Moving to the Netherlands with family

Confirm each family member’s route

Start with the lead mover’s status and map every accompanying person. A non-EU partner or child may need an MVV and residence permit. Family of an EU/EEA or Swiss citizen may use EU-law verification. A recognised sponsor can submit accompanying-family applications for a highly skilled migrant.

The IND says that a partner of a highly skilled migrant is generally free to work. Do not generalise that right to every dependent route; the endorsement on the actual residence document is decisive.

Prepare civil-status documents

• Passports for every traveller.
• Marriage or registered-partnership certificate where relevant.
• Birth certificates for children.
• Custody, parental-consent or adoption records where applicable.
• Relationship evidence for unmarried partners.
• Legalisation or apostille and translation where required.

Check names, dates and places across documents. Small differences can delay immigration or BRP registration.

Secure a registrable address

Housing is an administrative dependency, not only a lifestyle choice. Resident BRP registration requires an address or another accepted basis. Confirm in writing that registration is allowed and ask which proof the municipality requires. Consider bedroom count, commute, school access, transport and contract duration.

Register the household after arrival

For a stay over four months, register with the municipality within five days of arrival where possible. Government.nl says a partner and children who moved with you should come to the municipality. Each registered person receives a BSN.

Keep passports, address evidence, IND correspondence and original civil documents together. Family members may also need separate IND biometrics or residence-card collection appointments.

Healthcare and insurance

People who come to live or work in the Netherlands generally need Dutch health insurance as quickly as possible and no later than four months after arrival, with coverage from the date the obligation began. Register with a GP after arranging an address and insurance.

Carry prescriptions, vaccination records and a concise medical summary. For urgent but non-life-threatening care, contact the GP or local out-of-hours GP service; call 112 for immediate danger.

School and childcare

Contact the municipality or preferred schools early, especially where newcomer language support is needed. Ask about address evidence, identity documents, previous school reports and health information. Childcare and after-school care can have waiting lists.

For separated parents, travel consent and custody documentation need specific attention. Keep school and vaccination records available in a form the receiving organisation can understand.

Recommended sequence

1. Confirm every immigration route.
2. Collect and legalise civil documents.
3. Secure housing that permits registration.
4. Book municipality and required IND appointments.
5. Prepare school, childcare and healthcare records.
6. Travel with originals in hand luggage.
7. Complete BRP, BSN, card and insurance actions.
8. Apply for DigiD and complete school, GP and banking onboarding.