Living in the Netherlands

This guide sets out essential information for British citizens about moving to or living in the Netherlands. Read about how our British embassy in The Hague can help.

This information is provided as a guide only. You should obtainget definitive information from the Dutch authorities. The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) is not liable for any inaccuracies in this information.

Read general guidance on moving or retiring abroad.

To stay up to date:

• sign up for email alerts
• follow the British Embassy in The Hague on Facebook and Twitter

If you were living in the Netherlands before 1 January 2021

Some parts of this guide only apply if you were living in the Netherlands since before 1 January 2021. TheseYou areshould indicatedread withthese sub-headings.in addition to the rest of the guidance in each section.

You should also read our Living in Europe page for detailed guidance about citizens’ rights under the Withdrawal Agreement.

Coronavirus

YouFollow should follow the advice of the Dutch government and your local authority. You canshould also read FCDOthe Netherlands travel advice.

For information on getting a COVID-19 vaccine as a UK national in the Netherlands, seeread our coronavirus travel advice.

Visas and residency

You must tell the UK government offices that deal with your benefits, pension and tax if you are moving or retiring abroad.

Check the entry requirement for the Netherlands.

Read the Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND) guidance on moving to the Netherlands

Iftypes youof movedresidence topermit the Netherlands after 1 January 2021, you arecan treatedapply for as a ‘third country national’.national’ A third country national is someone who doeswants notto have EU, EEA or Swiss nationality. 

To move to the NetherlandsNetherlands. youYou needare a residence‘third permitcountry fornational’ aif specific purpose. Common residence purposes include:

• residence with your partner: you wouldmoved like to livethe withNetherlands yourafter partner1 asJanuary a2021 family

• study:and you woulddo likenot tohave studyEU, (university,EEA secondary or vocationalSwiss education)nationality.

• work:In youthe wouldNetherlands, like to work there as an employee, or by setting up your own business as a self-employed person or start-up company

By law, you must always carry photo ID, for example your passport or residence permit.

Citizen service number (BSN)

Everyone living in the Netherlands must have atheir own citizen service number, often referred to as a BSN (burgerservicenummer). You must register with your local municipality (gemeente) to obtain a citizen service number (BSN).

You must apply for a BSN within 5 days of arriving in the Netherlands. You will need to make an appointment with the local municipality (gemeente) where you live. Your local municipality’s website provides information on how to book an appointment and what documentation you will need.

You need a BSN for many administrative procedures in the Netherlands, including working, opening a bank account, arranging health insurance, visiting a doctor or hospital, or applying for benefits.

Read the Dutch government’s guidance about BSN numbersBSNs.

Registering

Within 5 days of arriving in the PersonalNetherlands, Recordsyou Database

Everymust residentmake ofan theappointment Netherlandswith mustyour belocal registeredmunicipality (gemeente) to request registration in the Personal Records Database,Database referredBRP to(Basisregistratie asPersonen). theYour BRPlocal (Basisregistratiemunicipality’s Personen)website whichprovides isinformation heldon byhow theto localbook municipality.an Youappointment mayand requestwhat thisdocumentation atyou thewill sameneed. timeYou youwill applyget fora yourBSN BSN.

Ifwhen you moveare house,registered youin shouldthe makeBRP.

You suremust yoube re-registerregistered againin the BRP at yourthe newcorrect address. The IND and other government bodies will use the BRP to contact you. If you move house, you must register with the municipality that you move to.

If you leave the Netherlands to become resident elsewhere, you must deregister from the BRP before you leaveleave. the Netherlands. If you move back to the Netherlands, you will need to register at your local municipality and you will be assignedgiven the same BSN as you had before.again.

Working for an international organisation

If you arework working for an international organisation, you domust notcheck needwith toyour applyorganisation’s HR department for advice about your stay in the Netherlands. Each international organisation has an agreement with the Dutch government about their staff. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has a permanentgeneral residenceprotocol document,guide providingwith youpractical remaininformation employedbased byon thattheir organisation.interpretation of the rules for privileged persons.

If you previously worked for an international organisation and you wish to continue living in the Netherlands, read the Dutch government guidance on how to apply for a permanent residence permit as an ‘ex-privileged’ person.

