Plan your move
Find information about what you need to take into account before moving to the Leiden region.
All you need to know about coming to the Leiden region
Depending on your country of origin, you may need an entry visa, a work permit, and a residence permit. You will also need to register in the Personal Records Database to obtain a Citizen Service Number (Burgerservicenummer - BSN).
Important things to be aware of before your move
- Moving to a new country involves bureaucracy, and the Netherlands is no exception to this.
- Some Dutch rules and procedures will be different from those in your home country.
- Time will be needed to attend meetings with Dutch organisations. Ensure that documents are prepared well ahead of time for these meetings.
- Information is often available only in Dutch.
Relocation Checklist - * Items marked with an asterisk are mandatory in accordance with the Dutch law
- If you are not an EU/EEA or Swiss citizen, check what immigration procedures you must follow.
- If you have children, inform their schools that you will be moving, and terminate any other memberships in the lead up to the move.
- Investigate the schooling/childcare possibilities in the Leiden region. You can consult our education page to find out what types of school there are in the Netherlands, and what (international) schools are located in the Leiden region.
- Take into account pricing and availability when planning your flight and accommodation. It is strongly recommended that you start the preparation of your accommodation well in advance. Our housing partners can help you.
- The first and most important thing you will need to arrange upon your arrival in Leiden is to book your registration appointment to receive your BSN (Citizen Service Number). Everyone living in the Netherlands is required to have a BSN. Visit our Registration page to find out more.
- Arranging your health insurance is another important step in your arrival phase. In the Netherlands, a basic health insurance is mandatory for all residents of the country and should be arranged as soon as possible. Find out about the different options on our Health Insurance page.
- You should also register at your local doctor and dentist (in Dutch: ‘huisarts’ & ‘tandarts’). Find more detailed information about both on our doctors and dentists pages.
- You will need to open a local bank account. For many banks, this is only possible after receiving your BSN. You can also visit our bank services webpage for more information on the subject.
- Get connected: arrange a Dutch telephone number, an internet provider, utilities, etc. Learn more on our Utilities page.
- Exchange your driving licence (if required). This usually needs to be done within the first 185 days. Read more about driving licenses.
- Learning Dutch is important for making new friends and communicating with your potential colleagues or employers. We recommend taking some of the Dutch classes provided by our Partners in Language Services.
- Get active in the local and/or international community and join social (media) groups, clubs, sports, and associations. Our Leisure page has plenty of suggestions. And why not come along to our monthly Meet & Mingle? These events are a great way to meet other internationals! Find the next one on our Events page.
- Looking for a job? Adapt your CV/Resume to match the Dutch style and begin contacting local recruitment agencies and career coaches. And check our Events page for upcoming career workshops!
- Stay informed with the LIC newsletter and social media channels (Facebook, Twitter & LinkedIn) where you can find out about every aspect of expat life in Leiden.
Welcome To NL Relocation App
If you are planning on relocating to the Netherlands, then why not take a look at the newly launched Welcome To NL Relocation App? This app provides you with all the practical information you will need about making the move to the Netherlands, and, importantly, the information is tailored to your own circumstances depending upon your family situation, the Dutch region you wish to relocate to, and more.
Learn more about the Relocation App
Our Partners in Relocation Services
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Find out more about PAS BMS Immigration & Relocation Service
Full immigration services and can assist with all aspects of your move such as housing, schooling, taxes, registration and full settling-in service.
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Learn more about Jimble
With years of experience under their belt as a relocation agency supporting companies and individuals, they are well-versed in making any relocation stress-free.
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More information about Voerman Group
Voerman Group have been an industry leader in providing top quality moving and relocation services since 1986.
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