The Netherlands is a bureaucratic country and proud of it. Regulations and procedures for expats and their families can seem daunting. The Dutch government is working on making it easier for expats to move through the red tape, with more changes on the way. The Dutch government has even admitted that its immigration system is “complex and unwieldy” but since 2004 the system has been increasingly streamlined with legislation designed to attract and select more educated and highly skilled migrants. Here’s what you can do to make the process easier and faster.

First of all, ensure that your documents are in order. Check your passport is valid for the period of your stay and that marriage and birth certifi cates are translated into Dutch, English, French or German and suffi ciently ‘legalised’. This is generally with the addition of an apostille—an extra stamp on the original document—and you obtain this from the ‘competent authority’ in your own country. See the apostille section of www.hcch.net.

There are two main bodies involved: the IND, which implements immigration policy and makes decisions on residence permits, and the GBA, where you register your entry into the Netherlands.

Registering with the GBA: everyone
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 fi ve 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 checkups for your children, and eligibility to register for social housing. As of November 2007, the burgerservicenummer (BSN) (which has replaced the old fi scal SOFI-number) is initiated here and you’ll need a BSN to open a bank account.

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