Visas and residency if you were living in the Netherlands before 1 January 2021

If you applied for your new residence document (‘Article 50 TEU (Treaty on European Union) residence document’) by 30 September 2021, your rights are protected by the Withdrawal Agreement pending a decision on your application. YouThere shouldare continue2 thetypes processof toresidence getstatus:

• temporary yourliving Articlein 50the TEUNetherlands residencefor documentless ifthan you5 doyears
• permanent notliving havein itthe yet.
  Netherlands for 5 years or more

If you have a temporary Article 50 TEU residence document, you can apply for a permanent residence document after living lawfully for 5 consecutive years in the Netherlands. You do not need to wait for the expiry of your temporary permit first.

If you have Dutch citizenship or EU citizenship with a valid Dutch national residence document, you do not need an Article 50 TEU residence document.

If you work for an international organisation, you do not need an Article 50 TEU residence document if you remain employed by that organisation. Your residence rights, and your privileges and immunities under the relevant host agreement do not change. If you wish to applyexpire, for an Article 50 TEU residence permit, consult your legal and HR departments, as thisit may affect your privileges and immunities.

Your former EU residence document (duurzaam verblijf) is novalid longer valid. If you had one, you should have exchanged it for an5 Articleyears 50 TEU residence document. If you are currently away from thewhen Netherlands, and you have not provided your currentresidence address,status the IND cannotwas contactgranted. youPermanent to arrange the exchange.

To discuss your circumstances and what you need to do, call the general IND helpline on: +31 (0)88 04 30410 (Monday to Friday between 9am and 5pm).

If you have a Type II residency documentstatus issuedprovides underadditional therights, Aliensso Act, the IND has granted you anshould additionalapply residencyas statussoon underas the Withdrawal Agreement. More information on this will be provided in mijnind.nl. Whilst you can havedemonstrate 25 statuses,years youof canlawful only have 1 residence document.in Youthe can either:Netherlands.

• keep your Type II permanent residence document if it has not expired, or

• exchange it for an Article 50 TEU residence document, provided it has not been withdrawn. You will need to pay a fee to exchange it

Decision on your application and biometrics

When you apply for an Article 50 TEU residence document, you will receive a letter from the the IND. This letter is your ‘certificate of application’.

Afterapplication’, which you haveshould applied,carry youwith needyou, toespecially makewhen antravelling.

The appointmentIND towill havecontact youryou biometricsif taken.they Youneed domore notinformation haveabout toyour waitapplication. When for a decision onhas yourbeen applicationmade, before you dowill this.receive The IND will take your fingerprints, a photofurther of you and your signature. You can book your appointment at an IND desk orletter atabout making an expat centre. The appointment canto behave bookedyour online,biometrics but you must attend in person.taken.

Read the the IND guidance guidance on biometric appointments and how to book one.

YouContact will receive a decision on your application through your DigiD message box (Berichtenbox). The decision will be written in Dutch.

If your application is approved, read the Dutch government guidance on how you will receive your residence document card (open the Brexit section under ‘Frequently asked questions about the effects of the coronavirus’).

If you have not had a response to your Article 50 TEU residence document application, contact the IND orif callyou the generalneed IND helpline on +31 (0)88 04 30410 (Monday to Fridaydiscuss betweenyour 9am and 5pm).application.

Appeals process

If your application for a new residence document is refused, you will be notified about the appealappeals process. Read the Dutch government’s advice on how to appeal a residency decision. This includes information about time limits for submitting an appeal and what happens while you wait for a decision.

You can find out about legal assistance (in Dutch) and financial assistance (in Dutch).

You may be eligible for financial assistance from your municipality if you have incurred extra costs due to your residency document application.

Late applications

The deadline for applying for an Article 50 TEU residence document was 30 September 2021. If you were living in the Netherlands before 1 January 2021 and have not applied, therethe Dutch authorities will betreat you as being in the country illegally. There are serious consequences for your rights and ability to access benefits in the Netherlands.

YouThe Dutch Government’s flexible policy means you can still apply for an Article 50 TEU residence document until 1 October 2022. If you have not yet applied, you should do so as soon as possible. If your application is approved, your rights are reinstated retrospectively and you can continue to live lawfully in the Netherlands.

If you have not applied for an Article 50 TEU residence document for your childrenchildren, , you should apply on their behalf as soon as possible, and before 1 October 2022. After this date, theychildren can only apply for their own Article 50 TEU residence document when they turn 18 years old.

Find out more:

• Brexit newsletter

• last reminder letter Brexit

Read the Dutch government guidance on help with filling in the form.

If you have questions about making an application,application callcontact the the IND general helpline on +31 (0)88 04 30410..

