Original document : https://www.gov.uk/guidance/living-in-the-netherlands
Change description : 2020-08-05 11:50:00: Visas and residency section updated with further information on the new residency system [Brexit]
Showing diff : 2020-01-24 09:51:30 +00:00..2020-08-05 10:53:03 +00:00
Guidance
Official information for UK nationals moving to and living in the NetherlandsNetherlands, need to know, including Brexitguidance guidance,on residency, healthcarehealthcare, driving and driving.
the Withdrawal Agreement.
You should:
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TheDutch BritishImmigration Embassyand holdsNaturalisation eventsService across(IND) guidance on living in the Netherlands
The Withdrawal Agreement tosets keepout upthe toterms dateof the UK’s withdrawal from the EU and provides for a deal on workingcitizens’ rights. It sets out a transition period which lasts until 31 December 2020. During this time you can continue to live, work and livingstudy in the NetherlandsEU afterbroadly Brexit.as you did before 31 January 2020.
YouIf canyou also:
Any preparerights that are not covered by the Withdrawal Agreement will be the subject of future negotiations. Read this guidance page for Brexit
If you are lawfully resident in the Netherlands on or before 31 December 2020, you will be able to stay. You maywill wantneed to checkobtain the entrynew requirementsresidency forcard by 30 June 2021, in line with the Netherlands.Withdrawal Agreement.
YouEveryone living in the Netherlands must carryhave photographica IDcitizen atservice allnumber, times.often Ifreferred youto areas ina theBSN Netherlands(burgerservicenummer). forYou moremust thanregister 3with months,your local municipality (gemeente) and you will be assigned a citizen service number (BSN).
You must apply for youra residenceBSN permitwithin (verblijfsdocument).5 Todays doof this,arriving youin mustthe registerNetherlands. withYou yourwill localneed Municipalityto Administrationmake (Gemeente)an whoappointment canwith tellthe municipality (gemeente) in which you live. Information on how to book an appointments and what documentsdocumentation you will need.need will be on your local gemeente’s website.
IfA thereBSN areis changesrequired tofor residencya rulesvariety orof registrationadministrative processesprocedures afterin Brexit,the weNetherlands. You will updateneed thisone guidancein asorder soonto aswork, informationopen isa available.bank account, arrange health insurance, visit a doctor or hospital, or apply for benefits.
If you leave the Netherlands and residencylater afterreturn, Brexityou’ll keep the same BSN when you re-register with the municipality.
IfRead youthe areDutch residentgovernment guidance about BSN numbers.
Every resident of the Netherlands beforemust be registered in the endPersonal ofRecords Database, referred to as the implementationBRP (Basisregistratie periodPersonen) onwhich 31is December,held 2020,by youthe willlocal bemunicipality ableAdministration (gemeente). You may request to stay.do this at the same time as you apply for your BSN.
AfterIf Brexit,you move house, you willshould needmake asure you re-register again at your new residenceaddress. document.The DuringIND theand implementationother period,government bodies will use the BRP to contact you, if they need to.
The Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND) willis writein the process of contacting all currently registered UK nationals registered in the BRP to youinvite atthem yourto apply for residency under the Withdrawal Agreement.
When correctly registered addressin heldthe byBRP, youryou localwill councilreceive (gemeente).a letter inviting you to apply online for a residency document in line with the Withdrawal Agreement. The letter will tellexplain the process and the documents you howwill toneed obtainwhen you apply. You should apply for the new residencedocument document.within 4 weeks of receiving your letter. Call the IND information line if you cannot submit your application on time on +31 (0)88 04 30410.
ReadBefore starting your online application, make sure that you have all the following:
You may also apply by downloading a paper version of the application form from the IND website and howby sending it to obtainthe newIND by post.
You can submit an application for other family members within the same household at the same time as your own. You need their documents to do so.
WeYou will includereceive furthera informationdecision abouton changesyour application through your DigiD message box (Berichtenbox). The decision will be written in Dutch.
If your application is successful, you will be invited to book an appointment online to have your biometrics taken. The IND will need your fingerprints, a passport photo and signature. You can choose whether you would like to book your appointment at an IND desk or at an expat centre.
The IND will aim to have your biometric residency registrationcard processesready afterwithin 2 weeks of your appointment. It will be delivered to your home by the IPKD (Interdepartementale Post-en Koeriersdienst), a Dutch governmental organisation specialising in courier services. Read the Dutch government guidance on how you will receive your residency car (open the Brexit astab soonunder asFAQs).
You it’sare available.not required to carry your new biometric residence permit during the transition period.
Read the IND guidance on biometric appointments an how to book one.
If you already have a valid EU residence document (duurzaam verblijf), you will still need a new residence document. The IND will assess your situation, and if you are correctly registered in the NetherlandsBRP forthey studywill purposescontact only,you yourabout educationalexchanging institutionyour willcurrent applydocument for a residencenew permitone, free of charge.
Read the IND guidance on how to exchange EU residency documents.
