Moving to the Netherlands: Your Step-by-Step Relocation Guide
The Netherlands has something almost no other European country offers US citizens: a visa route built specifically for you. The DAFT visa (Dutch-American Friendship Treaty) gives US citizens a direct path to residency through self-employment, no Dutch employer required. If you're a freelancer, consultant, or entrepreneur, it's one of the cleanest routes to living in Europe that exists. It requires real preparation (a business plan, KVK registration, proof of funds) but it's a genuine advantage worth using.
Once you arrive, getting your BSN (Burgerservicenummer) is your first priority. It unlocks everything: banking, healthcare, tax, and most other services. You register in person at your local gemeente, so book that appointment early. Availability varies by city and it creates a bottleneck if you leave it too late.
The rental market in Amsterdam, Rotterdam, and The Hague is competitive and expensive, so budget realistically and move quickly when you find something. Health insurance is mandatory from the moment you register as a resident, and you have four months to arrange private coverage (zorgverzekering). If you're relocating for work with a Dutch employer rather than going self-employed, look into the 30% ruling early. It's a significant tax break for qualifying skilled migrants but you need to apply within four months of starting work, and it's easy to miss that window when you're juggling everything else.
Your the Netherlands move: a rough timeline
Leaving
Before you travel
- Prepare your MVV / residence permit or DAFT dossier with the embassy or IND as your route requires
- Draft your business plan and KVK outline if you are coming on DAFT as a freelancer or entrepreneur
- Line up temporary or long-term housing - you need a Dutch address for many registrations
- If bringing a pet: microchip, rabies vaccination, EU health certificate, and any titer test per EU rules
Landing
First 90 days
- Register at the gemeente to get your BSN and official address registration
- Take out Dutch basic health insurance (zorgverzekering) within 4 months of registering as a resident
- Register with the Tax Administration (Belastingdienst) for your Burgerservicenummer tax correspondence
- Collect your residence card from IND if applicable
Living
Settling in
- Finalise KVK registration and VAT if self-employed under DAFT or running a Dutch business
- Open a Dutch bank account with your BSN and proof of address
- Highly skilled migrant: confirm 30% ruling paperwork with your employer within the deadlines
- Enrol children in school and book Dutch integration (inburgering) courses if your permit requires them
Leaving
Before you travel
- Prepare your MVV / residence permit or DAFT dossier with the embassy or IND as your route requires
- Draft your business plan and KVK outline if you are coming on DAFT as a freelancer or entrepreneur
- Line up temporary or long-term housing - you need a Dutch address for many registrations
- If bringing a pet: microchip, rabies vaccination, EU health certificate, and any titer test per EU rules
Landing
First 90 days
- Register at the gemeente to get your BSN and official address registration
- Take out Dutch basic health insurance (zorgverzekering) within 4 months of registering as a resident
- Register with the Tax Administration (Belastingdienst) for your Burgerservicenummer tax correspondence
- Collect your residence card from IND if applicable
Living
Settling in
- Finalise KVK registration and VAT if self-employed under DAFT or running a Dutch business
- Open a Dutch bank account with your BSN and proof of address
- Highly skilled migrant: confirm 30% ruling paperwork with your employer within the deadlines
- Enrol children in school and book Dutch integration (inburgering) courses if your permit requires them
What Relocora covers for your the Netherlands move
Visa & immigration
DAFT visa for US citizen freelancers/entrepreneurs (Dutch-American Friendship Treaty). Work visa (Highly Skilled Migrant) if employed by a Dutch company. No visa needed for stays under 90 days.
BSN registration
Register at your local gemeente (municipality) to get your BSN (Burgerservicenummer). Required for healthcare, banking, taxation, and all official interactions.
Housing
Competitive market in Amsterdam, Rotterdam, and The Hague. A strong application includes proof of income, employer letter, and passport. Be ready to move quickly.
Banking
ING, ABN AMRO, and Rabobank are the main Dutch banks. Most require a BSN and proof of address. Bunq and Revolut are popular alternatives for new arrivals.
Healthcare
Mandatory private health insurance (zorgverzekering) for all residents. Register within 4 months of BSN registration. Choose from Zilveren Kruis, VGZ, CZ, or Menzis.
KVK registration
If self-employed (including DAFT), register your business at the KVK (Chamber of Commerce). You then receive a KVK number needed for invoicing and tax registration.
Schools & education
Free state schooling from age 4 through secondary. International schools are well-established in Amsterdam, The Hague, and Rotterdam - The Hague in particular has a large expat community and a wide choice of English-medium schools. Enrolment requires your BSN. Some long-term residency routes require Dutch language integration classes (inburgering).
Pets
The Netherlands follows EU pet travel rules. US pets need an ISO-standard microchip, a rabies vaccination, and a USDA-endorsed EU health certificate. If your pet has never been in the EU, a rabies antibody titer test at least 3 months before travel is required. All dogs must be microchipped and registered in the national database after arrival.
How Relocora helps
Personalised checklist
Get a step-by-step plan built around your destination, nationality, household, and employment. Every task in the right order.
Document organisation
Link files from your Google Drive and keep everything in one place. No uploads to Relocora; your files stay in your Drive.
Application packs
Build rental, bank, or school application packs from linked documents, as a shared folder in your Drive or a single PDF.
Frequently asked questions about moving to the Netherlands
- What is the DAFT visa for the Netherlands?
- The DAFT visa (Dutch-American Friendship Treaty) is available exclusively to US citizens who plan to run a business or work as a freelancer in the Netherlands. It provides residency rights and a path to a longer residence permit. You need a business plan, KVK registration, and proof of sufficient funds.
- What is a BSN number and how do I get one?
- The BSN (Burgerservicenummer) is your Dutch citizen service number, used for healthcare, tax, banking, and almost everything else. Register at your local gemeente (town hall) in person. You need proof of address in the Netherlands and your passport.
- Is health insurance mandatory in the Netherlands?
- Yes. All residents of the Netherlands must have Dutch basic health insurance (basisverzekering) within four months of registering as a resident. Providers include Zilveren Kruis, VGZ, CZ, and Menzis.
- How competitive is the rental market in Amsterdam?
- Very competitive. Amsterdam has a severe housing shortage and rents are high. Social housing waitlists are years long. Most expats rent in the private sector through Funda, Pararius, or expat-specialist agencies. Act fast when you find a listing.
- What is the Netherlands' 30% ruling?
- The 30% ruling allows Dutch employers to pay highly skilled international employees a 30% tax-free allowance on their salary, reducing effective tax rates significantly. It must be applied for by the employer within 4 months of the employee's start date.
From the Relocora blog: the Netherlands
Practical guides and real-world advice for your the Netherlands move, written by people who have done it.
Read the Netherlands guides on the blog