If you’re considering moving to the Netherlands, it is essential that you understand the immigration process, especially if you are not an EU/EEA or Swiss citizen. This guide covers three essential steps: understanding your options, applying for the right visa or residence permit, and settling in.
1. Understand Your Immigration Options
As a non-EU citizen, you have to apply for a visa and residence permit to be able to immigrate to the Netherlands. Here are your options, depending on why you want to move:
Moving to the Netherlands for work
The most common immigration pathways for working in the Netherlands as an expat are:
- Highly skilled migrant residence permit. You must have a work offer from a recognized employer in the Netherlands, and you must earn at least €4,171/month (if you are younger than 30) and €5,688/month (if you are older than 30).
- European Blue Card. You must have a higher education diploma (at least a three-year program) and relevant work experience (at least five years). Income requirements are the same as for highly skilled migrants.
- Researcher residence permit. You must have a job offer as a paid researcher, unpaid researcher with a grant, or PhD candidate at a research institute in the Netherlands. Income requirements for this permit are lower (€1,534/month).
- Seasonal work. With this visa, you can work as a seasonal worker in agriculture or horticulture for up to 24 weeks.
Residence permits for work are typically issued for the same duration of your work contract, and up to a maximum of five years.
Moving to the Netherlands to study
Another common way to move abroad is through studying, as many international students continue to live and work in the country they graduated from. To move to the Netherlands to study, you must meet these requirements:
- You must be accepted into an accredited Dutch university or institute of higher professional education.
- Your study program must be full time.
- You must meet the income requirements. As of 2025, you must have at least €1,094/month for 12 months. You can show proof of finances through a bank account, scholarship, or a sponsor.
With a student residence permit, you can stay in the Netherlands for the entire duration of your studies. You are allowed to work up to 16 hours a week (or full time during June, July, August). Before you start working, your employer must obtain a work permit for you.
You can work as self-employed without time restrictions, but you have to register with the Dutch Chamber of Commerce beforehand.
Staying after graduation
After you graduate, you can stay in the Netherlands for another year to look for work through a ‘Residence permit for orientation year”. With this residence permit, you can work or conduct freelance work, without the need for a work permit.
But remember, this permit is only valid for one year and cannot be extended. To stay longer, you need a qualifying job (e.g., highly skilled), and your employer must apply for a work permit for you.
Moving to the Netherlands for business
You can also work as a freelancer or self-employed worker, or establish a new business in the Netherlands through one of the following visas:
- Residence permit self-employed person. You apply for this visa if your work will be essential to the Dutch economy and new to the Netherlands. You have to register your business in the Trade Register of the Dutch Chamber of Commerce and you must already have all the necessary permits. You must also earn a monthly income of at least €1,657.
- Residence permit as a start-up. If you want to start a new business in the Netherlands, you can apply for this visa. First, you must work with a facilitator and set up a company that will bring a new product or service to the Netherlands, use new technology in production, distribution, and/or marketing, or have a new way of working and organizing.
Moving to the Netherlands temporarily
If you are not interested in settling in the Netherlands permanently, then you can move temporarily through one of the following visas:
- Working holiday. You can apply for this visa if you are aged 18-30 and are from the following countries: Argentina, Australia, Canada, Hong Kong, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea, Taiwan, and Uruguay. The purpose of this visa is to get to know Dutch culture, but you can also work or take a short-term study course.
- Cultural exchange. Through this visa, you can stay with a host family (of at least 2 people) that is registered in the Dutch Personal Records Database. The point of the program is to learn about the Dutch culture and society. You have to be aged 18-30 to qualify.
- Au pair. You can work as an au pair in the Netherlands if you find work through a recognized au pair agency. You must be aged 18-25, unmarried, and without children. If you qualify, you will live with a host family and learn about Dutch culture. As work, you will do light housekeeping tasks for the host family (a maximum of 30 hours a week).
All these visas are valid for one year. If you will live with a host family, the family must not be related to you and it must consist of at least two people.
2. Apply for a Visa and Residence Permit
Most non-EU/EEA nationals who want to live in the Netherlands for longer than three months have to apply for an entry visa (MVV) and residence permit. If you have a sponsor in the Netherlands—employer, university—they can apply on your behalf at the Immigration and Naturalisation Services (IND). Here’s what you need to know:
If you will work in the Netherlands:
- Your employer applies for your visa and residence permit at the IND.
- Once the IND approves the application, you can schedule an appointment at the Dutch embassy to get your MVV sticker.
- You can move to the Netherlands and collect your residence permit from an IND office.
If you will study in the Netherlands:
- Your university/school applies for your visa and residence permit at the IND.
- Once the visa and residence permit are approved, you schedule an appointment with the Dutch embassy to get your MVV sticker.
- You can move to the Netherlands and collect your residence permit from an IND office.
If you don’t have a sponsor:
For other visas not related to a sponsor, you can submit the MVV and residence permit application yourself at the nearest Dutch embassy.
MVV not required
You do not need to apply for an MVV (entry visa) if you are from one of the following countries:
- Australia
- Canada
- Japan
- Monaco
- New Zealand
- Vatican City
- United Kingdom
- United States
- South Korea
- Switzerland
- An EU/EEA Member State
3. Settle in the Netherlands
When you arrive in the Netherlands, there are several things you need to do within the first few weeks to ensure things go as smoothly as possible:
Arrange accommodation
One of the first things you need to do after arriving in the Netherlands is to secure accommodation. Most expats will choose to rent, and it’s recommended that you start searching well before you relocate. That’s because you will likely need to submit proof of fixed residence when you register with the municipality (which you have to do in your first week there).
