Netherlands : Visa and immigration

Do I need a visa or work permit?

EU/EEA nationals do not need to have a visa or work permit in order to live and work in the Netherlands. However, Bulgaria and Romania nationals are still required to have a residence and work permit in order to live and work in this country. Bulgaria and Romania nationals do not need visas for trips to the Netherlands lasting less than three months.

If you are working in the Netherlands, you will need a Citizen Service Number (Burger Servicenummer or, in short, BSN) which indicates you have been registered in the tax and social security system. You can obtain a Citizen Service Number at your local office of the Tax and Customs Administration (Belastingdienst) .

Once you have resided in the Netherlands for more than three months, you should also register with the Dutch Immigration and Naturalisation Service (Imigratie-en Naturalisatiedienst, or IND) .

EU citizens do not have to find a job before moving to the Netherlands. However, with the cost of living being relatively expensive (particularly rented accommodation) it may be beneficial to organise work prior to moving to the Netherlands.

If you are from a non-EU country, please check with your Embassy about whether you need a visa or work permit to work in the Netherlands.

How do I apply for a visa?

If you are from a non-EU country, applications may be made via the Dutch Immigration and Naturalisation Service (Imigratie-en Naturalisatiedienst, or IND). Check with your home country's embassy for more information on applying for a Netherlands visa.

All non-EU nationals applying for a Netherlands visa while in the UK should do so in person through the Royal Netherlands Embassy in London or the Netherlands consulate in your area.

How do I apply for permanent residency?

If your employment is longer than three months, you should register with the Dutch Immigration and Naturalisation Service (Imigratie-en Naturalisatiedienst, or IND). There is a ‘residence wizard’ on the website where you can learn rules of residency in the Netherlands and how to apply.

If you are applying from a non-EU country, the ‘residence wizard’ will also help you learn how to apply for permanent residency.