Residency in the Netherlands

Note: For security reasons, all people over the age of 14 in the Netherlands must carry an identity document at all times. Further information is available from Nederland Veilig (Safe Netherlands).

The legal requirements for a person to visit or stay in the Netherlands depend on their citizenship (EU or non-EU citizen), reason for entry into the country and intended duration of stay, income and in some cases age.

Organisations involved in the process of registration and obtaining a residence permit are:

• Gemeentelijke Basisadministratie Persoonsgegevens (GBA), which takes care of the registration of foreigners
• Immigratie en Naturalisatiedienst (IND), responsible for all immigration and integration decisions
  • The English-language website of the IND Residence Wizard is a highly comprehensive database with downloadable forms and detailed explanations for foreigners from all countries moving to the Netherlands for any reason: Click here 

Gemeentelijke Basisadministratie Persoonsgegevens (GBA)

The GBA (Personal Records Database of the Municipality) is the organisation that handles all aspects of the administration procedure for residence permit requests and the arrival of all people (Dutch and foreign) in a municipality (Gemeente).

Any person planning to stay in the Netherlands for more than 90 days must register at the local GBA within three to five days of arrival. This applies to both EU and non-EU citizens.

Registering at the GBA

The following documents are required for registration with the GBA:

• Passport
• Employment contract (if applicable)
• Rental contract (or proof of address)
• Birth (long version) and marriage certificates of each family member

These documents will need to be authenticated (known as "legalisation").

• For information on legalisation see the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs: Click here

The BSN number

The BSN (Burgerservicenummer) number (formerly a SoFI–number) is a unique, personal number issued to everyone registered in the Gemeentelijke Basisadministratie persoonsgegevens (GBA), or the Personal Records Database of a municipality. It is required when starting a job, opening a bank account, using the health care system, applying for benefits, buying a car and announcing a change of address.

Foreigners arriving in the Netherlands must register with the registration office (Dienst Burgerzaken) of the Gemeentelijke Basisadministratie persoonsgegevens (GBA). Within weeks, a new resident will receive a letter containing registration details and the BSN number.

• For more information on how and where to get a BSN number from Denhaag.com: Click here
• For detailed information from the Burgerservicenummer website (in Dutch)
• Information in English (note, the CSN - Citizens Service Number - is the English term for BSN): Click here (PDF)
• Or call BSN/CSN hotline - Tel: 088 900 10 10

Note: Foreign residents who have previously been issued with a SoFI number need not change this to the BSN number - this will have happened automatically.

Immigratie en Naturalisatiedienst (INA)

The INA (Immigration and Naturalisation Service) makes decisions regarding immigration and residence. The IND process the following:

• MVV (machtiging tot voorlopig verblijf) temporary residence permit
• Permanent residence permit
• Special visa requests
• Visa extensions
• Emergency visas
• Return visas
• Immigratie en Naturalisatiedienst
  At: Communication Department, Postbus 3211, 2280 HE Rijswijk
  Tel: 0900 123 4561 (Monday to Friday from 09:00-17:00)
  Tel: +31 20 889 3045 (from outside the Netherlands)
  e-mail
  Website

EU Nationals: Moving to the Netherlands

EU citizens do not require a visa to enter the Netherlands, regardless of their planned duration of the stay and may enter the Netherlands on a valid passport alone. If they intend to stay for more than 90 days they must register at the local GBA office. 

Citizens of the European Union may lawfully reside in the Netherlands providing:

• They have a valid passport or other valid travel document
• Sufficient financial means (for a table of average amounts required: Click here) 
• Proof of health insurance

Residence permits are not necessary for Union citizens who are in the Netherlands on the basis of the EC Treaty. The following purposes of stay are regarded as residence under the EC Treaty:

• Employment
• Study
• Economically non-active
• Staying as a family member of a citizen of the Union

EU citizens staying for any other purpose must apply for a residence permit.

Registration (EU Citizens)

EU nationals staying for longer than 90 days must (in addition to registration with the GBA) register with the IND. The declaration of residence can be be made by appointment only with the IND (Tel: 0900 123 4561). This is not a residence permit.

Confirmation of the appointment will be sent to the person's residence along with a registration form and details of which documents to bring. When registering at the IND an official will check that all the details are correct and that the applicant has brought the necessary documents. If so, declaration of registration is issued. It is demonstrated with a sticker placed in the passport or other identity document and has unlimited validity (although it needs to be replaced if the passport is renewed). There is no charge for this.

Note: Before registering with the IND a person must be registered at the municipality (GBA) where they live.

Exceptions for new EU members

The above procedures do not apply to members of the following countries: Poland, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Hungary, Slovenia and Slovakia. Citizens from these countries must apply for a residence document either at the Alien's Police or the Department of Civil Affairs. This will apply until 30 December 2006, time at which the labour market will be opened to members of these countries.

Non-EU nationals: Moving to the Netherlands

Non-EU citizens who are staying in the Netherlands for more than 90 days need a visa that must be applied for at the Dutch Embassy in their home country (or country of legal residence) before departure. Some non-EU citizens need a tourist visa for stays of less than 90 days. 

• To find out visa requirements for the Netherlands: Click here

Most non-EU citizens will have to apply for an authorisation of temporary stay (MVV - machtiging tot voorlopig verblijf) at the Dutch Embassy or Consulate of their home country or country of legal, continuous residence before arriving in the Netherlands.

In most cases the applicant will need a sponsor (or referent) in the Netherlands. This is a person or organisation responsible for financing or accommodating the applicant. It is possible for the sponsor to request a recommendation regarding the issue of a MVV at the IND. Positive recommendations from the IND often guarantee a successful application for a MVV. Applications for a MVV or requests for recommendation at the IND take on average three months to assess.

