Before Departure

You may drive in the Netherlands with a driving licence issued by a European Union country. This licence allows you to drive in the Netherlands for 15 years from the date of issue of your licence. This applies to the following categories: AM, A1, A2, A, B and BE. However, the driving licence must be valid. If the date of issue was more than 15 years ago, but the driving licence has not yet expired, you may still drive with it for 2 years from the date you come to live in the Netherlands.

For the other categories: C1, C, D1, D, C1E, D1E and DE, the driving licence is valid for a maximum of 5 years from the date of issue of your driving licence.

If your driving licence has expired or the period, you must exchange your foreign driving licence for a Dutch driving licence. Download the information sheet for more information.

There are several documents you need to have recognised or translated, think of a diploma. Many documents from Spain can be used in the Netherlands. If documents do need to be legalised, this can be done with an apostille. An apostille is a shortened form in which a special sticker or stamp proves that the signature on the document is genuine. If your document has an apostille, legalisation is no longer necessary. However, the document will need to be translated if it is in a language other than Dutch, English, French or German. It is a good idea to check in advance whether and which documents you need to translate or legalise. For more information click here. Download the information sheet on having documents recognised.

When you arrive in the Netherlands, you must register with the municipality where you will live within 5 days. You may not be able to get an appointment right away. It is therefore a good idea to schedule an appointment in advance with the municipality where you will be living.

The Netherlands has a different healthcare system to Spain. Taking out health insurance in the Netherlands is almost always compulsory for anyone living or working in the Netherlands. This is arranged through a basic insurance. With basic insurance, you are insured for care from the basic package. It is possible to take out supplementary insurance. Then you will also be insured for care outside the basic package. Health insurance must be taken out within 4 months of your arrival in the Netherlands. Click here to download the information sheet about the Dutch health care system.