Moving house

Let the authorities know when you move house

Every town and city in the Netherlands keeps a register of everyone living there, called the GBA (Gemeentelijke Basis Adminstratie). As a foreign national, you most likely had to register with your local authority at the start of your immigration procedure. To keep the population register accurate and up-to-date, you are required to report any changes in your address to your local authority. This obligation applies to Dutch nationals and foreign nationals alike. This means that if you have been living in Utrecht, for example, and you then go to live in Amsterdam, you must report to the city hall in Amsterdam and inform them of your move.

You must report changes to your new local authority within five days of moving. The town hall counter where you can do this is usually called Burgerzaken.

Don’t forget to take these documents with you:

• proof of identity (a valid passport or a identity card)
• proof of your new residential address (e.g. the lease or purchase deed, or a declaration and a copy of a proof of identity of the main tenant or owner of the premises where you are staying).

It’s easy to forget, but you also need to let the local authority know if you decide to leave the Netherlands permanently. You must do this at least five days before your departure. Don’t forget to take your proof of identity with you (a valid passport or a identity card).