Your First 90 Days in the Netherlands: What to Do First

Last checked: September 2026

Moving to the Netherlands can feel like being handed 20 different checklists at the same time. You need an address, municipality registration, a BSN, DigiD, insurance, a bank account and perhaps a school place—all while starting a job, unpacking your home and learning how Dutch systems work.

You do not need to complete everything immediately.

The real priority is completing tasks in the right order. Many Dutch systems work like a chain:

Address and municipal registration → BRP → BSN → DigiD → government services, benefits and other administration

Missing one early step can delay several later ones. At the same time, some deadlines—such as health insurance, the 30% ruling, childcare benefit and a foreign driving licence—can cost you money or create legal problems if you wait too long.

This guide is primarily for people moving to the Netherlands for more than four months through work, study or family migration. Requirements relating to residence permits, tuberculosis testing, civic integration, employment, children and driving licences apply only in certain situations.

This is general information, not personalised immigration, tax, legal, financial or insurance advice. Always check the instructions issued for your own residence status and household.

The first thing to understand: 90 days is not one legal deadline

Your first 90 days are a useful planning period, but Dutch rules do not give every newcomer 90 days to arrange everything.

Different tasks have different deadlines:

Deadline	Possible requirement
Within 5 days of arrival	Register in the BRP if you will live in the Netherlands for more than four months
Within 21 days	Activate a DigiD activation code before it expires
Within 3 months	Complete a tuberculosis test if required by the IND
Within 4 months	Arrange Dutch basic health insurance if legally required
Within 4 months of starting work	Submit an eligible 30% ruling application for effect from the first working day
Within 3 months after the first childcare month	Apply for childcare benefit without losing earlier eligible months
First 185 days after relocating	General period in which a valid non-EU/EFTA driving licence may still be used
Normally 3 years	Complete civic integration if officially required

The purpose of this checklist is to put these deadlines in a sensible order.

Staying for four months or less?

The Registratie Niet-Ingezetenen, or RNI, is the non-residents section of the Personal Records Database. Someone living abroad or staying in the Netherlands temporarily can register through the RNI if they need a BSN.

The RNI is not a shortcut for someone who intends to live in the Netherlands for more than four months. Long-term residents should register in the BRP through the municipality where they live.

Since January 2026, people who do not hold Dutch, EU/EEA or Swiss nationality can register in person only at the RNI desks in Breda and Venlo. Dutch, EU/EEA and Swiss nationals can use any of the 19 RNI desks. This is particularly relevant to Africans coming for short-term work or study. RvIG and NetherlandsWorldwide explain the current RNI rules⁠.

Your first 90 days at a glance

Period	Main priorities
Before arrival	Book municipal appointment, prepare legalised documents, confirm your address and check permit conditions
Days 1–5	Register in the BRP, document your move-in condition and handle urgent IND requirements
Weeks 1–2	Obtain your BSN, apply for DigiD, activate MijnOverheid and determine your health-insurance position
Days 15–30	Arrange insurance, find a GP, enrol children in school and check employment administration
Days 31–60	Investigate benefits, childcare deadlines, civic integration and your driving licence
Days 61–90	Audit your records, prepare for later tax obligations and plan deadlines beyond day 90

Before arrival: prepare the things that are difficult to fix later

Book your municipal registration appointment

If you will live in the Netherlands for more than four months, you must register with the municipality where you live. This enters your information into the Basisregistratie Personen, or BRP.

Registration should take place within five days of arrival. However, appointments can be unavailable for several weeks. Book before travelling if your municipality allows it.

If waiting times make registration within five days impossible:

Book the earliest available appointment.
Keep the appointment confirmation.
Ask the municipality whether it can register you retroactively from the date you requested the appointment.

The official NetherlandsWorldwide relocation checklist⁠ specifically recommends booking well before departure.

Prepare the correct documents

Ask your municipality what it needs before travelling. Requirements differ according to nationality, family composition and personal history.

Commonly requested documents include:

A valid passport or identity document
Your residence permit or IND documentation, where applicable
Rental agreement, property-purchase contract or written permission from the main occupant
Birth certificates
Marriage or registered-partnership certificates
Divorce or previous-partnership documents
Birth certificates for accompanying children
Proof of deregistration from your previous country, if requested

Foreign documents may need to be legalised. Documents not written in Dutch, English, French or German may also need an accepted translation. Check the requirements for the country where each document was issued.

Do not assume that a photograph, informal photocopy or laminated document will be accepted. Bring the originals and any required legalisation or translation.

Confirm that you can register at your address

A home where you can sleep is not automatically an address where you can legally register.

