Registering in the Netherlands:

If you are staying or planning to stay in the Netherlands for more than four months, you are required to register (inschrijven) at the town hall in the municipality (gemeente) where you are living. This registration is essential for various administrative purposes.

Receiving Your BSN Number:

One of the key reasons to register is to obtain your BSN number (Burgerservicenummer or personal public service number). This number is required for various administrative tasks in the Netherlands, such as opening a bank account, receiving your salary, visiting a doctor, obtaining health insurance, and applying for benefits.

How to Register in the Netherlands:

Most municipalities (gemeenten) require you to register within five days of arriving in the Netherlands. If you don't have a fixed address when you arrive, you should register as soon as your rental contract is finalized.

Here are the general steps to register:

  1. Contact your local gemeente or town hall to schedule an appointment for "registration from abroad" (inschrijven vanuit het buitenland). You will typically receive confirmation by post or email, which will also list the documents you need to bring with you.

Gemeente (Town Hall) Contact Details:

  • Amsterdam: Call 14 020 or 020 255 29 09
  • Utrecht: Call 030 286 00 00
  • Rotterdam: Call (010) 267 16 25
  • The Hague: Call 14 070 or 070 353 30 00
  • Groningen: Call 14 050 or make an appointment online
  • Nijmegen: Call 14 024 or make an appointment online
  • Eindhoven: Call 14 040 or 040 238 60 00

Documents Needed to Register:

The specific documents required for registration may vary, but they typically include:

  • Your valid passport or ID card (not a driving license).
  • Your residence permit (if applicable).
  • Your rental contract.
  • A certified copy of your birth certificate.
  • Your foreign marriage certificate, certificate of registered partnership, or divorce (if applicable).

Note that town halls usually accept official documents in Dutch, English, French, or German. For documents in other languages, you may need to provide an official translation. Some documents, like your birth certificate, may require proof of authenticity (legalization), such as an apostille, which you should obtain before leaving your home country.

Registration & Renting in the Netherlands:

If you are renting a room or apartment, it's important to check if you can register at that address. Some owners may not allow registration to avoid paying increased taxes. It's generally unwise to rent a place where you cannot register.

Penalties for Not Registering:

Failing to register at the correct address or not notifying the municipality of your change of address on time can result in fines. In some municipalities, fines of up to 325 euros may apply.

Registering for a Short Stay:

If you are staying in the Netherlands for less than four months but need a BSN number (e.g., for work or study), you can register as a non-resident (RNI) with the Personal Records Database (BRP) in specific RNI-municipalities. This registration will provide you with your BSN number.

Changing Address:

If you are already registered in the Netherlands and are changing your address within the country, you can typically update your address online through the websites of most gemeenten using your DigiD code, or you can do it in person at the town hall in your new location.

Registering Using a Correspondence Address:

If you don't have a home address yet, you can register under a correspondence address. This correspondence address is temporary and serves as an administrative address only. It can be the address of a family member, friend, or colleague, but there are certain requirements and restrictions to consider:

  1. Recognized Address in the BRP: The correspondence address must be a recognized address in the Basisregistratie personen (BRP or Municipal Personal Records Database). You cannot use a P.O. box or a non-residential address as your correspondence address. Someone must be living at the address.

  2. Written Declaration of Consent: You must obtain a written declaration of consent from the person who is living at the correspondence address. This document confirms that they allow you to use their address for administrative purposes.

To register under a correspondence address, follow these steps:

  1. Visit the municipality (gemeente) where the correspondence address is located.
  2. Check the municipality's website for the necessary forms and other requirements related to registering under a correspondence address.

Deregistering:

When you are preparing to depart from the Netherlands, you need to deregister at your local town hall. This process is typically free of charge. It's advisable to complete this deregistration about one month before your departure. This ensures that your registration is properly updated, which is important for various administrative matters.