Have you arrived in the Netherlands? Besides arranging a place to stay, there’s more to organize once you come here. To help you out, here’s a checklist with everything you need to do after arriving in the Netherlands.

Before you relocate to the Netherlands, you must check some things beforehand. This includes finding a place to live, organizing your documents, and starting your integration. After that, you've got quite a to-do list. During your move, you’ll come across several Dutch organizations and websites that can be helpful: 

• DigiD
  DigiD is the Dutch secure online communication system, like a digital passport. You use your DigiD to log in to websites that have anything to do with the government, your education, healthcare, or pension fund. Scroll below to discover how to apply for a DigiD. 
• MijnOverheid
  MijnOverheid is your personal digital mailbox for mail from the government. You can use this website after creating a DigiD, as you need your account to log in to the website. At MijnOverheid, you can find all your personal information in one place. You have insight into your identity data, finances (income, benefits, contributions, and taxes), work (employment data and pension), health (donor registry), housing (energy label of your rental property and messages about developments in your neighborhood), data on vehicles in your possession, and data on your diplomas and study financing or debt.
• Mijn Belastingdienst
  Belastingdienst is the Dutch tax office that is responsible for the assessment and collection of taxes. You can arrange tax matters online via Mijn Belastingsdienst. You need a DigiD to log in.
• Mijn toeslagen
  Mijn toeslagen is your personal webpage to arrange benefits from the government. You can apply for benefits for health care allowance, childcare allowance, and housing allowance. You need a DigiD to log in.
• Immigration & Naturalisation Service (IND)
  The Immigration & Naturalisation Service (IND) takes care of all applications from those who want to live in the Netherlands or want to become Dutch citizens. If you want to apply for a residence permit, you need to use the website of IND.
  
  

Register with the municipality

A smart move to start with when relocating to the Netherlands is to find a place to stay. Once you found a place, check if you need to register with the municipality where you’ll be living.

• Are you going to live in the Netherlands for longer than 4 months? You need to register at the municipality.
• Are you going to live in the Netherlands for less than 4 months? You don’t need to register at the municipality. However, if you need a citizen service number (BSN) to communicate with the government, it’s possible to register at a municipality with a counter for non-residents (a so-called RNI municipality). Which municipality you register at is up to you.
• If you haven’t found somewhere to live, you can ask the municipality to register at a temporary correspondence address.
  
  

You need to register within 5 days after arriving in the Netherlands. In the Netherlands, registration with the municipality is free of charge. Contact the municipality where you're going to live. In most cases, you'll need an appointment to register and you'll need to go in person. You need to bring the following documents to be able to register yourself:

• A valid proof of identity (passport or ID card).
• Your rental contract of your new home address or a consent form signed by the main tenant.
• Proof of de-registration if you’re moving from another part of the Koninkrijk der Nederlanden (Aruba, Curacao, Sint Maarten, Bonaire, Saba, or Sint Eustatius).
• Birth certificate and any other certificates you may have, such as marriage certificate, divorce certificate, and adoption certificate.
• Are you a student? Bring proof that you’re a student at a Dutch school or university, like proof of registration.
  
  

If your partner and/or children also come to the Netherlands, they must register in person at the municipality too. Bring a valid proof of identity (passport or ID card) and the child's original birth certificate or acknowledgment certificate to register any child under 16 years old.

After registering, you'll receive a citizen service number (BSN) from the municipality. You need this number to create a DigiD account, which you need to communicate with the government, apply for benefits, open a Dutch bank account, and more. Good to know: your (personal) data is automatically stored in the Personal Records Database (BRP) when you register with a municipality. If you move within the Netherlands, your data in the BRP moves with you to the next municipality you’re moving to.

Apply for a DigiD

After registering at the municipality, it’s time to create a DigiD account. You need a DigiD account to digitally identify yourself when making arrangements, such as with the government, educational institutes, healthcare, or pension fund(s). To apply for a DigiD, you need:

• Your citizen service number (BSN), which you received from your municipality after registering there.
• Your (new) address at which you’re registered with your municipality.
• A (mobile) phone to securely log in. 
  
