Moving Services in Netherlands

To move to the Netherlands, there are some legal requirements that must be met. All foreigners, except those from Western European countries, need to report to the Dutch Foreign Police within three days of arrival in the Netherlands. However those visiting from many countries, such as the United States, do not need to get a visa before arriving in Holland. For those from other countries, a visa from a Dutch consulate or embassy in their home country is required to enter the Netherlands for up to three months.

A temporary stay visa giving permission to remain in the Netherlands longer than three months and up to one year is also not necessary for visitors from a shorter list of countries, which also includes the United States. However, the temporary stay visa, requiring an Immigration Exam in a Dutch Embassy, does enable others to apply for a work or residence permit, and it can be renewed.

The specific requirements for getting a residence permit are at the discretion of Dutch Immigration, but will always include a tuberculosis test and health insurance, a clear police record, and sufficient income. Dutch citizenship can also be acquired by those who live in the Netherlands long enough if they have learned to speak Dutch, pass a citizenship exam and are willing to renounce their former citizenships.

See our guides

• Moving to Netherlands