Moving to the Netherlands

Are you moving to the Netherlands? Register with the municipality where you will be living. 

  • Have you never lived in the Netherlands? Then make an appointment "establishment from abroad". 
  • Have you previously been a resident of the Netherlands? Then make a "resettlement" appointment.

What is it?

When you come to live in the Netherlands, you must 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 in the Netherlands legally.
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 are a national of Liechtenstein, Norway, Iceland or Switzerland.
  • You have a valid residence permit.
    Have you not yet applied for a residence permit? To apply for a residence permit contact the Immigration and Naturalization Service (IND).
  • You may wait for the decision on your application for a residence permit in the Netherlands.

What to do?

  • Go to the municipality in person to register. Do this within 5 days after you arrive 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 must come with you to the municipality.
  • After your registration, you will receive a citizen service number (BSN). You need this number for contact with the government. For example, to apply for benefits.

You live 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 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 a Make an appointment appointment with a staff member in charge of foreign branches to the municipality of Kerkrade.

Make an appointment for yourself and all family members moving with you at the municipality.

What Requirements must I meet to be registered in the Netherlands.

1st registration in the Netherlands.

  •  You have the Dutch nationality.
  •  You have the nationality of another European Union country.
  •  You have a valid residence permit.
  •  You may wait for 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 1st registration in the Netherlands and you must make the Make an appointment "I have never lived in the Netherlands".

I have never lived in the Netherlands before

Share your information first via a pre-registration (in English). At the end of your pre-registration you will receive an e-mail. With that you can make a personal Make an appointment appointment to complete your registration. After your personal appointment, you will receive a citizen service number (BSN). We will send your BSN by mail as soon as possible.

If you re-enter the Netherlands from abroad after October 1, 1994, you must re-register in the Netherlands. We call this resettlement from abroad. 

Pre-registration

Prefer not to pre-register? Then make a regular appointment.

Appointment It may take longer for you to be seen. 

Are you an asylum seeker or status holder? Then you cannot register with us. You must register at a "BRP." COA will tell you where and when you can register. More information is on COA's website.

I have lived in the Netherlands before and want to register again

Make a personal appointment to re-enroll.

Note! Were you registered in the Netherlands before 1994? And have you not lived in the Netherlands since then? Then we consider your registration as a first registration. Press "I have never lived in the Netherlands before" to find out how to arrange your registration.

Make an appointment resettlement from abroad

For further information or documents to be provided for your application, please use the e-mail address vestigingen@kerkrade.nl.

What do I need?

  • A valid travel document or other document proving your nationality.
  • Documents that prove you live here. For example, a rental contract, proof of ownership, statement from the main tenant or landlord's statement of residence.
  • 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 legalized. 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 will register 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 letter address with the municipality. For example, if you are a bargee or staying in an institution.

Register in the Netherlands for study or work less than 4 months

If you work or study in the Netherlands, you need a citizen service number (BSN). You will receive this number after registration in the Basisregistratie PersonenBRP).

  • You do not live in the Netherlands or you have lived in the Netherlands for less than 4 months. Register as a non-resident at one of the municipalities in the Netherlands where this is possible (in Limburg Heerlen or Venlo). You will then receive a citizen service number. This number is personal and intended for contact with the Dutch government. For example, if you want to work or study in the Netherlands or if you receive a Dutch pension but live abroad.
  • You will stay in the Netherlands for more than 4 months. Then register as a resident in the municipality where you live.

You can contact the following RNI municipalities:

  • Alkmaar
  • Almelo
  • Amsterdam
  • Breda
  • The Hague
  • Doetinchem
  • Eindhoven
  • Groningen
  • Goes
  • Heerlen
  • Leeuwarden
  • Leiden
  • Nijmegen
  • Rotterdam
  • Terneuzen
  • Utrecht
  • Venlo
  • Westland
  • Zwolle

You must make your own Make an appointment appointment at an RNI municipality for enrollment.

Please bring your valid ID with you.