Your Newcomer Checklist for the Netherlands
Moving to the Netherlands? There's a lot to arrange in your first weeks, and the order matters. This checklist walks you through everything — from registering at your municipality to getting insured and claiming your healthcare benefit. Check off each step as you go.
What: Register your address at the municipality where you'll be living (inschrijving).
Why: This is the foundation for everything else. Without registration, you can't get a BSN, open a bank account, or get health insurance.
How:
- Make an appointment at your local gemeente (municipality office)
- Bring: passport/ID, rental contract or proof of address, birth certificate (sometimes required)
- If you're from the EU/EEA: you may need to bring proof of employment or enrollment
- The registration itself is free
💡 Tip: You'll receive a confirmation of registration (uittreksel BRP) — keep it safe.
What: The BSN (Burgerservicenummer) is your personal identification number for everything official in the Netherlands.
Why: You need it for: health insurance, bank accounts, employment, tax, DigiD — basically everything.
How:
- In most municipalities, you receive your BSN immediately when you register
- In some cases, it arrives by mail within 1–2 weeks
- If you're a non-EU worker, you may get a temporary BSN at the IND or your employer may arrange it
💡 Tip: Write it down and memorize it. You'll use it constantly.
What: A Dutch bank account (betaalrekening) with a Dutch IBAN.
Why: Your employer pays salary to a Dutch bank account. Health insurance premiums and zorgtoeslag are also paid via Dutch bank.
How:
- Major banks: ING, ABN AMRO, Rabobank, SNS, Bunq (online-only)
- Bring: passport/ID, BSN, proof of address
- Some banks allow you to start the process online
- ING and ABN AMRO have English-language banking
- Bunq is popular with expats — fully English, fast setup
💡 Tip: Don't wait — bank account opening can take 1–2 weeks at traditional banks. Bunq is often same-day.
What: Basic health insurance (basisverzekering) is mandatory for everyone living or working in the Netherlands.
Why: It's the law. If you miss the 4-month deadline, the CAK will register you automatically and you may face a fine.
How:
- Use our comparison tool to find the best plan for your situation
- Choose between natura (cheapest, contracted providers), restitutie (most freedom), or combinatie (mix)
- You'll need: BSN, Dutch bank account (IBAN), address
- Sign up online at the insurer's website — most have English options
💡 Tip: Basic insurance is roughly €142–€185/month. You may qualify for zorgtoeslag (Step 7) to help cover this.
What: Find and register with a huisarts (general practitioner) near your home.
Why: In the Netherlands, the huisarts is your gatekeeper to all healthcare. You can't see a specialist without a referral. And many practices are full — don't wait until you're sick.
How:
- Search for a huisarts at zorgkaartnederland.nl
- Look for one who speaks your language (filter by language on the website)
- Call or visit the practice and ask to register (inschrijven)
- Bring: BSN, ID, health insurance card (zorgpas)
What: DigiD is your digital identity for Dutch government services — like a government login.
Why: You need DigiD to apply for zorgtoeslag, check your tax records, access government portals, and more.
How:
- Go to digid.nl and apply
- You'll need your BSN and a Dutch address
- An activation code will be sent by mail in 5–7 days
- Once activated, set up the DigiD app on your phone for easier login
💡 Tip: DigiD takes about a week to arrive by mail, and you need it for Step 7. Apply early.
What: Zorgtoeslag is a monthly government subsidy to help pay for your health insurance.
Why: You could receive up to ~€132/month back. That's a significant chunk of your insurance premium.
How:
- Go to toeslagen.nl
- Log in with your DigiD
- Apply for zorgtoeslag
- You'll need: your insurance policy number, income details, BSN
- Processing takes 4–8 weeks, and you may receive back-payments for months you missed
💡 Tip: Most newcomers qualify in their first year if gross income is below ~€38,520 (single) or ~€48,224 (with partner).
What: Your health insurance card.
Why: You'll need to show it at every healthcare appointment — huisarts, specialist, hospital, pharmacy.
How:
- It's sent automatically by your insurer after registration
- Download your insurer's app too — it usually has a digital version of your zorgpas
- Save a photo of it on your phone as backup
What: Essential numbers to save in your phone.
Why: In an emergency, you need to know who to call immediately.
How:
- 112 — Emergency (police, fire, ambulance) — life-threatening situations only
- 0900-8844 — Police (non-emergency)
- Your huisarts' number — for urgent but non-emergency health issues
- Huisartsenpost — after-hours GP service (your huisarts' voicemail will give you the number)
- 0800-0113 — Mental health crisis line (24/7, free)
- 0800-7000 — Pharmacy information line
What: Additional steps to make the most of living in the Netherlands.
Why: These aren't mandatory but can save you money and help you settle faster.
How:
- Get aanvullende verzekering (supplementary insurance) — if you need dental, extra physiotherapy, or alternative medicine
- Register for a Dutch language course — many municipalities offer free or subsidized courses (inburgering)
- Check if you qualify for the 30% ruling — a tax benefit for skilled migrants that can save you significantly
- Download useful apps: your insurer's app, Thuisarts.nl, Google Translate, 9292 (public transport)