Netherlands
Relocating to the Netherlands.
After moving to the Netherlands for work, the first weeks are a chain of registrations. In order: IND (Immigration and Naturalisation Service), gemeente (municipality), BSN (citizen service number), DigiD (digital identity for government services), basisverzekering (basic health insurance). Each step leads to the next, so the order matters. Settio builds this plan for every person you move, with deadlines and a portal in their language.
After arrival
The registrations, in order
- 1Give biometrics and collect the residence permit at the IND deskIND: Immigration and Naturalisation Service
- 2Register with the municipality (gemeente) in the BRPgemeente: municipality
- 3Citizen service number (BSN) receivedBSN: citizen service number
- 4Apply for DigiDDigiD: digital identity for government services
- 5Take out Dutch basic health insurancebasisverzekering: basic health insurance
- 6TB test at the GGD, where the IND asks for oneGGD: Municipal Health Service
- 7Open a bank account
Authorities
Who does what in the Netherlands
IND (Immigration and Naturalisation Service)
Decides residence permits and recognises sponsors (erkend referent)
Official websiteBelastingdienst (Tax and Customs Administration)
Tax and the 30% ruling; the BSN is the tax number
Official websiteUWV (Employee Insurance Agency)
Gives the labour-market advice on a single permit
Official websiteOther countries
- Sweden
- Germany
- France
- Denmark
- Portugal
- Spain
- Belgium
- Norway
- Austria
- Czech Republic
- Poland
- Slovakia
- Hungary
- Slovenia
- Finland
- Estonia
- Latvia
- Lithuania
- Iceland
- Ireland
- Italy
- Greece
- Cyprus
- Malta
- Croatia
- Bulgaria
- Romania
- Luxembourg
- Liechtenstein
- Switzerland
- United Arab Emirates
Official sources
- IND, required amounts: income requirements (highly skilled migrant, EU Blue Card) for 2026; the amounts change every year on 1 January
- IND: residence permit for a highly skilled migrant (recognised sponsor, 90-day decision, MVV appointment within 3 months, collection within 2 weeks, TB test within 3 months, 3 months to find a new job, at most 6 months after two years with the permit for someone unemployed on or after 22 May 2026)
- IND, fees: costs of an application (2026)
- IND: obligations of sponsor and recognised sponsor (duty to inform, administration, duty of care)
- IND: form 7501, application for recognition as sponsor
- IND: form 7593, reporting form for labour-related residence purposes
- IND: publication 3072, residence permit for work as a highly skilled migrant (family members need no work permit)
- IND: form 7515, application for the purpose of residence 'holder of the EU Blue Card'
- IND: form 7560, application for the purpose of stay 'Intra Corporate Transfer' (3 months in the group, 3 years for managers and specialists, 1 year for trainees)
- IND: European Blue Card residence permit (a contract of at least 6 months; the employer need not be a recognised sponsor; read 24 October 2026)
- IND: intra-corporate transferee (3 months in the group; 3 years for managers and specialists, 1 year for trainees; a sponsor without recognition may apply; read 24 October 2026)
- IND: residence permit for an orientation year (search year for highly educated persons)
- IND, single permit (GVVA): UWV labour-market advice within 5 weeks
- IND Business Newsletter, 28 May 2026: a change of employer is decided within 45 days (paid employment, highly skilled migrant; 15 more in exceptional cases) or 30 days (EU Blue Card); without a decision in time, work for the new employer for the rest of the permit's validity (read 29 October 2026)
- IND: report changes in situation within 4 weeks, among them becoming jobless and a different employer (read 29 October 2026)
FAQ
Questions, answered.
What is the first thing to do after moving to the Netherlands?
Give biometrics and collect the residence permit at the IND desk. It opens the way to the steps after it.
Which relocation management software covers the Netherlands?
Settio plans each move to the Netherlands in one place: the permit, the registrations after arrival (give biometrics and collect the residence permit at the IND desk, register with the municipality (gemeente) in the BRP, citizen service number (BSN) received), housing, school places and the first weeks, with client and employee portals, quotes and milestone invoices. It runs every EU country in the same workspace.
How does Settio help with relocation in the Netherlands?
Settio builds the step-by-step plan for each person moving to the Netherlands, checks documents before filing, tracks deadlines and gives the person a portal in their own language.
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Informational only. This guide is not legal advice. Always verify requirements with official government sources before acting. Reviewed by the Settio team. Facts checked 24 October 2026. About this information