Original document : https://www.gov.uk/guidance/living-in-the-netherlands
Change description : 2019-04-09 22:01:00: EU Exit update: updated information on EU Exit in healthcare, visas and residency, driving and working sections [Brexit]
Showing diff : ..2019-04-09 21:05:09 +00:00
Guidance
Official information British people moving to and living in the Netherlands need to know, including EU Exit guidance, residency, healthcare and driving.
You should:
To keep up to date with information about EU Exit:
You may want to check the entry requirements for The Netherlands.
You must carry photographic ID at all times. If you are in the Netherlands for more than 3 months, you must apply for your residence permit (verblijfsdocument). To do this, you must register with your local Municipality Administration (Gemeente) who can tell you what documents you will need.
In the event of changes to residency rules or registration processes after the UK leaves the EU, we will update this guidance as soon as information is available.
If the UK leaves the EU with a deal, the EU withdrawal agreement sets out an implementation period until 31 December 2020, when you can live, work and travel in the Netherlands broadly as before the UK leaves the EU. You will be able to move to the Netherlands and establish residency under the same rules as before the UK leaves the EU.
If the UK leaves the EU without a deal, the Dutch government will implement a 15 month national transition scheme from the day the UK leaves the EU. If you are currently legally resident in the Netherlands, you and your non-EU family members will keep your rights to live, work, and study in the Netherlands. During the 15 month national transition period, the Dutch government will invite you and your family to apply for a national residence permit if you meet the same conditions that apply to EU citizens.
If you are registered in the Netherlands with the Gemeente’s Personal Records Database, the Dutch government will send you a temporary residence permit by post. If you have not registered with the Gemeente’s Personal Records database, you should follow these steps to register for a digital version of the temporary residence permit:
Once you have done this, the Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND) will send you a digital temporary residence permit.
You may not receive a temporary residence permit if your residence right is not affected by the UK leaving the EU. You can look at the IND’s guidance for more information.
You should carry your temporary residence permit with you, along with photographic ID, at all times, as you may be asked for a copy.
For more information, you can:
If you arrive in the Netherlands after the UK leaves the EU, you will be treated as a non-EU national. Further information on this will be published on the website of the Ministry of IND in due course.
You should read the summary of impacts of the UK leaving the EU for UK Nationals produced by the Dutch Government.
If you are in the Netherlands for study purposes only, your educational institution will apply for a residence permit on your behalf. The educational institution can only submit a residence permit application for you if they are recognised as a sponsor by the IND.
To obtain a residence permit for study, you must:
If you are under 30 and live in the Netherlands for study purposes only, you cannot enrol with a Dutch health insurer for the mandatory basic health insurance. See information below on what to do after the UK leaves the EU about health insurance.
If you have a part-time job during your studies, you become subject to Dutch social security legislation and are required to have mandatory basic health insurance with a Dutch health insurer. This is also the case if you have a zero hours contract, volunteer position or internship.
If the UK leaves the EU with a deal, you will be able to study in the Netherlands broadly as before. You will be able to use a UK issued EHIC card for 12 months.
If the UK leaves the EU without a deal, then whilst studying in the Netherlands you will need to purchase private health insurance (which differs from the mandatory Dutch health insurance). However, if you get a job or volunteer position, you will become subject to Dutch social security provisions and must take out mandatory health insurance.
If you arrive in the Netherlands to study after the UK leaves the EU, you will be treated as a non-EU national and will need to have private health insurance. If you get a job, you will become subject to Dutch social security provisions and must take out mandatory health insurance.
If the UK leaves the EU without a deal, there will be changes to student fees and loans. Find more information on the Dutch government’s website.
For more information about studying in the Netherlands, visit the Nuffic website.
You can apply for or renew your British passport from the Netherlands. If you cannot get a passport in time for your trip, you may need to get an emergency travel document or ‘emergency passport’.
You should check your passport is valid for travel before you book your trip.
If the UK leaves the EU without a deal, there will be new travel rules. If you visit the Netherlands or elsewhere in the Schengen area, the European Commission has said you may not need a visa for short stays (90 days in a 180 day period).
If you are resident in the Netherlands, you must carry your temporary residency permit with you at all times when travelling to and from the Netherlands. It is only valid in combination with a valid passport.
If you move to the Netherlands, you must arrange health insurance within 4 months of your arrival. The basic Dutch health insurance (basis verzekering) covers general medical care, such as visits to a local GP, hospital and basic dental care. You can read guidance on health insurance in the Netherlands.
