Overview
The first 60 days are usually about stabilizing what was started in the first month. Many expats move from "arrival admin" into "settling-in admin." That often includes checking that registrations work properly, making recurring payments function, finalizing DigiD and insurance, and reviewing housing plans.
Requirements vary by nationality, municipality, employer, and household situation. If you have just finished your first month, the first 30 days guide and the moving timeline can help you see how the second month fits in. Already past the first month? Use the 90-day planner to see what people commonly finalize next.
Weeks 5–6: Confirm the essentials
This period is often about checking that earlier setup is actually working. Problems often appear only after the first salary, first insurance letter, or first login attempt — so confirming each piece now can prevent friction later.
- Confirm municipality registration completed successfully
- Check your BSN is being accepted where needed
- Make sure your Dutch bank account works for salary and direct debits
- Confirm health insurance is active and linked correctly
- Activate or finish DigiD access
- Review whether employer onboarding or payroll still needs any missing documents
Planning note
This page is a practical guide to what expats commonly do in their second month. Exact timing varies by municipality, employer, and household setup.
Services often used in this step
bunq
Digital bank with expat-friendly signup and multi-currency options. Often used for quick account setup and international use.
From ~€2.99/mo
Knab
Dutch online bank (no branches). Full Dutch payment account with iDEAL and debit card; often chosen for straightforward pricing and digital experience.
From ~€3.50/mo
ABN AMRO
Major Dutch bank with branches and online banking. Full current accounts, iDEAL, and in-branch support.
Free basic account
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Curated partners
Hand-picked for this guide
Compare health insurance and banking options we recommend on Netherlands relocation content.
Zilveren Kruis
- Basic package
- Large network
- Supplementary options
One of the largest Dutch insurers (Achmea group). Often compared for broad care networks and optional supplementary cover such as dental or physiotherapy.
- Best for
- People who want a high-recognition brand and flexible add-ons on top of mandatory cover.
- Pricing
- ~€145–165/mo basic indicative; excess and extras change the total
CZ
- Basic package
- National coverage
Established Dutch insurer with a large member base and a wide choice of basic and supplementary packages.
- Best for
- Straightforward comparison shopping among major domestic insurers.
- Pricing
- ~€142–160/mo basic indicative; verify with zorgwijzer or insurer
Menzis
- Basic package
- Flexible add-ons
Major Dutch insurer offering basic insurance plus optional modules; frequently shortlisted when balancing premium and package flexibility.
- Best for
- Expats comparing mid-tier premiums with clear supplementary options.
- Pricing
- ~€138–158/mo basic indicative
VGZ
- Basic package
- Wide product range
Large cooperative-style insurer in the Netherlands with a broad range of basic and supplementary products.
- Best for
- Those who want many package variants from a single established brand.
- Pricing
- ~€140–160/mo basic indicative
How we choose
- Expat fitUseful for people moving or living in the Netherlands, not generic domestic-only products.
- Ease of onboardingHow straightforward sign-up and getting started tend to be for newcomers.
- English supportEnglish-language websites, apps, or support paths where that matters for this category.
- Practical suitabilityHow well the option matches common relocation scenarios we describe on the page.
Transparency
- Some links may be partner links. When we use them, we aim to label them clearly.
- We only surface options we believe are relevant to this topic and typical expat journeys.
- Always confirm pricing, contract terms, and eligibility on the provider’s own site or with a professional.
Editorial selections are not paid placement unless explicitly stated. We may earn a commission on some partner links at no extra cost to you.
Weeks 7–8: Build stable routines
Second-month life becomes more routine for many expats, but admin still matters. This is when many people start simplifying payments, transport, communication, and healthcare usage. One missed step can cause friction later with payments, insurance, or appointments — so a little structure now helps.
- Set up recurring payments for rent, utilities, subscriptions, and insurance
- Review your mobile plan and connectivity
- Register with a local GP if you have not done so already
- Learn local transport patterns and choose the right OV / bike / commute setup
- Check which official letters or app notifications still need action
- Start keeping a simple admin folder for account confirmations, policy details, and login records
Services often used in this step
Simyo
Dutch SIM-only mobile brand (KPN network). Often used for straightforward prepaid or monthly plans and quick local number setup.
~€7–25/mo depending on data bundle
Zilveren Kruis
One of the largest Dutch health insurers (Achmea). Broad care network, basic and supplementary packages; widely recognised by expats.
~€145–162/mo
bunq
Digital bank with expat-friendly signup and multi-currency options. Often used for quick account setup and international use.
From ~€2.99/mo
Lebara
Mobile brand focused on internationals in the Netherlands. Prepaid and monthly options; useful when you want flexible plans and international calling bundles.
~€5–20/mo typical entry plans; varies by bundle
CZ
Large Dutch insurer with a big customer base. Standard basic and various supplementary packages; solid option for daily cover.
~€142–158/mo
Knab
Dutch online bank (no branches). Full Dutch payment account with iDEAL and debit card; often chosen for straightforward pricing and digital experience.
From ~€3.50/mo
Independer
Dutch comparison platform often used to compare health insurance and other household cover.
Free comparison service.
Helpful for reviewing or comparing health insurance options once BSN and registration are done.
Some links may be affiliate links. If you use them, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Housing and address follow-up
If you started in temporary housing, the second month is often when longer-term housing decisions become more urgent. Changing addresses may trigger more admin, and some services still rely on the currently registered address.
- Confirm the registered address on file is correct
- If moving again, plan municipality address change steps early
- Keep rental agreement and proof-of-address documents organized
- Check whether your bank, insurer, employer, and other services use the correct address
- Review whether temporary accommodation allowed all the registration steps you expected
If your address changes
Many systems use your registered address as a reference point. If you move during your first two months, keep a simple checklist of which services may need updates.
Services often used in this step
Funda
Major Dutch platform for homes for sale and rent. Listings from estate agents and landlords across the Netherlands.
Free to browse; agent or landlord fees may apply.
HousingAnywhere
Online platform connecting people looking for a home with landlords. Not a real estate agency. Mid- and long-term furnished rentals.
Check platform pricing and booking fees.
Pararius
Rental listing platform for apartments and houses in the Netherlands. Listings from agents and landlords.
Free to browse; agent or landlord fees may apply.
Some links may be affiliate links. If you use them, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
A simple "admin health" check
By day 60, many expats benefit from a quick review of what is completed, what is pending, and what still feels unclear. This is not about perfection — it is about reducing unknowns.
- Do you have a BSN and registered address?
- Is your bank account working for salary and direct debits?
- Is health insurance active?
- Is DigiD set up if you need online government access?
- Have you registered with a GP if appropriate?
- Are your housing documents easy to find?
- Do you know what still needs attention before day 90?
Checklist by day 60
By the end of the second month, many expats aim to have the core systems of daily life working reliably. Use the checklist generator or 90-day planner if several items are still open.
- Municipality registration completed
- BSN available where needed
- Dutch bank account active
- Salary and direct debit setup tested
- Health insurance active
- DigiD set up (if needed)
- GP registration considered or completed
- Current housing situation clear
- Key documents stored in one place
- Remaining first-90-days tasks identified
What expats typically arrange next
After the first two months, many expats start shifting from immediate setup into longer-term planning and integration.
- Review longer-term housing decisions
- Understand tax and payroll administration more clearly
- Learn local healthcare and insurance routines
- Improve commute and transport setup
- Start language and integration awareness
- Build more stable weekly routines around payments, appointments, and government correspondence