1. Do I need a residence document or a visa to live in the Netherlands?
From 1 May 2006 onwards, citizens of EU or EEA member states or Switzerland who wish to stay in the Netherlands for more than three months have to register with the Immigration and Naturalization Department (IND).

You will no longer have to request proof of lawful residency and in addition, you will no longer be issued with a residence permit.

Who needs to register?
You should register with the IND if:

• you are a British citizen
• you have been living in the Netherlands for more that 3 months or plan to do so, and
• you are living in the Netherlands because you are working (either employed or self employed), you are studying or you have other means of sustenance even though you are not working.

You should also register if you wish to stay in the Netherlands with your Dutch spouse or partner.

Registration with the IND is free of charge and they will give you a ‘registration certificate’ by means of a sticker in your passport. This is valid throughout the validity of your passport. Whenever you get your passport renewed contact the IND for a new sticker.

To register phone the IND for an appointment on 0900 1234561 (€0.10 /min.)

Please note that you must have first registered at your local municipality before registering with the IND (see question 2).

If you are staying in the Netherlands for less than 3 months you do not have to register with the IND. However you must have valid ID such as a passport.

If you have lived in the Netherlands for 5 years or more you will be eligible for a permit for permanent residence for EU citizens. The cost for this is currently € 30.

For detailed information in English you can download the brochure below (please download Adobe Reader from www.adobe.com free of charge to view the brochure):

IND registration for EU citizens (PDF 220 KB)

If you have any questions please contact:

Immigratie en Naturalisatie Dienst (English)
Afdeling Communicatie
Postbus 30125
2500 GC Den Haag (€ 0,10 pm)

Tel: 0900 123 4561
Fax: 070 370 3134
From outside NL – Tel: +31 (0)20 889 3045
E-mail: voorlichting@ind.minjus.nl  

2. Do I have to register with the local authority?
Yes. All nationalities including Dutch citizens must register at their local town hall (Stadhuis). Registration details are kept in the population register (Bevolkingsregister). However, as procedures can vary slightly from city to city, we advise you to contact the Municipality (Gemeente) in the city where you plan to live for details about the registration process. You are likely to need:

• A valid passport
• Birth certificate (long version only = includes name of parents) & where applicable a marriage, divorce or death certificate relating to any previous marriages, legalised with an Apostille
• Evidence of your marital or civil status. Since there is no population register in the UK, the Dutch authorities will accept a declaration made before a consular official at the British Consulate General in Amsterdam – Tel: +31 (0)20 676 4343)

For contact details of your Gemeente please visit www.overheidslinks.nl  

3. Which documents can I use to identify myself?
As of 1 January 2005, all persons 14 years and above, must have a valid form of ID with them at all times. The documents you can use to prove your identity depend on your nationality:

• As a Dutch national you can identify your self with a valid drivers license, passport or Dutch/European identity card
• If you are a dual national you can identify yourself you with Dutch documents (see above)
• If you are living in the Netherlands and are a national of the European Union (or the European Economic Area (for example Swiss) you can use your passport or EU document/card.
• If you are living in the Netherlands and are a national of a non-EU/EEA country you must use your EU/Eer-vreemdelingendocument (residence permit) as a form of valid ID.

Who can ask to check your ID?
The police and various supervisors (civil servants supervising the on the compliance with certain laws, examples include; forester, parking police, tax inspector, customs and education inspectors).

What happens if you refuse to show or don’t have a valid form of ID?
If you are unable to provide a valid form of ID you can be taken to the police station where they will investigate and try to establish your identity.

For more information please visit www.nederlandveilig.nl.
It is also possible to get a copy of the booklet ‘Identificatieplicht’ at your local city council (gemeente).

4. Can I still use my UK driving licence?
For information about using your British driving licence in the Netherlands please contact the RDW on 0900 0739 (10 cents pm).
If you are calling from abroad please dial +31 598 39 3330.

5. How can I import my car?
Contact Dutch Customs for further information and advice: Tel +31 (0)70 372 3243