Introduction
Registering with your municipality (gemeente) is one of the first administrative steps after moving to the Netherlands.
If you plan to stay longer than four months, you must register your address with the municipality where you live.
This registration places you in the national BRP database, creates or confirms your BSN, and enables access to many government and financial services.
Why municipality registration matters
Without registering you cannot easily open a bank account, receive salary, take out Dutch health insurance, apply for DigiD, or access many government services.
Registration is the gateway to your BSN and to most practical setup steps after arrival.
Who must register
Registration is required if you moved to the Netherlands from abroad, you will stay longer than 4 months, and you have an address in a municipality.
When to register
You must normally register within 5 days of arrival. However, municipalities may require appointments, and appointments may be booked weeks in advance.
Book the appointment before arriving if possible.
- Open a bank account
- Receive salary
- Take out Dutch health insurance
- Apply for DigiD
- Access many government services
- Worker relocating for a job
- Student enrolling at a university
- Family joining a partner
- Entrepreneur moving business operations
Practical advice
As soon as you know your address, check your municipality's website for how to book an appointment. In busy cities, slots can fill up quickly.
How the registration process works
The process typically follows these steps. The municipality may complete your registration the same day, or it may take a few days depending on the municipality.
Book an appointment at your municipality
Bring the required documents
Attend in person
The municipality registers you in the BRP
You receive your BSN
BRP and BSN explained
BRP (Basisregistratie Personen) is the Dutch Personal Records Database containing resident information.
Your BSN (Burgerservicenummer, Citizen Service Number) is linked to your BRP record. When you register, you receive a BSN if you do not already have one.
Documents required
Requirements vary by municipality, immigration status, and household. Typical documents include a valid passport or ID, proof of address (e.g. rental contract), birth certificate, marriage certificate if applicable, and for non-EU nationals a residence permit or visa.
Some documents may require legalisation, apostille, or certified translation. Check your municipality and the IND for the latest requirements.
- Taxes — the tax authority identifies you with your BSN
- Healthcare — insurers and care providers use it
- Banking — opening an account typically requires a BSN
- Employment — employers need it for payroll
- DigiD — activation requires a BSN
- Valid passport or identity document
- Proof of address (rental contract or housing confirmation)
- Birth certificate (in some situations)
- Marriage certificate (if applicable)
- Residence permit or visa (non-EU nationals)
Short stays (less than 4 months)
If you are staying less than 4 months, you may instead register in the RNI (Non-Resident Records Database) to obtain a BSN.
Appointment waits by municipality (orientation)
You must register within 5 days of arrival, but most gemeenten require an appointment — and booking systems differ by city. Amsterdam, The Hague and Eindhoven are not interchangeable: each has distinct official booking routes (City Office vs IN Amsterdam; status-based BRP pages vs International Centre; Inwonersplein vs Holland Expat Center South).
Book as soon as you know your registerable address. Use the live appointment links below for those three cities; other rows are wait orientation only.
| Municipality | Typical appointment wait (orientation) | Booking tip |
|---|---|---|
| Amsterdam | Often 2–6 weeks; peaks can run longer | City Office immigration form; IN Amsterdam for eligible profiles |
| Rotterdam | Often 1–3 weeks | Use online afspraak; confirm document list before visit |
| The Hague | Often 2–4 weeks | Pick the BRP page for your status, or International Centre if eligible |
| Utrecht | Often 2–4 weeks | High student and expat volume — book early |
| Eindhoven | Often 1–2 weeks | Inwonersplein online booking; Expat Center for eligible knowledge workers |
| Groningen | Often 1–2 weeks | Book early during university intake seasons |
| Maastricht | Often 1–3 weeks | Smaller city but appointment still required |
Confirm live availability
Waits change by season and staffing. Always use your gemeente's official appointment system — this table is orientation only, not a guarantee of slot timing.
Special cases
Different situations can affect how and when you register.
- Registering a partner or family — each person may need to be registered; documents for each family member
- Registering children — birth certificates and possibly other documents; check municipality
- Registering without permanent address (briefadres) — some municipalities allow a correspondence address in specific cases
- Re-registering if you previously lived in the Netherlands — you may already have a BSN; bring previous documents
- Short-stay registration (RNI) — if staying less than 4 months, register in the RNI to obtain a BSN
Costs and timeline
Municipality registration itself is generally free. Costs may arise from translations, document legalisation, transport, or delays if you need to rebook.
- Registration at the municipality — usually no fee
- Processing — same-day or within a few days depending on municipality
| Typical preparation costs | Indicative range |
|---|---|
| Document translation | €40–€120 |
| Apostille | €20–€50 |
| Travel (e.g. to municipality) | €10–€50 |
| Appointment wait (orientation) | 1–6 weeks depending on gemeente — book before arrival when possible |
Official sources
For the latest rules and procedures, always refer to official government sources.