After arrival

If you are staying in the Netherlands for more than four months, you must register in the city or municipality where you are going to live. It is mandatory that you register within five days of arriving in the Netherlands. Registration is done at the town hall/office and the following documents are needed:
– Passport or ID card
– Proof of residence

A Citizen Service Number (BSN) is your own personal number for contact with the government. You need this for healthcare or taxes, for example. When you have registered with the municipality, your details will appear in the Basisregistratie Personen (BRP). After registering, you will receive a Burgerservicenummer.

DigiD is your Digital Identity. You need a DigiD to identify yourself on Dutch government websites. You can apply for a DigiD at digid.nl, for which you need a Citizen Service Number (BSN). After applying, you will receive a letter explaining how to activate your DigiD. You can then log in to government websites. You can apply for a DigiD via this link: https://digid.nl/aanvragen

In the Netherlands, children aged 5 to 16 are required to attend school. This applies to all children living in the Netherlands, including children of other nationalities. Young people between the ages of 16 and 18 have a qualification obligation if they do not have a starting qualification. Click here to download the information sheet about schools.

Benefits
You may be entitled to one or more allowances. A supplement is a contribution to costs and depends on your income whether you receive a supplement. There are various benefits in the Netherlands:
– Childcare allowance
– Rent benefit
– Care allowance
– Child budget
– Child benefit

Click here for more information about benefits in the Netherlands.