Your first 90 days in Netherlands: the arrival checklist
The visa got you in — this is what turns you into a functioning resident: the registration clock, the ID number everything else depends on, and the money, healthcare, and license steps in the order they actually unlock. Each step links the official source so you can verify the current rule.
Checked against official sources · July 2026 · how we verify
The catch that burns new arrivals
Housing that refuses registration: without a BRP-registrable address there is no BSN, and without a BSN no salary, insurance or bank — the housing shortage makes this the real gate.
The checklist, in the order it unlocks
BRP registration (Basisregistratie Personen) at the gemeente, which issues the BSN
Within 5 days of arrival
Needs a rental contract or the landlord's permission at an address that allows registration; many gemeenten book the appointment 1-3 weeks out.
Get your BSN (burgerservicenummer)
The citizen service number unlocks employment, health insurance, DigiD, banking and benefits.
Issued automatically at BRP registration with the gemeente; it cannot be obtained before arrival (a short-stay RNI registration exists only for non-residents).
Open a bank account
Dutch banks require a BSN (bunq tolerates a short grace period) plus passport and residence permit; some limit products for US persons over FATCA, and Wise/Revolut are the standard bridge.
Enrol in healthcare
Taking out Dutch basic insurance (basisverzekering, roughly €150/month) is mandatory within 4 months of registering or starting work — CAK fines follow if skipped; coverage is bought from private insurers, not enrolled via the state.
Sort your driver's license
A US licence is valid 185 days after residency and there is no US exchange — full CBR theory and practical exams — unless the holder has the 30% tax ruling, which unlocks a test-free swap for the whole household.
Deadlines and requirements vary by nationality, visa type, and region, and they change — this is information current as of 2026, not legal or immigration advice. Verify each step with the official source before you rely on it.
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Information only, not legal advice — we never file anything with any government. Requirements change; verify with the official source or a licensed immigration advisor before you apply.
First 90 days in Netherlands: FAQ
What do I have to do first after arriving in Netherlands?
BRP registration (Basisregistratie Personen) at the gemeente, which issues the BSN — Within 5 days of arrival. Needs a rental contract or the landlord's permission at an address that allows registration; many gemeenten book the appointment 1-3 weeks out. Verify the current rule with the official source before you rely on it.
What is the BSN and do I need one?
BSN (burgerservicenummer) is Netherlands's personal tax/ID number. The citizen service number unlocks employment, health insurance, DigiD, banking and benefits. Issued automatically at BRP registration with the gemeente; it cannot be obtained before arrival (a short-stay RNI registration exists only for non-residents).
Can I drive in Netherlands on a US license?
A US licence is valid 185 days after residency and there is no US exchange — full CBR theory and practical exams — unless the holder has the 30% tax ruling, which unlocks a test-free swap for the whole household. Rules differ by nationality and change — check the official source before the window closes.
How do I get healthcare after moving to Netherlands?
Taking out Dutch basic insurance (basisverzekering, roughly €150/month) is mandatory within 4 months of registering or starting work — CAK fines follow if skipped; coverage is bought from private insurers, not enrolled via the state. See our healthcare-systems guide for how Netherlands's system treats foreign residents.