Amsterdam requires people moving from abroad for more than four months to register at a City Office within five days of arrival.
14 020 (from abroad +31 20 624 1111)
Official municipality pageHome › Municipality registration
BRP, BSN and local appointments · reviewed 25 July 2026
Municipality registration after moving to the Netherlands
Your Dutch municipality records resident details in the BRP and allocates or confirms the BSN. The legal framework is national, but booking routes, document lists, service locations and processing times are local.
More than 4 monthsResident BRP registration normally applies
5 daysCommon registration deadline after arrival
10 citiesOfficial pathways linked below
Register where you actually live. A faster appointment in another municipality does not normally replace resident registration with the municipality responsible for your Dutch address.
BRP resident registration versus RNI
Resident BRP
Use resident registration when you will live in the Netherlands for more than four months during the next six months. The municipality records your address and personal data and provides or confirms the BSN.
RNI non-resident registration
The RNI is generally for people who live abroad or will stay in the Netherlands for no more than four months. It provides a BSN but does not make you a Dutch resident.
Immigration status
Municipality registration and IND residence permission are separate. A BSN does not create lawful residence or work rights.
Address evidence
A rental agreement, purchase deed or consent from the principal occupant is commonly required. The municipality decides whether the evidence supports registration.
Choose your municipality
Select the city where you will actually live. Each guide summarises the local pathway and links directly to the responsible authority.
Rotterdam directs first-time residents staying longer than four months and without a BSN to register personally in the city where they will live.
14 010 (from abroad +31 10 267 16 25)
Official municipality pageThe Hague uses different registration pathways depending on nationality, whether you already have a BSN, your residence evidence and whether you qualify for an international-centre route.
14070
Official municipality pagePeople moving to Utrecht from abroad for at least four months in the next six months must arrange registration with the municipality.
+31 30 286 00 00
Official municipality pageEindhoven asks people moving from abroad for at least four months in the coming six months to register personally within five days of arrival.
14 040 (from abroad +31 40 238 6000)
Official municipality pageAmstelveen’s first-registration process starts with an online questionnaire and continues with an appointment at the town hall.
020 540 49 11
Official municipality pageHaarlem asks people moving from abroad and staying longer than four months to register within five days of arrival.
14 023 (from abroad +31 23 511 51 15)
Official municipality pagePeople moving to Leiden from abroad for more than four months must register personally, including people who were registered in the Netherlands before.
14 071 (from abroad +31 71 516 51 65)
Official municipality pageDelft residents moving from abroad for a long stay should use the municipality’s registration-from-abroad process rather than the domestic moving form.
14 015
Official municipality pageGroningen requires people moving from abroad for more than four months and living at an address in the municipality to register within five days of arrival.
14 050
Official municipality pageDocuments commonly requested
- Valid passport or accepted identity document for every person.
- Proof of the Dutch residential address.
- Residence permit, MVV, IND decision or lawful-residence evidence where applicable.
- Original birth, marriage, divorce, adoption, custody or death records relevant to the BRP.
- Legalisation, apostille or sworn translation where required.
- Proof of deregistration from specific parts of the Kingdom of the Netherlands where requested.
- Municipality forms and appointment confirmation.
The exact list depends on nationality, prior Dutch registration, family situation, address arrangement and the information already recorded in the BRP.
Plan the dependency chain
Municipality registration is rarely an isolated task. A registrable address enables BRP registration; the BRP and BSN support DigiD, payroll, banking, insurance and healthcare administration. Missing civil documents can delay family records and later permanent-residence or naturalisation evidence.
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Build my planOpen My MoveFrequently asked questions
Which municipality should I register with after moving to the Netherlands?
For resident registration, use the municipality where you actually live. You cannot choose a different municipality merely because it has earlier appointments.
What is the difference between BRP and RNI registration?
Resident BRP registration is generally for people living in the Netherlands for more than four months. The RNI is generally for non-residents or stays of no more than four months.
Do all municipalities ask for the same documents?
No. Identity, lawful residence, address and civil-status evidence are common, but appointment routes and exact document requirements differ by municipality and personal situation.
Can I receive a BSN before resident registration?
Some people obtain a BSN through the RNI for a genuine short-stay or non-resident situation. An RNI registration should not be used to avoid resident BRP registration when you will live in the Netherlands longer.
Official sources and related guides
NetherlandsWorldwide: registering in the BRPGovernment.nl: citizen service number (BSN)SettlePilot: BSN registration guideSettlePilot: complete relocation checklistLast reviewed 25 July 2026. Municipality processes and appointment availability can change. Always use the official city page and appointment confirmation before acting.