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.
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.
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
Track what is still incomplete
Use the First 90 Days Planner to see what usually still needs follow-up after the first month.
Services often used in this step
bunq
Dutch digital bank popular with expats for quick onboarding and English-friendly setup.
Paid plans from about €3–€10+ per month, depending on plan.
Good for setting up a Dutch IBAN and managing recurring payments.
Wise
Multi-currency account for international transfers and sending money between countries.
Account is free to open; transfer fees vary by currency and amount.
Useful when income, savings, or ongoing expenses still span countries.
ABN AMRO
Dutch bank with English-language support and expat-friendly onboarding in many cases.
Basic account generally around a few euros per month.
Useful for people who prefer a traditional bank setup.
Some links may be affiliate links. If you use them, we may earn a commission 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
Flexible Dutch SIM-only mobile plans suitable for new arrivals.
SIM-only plans often start from around €7–€20/month depending on data.
Useful in the second month once daily-life routines become more stable.
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.
bunq
Dutch digital bank popular with expats for quick onboarding and recurring payments.
Paid plans from about €3–€10+ per month.
Useful for managing direct debits and daily banking.
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
HousingAnywhere
Platform used by internationals searching for temporary or medium-term rentals.
Platform and service fees vary by booking.
Relevant if you started in temporary housing and still need medium-term stability.
Pararius
Major rental listing platform in the Netherlands for longer-term housing.
Listing platform; rent depends on area.
Useful for reviewing longer-term housing options.
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?
Turn this into a working plan
The First 90 Days Planner can turn these checkpoints into a clearer timeline.
Open plannerChecklist 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