Moving to the Netherlands: what to set up first, in order

The order

Step	When
1. Register with your municipality	Within 5 days of arriving
2. Dutch health insurance	Within 4 months; better right away
3. DigiD	As soon as you have your BSN
4. Bank account	First weeks
5. Dutch SIM	First weeks
6. Healthcare allowance	Once you’re insured and have DigiD
7. Family doctor	Early, before you need one

1. Register with your municipality

If you’ll live here for more than 4 months, register at the town hall (gemeente) within 5 days of arriving. It’s free. You get your BSN, the personal number that tax, health insurance, banks and employers ask for.

Bring your passport, your rental contract and your birth certificate. Each town has its own list, so check your town’s website first.

Staying less than 4 months? Register as a non-resident (RNI) instead. You still get a BSN.

2. Take out health insurance

Everyone who lives or works here must have Dutch basic health insurance, even if you have foreign insurance. The deadline is 4 months after you arrive. Sign up in time and your cover starts from the day you arrived.

Our health insurance guide explains the costs and dates for 2027.

3. Get DigiD

DigiD is your login for the government, your health insurer and more. Apply online with your BSN and your phone. A letter with a code comes to your address within 5 working days. Activate it within 21 days, or you have to apply again.

4. Open a bank account

You’ll want one for rent, salary and direct debits. ING and bunq let you start before you have a BSN, and ask for it within 90 days. Compare them in our banking guides.

5. Get a Dutch SIM

A plan with about 10 GB costs from €7.50 a month. Without a Dutch bank account yet, start with a prepaid SIM. See our SIM-only guide.

6. Apply for healthcare allowance

Healthcare allowance (zorgtoeslag) helps pay for your health insurance if your income isn’t high. Apply once at Mijn toeslagen with DigiD, and it continues by itself. You can apply until 31 December of the following year, but doing it early means you get the money sooner.

7. Register with a family doctor

A family doctor (huisarts) is your first stop for care and sends you to specialists. It’s not required, but practices near you can be full, so register before you need one.

Driving: licence and car

• EU licence: you can keep using it until 15 years after it was issued. If it’s older than that, you have 2 years after moving.
• Non-EU licence: valid for your first 185 days here. Then you need a Dutch licence by exchanging yours, if your country allows it, or by taking the test.
• Car with foreign plates: once you’re registered with your municipality, you may not drive it. Import it and get Dutch plates first.

Working here: the 30% ruling

Some people hired from abroad can get part of their salary tax-free. You and your employer apply together, within 4 months of your first workday. Ask your employer.

Dutch words explained

• Gemeente: your municipality, the town hall.
• BSN: your citizen service number.
• DigiD: your government login.
• Zorgtoeslag: healthcare allowance.
• Huisarts: family doctor.