Frequently asked questions

Find the answers to your settling-in questions. You can find answers to the most frequently asked questions about first registration with the municipality, permits, and visa related questions, the International Welcome Centre's services and more.

Any questions left unanswered? Please contact the International Welcome Centre Utrecht Region. For questions about living in Utrecht Region, please check out our website or visit our help desk for a free consult.

The IWCUR offers free services to newcomers in Utrecht Region. Our services will help you settle-in and are all free of charge. You can arrange your paperwork at our office (residence documents en municipal registration), receive practical information about living in Utrecht Region at our helpdesk and website, and join one of our free events to meet new people and build a social network.

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Are you looking for someone that specialises in relocation, healthcare, childcare, housing, banking or another field? The International Welcome Centre will connect you with reliable experts who offer high-quality services in English and are familiar with the needs of internationals living, working and studying in Utrecht Region.

Browse the IWCUR partners

A BSN (citizen service number or in Dutch ‘burgerservicenummer’) is a unique personal number allocated to everyone registered in the municipal Personal Records Database (BRP). You need a BSN if you want to arrange something with the Dutch government. For example, arrange health insurance or your tax return.

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If you are going to live and/ or work in the Netherlands, you need to register with your local municipality. Unless you are staying for four months or less. In that case, you are not officially required to register. However, if you plan to work or want access to services like healthcare, you require a citizen service number (BSN). You can register for a short stay (RNI) to receive a BSN.

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If you are planning on staying in the Netherlands for less than four months, you can apply for a short-term municipal registration (RNI). RNI stands for registration as a non-inhabitant (in Dutch: registratie niet-ingezetenen’). You will receive a BSN number, but you will not be registered as a resident in the Netherlands.

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You can register at the International Welcome Centre if you live in/ plan to live in Utrecht, Amersfoort, Hilversum, Woerden or Oudewater. Please note: you can only register using a ‘briefadres’ or postal address if you live in Utrecht. Moving to another city or town in Utrecht Region? We have listed their contact details for you.

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In some cases, it is possible to register. This only applies of you live in the city in Utrecht. If you meet certain criteria, you can register using the official postal address of your employer. Sometimes you can also register if you are living at a residence rented by your employer or if you are temporarily living at someone else's address.

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A valid passport or ID card for each person that needs to be registered.
Proof of occupancy: a rental/ tenancy agreement, home purchase deed or a completed form for temporary registration.
Legalised birth, marriage and/ or divorce certificate (if available) – this doesn’t apply to international students. The municipality only accepts deeds in English, German and French. Deeds in other languages must be translated by a sworn translator. Both the original deed and the translated document must be legalised. Please note: all deeds must comply with the rules for legalisation. Read more about the legalisation of documents.
A proof of deregistration in case you are relocating from Aruba, Curaçao, Sint Maarten, Bonaire, Saba or Sint Eustatius.

When you live in the Netherlands, you may have to present official documents such as civil status documents, diplomas or certificates at some point. Sometimes these documents do not meet the Dutch legal requirements. In this case, it is necessary to authenticate (legalise) the documents to show that the document has been issued by an official authority. Please check if you need to legalise documents when preparing for your relocation to the Netherlands. If the answer is yes, leave plenty of time to legalise the documents because it can be a lengthy process.

Do the check

Yes. If you are leaving the Netherlands for at 8 months or more in 12 months time (these 8 months do not have to be consecutive), you must inform the municipality. This does not have to be in a consecutive period of time. They need to remove your personal details from the Personal Records Database (BRP) and inform other government authorities of your departure. If your partner and/or child(ren) leave the Netherlands as well, they also need to deregister.

Inform the municipality

You have to make an appointment with the city of Utrecht if you have arranged your first registration but need to come back to have some documents registered. Please note: the International Welcome Centre only processes certificates for the municipality of Utrecht. If you live in another municipality, please contact your local municipality to register your documents.

Make an appointment (for one person)

A recognised sponsor is a company, school or organisation that has an interest in the arrival of a third-country national. A recognised sponsor can apply for a residence permit for, for example, employees or students. See which organisations are recognised sponsors.

More info and check organisation

With your DigiD you identify yourself when accessing services online. It allows you to access and services safely. You need it for government matters, healthcare or your pension. To apply for a DigiD, you need a BSN, mobile phone and address registered with the Dutch municipality.

More info on the DigiD website

If you are new in the Netherlands and have a foreign driving license, you can continue to use this driving license for a limited period of time. How long depends on where you obtained this license. After this period ends, you need to apply for a Dutch driving license. Some internationals can exchange their driver’s license for a Dutch one easily. This includes but is not limited to EU and EEA citizens, and expats who have the 30% tax facility status.

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Don’t you want to pay to park your car or other vehicle? You can apply for a resident parking permit (parkeervergunning voor bewoner) at the municipality. With a permit, you don’t have to pay for parking at the meter or via a parking app. You need one permit for every car you own. Contact the municipality you live in for more information.

Questions about living in Utrecht Region?

Do you have questions about housing, education, healthcare, employment, finance, transportation or learning Dutch? Find plenty of information on our website. Can't find what you need? Feel free to visit our helpdesk.

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Frequently asked questions

International Welcome Centre Utrecht Region (IWCUR)

First registration

Permits, visa and other IND related questions

Other formalities

Questions about living in Utrecht Region?

What services does the IWCUR offer?

Do I need to schedule an appointment?

Do I need to pay for the IWCUR services (Civil Affairs/ IND)?

Can I, as an international student, also make use of the IWCUR services?

Who can I go to for expert advice?

How do I contact the IWCUR?

What is a BSN?

How to obtain a BSN?

When do I need to register?

What does RNI mean?

Is it possible to register without an appointment?

Where do I schedule an appointment to register with the municipality?

I don’t live in Utrecht; can I still register at the International Welcome Centre?

Can I register without my own official address?

What documents do I need to bring to the registration appointment?

Do I need to legalise/ translate my documents?

How do I cancel my registration appointment?

I have moved. Do I need to report a change of home address?

Do I need to deregister when leaving the Netherlands?

I have registered with the municipality but need to come back to have some documents registered. Where do I make an appointment?

Do I need an appointment to pick up my residence permit?

How do I make an appointment to pick up my residence permit?

How to reschedule or cancel my appointment?

What is a recognised sponsor and is the organisation you work for a recognised sponsor?

You are leaving the Netherlands. Who to inform and where to hand in your residence document?

I need to submit my biometrics for the IND. Where do I do this?

What is a DigiD and how do I apply?

Do I need to exchange my driving license and how do I do this?

How do I apply for a parking permit?

Can I open a bank account without a BSN?

Do I need to take out health insurance in the Netherlands?

Questions about living in Utrecht Region?