A Comprehensive Guide on Moving to the Netherlands

Jump right in:

• Cost of living & helpful facts about life in the Netherlands
• Relocating your household goods & pets
• Visa types & work permit requirements
• Jobs & finding work in the Netherlands
• How to find a new home in the Netherlands
• Opening a bank account & managing your taxes in the Netherlands
• Health Insurance and the Healthcare System of the Netherlands Explained
• Education & international schools in the Netherlands

Before moving to a country you should research about what to expect from daily life once you are there. This guide covers the pros and cons of life in the Netherlands as well as the cost of living. Expenses for groceries, health insurance, and utilities can add up quickly, so managing your budget carefully is important when first moving to the country. Information like this will let you know what to expect. Furthermore, you can find practical information about emergency numbers and embassies. From driving and social etiquette to public transportation, we cover it all.

Read our complete guide about living in the Netherlands

The process of moving to the Netherlands requires you to consider how to ship your household goods here. And while the mode of transportation is completely up to you, you will need to meet the same customs regulations regardless.

The good news is that the Netherlands allows you to bring your household goods duty-free, provided you meet certain conditions. For example, you need to have lived outside the EU for at least twelve months, owned and used your belongings for at least six months, and declare them through your moving company to Dutch Customs.

If you are planning to bring food, keep in mind that the Netherlands has strict rules. Meat, milk, and related products from outside the EU are not allowed, while food items from EU countries are usually fine as long as they meet health and packaging requirements.

For EU/EEA and Swiss nationals, relocation is much simpler thanks to the free movement of goods. In most cases, no customs declaration is required when moving household items within the EU. Alcohol and tobacco are still subject to EU-wide limits, and if you are carrying more than 10,000 EUR in cash, you must declare it at Customs.

Moving to the Netherlands with pets is also easier if you are coming from another European country. Free borders mean fewer formalities, though requirements such as microchipping, rabies vaccination, and in some cases worm treatments, still apply. For those arriving from outside the EU, the process can take longer, as additional vaccinations, blood tests, and health certificates may be required.

When relocating to the Netherlands, there is a high chance you will move to an unfurnished place as they are the most common option. That is why bringing your furniture along is not a bad idea. However, in that case, choosing an appropriate storing facility for your household items might be important. That way you will be ready to make your new house a home as soon as you arrive in the Netherlands.

Read our complete guide on relocating to the Netherlands

Before you start looking into how to get a Netherlands visa or work permit, the first step is to check whether you actually need one. EU/EEA and Swiss nationals can live and work in the Netherlands without a visa or work permit. What they do need, however, is to register with the municipality (BRP), get a citizen service number (BSN), and arrange health insurance if their stay will last longer than four months.

For third-country nationals, the rules vary depending on your nationality. If you are from countries like Australia, Canada, or the United States, you can enter the Netherlands without a visa for short stays of up to 90 days. But for employment or residence beyond that, you will need a combined residence and work permit (GVVA) or an employment permit (TWV).

Highly skilled migrants enjoy a different route: if you meet the salary thresholds and have a recognized sponsor, a separate work permit is not required. In any case, once you arrive in the Netherlands, registering with your local municipality remains a must.

Entrepreneurs also find opportunities here. If you plan to start your own business, the Netherlands offers several options: a self-employment residence permit based on the business being of “essential Dutch interest”, a startup visa for innovative ventures, and for U.S. citizens, the Dutch-American Friendship Treaty (DAFT), which makes the process more accessible.

While these permits involve strict requirements—such as a solid business plan, proof of funds, and sometimes a Dutch facilitator—the Netherlands’ thriving market often makes the effort worthwhile.

Read our complete guide on visas & work permits in the Netherlands

In this guide you can find things like how to find a job, minimum wages and average salaries, and what it’s like to work there. Be ready for the job hunt that will last a couple of months.

For example, if you’re an EU/EEA or Swiss national, a travel document is enough to allow you to work in the Netherlands. You also don’t need a separate work permit if you’re applying for a highly skilled migrant visa. If neither of these apply to your situation, you’ll need to get permission to work in the country. This is usually taken care of by your employer.

