Immigration & Visa

Practical information about Dutch visas, residence permits, and official procedures

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Moving to the Netherlands: Everything Explained

My immigration wasn't easy. Stressful visa waiting, bureaucracy maze, housing madness... But I figured it out and I'm sharing my experience. I came on a work visa - student and family visas may differ.

1Visa Types

Kennismigrant: Most common work visa, needs employer sponsorship. EU Blue Card: Higher salary threshold, valid across EU. Student Visa: With university sponsorship. Zoekjaar: 1-year job search for graduates.

2First Steps

Week 1: BSN appointment, bank, SIM card. Week 2: Insurance, DigiD, OV-chipkaart. Week 3-4: Housing search, 30% ruling application.

3Bureaucracy Guide

IND: ind.nl - immigration. Belastingdienst: taxes. Gemeente: municipality. DUO: student affairs. SVB: social benefits.

4Bank Account

ING, ABN AMRO, Rabobank. Bunq and N26 open faster. Documents: Passport, BSN, address proof.

5Tax System

Taxes are high but you get benefits. 37% (up to 73k€), 50% (above). Much lower with 30% ruling. Annual declaration mandatory.

💡Rose's Immigration Tips

Find housing BEFORE arriving - you need an address for BSN
Documents must be apostilled and translated
Book IND appointments online
Apply for DigiD immediately
First 3 months are bureaucracy-heavy, then it gets easier

Frequently Asked Questions

What is BSN?

Dutch social security number. You need it for everything: bank, work, insurance. Get it at the municipality.

Is health insurance mandatory?

Yes. Basic insurance is 120-150€/month. Must get within first 4 months.

How to apply for 30% ruling?

Your employer applies. Within 4 months of starting. Must have come from 150km+ away.