Family members

If you have been granted an Article 50 TEU residence document, your close family members continue to be able to join you and settle in the Netherlands at any point in the future. Find more information on who this applies to in the Living in Europe guidance.

Family members with UK nationality may travel to the Netherlands and then apply for a residence document as your family member.

Nationals of certain non-EU countries may need a visa before travel. ReadThe aboutDutch theauthorities visashould facilitationissue process.family reunion visas free of charge.

After they receive a letter from the IND to acknowledge receipt of their residence document application, your family members can register in the Personal Records Database (Basisregistratie Personen or BRP) at the town hall.

Family members with EU, EEA or Swiss nationality do not need a residence document or permit to live and work in the Netherlands and do not need to report to the IND.

Your former EU residence document (duurzaam verblijf) is no longer valid. If you had one, you should have exchanged it for an Article 50 TEU residence document. You can apply for this residence document until 1 October 2022.

Other forms of residence

You do not need an Article 50 TEU residence document if you:

• have Dutch citizenship or EU citizenship with a valid Dutch national residence document, or
• work for an international organisation, as long as you remain employed by that organisation. Your residence rights, and your privileges and immunities under the relevant host agreement do not change. However, if you wish to apply for an Article 50 TEU residence document, consult your legal and HR departments, as this may affect your privileges and immunities. If you wish to apply for an Article 50 TEU you should do so by 1 October 2022.

If you have a Type II residency document issued under the Aliens Act, you have additional residency status under the Withdrawal Agreement. The IND will provide more information on this at mijnind.nl. Whilst you can have 2 statuses, you can only have 1 residence document. You can either:

• keep your Type II permanent residence document, if it has not expired, or
• exchange it for an Article 50 TEU residence document, provided it has not been withdrawn. You will need to pay a fee to exchange it

To discuss your circumstances contact the IND.

Passports and travel

Coronavirus travel restrictions may affect travel to and from the Netherlands.

You can apply for or renew your British passport infrom the Netherlands.

Check the Netherlands travel advice for the Netherlands for passport validity requirements.

Always carry your passport when travelling within the Schengen area. If you have citizenship of an EU /or European Free Trade Area (EFTA) country, in addition to your British citizenship, you should enter and leave the Netherlands using your EU /or EFTA passport.

If you stay in the Netherlands with a Dutch residence permit or long-stay visa, this time does not count towards your 90-day visa-free limit.limit for the Schengen area.

If you visit other Schengen area countries outside the Netherlands, make sure you do not exceed the visa-free 90 days in any 180-day period. You are responsible for counting how long you stay under the Schengen visa waiver, and you must comply with its conditions.

Different rules apply to EU countries that are not part of the Schengen area. Check each country’s travel advice page for information on entry requirements.

If you were living in the Netherlands before 1 January 2021

When you travel,travel especially within the Schengen area, carry your Article 50 TEU residence document or frontier worker permit issued under the Withdrawal Agreement, in addition to your valid passport.

You must proactively show your residence document, or other evidence of residence status, if you are asked to show your passport at border control. If you have applied for, but not yet received, your residence document, carryshow your certificate of application.

If you cannot prove that you are a resident in the Netherlands, you may be asked additional questions at the border to enter the EU. Your passport may be stamped on entry and exit. This will not affect your rights in the country or countries where you live or work. If a passport is incorrectly stamped, the stamp is considered null and void when you can show evidence of lawful residence.

If you have rights under the Withdrawal AgreementAgreement, you can enter and exit your host country with a valid passport. You do not need any extraadditional monthsvalidity on yourthe passport tobeyond enterthe ordates exiton EUwhich countries.you are travelling.

Healthcare

Read our guidance on healthcare in the Netherlands and make sure you are correctly registered for your circumstances.

Travel insurance is not intended to cover healthcare costs if you live overseas.

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.

Read the Dutch government guidance on health insurance in the Netherlands.

If you’re leaving the UK with medicine that contains a controlled drug, read the rules for the country you’re going to before you travel and the NaTHNaC guidance on travelling with medicines.

You should also read our guidance on:

• healthcarefinding whenEnglish-speaking travellingdoctors in Europe
• advice on foreign travel insurance
• bringing medicine containing a controlled drug into the UKNetherlands
• findingtravelling English-speakingwith doctors in the Netherlandsmedicines

If you are a student, read theStudy Dutchin government’sHolland’s guidanceadvice onabout healthcarehealth for studentsinsurance in the Netherlands.

