Registering with the municipality in the Netherlands
Do you intend to live in the Netherlands for more than 4 months? Then you must register in the Personal Records Database (Basisregistratie Personen – BRP). You can do this at the municipality where you intend to live.
You must register in the BRP at the municipality where your intended address is located. There is no charge for this.
If you have no fixed address, you must register your postal address. For example, if you are a ship’s captain, or where the institution that you are in, such as a prison or psychiatric facility, is located.
Are you moving from one municipality to another municipality in the Netherlands? Then you must notify the new municipality of your change of address.
You must register with the municipality within 5 days of arriving in the Netherlands. You can do this at your municipality. Are your partner and/or children are coming with you to the Netherlands? They must come with you to the municipality.
Once you register in the BRP, you will receive a citizen service number (Burgerservicenummer – BSN). You will need this number for any contact with the Government of the Netherlands, such as when managing your taxes.
Exceptions
In some situations you can register later or in a different way:
- You are going to be living in the Netherlands for less than 4 months. Then you can register in the BRP as a non-resident. For this you can use an address outside the Netherlands. You will still receive a BSN.
- You do not have valid residence status, and to be allowed to stay in the Netherlands, you need a residence permit (verblijfsvergunning). If you are waiting for your residence permit to arrive, you do not have to register within 5 days.
- You are unable to prove your identity. This may require additional investigation. Registering with the municipality can then wait until the outcome of this investigation. After that, you will have to register.
This is how it works for you
Here is some information from your municipality.
Moving from abroad
You will have to visit us in person, bring your ID and other important documents. Children under the age of 18 must also attend the registration in person. Please make an appointment for this.
- You will be living in the Netherlands for at least 4 months over the next 6 months
- You have the Dutch nationality or you are residing lawfully in the Netherlands
- You can identify yourself with a valid identity document
- You live at an address within Gooise Meren
- You must register with the municipality of Gooise Meren within 5 days of arrival
Identifying with passport or residence permit
- Are you moving to the Netherlands from the European Union, Liechtenstein, Norway, Switzerland or Iceland? You identify yourself with a valid proof of identity such as a passport or identity card. A driving licence is not sufficient in this case
- Are you from a country other than Liechtenstein, Norway, Switzerland, Iceland or a European Union country? Then take your passport and your Dutch residence permit with you, or a valid residence endorsement from the Immigratie- en Naturalisatiedienst (IND)
Proof of deregistration
Are you from Aruba, Bonaire, Curaçao, Saba, Sint Eustatius or Sint Maarten? Apply for a proof of deregistration from the island you came from.
Purchase agreement, rental agreement or declaration of principal occupant
- Bring a purchase agreement or rental agreement for the residence with you if you are the main tenant yourself
- Are you not the main resident, but are you moving in? Complete the declaration of cohabitation and submit it to us together with a copy of the identity document of the main tenant. You can find the declaration of residence at gooisemeren.nl
Original legalised birth, marriage and divorce certificates
Bring original legalised and translated foreign documents of yourself and your children.
- Birth certificates. If you are in the Netherlands for the first time or if your child or children were born abroad, take the birth certificate(s) with you
- Did you get married or divorced abroad? Then we will need your marriage certificate or divorce certificate
Sometimes the documents need to be legalised, this varies per country. For more information see nederlandwereldwijd.nl.
Report your change of address
Inform the municipality of any changes in your personal details. Failure to do so may result in a fine.
Registration is free of charge.
Questions about this topic?
Contact the Municipality of Gooise Meren