Working in the Netherlands

The Gemeentelijke basisadministratie persoonsgegevens is the personal records database of the municipal authority. Anyone who intends to stay in the Netherlands for more than three months (including EU/EEA nationals) must register at the GBA within five days of arrival. Registration with the GBA triggers the start of other processes and proof of registration is essential for many more.

The details you give when you register (such as the size of your apartment and family) determine charges for water and refuse collection, prompts the local health department to contact you regarding check-ups for your children, and eligibility to register for social housing.  As of November 2007, the burgerservicenummer (BSN) (which has replaced the old fiscal sofi-number) is initiated here.

Documents required include a passport (valid for a minimum period of your stay), rental contract (in your name), employment contract (if applicable), birth and marriage certificates of all family members (see above for legal format). Registration is free.

You don't have to repeat this process every time you move house; you can generally just visit a local office – stadsdeelkantoor – to update your details (which you are legally obliged to do). You also need to de-register when you leave the Netherlands. The GBA no longer deals with applications for residency permits. For that you must contact the IND.

In Amsterdam and The Hague there's a central location where non-Dutch nationals register for the first time. You need to make an appointment and all members of your family (regardless of age) must be present at the first interview. Once you have registered, contact the IND to make an appointment regarding the residence passport (if required).

In order to work in the Netherlands you need a Citizen Service Number (Burger Servicenummer or, in short, BSN) after January 1st, 2007. This number means you are registered in the tax and social security system.

 

If you work in paid employment, your employer will deduct social security contributions and tax from your wage and pay these amounts to the concerned authorities. This payment occurs in advance of the income tax return, which you have to complete once a year. For more information and the addresses of tax offices visit www.belastingdienst.nl or phone 0800 0543 (from the Netherlands) or +31 555 38 53 85 (from abroad).

You will also need a BSN to open a bank account.
 

The Immigratie- en Naturalisatiedienst (www.ind.nl – telephone:  0900 1234561 or +31 20 889 3045 outside the Netherlands) implements immigration policy including applications for residence permits, Dutch citizenship, visas and asylum requests. The official policy line is “strict but fair” and efforts are being made to speed up the processes involved. The website has extensive information in English, a Residence Wizard for entering specific circumstances and downloadable brochures and forms. You need to make an appointment and visit an IND office personally to be interviewed, or have a sticker put in your passport. If you have applied for a highly skilled migrant residence permit this is not necessary but voluntary. To collect a permit you need to visit an IND-office in person. If you receive a letter stating the permit is ready, you can visit the office without an appointment. Renewal forms are automatically sent to you. The location of offices can be found on the IND website.

A residence permit (verblijfsvergunning) is related to your purpose for stay. Your country of origin, purpose for coming to the Netherlands (work, study, marriage, reunification with family), income, age and period of residency are the key factors in determining what kind of residence permit you need or are eligible for. There are 29 variations (with plans to reduce that number), all individually priced. The most expensive relate to family reunification or formation, however, if a family arrives in the Netherlands together there is a family tariff. Other requirements include no criminal record, proof of means of support, Dutch health insurance and no risk to public order, national peace or security. A temporary residence permit is issued initially for a fixed period with a maximum of five years, and after five years' legal residence it is possible to apply for a permanent residence permit or consider naturalisation. The duration of the temporary residence permit varies. Most permits are issued for a year (and can then be renewed); those issued for work or the knowledge migrant scheme can be longer - up to a maximum of five years.

Registration is not compulsory for European Union citizens but proof of registration "may be handy" according to the IND. The procedure for this is IND Registration for EU citizens. You will require proof of GBA registration, health insurance and a valid passport and will also be interviewed about your purpose in the Netherlands. The registration certificate is a one-off stamp in your passport. Nationals of Bulgaria and Romania apply for a different permit: proof of lawful residence.  However, according to the IND “There are no immediate consequences if you do not register, because under the EC-Treaty your stay will still be lawful”.  If you have been resident for five years or more you are eligible for the Permanent Residence for EU Citizens certificate that costs EUR 30. This applies also to nationals of Bulgaria and Romania and non-EU/EEA/Swiss family members who have lived with you for five years.

All non-EU/EER and Swiss nationals require a residence permit, and may also need an MVV (see below) to enter the Netherlands to stay for more than three months. Once registered with the GBA, you make an appointment with the IND to apply for a residence permit.

This is an authorisation for temporary stay that applies to migrants intending to stay longer than three months (90 days) which can only be applied for while you are outside the Netherlands. An examination covering Dutch language and culture (Civic Integration Abroad - EUR 350) is part of the procedure for some family-based MVV’s but generally not for family members of expatriates. See www.naarnederland.nl for more details of the test. MVV costs vary according to the purpose of your stay. It is a sticker (valid for six months) placed in your passport.

When applying for a residence permit, there is no MVV requirement for nationals of Australia, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Germany, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, New Zealand, Norway, Austria, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia, Slovakia, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, UK, USA, and Vatican City.

After three years in the Netherlands, a non-EU national who has a residence permit based on a relationship (a Dutch partner for example), can apply for a permit in their own right (Residence Permit for Continued Residence.

To open a bank account you will need a valid passport or residence permit card, proof of residency from the GBA and your BSN number (Burger Servicenummer). You may also be asked for a copy of your employment contract and / or salary slips.

In accordance with the Zorgverzekeringswet (Medical Insurance Law) it is compulsory for every resident of The Netherlands (Military personnel excluded) to have Basisverzekering (basic insurance). Please note that the Dutch Government does check against each and every BSN number in order to make sure that all residents of The Netherlands are indeed insured thus it is each individual’s responsibility to ensure they are sufficiently ensured. Further information about Zorgverzekering can be found on www.denieuwezorgverzekering.nl (please note: This website is all in Dutch)

Several employers, including the Blue Lynx Group, have collective medical insurance schemes. The benefit of a collective offer is that the more people that join, the higher the percentage discount the insurance company is willing to give.

In the Netherlands, two centres of expertise work together on evaluating foreign diplomas Nuffic and Colo.

 

Nuffic is responsible for the evaluation of qualifications at primary and (basic) secondary education level and at higher education level.

 

Colo is responsible for the evaluation of qualifications at vocational education level.

 

For information on the procedure you can contact the joint information desk of Nuffic and Colo at the Informatiecentrum Diplomawaardering (IcDW). The procedure for the application of an evaluation of your foreign diploma is explained on the IcDW website (http://www.idw.nl/index2.html)

All residents of The Netherlands over the age of 14 must carry ID at all times that shows their residency status (for EU/EER nationals, a passport).

If you decide to leave The Netherlands, there are a number of matters to be dealt with before you leave. One is that you have to deregister from the Municipal Personal Records Database (Gemeentelijke Basisadministratie, GBA). This means the municipality will remove your personal details from the files. The municipality will automatically inform other government authorities of your departure.

 

To deregister you will need the following documents: a valid form of identity. This can be your passport, identity card or residence permit.

 

If your partner and/or your children leave the Netherlands, they must deregister with the municipality as well.

 

Deregistration from the municipality is free.

 

Useful links:

 

http://www.werk.nl/portal/page/portal/werk_nl/werknemer/working_in_the_netherlands_wn/inenglish

 

EXPATICA

http://www.expatica.com/nl/working/employment_list.html

 

 

 

 

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