  

After your application, you’ll receive a letter in your mailbox with an activation code to activate your DigiD account. DigiD sends this letter to the address registered by your municipality.

Check if you can apply for a housing allowance

After you find a home in the Netherlands, be sure to check if you’re entitled to receive a housing allowance (huurtoeslag). If you’re entitled depends on your situation. If you have a relatively low income, most rents are too high in relation to what you earn. On request, the Tax Administration (Belastingdienst) can provide you with a benefit, making your rent more affordable. This applies to both Dutch and international residents, including expatriate workers and students. If anything changes in your situation, it’s important to notify the Tax Administration (Belastingdienst) via Mijn toeslagen about these chances.

You can check if you’re entitled and apply for a housing allowance via Mijn toeslagen. This website is only available in Dutch. Alternatively, you can also make an appointment at a tax office by calling a Tax Information Line. You need a citizen service number to apply for a benefit, which you received from your municipality after registering there. To log in at Mijn toeslagen, you need to use your DigiD account.

Open a Dutch bank account

In the Netherlands, most daily payments are made by cash, debit cards, or internet banking. By opening a bank account, you automatically get access to internet banking. Costs for a bank account depend on the bank and the type of account you prefer. In most cases, a Dutch bank account costs between €2 and €20 per month. Students can open a bank account for free (studentenrekening).

Opening a Dutch bank account is not difficult. There are many options for banks in the Netherlands. Big banks with English information and communication are ABN Amro or ING. Rabobank, SNS Bank, and ASN Bank are other popular options. You can apply for a Dutch bank account online or by visiting one of their offices. Most banks have an office or service point to visit in the bigger cities of the Netherlands.

• If you want to open a Dutch bank account with a non-Dutch passport or ID, you need to prove that you live in the Netherlands. Do you want to open a Dutch bank account without having a citizen service number (BSN)? Open an account via ABN Amro.
  
  

Arrange your Dutch healthcare insurance

Dutch healthcare is rated among the best in Europe. It’s managed by the Dutch government and therefore accessible to everyone. The system is based on social solidarity; everyone contributes to the overall cost of healthcare for everyone. The government decides what is covered in basic health insurance. All insurers offer the same basic health insurance package, but the monthly premium differs per health insurer.

In 2024, the general deductible is €385. Besides paying a monthly premium, you pay the first €385 of healthcare costs yourself. When the costs are higher than that, your health insurer pays the remaining amount. There are two types of health insurance in the Netherlands:

• Basic health insurance
  Everyone who lives or works in the Netherlands is legally obliged to take out basic health insurance. Basic health insurance covers the costs of consulting a general practitioner, hospital treatment, and medication.
• Additional insurance
  You may opt to take out additional insurance to cover costs not included in your basic health insurance, for example, costs for physiotherapy or (extra) dental care. It's not mandatory to take additional insurance. 
  
  

Your insurance policy for basic health must be effective within four months after you arrive in the Netherlands. If you neglect to arrange your healthcare insurance, the Central Administration Office (CAK) will register you with an insurer and the costs will be withheld from your pay. If you need medical care, you need to pay the costs yourself.

You can take out basic and additional health insurance at an insurance company. You're free to choose an insurance company yourself. You can compare different insurance companies on the website of Independer (only in Dutch). Good to know: it’s not obligatory to take out both insurances at the same insurance company.

Check if you can apply for healthcare benefit

Secured your healthcare insurance? Be sure to check if you’re entitled to receive a healthcare benefit (zorgtoeslag). This financial benefit supports you in paying the monthly premium for basic healthcare insurance and the first €385 of healthcare costs (deductible).

If you’re entitled depends on your personal situation. You can check if you’re entitled and apply for a healthcare benefit via Mijn toeslagen. This website is only available in Dutch. Alternatively, you can also make an appointment at a tax office by calling a Tax Information Line. You need a citizen service number to apply for a benefit, which you received after registering with the municipality. To log in at Mijn toeslagen, you need to use your DigiD. If anything changes in your situation, it’s important to notify the Tax Administration (Belastingdienst) via Mijn toeslagen about these changes.