Your personal checklist for moving to the Netherlands
Answer a few questions and see exactly what to do, in what order, and by when. Your answers stay in your browser unless you save your plan.
- Know what to do first
- Never miss a deadline
- Only what applies to you
Everything for your move, in one place
- Real deadlines. "Register by 17 November", not just "in your first week".
- The right order. See which tasks unlock others: BSN, then DigiD, then a bank account.
- Documents to bring, with a note on apostilles and legalisation for your country.
- Your numbers. Take-home pay, what the 30% ruling could be worth and allowances you may get.
- Your city. How to register, the expat centre for your region, local taxes and rents.
- Calendar download and a print version to bring to appointments.
Standard Dutch deadlines for all newcomers
These general rules apply to most people moving here. They are not based on your answers. Your plan gives you exact dates for your situation.
| When | What | Who |
|---|---|---|
| Within 5 days of arriving | Register at your municipality and get your BSN | Staying more than 4 months |
| Within 3 months of arriving | Tuberculosis (TB) test, if your nationality isn't exempt | Some non-EU nationals |
| Within 4 months of registering or starting work | Take out Dutch health insurance | Everyone who lives or works here |
| Within 4 months of your first working day | Your employer applies for the 30% ruling, so it applies from the start | Employees recruited from abroad |
| 185 days after you move | A driving licence from outside the EU stops being valid | Drivers with a non-EU licence |
| 1 July of the year after you arrive | Your first tax return, usually the M form (check your letter) | Most newcomers |
| 31 December, every year | Last day to switch health insurer for next year | Everyone insured |
Rules checked on 8 October 2026. This is general information, not legal or tax advice.
Frequently asked questions
What do I need to do when I move to the Netherlands?
Most people need to register at their municipality and get a BSN, take out Dutch health insurance, open a bank account, apply for DigiD and register with a GP. Depending on your nationality you may also need a residence permit and an entry visa (MVV), and families, drivers, pet owners and the self-employed have extra steps. The Arrival and Settle-In Planner shows only the tasks that apply to you, in the right order.
How soon do I need to register at the municipality?
If you'll stay in the Netherlands for more than 4 months in the next 6 months, you must register with your municipality within 5 days of arriving. Book the appointment before you arrive: in the big cities, slots can be weeks away. Staying shorter? You can register as a non-resident (RNI) to get a BSN.
When do I need Dutch health insurance?
Everyone who lives or works in the Netherlands must take out Dutch basic health insurance within 4 months of registering or starting work. Cover goes back to that date, so waiting doesn't save money. Some people, such as students who don't work and posted workers with an A1 certificate, may not need it.
When can I apply for the 30% ruling?
Your employer applies together with you. If the application is made within 4 months of your first working day, the ruling applies from the start. In 2026 your taxable salary must be above €48,013 a year (€36,497 if you're under 30 with a qualifying master's degree), and you must have lived more than 150 km from the Dutch border for more than 16 of the 24 months before you start.
Do I need an account?
No. Your plan is free and works without an account. If you want reminders before each deadline or want to use your plan on another device, you can save it with just your email address. There's no password: we email you a link.
Is my data stored?
Not unless you save your plan. Until then your answers stay in your browser. If you save it, we store your email, your answers and which tasks you've ticked off, so we can show your plan and remind you. Health information, such as being pregnant or taking medication, is never sent to us. You can download or delete your data at any time.