If you are already resident in the Netherlands you will normally be subject to Dutch social security legislation, and must already have the mandatory healthcare insurance. For students see below.
If you are resident in the Netherlands, you should not be using a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) from the UK to access healthcare in the Netherlands.
You can also read the NHS’s guidance on healthcare in the Netherlands.
You can find an English speaking doctor in the Netherlands.
You should also check that your prescriptions are legal.
For further information about healthcare for students you can:
If the UK leaves the EU with a deal, your current rights on access to healthcare in the Netherlands will remain the same until 31 December 2020, as long as you remain a resident in the Netherlands.
If the UK leaves the EU without a deal, and you are resident in the Netherlands, there will be no change if you already purchase mandatory health insurance. If you access healthcare through an S1 or S2 arrangement with the UK, your access to healthcare may change.
The UK has proposed maintaining current healthcare cooperation with the Netherlands for S1 form holders until the end of December 2020. If the UK leaves the EU without a deal, and there is no arrangement with the Netherlands to continue reciprocal healthcare, pensioners receiving coverage through the S1 form will not be covered.
If you are a S1 form holder, you should take action now to confirm your residency status by contacting the IND and decide what steps you need to take to ensure access to healthcare if the UK leaves the EU without a deal. UK nationals will be able to return to UK for treatment.
Your UK issued EHIC may not be valid in the event the UK leaves the EU without a deal. The UK has offered to maintain the EHIC scheme should the UK leave the EU without a deal, however this is reliant on the Netherlands continuing to accept UK EHICs. If you have a Netherlands issued EHIC, you may continue to access healthcare outside of the Netherlands.
You should read the NHS’s guidance on healthcare for UK nationals and how it may change after UK leaves the EU.
You should read our guidance on working in another EU country
You may need to apply for a UK police certificate.
You may need a Certificate of Conduct (VOG) Netherlands.
If the UK leaves with a deal, your right to work will not change until the end of implementation Period.
If the UK leaves the EU without a deal, the temporary residence permit issued by the IND to legally resident UK nationals already in the Netherlands can only be used in combination with a valid passport. You must provide your employer with a copy of your temporary residence permit, together with a copy of your passport, to show that you are entitled to work in the Netherlands. This also applies to non-EU family members.
If you are planning to start a business, provide a service, or do a job in a regulated profession after the UK leaves the EU, you should read our further guidance.
The UK has a double-taxation agreement with the Netherlands to ensure people do not pay tax on the same income in both countries.
For more information, you can read our guidance on:
We recommend you get professional advice on paying tax in the Netherlands. Find an English-speaking lawyer in the Netherlands.
You may also be able to pay National Insurance while abroad so that you protect your State Pension and entitlement to other benefits and allowances.
The UK leaving the European Union will not change existing double taxation arrangements for UK nationals living in the Netherlands. You should direct individual taxpayer questions about double taxation to the relevant tax authority.
If the UK leaves the EU without a deal, it may become more expensive to use your UK bank card in the Netherlands. Read our guidance on using a bank card, insurance or other financial services in the EU.
You will need to tell the UK government offices that deal with your benefits, pension and tax if you are moving or retiring abroad.
If you retire in the Netherlands, you can claim:
For more information you can read the Dutch government’s guidance on Dutch social security, including pensions
If you get a ‘life certificate’ from the UK Pension Service, you need to respond as soon as possible – your payments may be suspended if you don’t.
The UK government will continue to pay State Pension, child benefits and disability benefits to those eligible in the EU after the UK leaves the EU. If the UK leaves the EU without a deal, you should read our guidance on benefits and pensions in a no deal scenario.
You may still be able to claim some UK benefits like child and disability benefits if you live in the Netherlands. You should:
If you’re abroad for more than 4 weeks, many income-related benefits such as Pension Credit and Housing Benefit cannot be paid to you.
You may be eligible to claim some Dutch social security benefits. Read the European Union’s guide to benefits in the Netherlands.
You can request proof of the time you’ve worked in the UK from HMRC if you are asked for this.
The UK Government will continue to pay child benefits, and disability benefits to those eligible in the EU after the UK leaves the EU.
If the UK leaves the EU with a deal and you work and pay social security contributions in the Netherlands, your UK social security contributions will be taken into account when applying for Dutch contributions-based benefits. This will happen even if you claim contributions-based benefits after the end of the implementation period.
If the UK leaves the EU without a deal, you can read our guidance on benefits and pensions in a no deal scenario.
