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Municipality Registration in the Netherlands

How to register with your local municipality, receive your BSN, and complete one of the most important steps after moving to the Netherlands.

GuideUpdated regularly
An expat woman reviewing municipality registration paperwork at a wooden desk with a laptop showing a registration checklist, stacks of documents labeled address registration, civil documents, and residence permit, and a passport. The desk overlooks a Dutch canal with traditional houses and a bridge.
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Plan your first steps after arrival

Use the First 90 Days Planner and Moving Checklist to map registration, BSN, banking, and housing setup.

Plan Your First 90 DaysGenerate Moving Checklist

Document Readiness CheckerAfter Arriving 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 must register: People living in the Netherlands longer than 4 months.
  • Where: At your local municipality (gemeente).
  • What you receive: A BSN number and BRP registration.
Timeline

Within 5 days of arrival.

Key steps
  1. Who must register: People living in the Netherlands longer than 4 months.
  2. When to register: Within 5 days of arrival.
  3. Where: At your local municipality (gemeente).

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.

  1. Book an appointment at your municipality

  2. Bring the required documents

  3. Attend in person

  4. The municipality registers you in the BRP

  5. 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.

Municipality differences

Rules and processes can vary slightly between municipalities. Appointment requirements, waiting times, and document checks may differ.

  • 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)
  • Amsterdam — often high demand; book well in advance
  • Rotterdam — check online booking and required documents
  • Utrecht — similar process; confirm local requirements
  • Eindhoven — appointment system; document list on gemeente site

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.

business.gov.nl – Citizen service number

Check document readiness
Document Readiness CheckerDocuments needed to move to the NetherlandsDocument translation in the NetherlandsDocument legalisation and apostille

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
Moving to the Netherlands with familyIND – Living in the Netherlands

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 costsIndicative range
Document translation€40–€120
Apostille€20–€50
Travel (e.g. to municipality)€10–€50

Official sources

For the latest rules and procedures, always refer to official government sources.

Government.nl – What to arrange when moving to the NetherlandsNetherlands Worldwide – When to registerGovernment.nl – Personal records database (BRP)Netherlands Worldwide – What is a BSN?

Helpful tools

Use these tools at the right moment in your move—the same utility cards as the main Move hub.

Tool: Document Readiness Checker

Check which documents you may need for registration.

Open

Tool: First 90 Days Planner

Map your first weeks and months after arrival.

Open

Tool: Visa Timeline Estimator

Estimate visa and permit timelines.

Open
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Support

FAQ

Optional support

Relocation help during registration and arrival

Some expats brief destination-services firms for logistics and paperwork. Others handle gemeente steps alone—use this as orientation, not a requirement.

Expat2Holland

Expat2Holland

  • Amsterdam region
  • Settling-in
  • Housing support

Amsterdam-area relocation partner for housing search, municipal registration, BSN, and practical settling-in—often used by families and employers.

Best for
Moves centred on Amsterdam where you want hands-on coordination.
Pricing
Typical packages from roughly €1,500; request a written scope
Visit site
Packimpex

Packimpex

  • Corporate
  • Immigration
  • End-to-end

Relocation provider covering immigration coordination, housing, tax orientation, and move logistics—common in employer-led programmes.

Best for
Complex moves where visa, housing, and shipment timing must align.
Pricing
Quoted per scope; employer-funded or individual
Visit site
Jimble

Jimble

  • Amsterdam
  • Mobility
  • Registration

Relocation and mobility services for internationals in the Amsterdam area, including housing and registration support.

Best for
Amsterdam-region arrivals comparing local relocation boutiques.
Pricing
Typically €1,000–2,500+ for core services; confirm quote
Visit site
Crown Relocations

Crown Relocations

  • Global
  • Employer programmes
  • Moving

Global relocation and moving company used for international assignments; combines shipment management with destination services in many markets.

Best for
Corporate assignees or employer-managed international moves.
Pricing
Usually bundled in employer relocation benefits
Visit site

We show this because many readers on BSN, address, and municipality pages compare self-serve timelines with light professional support.

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 servicesAffiliate disclosureEditorial 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.

Useful services for new arrivals

These services are commonly used after registration for banking, insurance, housing, and daily setup. We may earn a commission if you use certain links, at no extra cost to you.

Useful services for expats

A curated list of common services people use during the move.

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

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