As of 15 March 2006 many citizens requiring a MVV will also have to take a Civic Integration Examination. 

• To find out more about this test and to see which nationalities are exempt: Click here 

Persons eligible for a temporary stay permit and residence permit

In general a person is eligible for a temporary stay permit (MVV) or residence permit (VVR) if the following requirements are met or if they have the following documents:

• Valid passport
• No criminal record
• They do not constitute a risk to public order, national security or national peace
• They (or their referent) have sufficient means of support or income
• Prepared to undergo a tuberculosis test
• Have health insurance cover in the Netherlands
• If the requirements for "purpose of stay" are met

Different documents will be necessary depending on the reason for stay. For example someone planning to work in the Netherlands will need to produce an employment contract, while someone rejoining a spouse will need to produce a marriage certificate. 

• The IND Residence Wizard provides detailed information on the documents required for any personal situation: Click here

Note: All documents must be in English, French, Dutch or German or translated by a sworn translator from a Dutch court. Official foreign documents such as birth or marriage certificates must be legalised or provided with an apostille stamp. Embassies are able to provide this service.

On Arrival: Residence Permits for non-EU Citizens

1) On arrival a non-EU citizen must register with the Aliens Police (Vreemdelingenpolitie) within three working days. The Aliens Police can be found in the Police Department of nearly every Dutch municipality, they supervise foreign nationals in the Netherlands. 

Documents required:

• A valid passport
• An address in the Netherlands
• Proof of sufficient finances for the stay 

The police fix a sticker in the passport which marks the date until which a person may legally be in the Netherlands (duration of visa or three month stay permit). The police issue a card which states that the holder is legally in the country. There is no charge for this.

• Aliens Police, National Police Enquiry number
  Tel: 0900 8844

2) Temporary residence permit can be applied for in the Department of Civil Affairs of the local municipality. The IND checks that the applicant meets all conditions and tests for tuberculosis.

Applications for residence permits (VVR) should also be made at the local municipal authority. Necessary documents will depend on the purpose of stay, however, a recent passport photograph and a valid passport are always necessary. The municipal authority will then place a sticker in the passport to prove that the person is lawfully residing in the Netherlands while awaiting the decision of the IND (this can take up to six months).

Documents required:

The following are generally required to make the application:

• Completed application form
• Valid passport
• A recent passport photograph
• To download an application for a residence permit: Click here (PDF)

In general the residence permit is issued for one year and is renewable annually if the conditions continue to be met.

Extending a residence permit

After the first year it is possible to apply for an extension to the residence permit. This must be done before it expires. The IND usually sends a letter three months before the permit expires with an application form. Whether the permit is extended and for how long will depend on the person's situation, the maximum period for which the permit can be extended is five years.

Changing a residence permit

It is necessary to apply for a change in the residence permit if:

• The purpose, or reason of stay changes
• There is a change in the personal situation
• There is a change in the situation of a sponsor, for example change of employer or if the person chooses to stay with someone else

Residence permit for continued residence

A person staying in the Netherlands with a residence permit for a definite period may be entitled to a permit for continued residence. To apply for one of these permits the person must:

• Be married or have a registered partnership for more than three years
• Be married or have a registered partnership and the spouse/partner dies
• Be married or have a registered partnership, and have reasons of a humanitarian nature
• Be a minor and have had a residence permit for more than one year allowing him/her to stay with a parent
• Be a minor and the parent or adoptive/foster parent has died
• Be 18 and over, having stayed with a parent for three years or more
• Be 18 and over and the parent has died
• Be a victim of domestic violence
• Be a parent having stayed with your child for more than three years
• Have held a residence permit as a solitary underage foreign national for more than three years
• Have held a residence permit for more than three years because unable to leave the Netherlands for circumstances out of the person's control
• Have held a residence permit for more than three years for medical reasons and further treatment is necessary for at least one year
• To download an application form for a permit for continued residence: Click here (PDF in Dutch)

Fees

There is a fee payable to obtain a MVV, residence permit or to pass the Civic Integration Examination. This is payable where the application is submitted or where the examination takes place. It is not refunded if applications are rejected or if the person fails the examination.

Work Permits in the Netherlands

For most foreign nationals wanting to work in the Netherlands, the employer must apply to the CWI (Centre for Work and Income) for a work permit. The person must fulfil the following conditions and have the necessary documents:

• Valid passport
• Health insurance valid in the Netherlands
• The person must not constitute a risk to the public order
• The person must be prepared to undergo a tuberculosis test
• The person must have sufficient funds

An employer does not have to apply for a work permit if the employee is: 

• a national of a member state of the EU/EER or Switzerland (exceptions: Poland, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Hungary, Slovenia and Slovakia)
• a Dutch national
• has a valid Dutch residence permit or a document from the Aliens Police stating "No employment restrictions. TWV (work permit) not required".

Further Information

• Information for American citizens from the Royal Dutch Embassy on moving to the Netherlands and further information from the US Embassy in The Hague 
• Information for British nationals from the British Embassy in the Hague on moving to the Netherlands
• Information for Canadian citizens from the Royal Dutch Embassy on moving to the Netherlands and further information from the Canadian Embassy in The Hague 
• Immigratie en Naturalisatiedienst (IND)
• Ministry of Foreign Affairs
• Centre for Work and Income (CWI)
• To find the nearest CWI office: Click here (type in the postcode of the town in which you wish to find a CWI office)

^ Top of Page ^