If you are a resident in the Netherlands, you should exchange your UK licence for a Dutch driving licence before the UK leaves the EU. If the UK leaves the EU without a deal, UK driving licences will no longer be recognised in the EU.
UK nationals who are resident in the Netherlands before the UK leaves the EU will have 15 months from the day the UK leaves the EU to exchange their licence. Driving licences can be exchanged at your local council (gemeente). More information about the process can be found via the RDW (The Netherlands’ Vehicle Authority).
For information on driving in the Netherlands, read guidance on:
When driving in the Netherlands, you should always carry your:
Read our guidance on taking a vehicle out of the UK.
Once you’re registered as a resident in the Netherlands, you must register your vehicle with the Dutch authorities and you may need to pay some taxes. You can read the RDW (Netherlands Vehicle Authority) advice on importing a vehicle into the Netherlands. You may be exempt from some of these taxes. If so you will need certificates of exemption.
Read our guidance on taking a vehicle out of the UK.
You may be able to vote in some UK elections. You can:
Currently, if you are resident in the Netherlands you can vote in local municipal and European parliamentary elections. For more information you can read the European Union’s guidance on elections abroad.
This document will be updated as more information becomes available.
If your child is born in the Netherlands, you will need to register the birth abroad.
If someone dies in the Netherlands you can:
Find out how you can get married abroad.
You may also need: * notarial and documentary services for the Netherlands * English-speaking lawyers in the Netherlands
Read our guidance on buying a property abroad.
When the UK leaves the EU, you will still be able to travel to and from the UK with a cat, dog or ferret but the rules will change. You can read guidance on pet travel to Europe after the UK leaves the EU.
While the UK is still a Member State you’ll be able to travel with your pet to the EU under the current pet travel rules using your current EU pet passport. If you’re travelling with your pet for the first time you’ll have to visit your vet to get a pet passport.
Read guidance on returning your cat, dog or ferret to the UK. For moving pet horses and other equines read guidance on export horses and ponies: special rules.
For all emergencies dial the European emergency number on 112.
Users with disabilities can use the emergency application, a web-based emergency access and relay service.
If you’re the victim of crime, have been arrested, or are affected by a crisis abroad, contact your nearest British embassy or consulate.
Tell the UK and the Dutch authorities if you are returning to the UK permanently.
Read our guidance on bringing your pet to the UK and importing vehicles to the UK.
Check if your tax status will change if you return to the UK.
If you get a UK State Pension, you must tell the International Pension Centre.
If you get healthcare in the Netherlands through the S1 form, you must contact the Overseas Healthcare Team on +44 (0)191 218 1999 to make sure your S1 is cancelled at the right time.
This information is provided as a guide only. Definitive information should be obtained from the Netherlands authorities. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) is not liable for any inaccuracies in this information.
2024-07-12 13:01
Updated information on the EU Entry Exit System for holders of residence permits.
2022-03-11 14:29
Important information in the Working in the Netherlands, and National insurance sections if you work in the Netherlands, even it if it is for an employer based in the UK.
2021-12-20 10:47
Guidance reviewed and updated throughout, with new information on visas and residency, passports and travel, healthcare, working, tax, benefits, pensions, driving, births deaths and marriages, pets, and returning to the UK.
2021-10-01 09:19
Visa and residency section updated after the 30 September 2021 residency application deadline for people living in the Netherlands since before 1 January 2021. There is new information about ongoing and late residency applications, appeals and family members' applications.
2021-06-02 14:07
Visas and residency section updated: further guidance on Type II residency documents and extended deadline for residency applications
2021-02-17 09:42
Coronavirus section updated with a link to guidance on vaccines.
2020-09-16 10:24
Visas and residency section updated to include details of changes to the new residency system.
2020-09-07 13:15
Passports and travel section updated to include information on passport validity and entry requirements when travelling to other European countries from January 2021.
2020-08-05 11:50
Visas and residency section updated with further information on the new residency system
2020-01-24 09:48
Brexit update: includes further details on passport validity, healthcare rights and State Pension uprating if the UK leaves the EU with a deal.
2019-09-23 16:25
Brexit update: healthcare section updated to reflect transitional arrangements announcement
2019-09-03 16:58
Brexit update: Pensions section updated to include further details on State Pension uprating.
2019-06-13 13:51
EU Exit update: updated information in the Passport & Travel, Pensions, and Returning to the UK sections.
2019-04-09 22:01
EU Exit update: updated information on EU Exit in healthcare, visas and residency, driving and working sections