Preparing to live in the Netherlands

IN THIS SECTION
What documents should I bring to begin the residency process?
Brief introduction to the applications process
Is my country represented with an embassy in the Netherlands?
Do I need to bring any special items from home?

What documents should I bring to begin the residency process?

  • Birth certificates; recent changes request documents to be original
  • Marriage license or if not married, proof of relationship such as non-marriage license
    Note: Many countries do not have non-marriage licenses, but this is usual Netherlands practice. It may become problematic for the GBA and you may have to provide additional information to prove your relationship. ie. Mortgage or home loan documentation, bank statements
  • Photo driver’s license; see our page "Cars & Driving" for validity requirements
  • Passport photos for all members of family, at least 4 each
  • Valid passport; valid for the duration of your stay

Brief introduction of application process

There is a plethora of registrations to complete and forms to fill in if you intend to relocate to the Netherlands. Your main port of call for the residency and registration processes will be the Gemeentelijke Basisadministratie Persoonsgegevens or GBA and the Immigration and Naturalisation Service or IND. It is a bureaucratic minefield and best negotiated with a Dutch speaking person assisting you, preferably one experienced in this process. All forms, letters and information packs are in the Dutch language. It all takes a very, very long time, patience will be a virtue and ignorance is best avoided.

Note: Changes to the EU registration laws (1 May 2006) mean that citizens of EU or EEA member states staying in the Netherlands for longer than three months, no longer have to apply for a residency permit, but still have to register with the GBA and IND. For more information go to our "Visa's & Immigration" link or the IND website outlining the new law change.

Your employer's relocation or HR department should help you with the majority of requirements in the residency process, work permits etc but you will need to bring the following documentation to complete the official process. You can visit the Ministry of Justice (IND) website which has a guide (in English) of what

the process is.

All family members must be present at the form filling and collection of documents stages of the process. Once you arrive you will need (along with the documentation mentioned above):

  • Tenancy agreement for your permanent accommodation in the Netherlands
  • Signed Employment contract

To begin the residency application process you must first obtain a Proof of Residency or "Burgerlijkestand" at the GBA.

At the end of this seemingly never-ending process of registration and form filling, you will receive an identity card called a "Verblijfsdocument" for all members of the family, including children. Keep this with you at all times, if you are stopped for any reason and you do not have it with you, you will receive an instant Euro75 fine.

All institutions relating to essential governmental, financial and social systems will be notified of your registration. It is automatically generated by the complex records system. You may not be able to move into your house or receive your belongings, even though they may have already entered the country, get utilities connected, or receive services from your local Gemeente until your registration is complete.

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Is my country represented with an Embassy in the Netherlands?

Some 42 countries are represented with a consulate or embassy in the Netherlands and are generally based in the Hague and Amsterdam. Follow this link to our page for a shortened list of Embassy addresses and their associated social groups and organisations.

Do I need to bring any special items from home?

Appliances
If your appliances are of the 110 volt variety, you may want to reconsider bringing them. The Netherlands' electrical current works on 220-230 volts (single phase, alternating current). You will need a transformer to convert appliances using 110 voltages. However, this won’t change the cycle; 220 volts work on 50 cycles, 110 volts work on 60 cycles, meaning your appliance still may not run at it's best despite the transformer. It may be best to buy new appliances here you can always sell on when you leave.

However, if you do have 220-230 volt appliances it would be worth bringing them. European appliances are generally much smaller.

Travel plug adaptors and 4-way plugs are also a good idea if you are only here for a short time; you can simply re-wire a Dutch plug to the main end once you arrive. This will save you the task of rewiring a Dutch plug onto every one of your appliances.

Medications & Medicines
If you take any particular medications, it would be prudent to bring enough for six months supply, this will give you some buffer to get your family doctor organised.

Paracetamol for children:
Calpol, Pamol and Phenergan are not available here. However, the Dutch equivalent is "Sinaspril", which is a flavoured children's paracetamol. Another children's paracetamol product is "Daro" be careful not to buy the blue un-sweetened variety, it will turn up the nose of even the most relaxed of little eaters. "Phenergan" will have to be purchased in the UK or on prescription from your Netherlands doctor, which may be difficult.

Medical Appliances
If you have young children and croup, bronchial, asthma or chest infections are a problem, The Netherlands is quite damp and has very poor air quality. If you own and use a humidifier bring it, they are not easily available in the Netherlands and your family doctor may amongst other suggestions, recommend putting a raw onion in the cot/bed. If you do not own one or find that you do require one, they can be purchased through a number of online shopping sites out of the UK.

Do not bring any phone items, as the plugs/jacks will not fit Dutch ones. Phones and answer machines are reasonably cheap to buy here.

Useful Miscellaneous Items:
Cook books in English or your own language
Cooking thermometers in Fahrenheit
King and queen size bed linens, including mattress covers

Items for Children:
Narrow shaped shoes; Clarkes
Any products from Tommy Tippee, Crayola and Tomy, Thomas Tank Engine, Bob the Builder. You can find a limited range of Bob the Builder and Thomas Tank Engine toys in most of the larger toy stores and department stores.

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