Working in the Netherlands

If you are planning to move to the Netherlands and work, you may need a visa. Read the Dutch government’s guidance on working in the Netherlands as a foreign national and how to get a visa.

To apply for a job you may need to provide a:

• UK police certificate
• Certificate of Conduct (VOG) Netherlands
• International Child Protection Certificate (ICPC). This is a criminal records check to work with children

Read:

• working or providing services in the Netherlands
• working in an EU country
• EU guidance on working in an EU country

If you were living in the Netherlands before 1 January 2021

You have the right to work under the Withdrawal Agreement if you have an Article 50 TEU residence document or have applied for one.

If you live in the Netherlands and were regularly commuting to work in another EU or EFTA country before 1 January 2021, read our guidance for frontier workers.

Professional qualifications

You may need to get your professional qualification recognised if you want to work in a profession that is regulated in the Netherlands.

Read guidance on:

• recognition of professional qualifications
• how to get your qualification recognised in the Netherlands

If you were living in the Netherlands before 1 January 2021

If the relevant regulator in the Netherlands officially recognised your professional qualification before 1 January 2021, or you started the recognition process by this date, make sure you understand the terms of your recognition decision. SeekYou should get advice from the regulatorrelevant if needed.regulator.

Studying in the Netherlands

If you plan to study in the Netherlands, you must meet all visa requirements before you travel.

Contact the relevant higher education provider in the Netherlands to check what fees you may have to pay.

Read guidance on:

• continuing your studies in the EU
• studying in the European Union
• healthcare for students in the Netherlands

If you were living in the Netherlands before 1 January 2021

The studying in the European Union guidance includes specific information forif thoseyou who were already living in the Netherlands before 1 January 2021.

Money, tax and bankingTax

The UK has a double taxation agreement with the Netherlands toso ensurethat you do not pay tax on the same income in both countries.

Ask the relevant tax authority your questions about double taxation relief.

You should get professional advice on paying tax in the Netherlands. Find an English-speaking lawyer in the Netherlands.

Read guidance on:

• tax if you leave the UK to live abroad
• tax on your UK income if you live abroad
• tax if you get a pension and live abroad
• paying income tax in the Netherlands
• EUEU factsheet on buying guidancegoods ononline taxfrom andUK websites

National customs,insurance includingand onlinesocial shoppingsecurity fromcontributions

National theInsurance-type UKcontributions

EU(NIC) guidanceare oncalled customs‘social includingsecurity preferentialcontributions’ origin

EU(SSC) guidancein onthe exciseNetherlands. duties

National Insurance

Find out if you need to to pay National Insurance in the UK or social security contributions in in the Netherlands.

UK banking

WhetherYou UKcan banksrequest canproof providefrom servicesHMRC toof customersthe time livingyou’ve worked in the EEAUK and isyour UK aNational matterInsurance of local law and regulation.record.

Read theguidance Moneyon:

• national andinsurance Pensionfor Serviceworkers guidancefrom onthe banking,UK insuranceworking andin financialthe servicesEEA changesor Switzerland
• social security contributions for moreworkers informationcoming onto cross-borderthe banking.
  UK from the EEA or Switzerland

PensionsBenefits

UK benefits

Read our guidance on entitlement to UK benefits and pensions while you are living in the Netherlands.

IfCheck youwhich areUK movingbenefits oryou retiringcan claim while abroad, and how to claim them.

Many income-related benefits such as Pension Credit and Housing Benefit cannot be paid to you mustif tellyou’re abroad for more than 4 weeks.

Dutch benefits

You may be eligible to claim some Dutch social security benefits. Read the UKEU’s governmentguide officesto thatbenefits dealin withthe yourNetherlands.

Pensions

Read benefits,guidance pensionon entitlement to UK benefits and tax.pensions while you are living in the Netherlands.

Read our State Pension guidance if you have lived in Australia, Canada or New Zealand and you are claiming or waiting to claim your UK State Pension.

If you retire in the Netherlands, you can claim:

• your UK State Pension or new UK State Pension. Contact the International Pension Centre tofor claimfurther information.
• pensions from abroad, if you’ve worked in other EU countries

Read the Dutch government’s guidance on Dutch social security and pensions.

Read the Money Helper’s guidance on pension and retirement changes for more information on cross-border pensions.

Life certificates for UK State Pensions

If you get a ‘life certificate’ from the UK Pension Service, you need to respond as soon as possiblepossible. –Your your payments may be suspended if you do not.

