Moving to the Netherlands

What is it?

When you come to live in the Netherlands, you have to register with the municipality. This applies even if you have lived in the Netherlands before.

How does it work?
 

If you come to live in the Netherlands for at least 4 months within a 6-month period, you must register with the municipality.

You can register with the municipality if you are legally in the Netherlands. 
This is called lawful residence. 
Your residence is lawful in the following cases:
 

• You have not lived in the Netherlands before or you deregistered abroad before October 1994.
• You have the Dutch nationality.
• You have the nationality of another European Union country.
• You have the nationality of Liechtenstein, Norway, Iceland or Switzerland.
• You have a valid residence permit. 
• You have not yet applied for a residence permit? To apply for a residence permit, contact the Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND).
• You may await the decision on your application for a residence permit in the Netherlands.

What should I do?
 

• Go to the municipality in person to register. Do this within 5 days of arriving in the Netherlands.
• Register at your permanent residential address.
• If your partner has also come to the Netherlands, your partner must come with you to the municipality.
• If your children have also come to the Netherlands, they should come with you to the municipality.
• After your registration, you will receive a citizen service number (BSN). You will need this number for contact with the government. For example, to apply for benefits.
   

Living in the Netherlands for less than 4 months
 

If you live in the Netherlands for less than 4 months, you do not have to register with the municipality. You will then register as a non-resident in the BRP. You do this with your address abroad. This is called the Non-Resident Registration (RNI).

Make an appointment

You must make an appointment with an employee who is responsible for the foreign branches in the municipality of Kerkrade.

Make an appointment for yourself and all family members who are moving with the municipality.

What conditions do I have to meet to register in the Netherlands?

1st registration in the Netherlands.

•  You have Dutch nationality.
•  You have the nationality of another country in the European Union.
•  You have a valid residence permit.
•  You may await the decision on your application for a residence permit in the Netherlands

Have you ever lived in the Netherlands? 

If you left the Netherlands before October 1, 1994, this is also a first registration in the Netherlands. and you must make an appointment to move to the Netherlands.

Appointment to move to the Netherlands

If you return to live in the Netherlands from abroad after October 1, 1994, you must register in the Netherlands again. We call this resettlement from abroad.

Appointment resettlement from abroad

For further information or documents to be submitted for your registration, please use the email address vestigingen@kerkrade.nl

What do I need?
 

• A valid travel document or other document proving your nationality.
• Documents proving that you live here. For example, a rental contract, proof of ownership, statement from the main tenant or landlord statement of the property.
• Official documents from your time abroad. For example, a birth certificate, marriage certificate, acknowledgement certificate or divorce certificate. Please note that if these documents are not in Dutch, English, German or French, they must first be translated and legalised. Do this before coming to the Netherlands.
• If you are coming to the Netherlands from Aruba, Bonaire, Curaçao, Saba, Sint Eustatius or Sint Maarten, you will need proof of deregistration.
• If applicable: your valid residence permit or proof that it has been applied for.

How long does it take?
 

The municipality registers you as soon as possible. This takes a maximum of 4 weeks.

Additional information
 

If you do not have a permanent residential address, first apply for a postal address with the municipality. For example, if you are a bargee or staying in an institution.