Before signing a rental contract, check:

Whether registration is permitted
Whether the address is already occupied by the maximum allowed number of residents
Whether your contract includes energy, water or local charges
Whether the landlord or main occupant will provide the documents needed for registration

If you register at a friend’s or relative’s address, your registration may affect benefits or pension payments calculated according to that household. Do not use someone’s address casually.

A briefadres, or correspondence address, may be possible if you have no residential address, but the municipality must approve it. It is not simply an address you choose for receiving letters.

Prepare family records

If you are moving with children, bring:

Birth certificates
Previous school reports and assessments
Vaccination records
Medical records where relevant
Information about any educational or additional support needs

This can make school placement and healthcare registration much easier.

Days 1–5: unlock the Dutch administrative system

Everyone moving with you must generally attend the municipal appointment in person, including your partner and children.

Bring at least:

Valid identification
Proof that you can occupy the address
Any additional civil-status documents requested by the municipality

After registration, your information is entered in the BRP and you receive a burgerservicenummer, or BSN. Some municipalities issue it quickly; others may take a few weeks. Do not plan on receiving it the same day unless your municipality confirms this.

Your residence permit or MVV does not register you automatically. Similarly, your BSN is an administrative identification number—it is not proof that you have unrestricted permission to live or work in the Netherlands.

The five-day BRP requirement and documents are explained in the official government registration guidance⁠.

Record your home’s condition immediately

On the day you receive the keys:

Photograph electricity, gas and water meter readings
Photograph existing damage, stains and broken fittings
Confirm whether utilities are included in the rent
Send the meter readings and condition report to the appropriate parties
Keep the photographs, emails and signed inspection report

This is not a national immigration requirement, but it can protect you from disputes about damage or consumption from before your tenancy. Meter readings that are not transmitted automatically should be given to the relevant supplier; your network operator can help you identify and read the meter.

Check your residence document and work conditions

A Dutch residence permit does not always provide unrestricted permission to work.

Check the wording on the back of the card or in the accompanying IND letter. For example, “arbeid vrij toegestaan” means employment is freely permitted. Other wording may limit the type of work or require the employer to obtain additional permission.

If you need to collect your residence card, provide biometrics or correct an error, follow the instructions from the IND promptly.

Complete the TB test if the IND requires it

Some residence-permit holders must undergo a tuberculosis test within three months of receiving their permit.

This does not apply to every African or every non-EU national. Check the declaration submitted with your residence application and your IND instructions.

If the requirement applies:

Make an appointment with the local GGD municipal health service.
Take the IND referral form and identification.
Let the GGD submit the completed form to the IND.

Ignoring a required test can put the residence permit at risk. The requirement and exemptions are contained in the IND tuberculosis referral form⁠.

Weeks 1–2: arrange your digital access

Understand BSN, DigiD and MijnOverheid

These three terms are often confused:

Term	What it is
BSN	Your personal citizen service number
DigiD	Your secure login for Dutch government and public services
MijnOverheid	An online portal containing government information and the Berichtenbox message box

Once registered in the BRP and given a BSN, apply for DigiD.

You normally need:

A BSN
A registered Dutch address
A mobile telephone
Access to the post delivered to your registered address

The activation letter should arrive within approximately five working days. The activation code expires after 21 days, so activate it as soon as the letter arrives. If it expires, you must request another code or reapply. DigiD provides the official application and activation instructions⁠.

After activating DigiD:

Activate the DigiD app
Log in to MijnOverheid
Open and configure the Berichtenbox
Turn on email notifications
Check that the BRP information displayed about you is correct

Do not ignore the Berichtenbox simply because the message is in Dutch. It can contain correspondence from the municipality, Belastingdienst, Dienst Toeslagen, IND and other authorities.

Arrange a usable bank account

A bank account is a practical priority for salary, rent, direct debits and insurance premiums, but it is not part of the five-day BRP deadline.

Ask the bank what it requires. Common requirements include identification, a Dutch address and BSN. If you already have a usable European payment account, you may be able to use it temporarily while arranging a Dutch account.

Determine whether you need Dutch health insurance

Do not buy Dutch basic insurance without first determining whether you are legally entitled and required to have it.

Most people who live or work in the Netherlands need Dutch basic insurance. However, exceptions can apply to:

International students who do not work
Posted workers remaining in another country’s social-security system
People working outside the Netherlands
People whose income or social-insurance position remains abroad
Certain interns and cross-border workers

For employees moving to the Netherlands for work, Dutch basic insurance generally needs to start on the first working day. An international policy or EHIC is not automatically an acceptable replacement once the Dutch insurance obligation begins.