BenefitsMoney and banking

ReadWhether our guidance on entitlement to UK benefitsbanks andcan pensionsprovide whileservices youto arecustomers living in the Netherlands.

IfEEA youdepends areon movinglocal orlaws retiring abroad, you must tell the UK government offices that deal with your benefits, pension and tax.regulation.

CheckRead whichthe UKMoney benefits you can claim while abroad and howPension toService claimguidance them.

Manyon income-relatedbanking, benefitsinsurance such as Pension Credit and Housingfinancial Benefitservices cannot be paid to you if you’re abroad for more thaninformation 4on weeks.

Youcross-border can request proof from HMRC of the time you’ve worked in the UK and of your UK National Insurance record.banking.

The Netherlands benefits

You may be eligible to claim some Dutch social security benefits. Read the EU’s guide to benefits in the Netherlands.

Accommodation and buying property

Read our guidance on buying a property abroad.

Driving in the Netherlands

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Bringing a UK-registered vehicle to the Netherlands

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.

Driving outside the Netherlands with a Dutch licence

You maycan beuse exemptyour fromDutch somelicence ofwhen thesevisiting taxes.the UK. Keep up-to-date with the UK Highway Code.

If soyou go to live in the UK, you willcan exchange your Dutch licence for a UK one without taking a test.

To drive in another country, in addition to your Dutch licence, you may need certificatesto ofapply exemption.for an IDP through the ANWB (Royal Dutch Touring Club).

Read the EU guidance on: 

• EU driving licences and insurance
• driving licence exchange and recognition in the EU

Voting

Once you are registered in the Personal Records Database (BRP) you can vote in the Water Board Elections.

If you have been resident in the Netherlands for 5 years or more you can vote and stand in local municipal elections.

You cannot vote in European Parliament elections.

You may be able to vote in some UK elections. You can:

• check if you are able to vote
• register as an overseas voter

Births, deaths, marriage and civil partnerships

If your child is born in the Netherlands, you willcan register the birth with the UK authorities in addition to registering locally. If your child has British nationality, you do not need to register the birth abroadwith the UK authorities to apply for a British passport.

If someone dies in the Netherlands read our guidance on:

• what to do after someone dies abroad
• bereavement in the Netherlands
• finding English-speaking funeral directors in the Netherlands

Find out how you can get married or get a civil partnership abroad.

You may also need:

• notarial and documentary services for the Netherlands

• English-speaking lawyers in the Netherlands

Pets

If you have a pet passport issued by the Netherlands or another EU country, you can use it to travel with your pet to Great Britain and elsewhere in the EU. Ensure that your pet’s rabies vaccinations are up-to-date before you travel. Vets in Great Britain cannot enter rabies vaccination details in non-UK issued pet passports.

A GB-issued EU pet passport is not valid for travel to the EU or Northern Ireland. ContactSpeak to your vet before you travel to get the pet travel documents you need and ensure you comply with the EU Petpet Traveltravel Regulationsregulations.

Read guidance on:

• bringing your pet to GB
• travelling withto yourNorthern petIreland inwith theyour EUpet
• travelling to Northern Ireland with your pet
• travelling with your pet in the EU

CheckBefore you travel, check the rules offor the country you’re travelling to for any additional restrictions or requirements before you travel.requirements.

Emergencies

YouDial can dial the European emergency number on 112 in the Netherlands for the police, ambulance or fire brigade.

People with disabilities can use the emergency application, a web-based emergency access and relay service.

YouDial can dial the EU 116 000 hotline to report a missing child in the EU country where you live or in another EU country.

If you need guidance on child abduction, read the guidance on international parental child abduction; the EU guidance on child abduction and EU guidance on child abduction to another EU country.

If you’re the victim of a crime, have been arrested, or are affected by a crisiscrisis, abroad, contact the British Embassy The Hague.

Returning to the UK

Check the COVID-19 travel guidance for for entering the UK.

Tell the UKDutch and theUK Dutch authorities if you are returning to the UK permanently.

Guidance from the Dutch government on leaving the Netherlands.

To move your pension to the UK, contact the International Pension Centre.

Read the guidance on returning to the UK permanently which includes information on, amongst other things, tax, access to services and bringing family members.

Ifmembers, youtax return to the UK permanently and meetaccess the ordinarily resident test, you’ll be able to access NHS care without charge.services.

Useful information

• help and services in the Netherlands
• notarial and documentary services for the Netherlands

Support for British nationals abroad: a guide sets out how to stay safe abroad, and explains how the FCDO can support you if you get into difficulty.