Are you planning a longer stay in the Netherlands? Bear in mind that your residence in this country must be registered. When is it best to do it? How do you get your residence registration in the Netherlands?
The article below gives you a couple of important tips on these subjects.
Working in the Netherlands and the residence registration issue
A special tax and registration number BSN (so-called Burgerservicenummer) must be issued for anybody planning to work legally in the Netherlands. Aside from being the Dutch equivalent of taxpayer ID numbers issued in European countries, it’s also required in many other areas of life in the Netherlands. The number enables its holder to use healthcare services or easily open a bank account.
You can also obtain your BSN number (also known as SOFI number) when you first register as a resident in the Netherlands.
Types of residence registration in the Netherlands
There are two types of residence registration in the Netherlands. You can register as a person temporarily staying in the Netherlands or as a resident.
- Temporary stay in the Netherlands
This type of registration isn’t mandatory. It applies to persons whose stay in Holland won’t exceed four months, so anybody who comes to the Netherlands for temporary work may be interested in this solution. The most common jobs are seasonal harvesting of fruit and vegetables or the production of Christmas decorations. Before the coronavirus outbreak, those who wanted to have a DigiD issued would become registered as temporary residents. The pandemic necessitated a change to the regulations, but now residence registration isn’t necessary for this purpose.
- Residence in the Netherlands
If you plan to stay in the Netherlands for more than four months, then you will need to register as a resident. It’s very important to register already within the first 5 days of arrival in the Netherlands.
How to obtain residence registration in the Netherlands?
Regardless of the type of registration, it must be dealt with in the municipality where you are residing. An entry must be made in the Basisregistratie Personen (BRP), the Population Register System, which can be done at the contact and information point (dienst basisinformatie) found at every administrative district office. Addresses and contact numbers of any of the 19 administrative district authorities (Gemeenten) can be found at https://www.nederlandwereldwijd.nl/.
What documents are needed to register residence in the Netherlands?
When you visit the local authority to register your residence, it’s essential that you take the following documents with you:
- your identity card or passport;
- an agreement for flat rental or purchase in the Netherlands;
- your BSN number (if you have one).
For whole family residence registration, additional information will be required:
- a copy of your marriage certificate – a multilingual form;
- a copy of your children’s birth certificates – a multilingual form;
- proof of adoption – if the children were adopted.
If you don’t have a flat rental or flat purchase agreement, you must provide a statement from the person with whom you are living confirming your residence at the address indicated. The person providing the statement must attach a copy of their identity document to the document.
Residence registration fees in the Netherlands
The residence registration process in the Netherlands is in most cases free of charge. However, there are exceptions to this rule. It all depends on whether the administrative district authorities require residence registration by the employer and whether the employee wants to register their residence themselves. You should inquire about whether any fees will be charged at the help desk of the respective administrative district office.
It is worth knowing that residence registration in the Netherlands entails municipal fees, e.g. for rubbish collection and disposal, road maintenance, sewage disposal, or water tax. Each administrative district determines on its own the amounts to be paid and the calculation method.
Change of residence in the Netherlands
If you change your place of residence in the Netherlands, you must notify the authorities of the new administrative district of this fact. Also, relocation within one administrative district should be reported.
Those who have a DigiD (Digitale Identiteit), i.e. digital identity, can make registration changes on the authority’s website.
Confirmation of the residence registration change will be sent by mail to your address of residence.
Return to your home country and residence registration in the Netherlands
What if a person whose residence is registered in the Netherlands decides to return to their home country? You will then need to notify your local authority. Your failure to deregister will result in continued accrual of municipal fees, e.g. for rubbish collection.
Residents and non-residents alike retain their BSN number in the event of their return and can use it again in the future if necessary.
Bank account for non-residents in the Netherlands
For anybody working in the Netherlands, it’s essential to have a bank account to receive remuneration.
The documents required to open one may vary slightly from bank to bank. For most of them, all that is needed is a valid proof of identity (ID card or passport), a BSN number, and a correspondence address in the Netherlands.
Even if you are working in the Netherlands seasonally and don’t have a registered address of residence, you can easily open an account online with ABN AMRO, Bunq, Rabobank, or SNS Bank.
How to take out insurance in the Netherlands without residence registration?
Everybody working in the Netherlands is subject to compulsory basic health insurance.
But what if you only work in the Netherlands on a seasonal basis (for up to 4 months) and aren’t registered as a resident?
Health insurance without residence registration is possible, but it’s then necessary for you to prove your residence in the Netherlands to the insurance company. For this purpose, you can produce your employment contract, bank statements, bills, or a flat rental agreement.
If your stay in the Netherlands becomes extended, you are obliged to register your residence with the administrative district office.