If your position is unclear, request an SVB Wlz assessment⁠. The assessment determines whether you fall under the Dutch Long-term Care Act and therefore need Dutch basic insurance.

Days 15–30: protect your healthcare, family and income

Take out Dutch basic health insurance if required

If you are legally required to have Dutch basic insurance, arrange it within four months. Do not treat this as four free uninsured months.

Your legal insurance start date may be earlier than the day you submit the application. You may therefore owe premiums from the start of the obligation.

Important points for 2026:

Basic health insurance is compulsory for people who fall under the Dutch system.
Supplementary insurance is optional.
Basic insurers must accept applicants who are legally required to be insured.
The mandatory deductible for adults is €385 in 2026.
GP consultations do not use the mandatory deductible, although tests, medicines or hospital care ordered by a GP may.
Children under 18 do not pay a basic-insurance premium or mandatory deductible, but they must still be registered with an insurer.
A foreign or international policy does not automatically replace Dutch basic insurance.

The Dutch government explains compulsory basic insurance⁠, while SKGZ provides information for people arriving from abroad⁠.

If your income is within the applicable limits, check whether you qualify for zorgtoeslag, the healthcare allowance that helps with the monthly premium.

Register with a huisarts before you are ill

A huisarts is a general practitioner or family doctor. Registering with one is not legally compulsory, but it is strongly recommended.

The huisarts is normally your first point of contact for non-emergency medical care and referrals. Some practices have waiting lists or accept only patients living within a certain distance.

If you struggle to find one, ask your health insurer for help. You should also identify:

Your nearest pharmacy
The regional out-of-hours GP service, or huisartsenpost
The location of the nearest hospital
When to use the emergency number 112

Bring information about long-term medication, ongoing treatment, allergies and previous diagnoses.

Enrol children in school

Dutch compulsory education generally applies from ages 5 to 16. Young people without a basic qualification may have to remain in education until 18. Children can usually begin primary school from age four.

Do not wait indefinitely for a BSN. If a child does not yet have one, the school can request a temporary education number from DUO.

Children who do not yet speak sufficient Dutch may be offered:

A newcomer or bridging class in primary education
An internationale schakelklas, or ISK, for secondary-school-aged newcomers

School waiting lists and newcomer arrangements differ by municipality. Contact schools or the municipality as early as possible. NetherlandsWorldwide explains school attendance, temporary education numbers and newcomer classes⁠.

Check employment and payroll information

During the first month, confirm:

Your employer has the correct BSN and address
Your residence document permits the work you are doing
Your agreed gross salary and working hours are correct
Payroll has the right bank details
You understand when salary is paid
You know whether an employer pension applies
Your payslip reflects the agreed employment conditions
You understand any reimbursement of relocation expenses

Keep your employment contract, payslips, annual statements and relocation receipts.

Check the 30% ruling before the four-month window closes

The Dutch expatregeling, commonly called the 30% ruling, may allow a qualifying employee recruited from abroad to receive part of their salary tax-free as compensation for additional costs associated with working in the Netherlands.

It is not automatic, and having highly skilled migrant status does not by itself guarantee eligibility.

Conditions include being employed, being recruited from outside the Netherlands, meeting the distance requirement and possessing qualifying expertise.

For 2026, the general taxable salary threshold is more than €48,013, excluding the tax-free reimbursement. For an employee under 30 with a qualifying academic master’s degree, it is more than €36,497. Different treatment can apply to certain scientific researchers and doctors training as specialists.

The employee and employer apply together. The employer is not legally required to give the employee the full 30% reimbursement even if the tax authority approves the application; check the employment agreement.

Submit the application within four months of starting employment if you want an approved ruling to apply from the first working day. A later application may still be possible, but the ruling will not have the same retroactive effect. See the 2026 conditions from the Belastingdienst⁠.

Days 31–60: check benefits, integration and driving

Check which benefits you may qualify for

Dutch benefits are not automatically available to every newcomer. Eligibility can depend on residence status, income, assets, household composition, rent, insurance and the type of childcare provider.

Benefits worth checking include:

Dutch name	What it helps with
Zorgtoeslag	Dutch health-insurance premium
Huurtoeslag	Eligible rental costs
Kinderopvangtoeslag	Registered childcare costs
Kindgebonden budget	Additional support for raising children
Kinderbijslag	General child benefit paid through the SVB

Zorgtoeslag, huurtoeslag and kinderopvangtoeslag normally require an application. Child-related payments may sometimes start through information exchanged between government agencies, but you must still check that the information and payment are correct.

Benefits are often calculated using estimated income and household information. If income, working hours, childcare hours, rent, relationship status or household composition changes, update Dienst Toeslagen promptly. Otherwise, you may receive too much and have to repay it.

