Registering as an expat

If you are moving to Maastricht for more than 4 months as an expat, you must register with the municipality within 5 days of arrival. Follow the steps on this page to get your citizen service number (BSN) as quickly as possible.

Expat registration
Fill in a form for each family member
  • I have a residence permit.
  • I will stay in the Netherlands for more than 4 months.

Expat registration requirements

You must live and work in the Netherlands for more than 4 months. You can register as an expat if:

  • your employer is a recognised sponsor. Recognition by the Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND) allows your employer to apply for a residence permit for you.
  • you have a residence permit with one of the purposes below. 

Purposes of stay

  • Highly skilled migrant
  • Non-EU labour migrant with a work permit
  • Researcher (EU directive 2016/801)
  • 'Orientation Year' student
  • International startup
  • Self-employed entrepreneur
  • Intra Corporate Transferee (EU directive 2014/66)

Accompanying partner and children

If you qualify for expat registration, we can also register your partner and/or children who are moving with you. Please submit a separate form for each family member.

Appointment at the municipal service desk: identity check

Once your online registration is received, you will get an email confirmation for your appointment at the GemeenteLoket (municipal service desk) for you and any accompanying family members. Please bring a valid ID and the required documents to the appointment. See the ‘Documents to bring’ section below.

Document translation

Documents not in Dutch, English, German, or French must be translated by a sworn translator in the Netherlands. If possible, official documents from abroad should be legalised or have an apostille (stamp) for use in the Netherlands.

More information on the use of foreign documents in the Netherlands can be found on the website Netherlands Worldwide. 

  • In order to process your online registration quickly and correctly, we will need the following documents during your appointment at the GemeenteLoket (municipal service desk).

    • a copy of your valid passport(s) or identity card(s)
    • Proof of accommodation: a tenancy or purchase agreement (printed and signed by both parties) or, if staying with someone, a written permission from the main tenant with a copy of their passport or ID card
    • Your birth certificate if you were not born in the Netherlands
    • Proof from the Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND) that you have the right to stay in the Netherlands if you are not an EU citizen
    • A deregistration notice if moving from Aruba, Curaçao, Sint Maarten, Bonaire, Sint Eustatius, or Saba

    For events that occurred while living abroad:

    • Marriage: marriage certificate
    • Divorce: divorce certificate
    • Partner’s death: death certificate
    • Children’s birth: birth and/or acknowledgment certificate

  • If you are moving to Maastricht to temporarily work in the Netherlands as an expat, you will need a BSN. This is your unique personal number for contact with the government, such as for healthcare or taxes. You’ll also need a BSN to:

    • apply for health insurance
    • open a Dutch bank account
    • access various public services

  • Registration is free of charge.