If you are currently outside of the Netherlands, and you haven’t provided your behalf.address, Thethen educationalthe institutionIND canwill onlynot submitbe able to contact you to arrange the exchange. If you want to discuss your circumstances and what you need to do, call the IND’s information line: +31 (0)88 04 30410.
If you have Dutch citizenship or a valid Dutch national residence permitpermit, applicationyou fordon’t need a new residence document and you ifwill theynot arereceive recogniseda asletter from the IND.
If you have another EU nationality you may not receive a sponsorletter byfrom the IND.
Read the IND guidance on residency rights.
If you arrive in the Netherlands after 31 December 2020 and you are not coming for the purpose of family reunification under the Withdrawal Agreement, different immigration requirements will apply.
Read the IND guidance on moving to the Netherlands after 1 January 2021.
If you are living in the Netherlands on or before 31 December 2020, you will still be entitled to receive student finance and pay statutory tuition fees as long as you meet the residency conditions.
Due to coronavirus, some Higher Education providers may be offering their courses online only. You should contact your educational institution for guidance on how this may affect you.
To study in the Netherlands, you need to obtain a residence permitpermit. forTo study,do so 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. SeeRead ‘Studyingthe afterNHS Brexit’guidance on whathealthcare toand dostudying after Brexit about health insurance.abroad.
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 isincludes also the case if you have a zero hours contract, volunteer position or internship.
YouIf willyou beare ablecoming to study in the Netherlands broadlyafter as31 before.December You2020, willyou beshould ablecontact toyour useHigher aEducation UK-issuedprovider EHICso card.
Ifthat you workcan orcheck volunteerwhat alongsidefees your studies, you willmay becomehave subject to Dutchpay.
We socialwill securityupdate provisionsthis andguidance mustwhen takemore outinformation mandatoryis health insurance.available.
For more information visit the Nuffic website
The rules on travel will stay the Dutchsame government’suntil guidancethe transition period ends on studying31 December 2020. During this time you can continue to travel to countries in the NetherlandsSchengen after Brexit.area
You can apply for or renew your British passport from the Netherlands.
Check your passport is valid for travel before you book your trip. Your passport should be valid for the proposed duration of your stay; you do not need any additional period of validity on your passport beyond this.stay.
You’ll need to renew your passport before travelling if you do not have enough time left on your passport.
The rules on travel will stay the same until the end of the implementation period on 31 December 2020. During this time you can continue to travel to countries in the Schengen area or elsewhere in the EU with your UK passport.
We will update these pages with details of any changes to the rules as soon as information is available. You should sign up for updates on this guidance.
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 and hospital care. You can read guidance on health insurance in the Netherlands.
If you are a resident and purchase basic Dutch health insurance, your access to healthcare will not change.
Read our guidance on who can access healthcare in the Netherlands,Netherlands and how to register.
If you mustlive notin usethe Netherlands and receive an exportable UK pension, contribution-based Employment Support Allowance or another exportable benefit, you may currently be entitled to state healthcare paid for by the UK. You will need to apply for a certificate of entitlement known as an S1 certificate.
Read our guidance on how to get an S1 form.
If you are resident in the Netherlands, you must not use your EHIC from the UK to access healthcare in the Netherlands.
When you travel from the Netherlands for a temporary stay in another European Economic Area (EEA) country or Switzerland, you can use an EHIC to access state-provided healthcare in that country. During that short stay:
FindThere anwill English-speakingbe doctorno inchanges theto Netherlands.your healthcare access before 31 December 2020. You can also continue to use your EHIC, as you did before, during this time.
You should also read guidance on:
If you are a student, read further information about healthcare:
ThereRead willour beguidance noon changesworking toin youran healthcareEU access before 31 December 2020. You can also continue to use your EHIC, as you did before, during this time.country.
IfTo youapply arefor a residentjob andyou purchasemay mandatoryneed healthto insurance,apply yourfor accessa:
If you are livingresident in the Netherlands on or move there permanently before 31 December 2020, you’llyour haveright life-longto healthcarework rightswill innot thechange, Netherlandsas long as you doremain now,resident providedin youthe remain resident.Netherlands.
ReadIf ouryou guidancearrive on working in anotherthe EUNetherlands country.
Youafter may31 needDecember to2020, applyyou forwill abe UKsubject policeto certificate.
Youthe mayrules needapplicable ato Certificatenon-EU ofnationals Conductand (VOG)may Netherlands.
Your right to work willpermit. notRead change,the asDutch longgovernment’s asguidance youon remainwho residentwill inneed thea Netherlands.work permit.
The UK has a double-taxationdouble taxation agreement with the Netherlands to ensure peopleyou do not pay tax on the same income in both countries.
Existing double taxation arrangements for UK nationals living in the Netherlands have not changed.
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.
If you are employed or self-employed in the EU or EEA and you have a UK-issued A1/E101 form, you will remain subject to UK legislation until the end date on the form.
