Netherlands
Your start in Amsterdam
The capital of the Netherlands, in the province of North Holland. The City of Amsterdam registers newcomers and issues the BSN at its City Offices, IN Amsterdam combines registration and IND formalities for eligible internationals, and GVB runs the trams, buses, metro and ferries.
At a glance
Amsterdam is the capital of the Netherlands and lies in the province of North Holland (Noord-Holland). It had 941,873 residents at the start of 2026, according to the City's research and statistics office. Its housing market is among the tightest in the country, so most newcomers combine their first administrative steps with a long search for a home.
Who handles what in Amsterdam
- The City of Amsterdam (Gemeente Amsterdam) registers your address in the BRP, gives you your BSN at a City Office (Stadsloket), processes later changes of address and handles local matters such as parking permits and waste collection. Its general phone number is 14 020.
- IN Amsterdam, at World Trade Center Amsterdam (Tower Two, Strawinskylaan 1767), is a joint initiative of eight municipalities in the Amsterdam Area together with the IND and the Tax Administration. Highly skilled migrants and some other groups can collect their residence document and register with the municipality in one appointment.
- The IND desk Amsterdam at Pieter Calandlaan 1, opposite Lelylaan station, is where many people give biometrics or collect residence documents, by appointment only.
- GVB runs the city's public transport; you pay by tapping a bank card, phone or OV-pas.
- !WOON is a tenant advice service funded by the City, with free walk-in advice across Amsterdam on rents, deposits, agency fees and scams.
- Het Juridisch Loket has a walk-in location at De Ruijterkade 6 for free legal advice for people on a low income.
- ACCESS, a volunteer-run not-for-profit organisation based at IN Amsterdam, answers questions from internationals about moving to, living in and leaving the Netherlands free of charge.
Districts and neighbourhoods
The municipality is divided into seven city districts (stadsdelen), Centrum, West, Nieuw-West, Zuid, Oost, Noord and Zuidoost, plus the Weesp area (stadsgebied Weesp), since Weesp joined the city in 2022. Listings often name a smaller neighbourhood instead, such as the Jordaan in Centrum; Oud-West, Westerpark and Bos en Lommer in West; De Pijp and Oud-Zuid in Zuid; the Indische Buurt and IJburg in Oost; or Buiksloterham in Noord. The neighbourhood pages compare their character, transport, housing, families and green space, which helps you decide where to focus your search.
Health care out of hours
Register with a GP (huisarts) near your home. Outside surgery hours, call the Amsterdam GP out-of-hours posts (Huisartsenposten Amsterdam) on 088 00 30 600. In a life-threatening emergency, call 112.
Where to start
If you are moving from abroad, read the guide on registering in Amsterdam first: within five days of arrival you must register in person if you will live in the Netherlands for more than four months, and the BSN you receive unlocks health insurance, banking and DigiD. The sections below follow the order in which most newcomers need them. The guides are general information, not legal advice; check the official pages they link before you act.
An overview of moving to the Netherlands and your first month in Amsterdam, the documents to bring, what life here costs, and the emergency numbers to save on day one.
Arrival Several weeks of preparation before the move; most first steps fit into your first month Arrival Spread over about four weeks; most steps take one appointment or one online application Moving Allow several weeks, sometimes months, to obtain, legalise and translate certificates from abroad Money About an hour to build a first budget with the links below Emergencies 10 minutes to save the numbers in your phone
Somewhere to stay where you can register, registration and your BSN within five days, a Dutch phone number, a bank account, DigiD and getting around by public transport.
Housing Book before you travel; plan to search for a long-term home over several weeks or months Registration One visit in person, plus time beforehand to obtain and legalise certificates Internet and mobile Under an hour for prepaid or SIM-only; a contract with a credit check can take a day or two Banking Often less than an hour online; a few days until your debit card arrives Local government About 15 minutes to apply, then up to five working days for the letter Transport A few minutes to set up; the GVB season ticket advice tool takes a few steps
Which residence permit fits your situation, the rights of EU, EEA and Swiss citizens, the highly skilled migrant route, studying, bringing your family, civic integration and the route to Dutch citizenship.
