First registration in the Netherlands

Please note: students are kindly requested to submit their application here.

Are you moving (back) to Maastricht from abroad? And are you going to live here for more than 4 months? If so, you have to register with the municipality.

Registering as an expat

If you meet certain criteria (see drop-down menu at the bottom of this page), you can register online as an expat.  

Student?

Are you a student at Maastricht University (UM) or Zuyd University of Applied Sciences and are you coming from abroad to live in Maastricht? Then register online with the municipality so that you will also receive a Burgerservicenummer (BSN).

Registration is required if you intend to stay for at least 4 months

Are you going to stay in the Netherlands for more than 4 months in the next six months? Then you have to register with the municipality. Your personal details will be listed in the Dutch population register (Basisregistratie Personen or BRP). 

Register online within 5 days after arrival

Please note: if you're already registered at a Dutch municipality, you only have to notify us your change of address

You must register online within 5 days after your arrival in the Netherlands. Online registration is required for each family member moving with you. Fill in a separate registration form for each family member. 

Identity check at the Municipal ServiceDesk (by appointment only)

After receipt of your online registration, you will receive an e-mail to confirm your appointment at the Municipal ServiceDesk for yourself and for your partner and/or child(ren) who are moving with you. Please bring a valid identification and other required documents to your appointment (see drop-downmenu 'Bring to appointment' at the bottom of this page).

Translate documents

Have the required documents not been drawn up in Dutch, English, German or French? Then you must have them translated by a sworn translator in the Netherlands. If possible, official foreign documents should be legalised or provided with an apostille (stamp) for use in the Netherlands. More information about the use of foreign documents in the Netherlands can be found on the website Netherlands Worldwide.

  • Certain requirements apply to admission as an expat or higly-skilled migrant. To request a residence permit, the employer must be recognized as a 'sponsor' by the Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND). 

    Is my employer a recognized sponsor? 

    As an expat, you have requested a residence permit based on one of the following reasons for residency or you are a family member (partner or child) of a:

    • highly-skilled migrant
    • migrant worker from outside the EU to whom a work permit has been issued
    • researcher in accordance with Directive (EU)2016/801
    • 'orientation year' student
    • international start-up
    • self-employed person
    • Intra Corporate Transferee 2014/66/EU
  • Please bring the following documents to the appointment at the Municipal ServiceDesk: 

    • a valid identification
    • a rental or purchase contract (printed and signed by both parties) or a written permission from the principal occupant
    • your birth certificate (if you were born abroad)
    • proof from the Dutch Immigration and Naturalisation Service (Immigratie- en Naturalisatie Dienst or IND) that you have legal stay in the Netherlands if you are a non-EU-national
    • a proof (notification) of deregistration if you come from: Aruba, Curaçao, Saint Martin, Bonaire, Saint Eustace or Saba

    If the following events took place abroad: 

    • a marriage: the marriage certificate
    • a divorce: the divorce certificate
    • the death of a partner: the death certificate
    • the birth of your children: the birth certificate and/or recognition certificate
    • You have the Dutch nationality, or a residence permit for certain or indefinite periods of time
    • You stay longer than 4 months living in the Netherlands

    The requested documents need to be translated if they are not written in Dutch, English, German or French. You don't have to legalize the translation if the translator is sworn in the Netherlands. In all other cases, you must re-legalize the original document in the Netherlands. More information can be found at Netherlands worldwide

  • Are you moving from abroad (again) to Maastricht (remigration or immigration)? Then your registration is free of charge and mandatory. You pay the costs of translating or legalising any required documents yourself.

  • You will receive a confirmation e-mail with an invitation to schedule an appointment at the Municipal ServiceDesk to verify your identity.

  • Are you coming to live in Maastricht from abroad for less than 4 months, to work or study? Register with one of the 19 municipalities with a desk for the Registration of Non-Residents (RNI). The RNI is part of the Personal Records Database (Basisregistratie Personen or BRP). This contains details of persons who do not / no longer live in the Netherlands or have lived in the Netherlands for less than 4 months. For residents of Maastricht, the nearest RNI desk can be found in Heerlen.

    Registering in the RNI municipality of Heerlen

    Contact details other RNI offices