In this guide
Arnhem at a glance
- Population: 171,907 (municipality; Statistics Netherlands, 1 August 2026)
- Province: Arnhem is the capital of Gelderland
- Notable institutions: ArtEZ University of the Arts (the ArtEZ Academy of Art & Design Arnhem), Alliander (official seat in Arnhem), Rijnstate hospital
Arnhem is the capital of Gelderland, in the east of the Netherlands. Outside the Netherlands the city is best known for the Battle of Arnhem in 1944 (Operation Market Garden), the subject of the film A Bridge Too Far.
For expats, Arnhem is a smaller city than Amsterdam, Utrecht or The Hague. This guide sticks to what we can source: how to register, which large institutions are based here, how health insurance works and where to look for the rest.
Cost of living
We do not have verified rent or price data for Arnhem, so we do not quote ranges. Check current listings on the main rental platforms for the neighbourhoods you are considering, and compare the total with your income.
Use the Housing Budget Checker to see what your budget covers before you start looking, and the Cost of Living Calculator to compare Arnhem with other Dutch cities. For the rules that apply to every rental, such as the maximum deposit, see our housing guide.
Neighbourhoods
Neighbourhood names you will come across when searching include the Centrum, Sonsbeek, Velp, Presikhaaf and Malburgen. We have no verified price or character data per neighbourhood, so visit the areas, check current listings and look at the distance to the station and to your work before you decide.
Working in Arnhem
Some larger organisations with a base in Arnhem:
- Provincial government: Arnhem is the capital of Gelderland.
- Alliander: the energy network company has its official seat in Arnhem (Utrechtseweg 68), according to its Chamber of Commerce extract.
- ArtEZ University of the Arts: ArtEZ has six academies and is active in Arnhem, Enschede and Zwolle, including the ArtEZ Academy of Art & Design Arnhem (ArtEZ, 8 October 2026).
- Rijnstate: the hospital serves the Arnhem, Overbetuwe and Liemers region from locations in Arnhem, Elst and Zevenaar (rijnstate.nl, 8 October 2026).
Check each employer’s vacancies for the language requirements of the role. For salary benchmarking, use the Salary Checker. Use the 30% Ruling Calculator to see how the 30% ruling could affect your pay. If you have a foreign degree, check recognition requirements with the Diploma Evaluator. See the Working in the Netherlands guide for broader context on employment contracts, tax and the 30% ruling.
Getting registered
Registration is handled by Gemeente Arnhem. According to the municipality, if you move to the Netherlands for the first time and plan to stay at least 4 months, you register within 5 days of arrival and you make an appointment for this (arnhem.nl, checked 8 October 2026). Arnhem also notes that its counters are very busy, so it can take longer to get an appointment; check the municipality’s website for the current situation.
Bring to the appointment:
- A valid identity document or residence permit
- A valid travel document or other proof of nationality
- Original foreign documents, such as a marriage or birth certificate, that meet the legalisation and translation requirements
- Proof of deregistration if you come from Aruba, Bonaire, Curaçao, Sint Maarten, Saba or Sint Eustatius
- Proof of your new address, for example a rental contract or proof of ownership
- Your partner and children if they move with you
After you register, the registration is completed within 4 weeks. For residents of countries outside the EU, the IND must first agree. You receive written confirmation of your registration and your BSN (arnhem.nl).
If you are arriving for a role at ArtEZ or another institution with an international HR function, ask them before your arrival whether they offer arrival support.
Not sure which visa you need? Use the Visa Checker. Use the BSN Planner to prepare your documents and read the BSN Registration Guide for the full process. Planning your integration path? Use the Inburgering Route Planner to see your requirements.
Healthcare and insurance
Rijnstate is a hospital with locations in Arnhem, Elst and Zevenaar (rijnstate.nl); the main address is Wagnerlaan 55 in Arnhem. For a huisarts (GP), ask practices near you whether they are taking on new patients and whether they can help in English.
Dutch health insurance is mandatory: take it out as soon as you can and no later than 4 months after arriving, with cover from the day you arrived (Government.nl). The average basic premium in 2026 is €157/month (Rijksoverheid), with a €385 annual deductible (eigen risico). Use the Health Insurance Wizard to compare policies. Compare Dutch and international expat insurance options with the Insurance Comparison.
See the Health Insurance for Expats guide for a full explanation of the Dutch health insurance system.
Transport
Arnhem Centraal is the main station. Use the NS journey planner for current travel times to the cities you need. For all public transport in the Netherlands you use the OV-chipkaart system; see the OV-chipkaart guide for expats. For cycling rules and buying a bike, see our cycling guide.
Getting started in Arnhem
Arrange payment details. A Dutch bank account is convenient for local payments, but a SEPA account cannot simply be rejected because its IBAN is from another Member State. Wise gives verified customers EUR account details with a non-Dutch euro IBAN (Wise uses a Belgian BIC and address) rather than an NL IBAN. Open a Wise account → Use the Bank Account Comparison to find the right Dutch bank for your situation.
Get health insurance. The basic package is the same at every insurer, so compare premium, policy type and supplementary cover. Compare Dutch health insurance options with our Health Insurance Wizard →
Consider expat insurance. If you are still settling in or working remotely, SafetyWing lists its Nomad Insurance from USD 62.72 per 4 weeks for ages 18 to 39 (safetywing.com, 6 October 2026). It does not replace the compulsory Dutch basisverzekering once you live here. Get SafetyWing coverage →
Plan your budget. Use our free cost of living calculator and housing budget checker to see what you can afford in Arnhem.
Outdoors
The Hoge Veluwe National Park is in the area. According to the park, visitors can use its White Bikes free of charge inside the park (hogeveluwe.nl). The Kröller-Müller Museum is a separate foundation from the park, so you need a museum ticket in addition to a park ticket (hogeveluwe.nl). Check the park’s website for admission prices and opening times.
Settling in: the first month
- Secure housing, and check that your landlord allows registration at the address
- Book your registration appointment with Gemeente Arnhem
- Receive your BSN after registration
- Open a Dutch bank account
- Arrange health insurance
- Register with a GP
- Apply for DigiD after receiving your BSN (see our DigiD guide)