Do not miss the childcare-benefit window

Childcare benefit has a strict backdating limit. Apply within three months after the month in which the childcare begins.

For example, if childcare starts in March, apply by the end of June. Applying later could mean losing the benefit for some earlier months. Dienst Toeslagen gives the official deadline and examples⁠.

Watch for the SVB child-benefit letter

After registering a child under 18 with the municipality, parents will usually receive information from the SVB within three to six weeks. If nothing arrives within six weeks, contact the SVB.

Also check that your partner’s BSN and household information are recorded correctly. If a partner is missing from the system, Dienst Toeslagen may mistakenly calculate kindgebonden budget as if you were a single parent. That can create an overpayment that must later be returned.

Respond to civic-integration letters

Civic integration, or inburgering, is compulsory for some newcomers—but not everyone with a non-EU nationality.

If you are required to integrate, DUO normally sends a letter after you:

Have a BSN
Have a residence permit
Are registered with the municipality

Under the 2021 system, the municipality conducts a broad intake and creates a Persoonlijk plan Inburgering en Participatie, or PIP. DUO then sends another letter stating when your integration period begins.

The normal integration period is three years. You do not need to complete it during your first 90 days, but you should respond to letters, attend municipal appointments and understand your assigned route. DUO explains the current integration process and three-year period⁠.

Do not decide that you are required—or exempt—based solely on nationality. Check your DUO, municipal and IND information.

Investigate your foreign driving licence now

If your driving licence was issued outside the EU or EFTA, it can generally be used during the first 185 days after relocating to the Netherlands. After that, you need a Dutch licence to continue driving.

The 185 days should not automatically be counted from your municipal appointment date. RDW describes the period as beginning after relocation to the Netherlands. If your dates are unclear, confirm them with RDW or the municipality.

Do not wait until day 180 to investigate your options.

Check:

Whether your licence can be exchanged
Whether you need a CBR health declaration
Whether a valid 30% ruling makes you eligible for an exchange
Whether you must pass Dutch theory and practical tests
When your foreign licence expires

RDW needs at least 15 working days to process an exchange, and it may take longer if additional information or a medical assessment is needed. After the 185-day period, you cannot continue driving merely because an exchange application is pending.

An international driving permit may help translate licence categories, but it does not extend the 185-day period. See RDW’s rules for driving with a foreign licence⁠.

EU and EFTA licences follow different validity rules.

Budget for municipal and water-authority bills

Newcomers are sometimes surprised by bills that are separate from rent and national income tax.

Depending on your municipality, property and household, these may include:

Municipal waste charges
Sewerage charges
Water-authority taxes
Drinking-water bills
Parking permits
Energy and internet costs

Amounts and payment arrangements vary by location. Some authorities offer instalments or remission for qualifying low-income households. Check the specific bill rather than assuming it is already included in your rent.

Days 61–90: audit everything before small errors become expensive

Complete a personal administration audit

By day 90, check the following:

☐ Everyone in the household is correctly registered in the BRP
☐ Names, addresses, relationships and dates are correct
☐ Every family member who needs one has a BSN
☐ DigiD is active
☐ MijnOverheid and the Berichtenbox are accessible
☐ Residence-permit details and work conditions are understood
☐ Any required TB test has been completed
☐ Health insurance has the correct start date
☐ Children are registered on a health-insurance policy
☐ A GP and pharmacy have been identified
☐ School or childcare arrangements are confirmed
☐ Benefit applications use accurate income and household information
☐ Payroll and pension information are correct
☐ Any 30% ruling application is progressing
☐ A driving-licence plan is in place
☐ Utility and local-tax bills are being monitored

Correct mistakes quickly. Government bodies share BRP information, so an incorrect address, partner or family record can affect multiple systems.

Build your tax file now—even if the return comes later

You may not need to submit an income-tax return during the first 90 days. However, start collecting:

Employment contracts and payslips
Annual income statements
Exact arrival and registration dates
Information about income received before and after moving
Foreign income and property information
Bank and investment records
Pension information
Relocation expenses and employer reimbursements
Benefit decisions and calculations

If you must file a Dutch income-tax return for the year you moved, this is normally a migration-year return, commonly called the M return or M-form.

Receiving foreign income does not automatically mean the Netherlands will tax it twice, but it may still need to be declared. Tax treaties and residence status determine the eventual treatment.

If the Belastingdienst invites you to file, you must respond. You may also have to file without an invitation if you owe tax. NetherlandsWorldwide explains the migration-year return⁠.

What can usually wait until after the first 90 days?

“Can wait” does not mean “can be ignored.”

