Your Dutch address registration (BRP) is the foundation of your entire stay. Get this wrong and everything else fails.
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Without proper address registration, you cannot:
- Get a BSN (social security number)
- Open a Dutch bank account
- Get health insurance
- Apply for zorgtoeslag (healthcare allowance)
- Register your business properly
- Get a Dutch driver's license
- Access government services via DigiD
The cascade effect: Registration problems delay EVERYTHING by weeks or months.
Understanding BRP
Basisregistratie Personen (Basic Registration of Persons) is the Dutch population register. Every legal resident must be registered at their actual living address.
- Deadline: Must register within 5 days of moving into your residence
- Note: This is 5 days from when you move in, not 5 days from arriving in NL
- Penalty: Fines possible for late registration; immigration complications
You can only register at addresses that allow registration. This is crucial.
Housing That Typically ALLOWS Registration:
- Rental apartments with proper rental contracts
- Purchased homes
- Long-term rentals (1+ month) with landlord consent
- Some extended-stay hotels (ask first!)
- Registered anti-kraak (anti-squat) arrangements
Housing That Usually DOES NOT Allow Registration:
- Most Airbnbs (short-term rentals)
- Hotels (standard stays)
- Subletting without landlord permission
- Informal arrangements without contracts
- Some vacation rentals
WARNING: Many newcomers book an Airbnb thinking they can register there. This usually fails because:
- Short-term rental licenses prohibit registration
- Hosts don't have authority to allow registration
- Municipality will verify and reject
Solution: Before booking ANY accommodation, explicitly confirm in writing that you can register at the address with the gemeente.
Landlord Consent
For rental properties, you typically need:
- Rental contract with your name and the address
- Landlord consent letter (some gemeentes require this)
- Landlord ID copy (some gemeentes require this)
If registering at an address where someone else is already registered:
- The hoofdbewoner (main occupant) must consent
- They may need to fill out a consent form
- Some gemeentes require their presence at your appointment
If you're subletting:
- Need written permission from main tenant AND landlord
- Main lease must allow subletting
- Many social housing contracts prohibit subletting entirely
- Where: Gemeente (municipality) where you'll live
- How: Online through gemeente website
- Wait times: 1-3 weeks in major cities; sometimes same-week in smaller towns
- Tip: Check multiple gemeentes if staying temporarily - some are faster
Always bring:
- Valid passport
- Proof of address (rental contract, utility bill, or landlord letter)
- Landlord consent form (if required by your gemeente)
- Birth certificate with apostille (required for first registration)
- Marriage certificate with apostille (if applicable)
Might also need:
- Proof of legal residence (IND sticker or receipt)
- Completed registration form (some gemeentes provide in advance)
- Passport photos
- Arrive on time (Dutch are punctual!)
- Appointment takes 15-30 minutes
- They'll enter your data into BRP
- You'll receive your BSN immediately or by mail within a week
- Ask for a uittreksel BRP (BRP extract) - this is your proof of registration
- You'll need this for banking, employment, many other purposes
- Cost: Usually €10-15
Different municipalities have different requirements and speeds:
- Very strict document requirements
- Long wait times for appointments (2-4 weeks)
- Requires specific landlord consent form
- Known for thorough fraud checks
- Generally faster appointments
- More flexible on some documentation
- Growing expat-friendly infrastructure
- Used to international residents
- Expat center offers combined services
- English-speaking staff available
- Often faster appointments
- May be less familiar with expat situations
- Sometimes more flexible, sometimes stricter
Municipalities verify registrations to prevent fraud:
- Home visits: Inspector may visit to confirm you live there
- Document verification: They check with landlords
- Address history: They look for suspicious patterns
Red flags that trigger scrutiny:
- Multiple people registering at small address
- Frequent address changes
- Inconsistencies between documents
- Landlord denying knowledge of tenant
Common reasons and solutions:
- Landlord didn't consent: Get written consent; involve landlord directly
- Address at capacity: Some addresses have maximum occupants; find alternative
- Documents incomplete: Return with missing documents
- Suspected fraud: May need legal help; provide additional proof of residence
Options:
- Expat-focused rental agencies (they ensure registration is possible)
- Extended-stay hotels that allow registration (ask explicitly)
- Short-term furnished apartments marketed to expats
- Consider smaller cities with easier housing markets
Landlord Refuses Consent
Know your rights:
- Landlords cannot legally refuse registration for legitimate tenants
- If you have a valid rental contract, you have the right to register
- Contact Juridisch Loket for free legal advice
- Consider whether this landlord is trustworthy
When you move within the Netherlands:
- Deadline: Notify gemeente within 5 days of moving
- How: Usually can be done online via DigiD after first registration
- Multiple moves: Each move requires notification
- Free: No fee for address changes
- Booking Airbnb assuming you can register: Verify BEFORE booking
- Waiting to find permanent housing: Register at temporary address if needed
- Not bringing apostilled birth certificate: First registration requires this
- Assuming English-only service: Bring translated documents if needed
- Missing appointment: May have to wait weeks for new slot
- Not getting uittreksel BRP: You'll need this proof of registration
Address registration is the first domino. Get it right and everything else follows. Get it wrong and you'll spend weeks fixing the problem.