Expats that want to try self-employment will be pleased to know that the Netherlands is a great place for entrepreneurs. The country is welcoming of freelancers, individuals that wish to start a business, and those who wish to take specific start-up opportunities as well.

Furthermore, in order to qualify for social security benefits in the Netherlands, you need to get yourself a citizen service number (BSN). This allows you to be covered by the social security system that is funded by taxpayers’ money.

Read our complete guide on jobs and finding work in the Netherlands

When moving to the Netherlands, one of the biggest challenges you will face is finding a place to live. The housing market is extremely competitive. For newcomers, this means you need patience, flexibility, and the ability to act quickly when you find the right option.

Unfurnished homes—sometimes called “shell” housing—are the most common rental option in the Netherlands. These properties often come without flooring, curtains, or even light fixtures, so you should be ready to invest in making the space livable. Furnished apartments, on the other hand, are mainly available in big cities such as Amsterdam, Rotterdam, or The Hague, and are especially popular among students and expats on short-term stays. Lease contracts are usually long-term, as once people settle in, few want to move again.

For those thinking long-term, foreigners can buy property in the Netherlands without restrictions, although obtaining a mortgage may be more complex if you are a non-resident or non-EU national. Expect additional one-time buyer costs (kosten koper) of around 5–6% of the purchase price, which include a 2% transfer tax, notary fees, and valuation costs.

Finding the right home in the Netherlands can take time and effort, but once you secure a place, you will be able to settle into Dutch life much more smoothly.

Read our complete guide on housing in the Netherlands

Non-residents are generally not allowed to open a bank account, but once expats register their residence, they can easily access most financial services. It’s good to wait until you have your citizen service number (BSN) to register for a bank account, if possible. Most banks will ask for your BSN upfront, but some allow you to open the account first and submit your BSN afterwards.

Living and working in the Netherlands requires you to pay taxes. The country has quite a few tax laws in place, but the most relevant to the majority of people residing here is income tax. If you’re in the country as an employee, your taxes will be withheld from your salary (payroll taxes). Self-employed individuals need to pay their taxes when filing the annual tax return.

Read our complete guide on banks & taxes in the Netherlands

Living in the Netherlands comes with one important rule: health insurance is mandatory. Once you register at your municipality, you have four months to arrange basic coverage. This plan includes visits to the family doctor, hospital care, prescribed medication, maternity services, and dental care for children.

Many residents also choose supplemental insurance, which can extend coverage to things like adult dental treatment, orthodontics, fertility support, or hearing aids. Unlike the basic plan, insurers are free to accept or decline applications for these extras.

Family doctors play a central role in Dutch healthcare. They are the first point of contact, and in most cases, you will need their referral to see a specialist. Emergency care is always accessible. Dutch GPs are known for their practical approach, often recommending simple or over-the-counter treatments before moving on to more complex solutions.

Childbirth in the Netherlands also reflects this philosophy. Midwives oversee low-risk pregnancies, and while home births remain a common choice, many families also give birth in hospitals or birthing clinics.

If you are waiting for your residence permit and are not yet eligible for Dutch insurance, arranging temporary expat coverage is highly recommended to avoid expensive medical bills. Overall, the Dutch system is admired for its universal access, excellent primary care, and high satisfaction rates—though it is also among the costlier systems in Europe.

Read our complete guide on insurance & healthcare in the Netherlands

Dutch education provides clear pathways to vocational training, applied sciences, or research universities. Bilingual public schools are common, especially on the secondary school level. Schools also offer adaptation programs for young children that do not speak Dutch.

Children start school at four or five years of age. Compulsory education (leerplicht) runs from ages 5 to 16, and up to 18 if a student has not yet obtained a basic qualification diploma. Private schools are uncommon in the Netherlands as most kids, even children of Dutch monarchs, attend public schools. However, if your child does not speak English or Dutch, is uncomfortable with learning Dutch, or you do not think it will be useful long-term, you can always opt for private international schooling.

Daycare provides care for children from about 10 weeks to 4 years, while preschool focuses on children aged 2 to 4 with activities that prepare them for primary school. Neither daycare nor preschool is mandatory in the Netherlands.

Read our complete guide on education system in the Netherlands