Register with the municipality
You must register with the municipality where you’ve relocated within five days of arrival in the Netherlands. You need an appointment, so try to schedule one before your arrival since there will be waiting times.
After registration, you will be added to the Personal Records Database (BRP) and receive your citizen service number (BSN). You need the BSN for most administrative procedures, from opening a bank account to registering for health insurance.
If you don’t have a permanent residence at the time of registration, then you should consult with the municipality on how to proceed.
See a list of the Dutch municipalities (Gemeenten) and their contact information here. Most of them allow you to schedule an appointment online. When you schedule an appointment, they will let you know what documents you need to bring with you to the appointment.
Set up your public services accounts
DigiD
After you register with the municipality, you can apply for a DigiD account. You need this account to identify yourself whenever requesting online services from the Dutch government, educational institutions, healthcare organizations, or your pension fund.
You can apply for the DigiD online. You need:
- Your citizen service number (BSN)
- Registration address with a Dutch municipality
- A phone number
Once you apply, you will receive a letter with an activation code to the address where you are registered within 3 days.
MijnOverheid
Once you have your DigiD you can register for MijnOverheid. MijnOverheid is an online portal where residents of the Netherlands can access their personal information registered with the Dutch government. It allows users to view official records, receive digital messages from government agencies, and track pending matters with authorities.
Take out health insurance
Everyone who lives in the Netherlands has to register for a standard health insurance policy which covers at least consulting a general practitioner, hospital treatment, and prescription medication. The Dutch government determines what is included in the standard package. You can take out more insurance, but that is voluntary.
Here are some of the common insurance companies in the Netherlands:
- Zilveren Kruis
- FBTO
- De Friesland
- ONVZ
- LoonZorg
- UnitedConsumers
You can take out insurance from any Dutch insurance company—they are obligated to accept all applicants for the basic packages, regardless of age or pre-existing conditions.
Open a Dutch bank account
You’ll also have to get a Dutch bank account. This will make it easier to pay your rent, pay utility bills, and receive your salary (if you are working). In addition, you also need a bank account to get a Dutch phone number, for example.
To open a bank account, you need proof of address as well as your citizen service number (BSN).
Attend civic integration courses
If you want to settle in the Netherlands, you have to get a civic integration certificate within the first three years of residence.
You start the process by attending integration courses and then taking an exam. The courses typically have these components:
- Dutch language proficiency, up to at least A2 level
- Knowledge of Dutch society (history, culture, laws, rights and responsibilities of residents)
- A mandatory session where participants acknowledge and agree to Dutch democratic values, freedom, and equality.
- A final civic integration exam
Moving to the Netherlands as an EU citizen
If you are an EU/EEA citizen, you can freely move to the Netherlands without a visa or residence permit. If you are staying up to three months, then you don’t really need to do anything.
If you are staying for longer than three months, there are certain procedures you have to follow, but they are far less stringent than for non-EU/EEA citizens. For example:
- If you will work in the Netherlands: You can work for a Dutch or foreign company, or do freelance work, as long as you work at least 40% of the normal full working week.
- If you will not work: You must have enough income to financially support yourself without relying on social assistance. This includes students, retirees, and other non-working expats.
If you are staying longer than four months, then you have to register your residence at the local municipality office.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Netherlands expensive to live in?
Yes, the Netherlands is a fairly expensive country to live in. It was the 9th most expensive country in Europe, as of 2024. For a single person, you would have to budget at least €2,000 a month to live comfortably—and that’s if you’re looking to rent outside the city. For a family of four, the estimated cost of living is nearly €5,000/month, according to Numbeo.
Is the Netherlands a good place to raise a family?
Yes, the Netherlands is often ranked as one of the best countries to raise a family, with high-quality healthcare and education.
In fact, Dutch children are frequently rated among the happiest in the world. According to a report by the Children’s Society, only 7% of Dutch 15-year-olds reported low life satisfaction, compared to 25% in the UK.
Additionally, a study by Utrecht University found that Dutch youths have a very positive view of their social relationships and are unlikely to experience bullying compared to other European peers.
Can I bring my family with me when moving to the Netherlands?
Yes, you can, in most cases. If you have a residence permit for work, study, or business, you can apply for a family reunification visa for your spouse/partner and children under 18.
Your family members will also receive residence permits, and in many cases, spouses are allowed to work without needing a separate work permit. You must be able to financially support them.
Do I need to speak Dutch to live and work in the Netherlands?
You don’t necessarily need to speak Dutch to apply and get a visa, even for work. Many people in the Netherlands speak fluent English, and in major cities, you can get by without Dutch.
That said, speaking Dutch can improve job opportunities, help with social integration, and make daily life easier (especially for dealing with government offices, healthcare, or customer service).
Additionally, if you plan to settle long-term, you might have to take a civic integration exam that includes language proficiency (at least A2/B1 level).
Do I need to register with the local municipality if I’m only staying temporarily?
If you are only staying in the Netherlands for less than 4 months, you do not need to register with the municipality.
Can I use my foreign driver’s license in the Netherlands?
If you are not from an EU/EEA country, you can only use your foreign driving license for 6 months after you move. Then, you have to apply to the municipality to exchange it to a Dutch one—the municipality will let you know whether you can simply exchange it or if you’ll have to enter a test.