Moving to a new country can be an exciting yet stressful time. There are so many new things you need to know and do in order to meet legal requirements and ensure you can stay long-term. Moving to the Netherlands is one of the best decisions we’ve ever made, here are a few important things we’ve learned since arriving here.
Day One
From the moment you arrive, there are a few important steps that need to be handled ASAP. Depending on your country of origin and length of stay, you’ll need to contact the municipality of your city ( Gemeente ) and immigration services (IND) within 5 days after you arrive to register your address. We relocated to Amsterdam from the United States, our process will be very different compared to people coming from others parts of the world. As Americans, you’re permitted to stay for up to 90 days without a visa but you still need to register with the city. If you’re backpacking as a tourist , the 90 days applies to all Schengen countries and Switzerland so you cannot stay past 90 days, even if you relocate to other nearby countries. Our first week in Amsterdam was an exciting flurry of appointments that ended up taking our entire first month.
Terms You Need to Know
Before we talk about the important steps you need to take, here are some common terms and phrases you’ll see as you explore your immigration options:
- Gemeente is the Dutch city hall or the local municipality, where you register for the first time
- BSN (burgerservicenummer) similar to a social security number, you receive this after registering with the Gemeente
- DigiD is your Digital Identification, similar to digital version of your BSN, it allows you to connect with your government programs and organizations. It’s an extremely efficient, streamlined system.
- IND Immigratie-en Naturalisatiedienst or immigration services; they help you with your visa, work permit, studying abroad, citizenship, and more.
- Belastingdienst Nederland is the tax authority, you will pay your income or business taxes through this organization.
- Kamer van Koophandel is the Chamber of Commerce, you will register your business with them
Register with the Gemeente
If you plan to stay for longer than four months, you need to register with your local municipality. Every person staying in the Netherlands is registered with the city, including citizens. Registration is essential to opening bank account, receiving your paychecks, visiting the doctor, getting a local transit card, and so much more. It’s essential to register quickly, waiting can result in a hefty fine.
Once you register, you’ll receive a temporary BSN or permanent BSN. The type of BSN you receive will depend on your living situation. In our case, we received a temporary BSN because we lived in an AirBnb our first month; we returned for our permanent BSN once we had a signed rental agreement. Once you get your permanent registration number, you’ll begin to see a spot for your BSN and DigiD on all Dutch paperwork. These forms often require these numbers to be processed so registering has to be the first thing you do. Once you have your permanent BSN, apply for your DigiD immediately to allow you to login to all essential programs (you’ll need an operating phone number as well).Here is everything you’ll need for your first appointment:
- Valid passport
- Rental contract or temporary address where you’re living
- Copy of birth certificate and/or marriage certificate with apostilles from your home country*
- Residence permit, endorsement sticker, or immigration processing paperwork
*You need to get these before you leave your home country! It’s possible to receive an apostille from your embassy but it takes much more time, money, and effort. Documents must be in Dutch, English, French or German, so you may need to get an official translation for other languages.
How to Get Your Residence Permit
Once you register with the Gemeente, you can make an appointment with IND immigration services to apply for your residence permit. Your resident permit will depend on the reason for staying in the Netherlands, whether you’re here for work, study, partnership, etc. In our case, I registered with the DAFT visa application and John applied as a spouse until we’re able to open our second business. If you need help deciding which paperwork is needed, you can call +0 88 043 0430 or +31 88 043 0430 from abroad
Here is everything you’ll need for your appointment:
Here is everything you’ll need for your appointment:
- Bring a valid passport that does not expire within 6 months
- Birth and marriage certificates, legalized with an apostille
- The proper application forms, see the forms available here
- An Antecedents certificate, typically found with the application, this discusses your criminal record after the age of 12.
- TB test results, unless you are coming from a country on this list
- Tenancy agreement or sales contract for your home
- Any supportive documents that help with your case. We brought a copy of our business plan, sample invoice, and brochure to demonstrate the strength of my business.
Moving to Europe has been one of the most fulfilling and challenging adventures of our lives. Moving to one of the most beautiful cities in the world requires planning and diligence. Registering with the city and immigration is just a drop in the bucket of required paperwork and essential steps toward permanent residence. We’re excited to become a part of the Dutch culture, learning what it’s like to live in another country was a life dream we’re so proud to accomplish. We’ll keep you guys up with our process every single step of the way. Stay tuned for future articles on starting a business, tips for traveling, and much more.
Have any questions or experience with immigration? Tell us all about it in the comment section below or on social media @TwoMixers
