Outside University
1. Residence Permit Register Address Citizen Service Number (BSN)
Requirements:
- Legalized translation of documents
Instructions:
- Make an Appointment at The Hague International Center
- The website/office you visit might differ from the one provided above. Follow the instructions of the HR.
- Book the appointment in advance since the offices are busy.
- It takes 10 to 30 days for the address to be registered in all systems.
- If you have not rented a place in NL yet, the university’s address can be used for registration; refer to HR’s instructions.
2. 30% Tax Ruling
Requirements:
- Residence Permit
Instructions:
- The government reduces the taxation of newcomers in the first five years of residency.
- Upload the necessary documents to the immigration portal.
3. Bank Account
Requirements:
- BSN (maybe)
- Residence Permit
Instructions:
- Options: ABN Amro / ING / SNS / Rabobank / …
- Done through the mobile app of the banks.
- It takes up to 10 days for everything to arrive at your door.
- You might need a phone number for this; buy a pre-paid sim card for the first month.
4. SIM Card
Requirements:
- Bank Account (maybe)
- ID document
Instructions:
- Options: Odido, KPN, etc.
- It takes 5 minutes in person or 1-2 days via ordering online.
- Opening a bank account and getting a SIM card might create a loop because one needs the other. I suggest you get a pre-paid SIM for the first month and a permanent one after opening the bank account.
- Preferably use the residence permit or EU ID for this.
- If you already have a pre-paid SIM card, you can transfer the number to your new SIM card.
5. Public Transportation Card (OV-Chipkaart)
Requirements:
- Bank Account (maybe)
Instructions:
- Request a personal card at the website.
- It takes up to seven days to arrive.
- If you don’t have a bank account or address, you can get an anonymous chipkaart at train stations.
6. Transportation Subscription
Requirements:
- Bank Account (maybe)
Instructions:
- Make an account on the NS website.
- Select one of the options that best suits your travel needs.
- I suggest using the basic subscription at least. It’s free, and with it, you don’t need to charge the chipkaart before using it. The total travel costs will be taken from your bank account at the end of every month.
7. Health Insurance
Requirements:
- BSN
- Bank Account
Instructions:
- The university will arrange a phone call.
- Then an email with the offer will come.
- Answer the email and select your plan
- Options: OHRA / Zilveren Kruis
- The health insurance takes up to two weeks to be registered in all systems.
8. Pension
Instructions:
- The university will arrange for you with ABP.
- You might receive an email asking you to put some information on the website.
9. DigiD
Requirements:
- BSN
- Home Address
Instructions:
- Request one from the DigiD website.
- It will take three to ten days until you receive the mail containing the activation code of the DigiD.
10. Rent and Health Insurance Allowance
Requirements:
- BSN
- Address
- DigiD
Instructions:
- The government helps with rent and insurance costs.
- Log into the Toeslagen website and apply for them.
- When entering your salary, use the Gross Wage at the top (middle value) of your pay slip.
- For those with a 30% tax ruling, the gross shown on the pay slip is 70% of the actual gross wage.
- When calculating your salary in their tool, answer the following questions:
- Zit er vakantiegeld in dit bedrag per maand? Nee
- Krijgt u … 13 maand of een extra periode van … bij dit loon? Ja
- When entering rent, enter the basic rent and for the other fields, enter €12.
- It takes about a month for the applications to be completed.
11. Exchange Driver’s License (for those with the 30% ruling)
Requirements:
- DigiD
- Legalized Translation of Original Driver’s License
- Residence Permit
- 30% tax ruling acceptance letter
- Having lived for 185 days in the country which issued your original driver’s license at the year of its issuance
Instructions:
- Log in to the CBR website and request a “gezondheidsverklaring” (health declaration).
- Request a physical version (I’m not sure; maybe the print of the digital version is enough).
- It will take a maximum of 3 days for the form to arrive.
- Make an appointment at the Municipality of your city for “Buitenlands rijbewijs omwisselen” (Exchange Driver’s license). Example for Delft: log in here
- The Dutch driver’s license will take at least two weeks to be ready. You will receive a letter when it is ready for pick-up.
- Make another appointment at the Municipality for “Rijbewijs ophalen” (Collecting the driver’s license).
12. Register Healthcare Provider
Requirements:
- BSN
- Address
- DigiD
Instructions:
- Everyone needs to find and register with a General Practitioner (or GP) to use healthcare services in the Netherlands properly.
- The GP is the first point of contact when health issues arise. Moreover, the insurance might sometimes only cover your costs if you have consulted a GP before taking action regarding your health problems.
- You can find the GPs in your area by searching “GP” in Google Maps. Registration can be done via email or phone call, or by filling out the registration form on the website of each GP.
- It might take a couple of weeks to complete your registration with the GP. Usually, calling them can expedite the process.
- The GPs usually limit their services to the houses in their vicinity or residencies with specific zip codes. So first check the area the GP covers before registering with them.
- After registering with a particular GP, they will make an account for you on the MyHealth website or any other website they use. The websites are used for appointments with GPs, ordering medicine, etc. Ensure you are given access to the websites by logging into them. Call the GP again if your account has not been created on the website or if you have access problems.