Task	What to do during the first 90 days
Completing civic integration	Respond to letters and start the plan; completion normally takes much longer
Filing the migration-year tax return	Save the documents and wait for the applicable filing period or instructions
Buying a car	First understand licence, insurance, parking and registration costs
Transferring foreign pensions	Gather information and obtain cross-border tax or pension advice
Reorganising foreign investments	Avoid rushed decisions with possible tax consequences
Creating the perfect home	Prioritise safe housing, utilities and correct contracts
Speaking perfect Dutch	Start learning, but do not make fluency a condition for participating in daily life
Joining every service immediately	Avoid unnecessary long-term subscriptions while still learning what you need

Common mistakes to avoid

1. Assuming a visa or residence permit includes BRP registration

It does not. Municipal registration is a separate process.

2. Waiting until arrival to request a municipal appointment

The legal deadline is short, while appointment waiting times can be long.

3. Bringing civil-status documents without checking legalisation

Replacing or legalising an African birth or marriage certificate after arrival can be slow and expensive.

4. Assuming partners and children are registered automatically

They generally need to attend the appointment and provide their own documents.

5. Confusing BSN, DigiD and MijnOverheid

A BSN is a number, DigiD is a secure login, and MijnOverheid is a government portal.

6. Treating the health-insurance deadline as a grace period

If your obligation has already started, waiting does not necessarily remove earlier premiums or healthcare liability.

7. Applying for every benefit without checking the conditions

An incorrect payment can be reclaimed later.

8. Forgetting to update estimated income

A salary increase, new job, reduced working hours or relationship change can alter benefit eligibility.

9. Missing the childcare-benefit deadline

Unlike some other benefits, childcare benefit has a limited backdating period.

10. Waiting until the foreign driving licence expires

Exchange applications, health declarations and Dutch driving tests can take time.

11. Registering at someone else’s address without considering the consequences

Your registration may affect their benefits, pension or household administration.

12. Ignoring Dutch-language letters

Translate them, ask for help or contact the issuing authority. Do not assume an unfamiliar letter is unimportant.

What should you do next?

If you are feeling overwhelmed, begin with these seven actions:

Book your municipal registration appointment.
Create one folder for passports, permits, housing and civil-status documents.
Check your residence card, work conditions and any TB-test requirement.
Apply for DigiD immediately after obtaining your BSN.
Determine your Dutch health-insurance obligation.
Contact schools promptly if moving with children.
Set reminders for the 30% ruling, childcare benefit and driving-licence deadlines that apply to you.

Once these are under control, the rest of the Dutch system becomes much easier to navigate.

8. FAQ

What is the first thing I should do after moving to the Netherlands?

If you will live in the Netherlands for more than four months, your first administrative priority is registering in the BRP through the municipality where you live. Book the appointment before arriving if possible.

How quickly must I register with the municipality?

Long-term residents should register within five days of arriving in the Netherlands. If the municipality has no appointment available, book the earliest one and ask whether registration can be recorded retroactively from the appointment-request date.

Can I use the RNI while looking for permanent housing?

The RNI is intended for people living outside the Netherlands or staying temporarily. It should not be used as a substitute for BRP registration when you intend to live in the Netherlands for more than four months. Ask the municipality whether a correspondence address is possible instead.

How long does it take to receive a BSN?

It depends on the municipality and the complexity of the registration. Some municipalities issue it quickly; others may take several weeks. Ask your municipality directly rather than assuming it will be available immediately.

Is Dutch health insurance compulsory from the day I arrive?

It depends on your legal insurance position. For people moving to the Netherlands for employment, the obligation generally begins on the first working day. Students, posted workers and people insured elsewhere may follow different rules. Request an SVB Wlz assessment if uncertain.

Can my child start school without a BSN?

Yes. Although schools normally require a BSN, a school can ask DUO for a temporary education number if the child does not yet have one.

Does every non-EU newcomer have to complete civic integration?

No. Civic integration depends on residence status and individual circumstances. Wait for official information from DUO and the municipality or check your position directly.

How long can I drive with an African driving licence?

Most licences issued outside the EU or EFTA can generally be used for the first 185 days after relocating to the Netherlands, provided the licence is valid. After that, you need a Dutch licence.

Are Dutch benefits paid automatically?

Not all of them. Healthcare, housing and childcare benefits normally require applications. Some child-related payments may begin through information shared between agencies, but you must still check that the household and income information is accurate.

What happens if I apply for the 30% ruling after four months?

You may still be able to apply if you meet the conditions, but an approved ruling will not have the same retroactive effect to the first working day. Ask your employer to begin the application promptly.