Brexit will not change existing double-taxation arrangements for UK nationals living in the Netherlands. Send your questions about double taxation to the relevant tax authority.
You will need to tell the UK government offices that deal with your benefits, pension and tax if you are moving or retiring abroad.
There will be no changes before 31 December 2020 to the rules on claiming the UK State Pension in the EU, EEA or Switzerland as a result of the UK leaving the EU.
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.
YouThere canwill continuebe no changes before 31 December 2020 to receivethe yourrules on claiming the UK State Pension if you live in the EU, EEA or Switzerland andas youa canresult stillof claimthe your UK Stateleaving Pension.the EU.
If you are living in the EU, EEA or Switzerland by 31 December 2020 you will get your UK State Pension uprated every year for as long as you continue to live there. This will happen even if you start claiming your pension on or after 1 January 2021, as long as you meet the qualifying conditions explained in the new State Pension guidance.
If you are living in the Netherlands before by 31 December 2020, you will be able to count future social security contributions towards meeting the qualifying conditions for your UK State Pension.
If you work and pay social security contributions in the Netherlands, you will still be able to add your UK social security contributions towards your Dutch pension. This will happen even if you claim your pension after the31 endDecember of2020.
If you are considering moving to the implementationNetherlands period.
Thereon willor beafter no1 changesJanuary before2021 31and Decemberyou 2020are tonot covered by the Withdrawal Agreement, the rules depend on claimingnegotiations UKwith the EU and may change. Check our guidance on benefits and pensions in the EU.
You can continue to receive your UK State Pension if you live in the EU, EEA or Switzerland asand ayou resultcan ofstill theclaim your UK leavingState Pension.
You will need to tell the EU.UK government offices that deal with your benefits, pension and tax if you are moving or retiring abroad.
You may still be able to claim some UK benefits like child and disability benefits if you live in the Netherlands.
You should:
Many income-related benefits such as Pension Credit and Housing Benefit cannot be paid to you if you’re abroad for more than 4 weeks.
You may be eligible to claim some Dutch social security benefits. Read the EU’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.
There will be no changes before 31 December 2020 to the rules on claiming UK benefits in the EU, EEA or Switzerland as a result of the UK leaving the EU.
If you are living in the EU, EEA or Switzerland by 31 December 2020, you will continue to receive any UK benefits you already receive. This will continue for as long as you live there and meet all other eligibility requirements.
If 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 31 December 2020.
If you are considering moving to the endNetherlands ofon or after 1 January 2021 and you are not covered by the implementationWithdrawal period.Agreement, the rules depend on negotiations with the EU and may change. Check our guidance on benefits and pensions in the EU.
Driving licence rules will stay the same until 31 December 2020.
Driving licences can be exchanged at your local council (gemeente). More information about the process can be found via the Netherlands’ Vehicle Authority (RDW).
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.
YouOnce mayyou beare ableregistered to vote in somethe UKPersonal elections.Records YouDatabase can:
Currently,If if you arehave been resident in the Netherlands for 5 years or more you can vote and stand in local municipal and European parliamentary elections.
You Forcannot morevote informationin you can read the European Union’sParliament guidance on elections abroad.elections.
You willmay not be able to vote in Europeansome ParliamentUK elections. You can:
We
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:
Read our guidance on buying a property abroad.
Current pet travel rules will stay the same until 31 December 2020.
If you’re travelling with your pet for the first time you must visit your vet to get a pet passport.
Read guidance on bringing your pet travel.to the UK.
For all emergencies dial the European emergency number on 112.
People 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.
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.
Read the guidance on returning to the UK permanently which includes information on, amongst other things, tax, access to services and bringing family members.
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.
Visas and residency section updated with further information on the new residency system
Brexit update: includes further details on passport validity, healthcare rights and State Pension uprating if the UK leaves the EU with a deal.
Brexit update: healthcare section updated to reflect transitional arrangements announcement
Brexit update: Pensions section updated to include further details on State Pension uprating.
EU Exit update: updated information in the Passport & Travel, Pensions, and Returning to the UK sections.
EU Exit update: updated information on EU Exit in healthcare, visas and residency, driving and working sections
We have updated the contact details you need to apply for an S1 form.
EU Exit update: Updated information on passports. You must use the checker tool to see if your passport is still valid for your trip.
EU Exit update: Updated information on double taxation following EU Exit in the money and tax section
EU Exit update - Updated information on access to healthcare
EU Exit update: updated information on pensions and driving.
EU Exit update: Latest Brexit information from the Dutch Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND) added to the EU Exit and Visa and Residency sections.
EU Exit update: New information in residency and visa section on draft withdrawal agreement in principle between the UK and EU. Plus information on travelling with pets in Europe in Pets section.
Complete revision of guidance to ensure it's up to date and accurate.
Updated information on healthcare entitlement
Addition of energy and services comparison website
added more links re: health insurance in the Netherlands
added information about health insurance for students and expats.
First published.
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