Can children register with the municipality in the Netherlands?

Children are usually registered together with their parents when the household registers an address. The whole family can typically register at the same address; confirm the exact process with your municipality.

Do children need their own BSN in the Netherlands?

Yes. Children usually receive a BSN after being registered in the municipal records. Each family member gets their own BSN, which is often needed for school, healthcare, and benefits.

Can children attend Dutch public schools if they do not speak Dutch?

It depends on the school and municipality. Many Dutch schools have language support or newcomer programmes; others may have different requirements. International and bilingual options exist in various cities. Check with schools in your area for their approach.

Are international schools expensive in the Netherlands?

International schools can be significantly more expensive than Dutch public education. Tuition varies by school, grade, and location. Budget accordingly and compare options early.

How early should we arrange childcare?

Waiting lists in some cities can be long. It often helps to research and contact providers as early as possible. Timing varies by city and provider.

Do children need vaccination records when relocating?

Schools and childcare providers may ask for vaccination or health records. Having them organized — and translated if required — can smooth enrollment. Requirements vary by school and municipality.

Can the whole family register at the same address?

Usually yes. Often the main applicant registers first and dependants are then added to the same address. Permit and municipality rules can affect the order; confirm with your gemeente.

Family Relocation

Moving to the Netherlands With Kids

What expat families often consider when relocating with children.

Household Guide

Plan your family move

Relocating with children often means extra planning for schools, childcare, housing, registration, and healthcare. Use the family checklist and 90-day planner to organize what applies before and after arrival.

Generate a Family Moving Checklist Plan Your First 90 Days

Read the full Moving GuideMoving to the Netherlands with familyMoving to the Netherlands with a partnerDocuments needed to moveFirst 90 Days in the NetherlandsHealthcare Basics in the NetherlandsEmergencies & Safety in the Netherlands

ExpatOS summary

At a glance

Who this is for, realistic timing, and the first moves that matter—before you scroll.

Who this is for

WHO THIS GUIDE IS FOR: Families relocating to the Netherlands with children, whether all move together or in stages.
WHAT IT EXPLAINS: Schooling, childcare, documents, housing, registration, healthcare, and first-month planning for families.
BEST NEXT STEP: Generate a family relocation checklist to plan documents, housing, school research, and early admin.

Timeline

Families relocating to the Netherlands with children, whether all move together or in stages.

Key steps

WHO THIS GUIDE IS FOR: Families relocating to the Netherlands with children, whether all move together or in stages.
WHAT IT EXPLAINS: Schooling, childcare, documents, housing, registration, healthcare, and first-month planning for families.
BEST NEXT STEP: Generate a family relocation checklist to plan documents, housing, school research, and early admin.

Overview

Moving to the Netherlands with kids usually adds planning in four areas: documents, housing, school or childcare, and family administration after arrival. Many steps are still similar to solo or couple relocation, but family moves often require more coordination and earlier planning.

This page gives a practical overview of what expat families often need to think through before the move, during arrival, and in the first months after settling in the Netherlands.

Relocating to the Netherlands as a family

Family moves often involve the same core admin steps as individual moves, but for multiple people. Housing suitability matters more because address registration, school access, commuting, and neighborhood fit are all more important. Some families move at the same time; others move in phases. Family documentation may be more complex if children need birth certificates, school records, vaccination records, or translated documents. School and childcare planning often need to start before arrival.

Documents families often prepare

Families often prepare a broader document pack than solo movers. Depending on your route, the school type, and municipality requirements, you may need identity documents, civil records, education records, and healthcare-related documents.

School considerations for expat families

School planning is often one of the biggest family relocation decisions. The right choice depends on child age, language, location, budget, and how long you expect to stay in the Netherlands.

Housing that works for the full family
School or childcare timing
Registration for all family members
Healthcare and family routines
Budget and larger setup costs
Passports or IDs for all family members
Birth certificates for children
Marriage certificate or partnership proof if relevant
School records or enrollment history
Vaccination records
Proof of address or housing confirmation
Permit or sponsor documents where applicable
Apostilles or certified translations if required
International schools
Dutch public schools
Bilingual options
Location and commuting
Enrollment timing and availability

Document needs vary

Document needs can vary by relocation route, school type, and municipality. Prepare originals and digital copies early.

Plan schools, housing, and admin together

Use the Family Moving Checklist to organize school research, housing, documents, and early arrival setup in one place.

Generate a Family Moving Checklist Plan Your First 90 Days

Moving to the Netherlands Moving to the Netherlands with family Moving to the Netherlands with a partner Documents needed to move to the Netherlands First 90 Days in the Netherlands Healthcare Basics in the Netherlands Emergencies & Safety in the Netherlands

Services often used in this step

International School of Amsterdam

International school option commonly considered by expat families in the Amsterdam region.

Tuition varies by grade

International school, education, families

View International School of Amsterdam

The British School of Amsterdam

British curriculum school often considered by relocating international families in Amsterdam.

Tuition varies by grade

International school, education, families

View The British School of Amsterdam

Some links may be affiliate links. If you use them, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.

Curated partners

Hand-picked for this guide

Compare health insurance and housing 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

Visit site

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

Visit site

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

Visit site

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

Visit site

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.

How we rank services Affiliate disclosure Editorial policy

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.

Understanding the Dutch school system

Children in the Netherlands usually start primary school around age 4. Families often choose between Dutch public education, international schools, or sometimes bilingual or alternative options depending on the city and the child's background. Dutch public schools are usually the lower-cost route. International schools can be significantly more expensive. Placement depends on location and availability. Language adaptation matters.

Stage	Typical age
Primary school	4–12
Secondary school	12–18

Childcare and daycare

Families with younger children often need childcare planning before or soon after arrival. In the Netherlands, daycare and after-school care can be essential for working parents, but waiting lists and cost can both matter. Full-time childcare can be expensive before subsidies. Costs vary by location, provider, and days used.

Housing considerations for families

Family housing often requires more planning because location, size, registration suitability, school proximity, and transport options all matter at the same time. Temporary housing can help while researching schools and neighborhoods, but confirm whether registration is possible if you need it for early admin.

Arrival administration with children

Once a family has a usable address in the Netherlands, many practical arrival steps begin to look similar to those for individuals — but they now need to be completed for the household. Some family admin can happen quickly after arrival; other parts, such as school placement or childcare, may take longer depending on city and availability.

Healthcare for children

Families often need to understand how healthcare works for children soon after arrival. In many cases, children are linked to a parent's health insurance arrangement, but practical setup still includes finding a local doctor and understanding how referrals and routine care work.

Daycare (kinderopvang)
After-school care (BSO)
Waiting lists in some cities
Work schedule and commuting impact
Budget planning before subsidies
Neighborhood suitability
School proximity
Temporary housing vs long-term rental
Address registration for all family members
Commute and daily routine fit
Budget pressure and deposits
Municipality registration for all family members
BSN numbers where applicable
Health insurance planning
School registration or school contact
Childcare or after-school planning if relevant
Family health insurance setup
Registering with a local GP
Routine care and referrals
Vaccination record organization
Keeping school / childcare health documents ready