Your first 30 days in Amsterdam: a step-by-step plan

Before you start

• A place to live where you are allowed to register
• Your passport and, for non-EU nationals, the MVV or IND approval
• Original, legalised and (where needed) translated birth and marriage certificates

Documents you need

• Passport or national ID card

  required

• Rental contract, or main-occupant permission with a copy of their ID

  required

• Legalised and translated birth certificate

  required

• Marriage or partnership certificate, if applicable

  optional

• Residence document or IND decision (non-EU nationals)

  optional

• Citizen service number (BSN), received at registration

  required

• Dutch health insurance policy

  required

Step by step

1. 1

   Step 1: Before arrival and days 1-3: an address where you can register

   If you will live in the Netherlands for more than four months, you must register at the address where you live. You show a rental contract, a purchase deed or a signed declaration from the main occupant with a copy of their ID. Ask any landlord or short-stay provider before you book whether you can register; IN Amsterdam and the tenant advice service !WOON treat a "no" as a red flag for an illegal sublet or scam.

   Holiday rentals and hotels are not tenancies and usually do not work for registration. See temporary accommodation in Amsterdam.

2. 2

   Step 2: Days 1-5: register with the City of Amsterdam and get your BSN

   Register in person within five days of arrival. In Amsterdam you make an appointment in advance at a City Office (Stadsloket); you can also call the City on 14 020. Bring your passport or ID card, your proof of address and your original birth certificate (and marriage certificate if married), legalised and translated where required. Every family member who moves with you must register; children under 16 come with a parent or guardian.

   If you are a highly skilled migrant (including researchers), hold a start-up, orientation-year or intra-corporate transferee permit, or are an EU citizen working for an IND-recognised sponsor, and you live in Amsterdam or one of IN Amsterdam's partner municipalities, you can register at IN Amsterdam, often combined with collecting your residence document. IN Amsterdam charges service fees.

   You receive your BSN after registration. See registering in Amsterdam.

3. 3

   Step 3: Week 1: collect your residence document (non-EU nationals)

   If your permit was approved before you travelled, you collect your residence document at an IND desk once the IND confirms it is ready, or at IN Amsterdam if your employer used that route. Keep your IND letters and your V number together with your passport. EU, EEA and Swiss citizens do not need a residence document; see EU citizens in the Netherlands.

4. 4

   Step 4: Within 3 months: TB test, if required

   If your application said you would take a tuberculosis (TB) test, make an appointment with the public health service (GGD) within three months of receiving your residence permit, and bring the TB test referral form from the IND.

5. 5

   Step 5: Weeks 1-4: take out Dutch health insurance

   Everyone who lives or works in the Netherlands must take out basic health insurance within four months of arrival, and insurers ask for your BSN. Insurers set their own premiums for the same basic package. In 2026 the compulsory deductible (eigen risico) is €385 a year for adults; GP visits are exempt. If your income is low, you may get healthcare benefit (zorgtoeslag) of up to €129 a month as a single person in 2026. See health insurance in the Netherlands.

6. 6

   Step 6: Weeks 1-3: open a bank account

   You need a Dutch or SEPA account for salary, rent and direct debits. Most banks ask for your BSN and ID, so this usually follows registration. Compare several providers neutrally; see opening a bank account in the Netherlands. Give your BSN and account number to your employer for payroll.

7. 7

   Step 7: After registration: apply for DigiD

   DigiD is the login for the Tax Administration, the IND, health insurers, benefits and many municipal services. Apply online with your BSN; the activation letter arrives at your registered address within five working days, and you must activate within 21 days. Put your name on your letterbox first. See DigiD.

8. 8

   Step 8: Weeks 2-4: register with a GP

   In the Netherlands your family doctor (huisarts) is the entry point to most care: for anything that is not life-threatening you contact your GP first, and the GP decides whether you need hospital treatment. Register with a GP practice near your home soon, before you need one. Outside office hours, call the GP after-hours service (huisartsenpost). Save 112 for emergencies and 0900 8844 for non-emergency police matters. See finding a doctor in the Netherlands and emergency numbers.

9. 9

   Step 9: Day 1 onward: get around

   You can check in and out on trams, buses, metros and trains with a contactless bank card or phone (OVpay). In 2026, GVB charges at most €10.50 per day on its network when you pay this way, and a GVB 1-hour ticket costs €3.40. Many residents cycle for most trips. See public transport in Amsterdam and cycling in Amsterdam.

10. 10

    Step 10: Weeks 2-4: set up your household and work formalities

    • Energy, water and internet, if not included in your rent. You choose your own energy supplier.
    • Local taxes: once registered you receive the municipal waste tax and water board tax bills automatically. !WOON lists €352 a year for single-person and €469 for multi-person households for the waste tax (2025).
    • 30% ruling: if you were recruited from abroad, ask your employer about applying for the Expat Scheme together. The Tax Administration decides within eight weeks. See the 30% ruling.
    • Civic integration: if you came as a family migrant, DUO may write to you about civic integration after you are registered. See civic integration in the Netherlands.

Why the order matters

If you cannot register yet

Free help in Amsterdam

Watch out

Common mistakes

• Waiting for a permanent flat before registering. Register where you live now and report your move later.
• Arriving without legalised and translated birth certificates, which can delay registration and your BSN.
• Not putting your name on the letterbox, so the DigiD letter and tax post do not arrive.
• Forgetting the TB test when the IND requires it.

Tips

• Book the City Office or IN Amsterdam appointment as soon as you know your arrival date.
• Keep a folder with your passport, registration confirmation, IND letters, rental contract and insurance policy.
• When you move within Amsterdam, report your new address no earlier than one month before and no later than five working days after the move; with DigiD you can do this online.

Frequently asked questions

Editorial answers written by our team, based on the sources below.

Official links

In your plan

• Register your address and get your BSNAdd to plan
• Take out Dutch basic health insuranceAdd to plan
• Book your registration appointment before you arriveAdd to plan
• Collect your residence documentAdd to plan
• Open a Dutch bank accountAdd to plan
• Book temporary accommodation where you can registerAdd to plan
• Apply for DigiDAdd to plan
• Take the TB test if your permit application said soAdd to plan

Sources

Written and checked by HomiStart editorial against the official sources below. Next scheduled check: 5 Jan 2027.