Holland
Waterbedrijf Groningen
Waterleidingmaatschappij Drenthe
Vitens
Waternet
Oasen
Dunea
WML
Evides
Brabant water

Whether you rent or own in the Netherlands, you will have to arrange an internet and/or TV subscription yourself, unless you rent and this service is included in the rental price. Check this well in advance with the landlord.

• The market for internet, TV and landline phones in the Netherlands is privatized, which means that as a consumer you are free to choose from multiple providers. Perhaps you want to get only internet or only TV.
• If you are renting a house or an apartment, TV + internet may already be included in the rent. Check this with your landlord. Tip: If these services are included, ask for a final statement once a year so that you know you aren’t paying too much.
• In general, it is standard for serviced apartments in the Netherlands to provide internet + TV connectivity with a plan.
• The Netherlands has one of the top-5 fastest internet connections in the world.

What do you need to get an internet and TV plan?

• Dutch home address
• Dutch bank account

How to get an internet and TV Plan?

There are dozens of internet and TV providers in the Netherlands. To keep things simple, we have compared three providers for you. For your convenience, we have taken into account the fact that these providers give nationwide coverage only. The providers are: Ziggo, Youfone and Budget Thuis. You can use the links in the table below to get a plan.

What should I do after getting a plan?

Setting up your new TV and/or internet connection is relatively simple and you can easily do it yourself. After getting a plan your new provider will send you a starting package (with everything you’ll need), including a manual.

Still having trouble? This is easily solved. Providers often offer an installation service for new subscribers. Some of these services are free, others you have to pay for. Always check this in advance just to be sure, so there aren’t any surprises.

Even if your international mobile phone (with a plan) works just fine when you arrive, we strongly recommend getting a Sim Only plan.

• Most expats who come to the Netherlands have regular coverage with their current phone. The only exceptions are residents of Japan, parts of the US and Canada. For these expats, we recommend buying a prepaid card upon arrival to remain reachable.
• If you don’t have a Dutch mobile number and are called from a Dutch number, for example your employer or your neighbor, the person calling you pays for the call.
• You will need to give a Dutch phone number for many services before you can use them, such as for PicNic, Ikea delivery, etc.
• If you aren’t using a Dutch telephone number, people or businesses in the Netherlands who call you will end up paying for the costs.
• Without a Dutch phone number you cannot send a Tikkie (online payment request).
• A Dutch phone number is more reliable when you call Dutch individuals or businesses.

What do you need to get a Sim Only plan?

• Dutch home address
• Dutch bank account
• Valid passport

Get a Sim Only plan

There are many providers of Sim Only plans in the Netherlands. To keep things simple, we have compared the most popular packages of Sim Only providers for you: T-mobile, Lebara, Vodafone and Budget Mobiel. You can use the table below to get a Sim Only plan. You can choose the contents of your package on the provider’s website.