Residence and visas The IND's standard decision period is 90 days (60 days for study); with an IND-recognised sponsor, work permits are often decided much faster Residence and visas One registration appointment; no immigration application Residence and visas With a recognised sponsor the IND usually decides within about two weeks; the legal decision period is 90 days Universities Plan about a year ahead; numerus fixus deadlines fall in January, most others on 1 May Residence and visas The IND has 90 days to decide; add time for the civic integration exam abroad (results take up to eight weeks) and for legalising documents Language Usually three years from the start date set by DUO; extensions are possible in specific cases Citizenship The IND has 12 months to decide after you apply at the municipality; the ceremony follows after a positive decision
How Amsterdam's districts and neighbourhoods differ, from Centrum and the Jordaan to De Pijp, Oud-West, Westerpark, Nieuw-West, Noord, IJburg and Zuidoost, and how rent, commute and transport links shape your choice. Read these guides alongside the neighbourhood pages.
Housing Often several weeks to months; plan temporary accommodation for your first period Money About an hour to build a first budget with the links below Housing Book before you travel; plan to search for a long-term home over several weeks or months Transport A few minutes to set up; the GVB season ticket advice tool takes a few steps Transport About 10 minutes to read; a few rides to get used to the traffic Schools Allow several weeks to visit schools and find a place; register early where there are waiting lists
Finding a home in Amsterdam's tight market, avoiding scams and illegal fees, understanding Dutch rental terms and your rights as a tenant, and setting up energy, water and internet.
Housing Often several weeks to months; plan temporary accommodation for your first period Housing About 10 minutes to read; a few minutes of checks per listing Housing About 15 minutes to read; keep it open while you compare listings or check a contract Housing About 20 minutes to read; a Rent Tribunal case usually takes four to six months Utilities One to two hours to compare and sign up; internet installation can take one to several weeks
Finding a job and applying the Dutch way, getting your diploma evaluated or recognised, your rights as an employee, and working as a freelancer.
Jobs Searching usually takes weeks to months; allow two or three interview rounds per employer. Employment For an IDW evaluation, roughly six working weeks for the initial check plus about eight working weeks for the evaluation itself at current volumes; recognition procedures for regulated professions take longer Employment About 20 minutes to read; keep it at hand when you sign a contract or if a problem arises. Employment About an hour to complete the KVK form, plus an appointment at a KVK office in most cases
Taking out basic health insurance within four months, registering with a GP, pharmacies and prescriptions, and the numbers to call in an emergency or out of hours.
Insurance About an hour to compare and apply online once you have a BSN Healthcare An hour to research and contact practices; a waiting list can add weeks in busy areas Healthcare 15 minutes to read; register with a pharmacy when you first need one Emergencies 10 minutes to save the numbers in your phone
Banking, how Dutch income tax works, the 30% ruling for people recruited from abroad, healthcare and rent benefit, and what to budget for in Amsterdam.
Banking Often less than an hour online; a few days until your debit card arrives Taxes About 1 to 3 hours for a straightforward online return; longer for the year you arrive Taxes The joint application takes about an hour; the Tax Administration decides within about 8 weeks Money About 30 minutes to apply online with DigiD; decisions and first payments take a few weeks Money About an hour to build a first budget with the links below
Trams, buses, metro and ferries with OVpay, cycling safely and legally in the city, and driving on or exchanging a foreign licence.
Transport A few minutes to set up; the GVB season ticket advice tool takes a few steps Transport About 10 minutes to read; a few rides to get used to the traffic Driving An appointment at the municipality, plus at least 15 working days at the RDW; the CBR health declaration can take up to four months
Childcare and the childcare benefit, how Dutch schools work and how to enrol, child benefit from the SVB, and bringing your partner or children to the Netherlands.
Childcare Start searching several months ahead; the benefit application itself takes under an hour online Schools Allow several weeks to visit schools and find a place; register early where there are waiting lists Family About 30 minutes to apply online with DigiD Residence and visas The IND has 90 days to decide; add time for the civic integration exam abroad (results take up to eight weeks) and for legalising documents
Learning Dutch and the state exam, the civic integration requirement, and practical ways to meet people and build a social life in Amsterdam.
Language Reaching B1 usually takes many months of regular study; plan several hours a week Language Usually three years from the start date set by DUO; extensions are possible in specific cases Making friends and building a social life in AmsterdamPractical ways to meet people and feel at home in Amsterdam, from neighbours, libraries and community centres to sports clubs, volunteering, international groups and language cafés, plus social habits newcomers commonly notice, such as direct communication and planning ahead. Ongoing; most people find it takes months of regular activities to build close friendships
Waste separation and recycling at your address, public holidays such as King's Day, and your rights as a consumer.
Local government About 10 minutes to look up your address and learn your local routine Local government About 5 minutes to read Consumer rights About 15 minutes to read; keep it at hand when something goes wrong
Neighbourhoods on the map
Select a pin to read about a neighbourhood.
Map of neighbourhoods in Amsterdam