Immigration

This section will inform you of the formalities you will need to deal with when moving to the Netherlands, such as registering with your municipality, working- and residence permits. You will also need to obtain a social security number. Information about bringing your family members with you to the Netherlands will also be made available.

Working in the Netherlands

To work in the Netherlands, residents of the EU/EEA member states do not require resident permits. After you have been here for three months, you should register with the IND (Immigration and Naturalisation Service). When you register, you must provide documents to verify the purpose of your stay. After registration, you will immediately receive proof of registration in the form of a sticker, which will be attached to your passport (or other proof of identity). For more information, see the IND website at IND www.ind.nl. You will find a "residence wizard" on that website, where you will find the rules for staying in the Netherlands for you and your family. If you are a Bulgarian or Romanian national, you are not obligated to apply to a municipality for a residence permit or an EU document (although this is advisable). Because you will still face restrictions to the labour market, the registration procedure at IND counters that applies to other citizens of the EU does not apply to you. Since 1 January 2005, everyone aged 14 or older must be able to show proof of identity. If you are an EU or EEA national, you can use your passport or EU/EEA identity card as proof of identification.

EU/EEA Nationalities

In principle, the European Union (EU) and the European Economic Area (EEA) allow the free movement of money, goods, services and persons. This means that residents of these countries may live and work in any member state. This free movement of persons already exists between most EU and EEA member states. Current members are Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Denmark, Germany, Finland, France, Greece, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, the United Kingdom, Poland, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Slovenia, Slovakia, the Czech Republic, Bulgaria and Romania. Bulgarian and Romanian citizens still require a work permit < Tewerkstellingsvergunning (TWV) > in the Netherlands. EU/EEA residents who work in the Netherlands have the same rights as the residents of this country with respect to salary, working conditions, access to housing, vocational training, social security and joining a trade union. Family members and dependents are entitled to accompany them and enjoy the same rights.

Non-EU citizens

Non-EU citizens need a residence permit for a legal stay in the Netherlands. The Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND) handles all applications for a residence permit once you've been registered in the GBA. Are you coming from outside the EU/EEA to live in The Hague for longer than 4 months? Or are you the partner of an EU/EEA or Swiss citizen and planning to stay in The Hague for longer than 4 months? You will need to make an appointment with the Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND) to apply for a residence permit and to register in the Municipal Personal Records Database (GBA).

Social Security Number (BSN)

To work in the Netherlands, you must have a social security number (in Dutch, a BSN or Sofi number). This number means that you have registered with the tax authorities and the social security system. If you plan to stay longer than three months, you must register in the municipality where you live, which will issue you a social security number. If you plan to stay for a shorter period, however, or if you continue to live in another country while you are working in the Netherlands, you must apply to the tax authorities for a Sofi (social and fiscal) number. If you are employed, your employer will withhold social contributions and wage tax from your salary, which will then be transferred to the government agencies concerned. This contribution takes place in anticipation of the annual income tax you are required to pay. For more information and the addresses of tax authority offices, see www.belastingdienst.nl or ring 0800 - 0543 (inside the Netherlands) or +31 555 38 53 85 (outside the Netherlands).

Links