Visa & Legal Guides for Expats in the Netherlands 2026 (35 guides)

The legal and administrative side of moving to the Netherlands is not complicated once you understand the sequence. The problem is that almost nobody explains the sequence clearly. Banks ask for your BSN (some, like ABN AMRO and ING, let you hand it in after opening), you need an address to get a BSN, but some landlords want a bank account before they give you an address. These guides untangle the dependencies so you know exactly what to do and in what order.

The Highly Skilled Migrant Visa

If you are moving to the Netherlands for work and your employer is an IND-recognised sponsor, the Highly Skilled Migrant (HSM) visa — called the kennismigrant permit in Dutch — is the simplest route. Your employer handles the application, and processing typically takes two to four weeks.

The income threshold for the HSM permit changes annually. For 2026, it is €5,942 gross per month for applicants aged 30 and over, and €4,357 for those under 30 (ind.nl, checked 21 August 2026). We cover the full requirements, the application process, and what happens when you change employers while on this permit.

Use the salary checker to verify whether your offered salary meets the threshold, and the visa permit finder to identify which permit type applies to your specific situation.

Residence Permits for Other Situations

Not everyone arrives on an HSM permit. These guides also cover:

• EU/EEA citizens registering under the right of free movement
• The orientation year visa (zoekjaar) for recent graduates
• The self-employment permit for freelancers
• Family reunification permits
• What to do if your situation changes mid-permit

The BSN Number

The Burgerservicenummer (BSN) is your Dutch identification number and the key that unlocks almost everything else — tax registration, health insurance, banking, and DigiD. You receive it automatically when you register at your municipality (gemeente), but the process for registering varies depending on whether you are in a large city or a smaller town.

DigiD Registration

The Complete Moving Checklist

After the Paperwork

The permit and the BSN are the gate. The three things that follow immediately afterwards, in this order, are:

• Opening a Dutch bank account — needed for rent, salary, and almost every direct debit
• Arranging your health insurance — the four-month deadline starts the day you register with your gemeente
• Setting up energy and internet — the two contracts that come with your first address