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Moving to the Netherlands

Are you planning to live in the Netherlands for more than 4 months and do you not yet have a citizen service number (BSN)? Then you must register in the Personal Records Database (BRP). Do this within 5 days of your arrival in the Netherlands. 

Conditions

  • You come from abroad and will be living in the Netherlands for at least 4 months.
  • You have an address in the municipality of Groningen. 

Residence permit

Do you have the nationality of a country outside the European Union? Apply for a residence permit from the Immigration and Naturalization Service (IND)externe-link-icoon. After your application, you can register with us. Bring the residence permit or proof that it has been applied for (sticker or letter from the IND).

Gehighlighte tekst: Have you been deregistered or are you moving back to the Netherlands from abroad? You must re-register. 

Costs

Your registration is free of charge. 

Make an appointment

You will need to bring a few documents with you when you come to register. Bring these documents:

  • valid passport or ID card
  • birth certificate (if not previously registered)
  • rental or purchase agreement 
I do not have a rental or purchase contract

If you do not have a rental or purchase contract, please bring a declaration form of residency.

I have a residence permit

Do you have a residence permit? Bring it to your appointment. Have you applied for the residence permit but not yet received it? Then bring the letter or sticker IND. 

I am married or divorced

Are you married or divorced? Please bring your marriage or divorce certificate to the appointment. 

I am moving from the Caribbean Netherlands

Are you moving to the Netherlands from Curaçao, Aruba, Sint Maarten, Bonaire, Sint Eustatius or Saba? Then you need proof of deregistration from the PIVA (Personal Information Provision Caribbean Netherlands). 

Translate and legalize documents

The birth certificate, marriage certificate or divorce certificate must be in Dutch, English, French or German. Is the certificate in another language? Have the certificate translated. The document also needs to be legalizedexterne-link-icoon if you come from outside the European Union. 

Make an appointment

Have you collected your documents? Make an appointment. If you are going to live in the Netherlands for the first time, you will immediately receive your BSN. Have you lived in the Netherlands before? Then we will process your registration within 5 working days.

Gehighlighte tekst: Your official registration date in the Netherlands is the date of your appointment. 

Contact with IND