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Requirements for EU and non-EU citizens

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Check what is required for you to live and work in the Netherlands based on your citizenship.

EU/EEA Citizens

If you are staying in the Netherlands more than 4 months, you must register in the Personal Records database. Check the BSN Appointments & Registration page for more information.

As an EU/EEA or Swiss citizen you do not need a residence permit to live in the Netherlands. The passport or ID document of the country in which you hold nationality allows you to stay in the Netherlands. You are not required to report to Immigration Services (IND).

 

All EU/EEA or Swiss citizens are entitled to work without restriction in all sectors and industries.  

However, to stay in the Netherlands you must be:   

  • A citizen from an EU/EEA member state or Switzerland
  • Not be considered a risk to public order or national security  
  • Have a valid travel document

Family member of an EU, EEA or Swiss Citizen

If a family member who is not an EU/EEA or Swiss citizen intends to stay with their family in the Netherlands, they must register with the Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND) and apply for a residence permit.

You can find more information about residency for Third Country Nationals who are family members of an EU citizen on the Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND) website. 

 

Non-EU Citizens

You will need a residence permit to stay in the Netherlands for a period of over 90 days. Your eligibility to work legally in the Netherlands is explained in the Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND) brochure Coming to work in the Netherlands.  

Requirements for residency permits vary per type and country of origin. More information and application forms can be found on the Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND) website. 

Filling out forms.

Intra-Company Transferee

The EU Intra-Company Transferee directive was implemented in 2016. The objective of the ICT directive is to make it easier for multinational companies to transfer skilled workers from non-EU countries. The new ICT rules override other schemes such as the highly skilled migrant scheme. Any applications for highly skilled migrant status will be checked against the conditions of the ICT directive, and in the case of an overlap only an ICT permit will be granted. 

Check the IND's Intra-Company Transferee page for more information.

Brexit

Bristish citizens (without an EU passport) now fall under two categories:
1) If you were resident in the Netherlands before 31 December 2020 you are covered by the Withdrawal Agreement
2) If you moved/will move to the Netherlands after 31 December 2020 you must apply for a residency permit

More information can be found on the IND website's page Living in the Netherlands after Brexit and the Dutch government's website.

Orientation Year (Zoekjaar) permit for recent students

The Orientation Year (zoekjaar) work and residence permit allows you, as a graduate from a non-EU country, to remain in the Netherlands for one year with free access to the Dutch employment market.

More information can be found on the IND website's page oreintation year.  

Short Stay Visas

Depending on your nationality, you may need a short stay visa if you would like to visit the Netherlands on holiday, for a family visit or for business. A short stay is maximum of 90 days. For a stay in the Caribbean parts of the Kingdom of the Netherlands (previously the Netherlands Antilles) you may need a Caribbean visa.  

Visa requirements for travel to the Netherlands can be found on the IND website.

Dutch Highly Skilled Migrant Permit

For highly skilled migrants coming from outside the EU/EEA or Switzerland, the residence permit for highly skilled migrants is a simplified immigration procedure. It allows you, as an individual with specialised skills or expertise, to reside and work in the Netherlands.

Find out more information on the IND website's page highly skilled mirgants. 

Dutch Residence Permit for Foreign Startups 

If you are an ambitious entrepreneur from outside the EU, EEA, or Switzerland, and you want to launch an innovative business in the Netherlands, you can apply for a temporary StartUp personnel permit, valid for up to 1 year. During this time, you must develop an innovative new product or service under the guidance of an experienced facilitator. Next to the general conditions that apply to everyone, there are specific requirements that apply if you wish to obtain a reisdence permit for foreign StartUps in the Netherlands.

Residence Permit for Essential Startup Personnel 

This residence permit is for foreign employees who are essential to a start-up. If you want to reside and work in the Netherlands as a key member of a start-up, you will need a residence permit.

Find out about the requirements and the application process abput the residence permit for essential startup personnel here. 

Find out more about coming to the Leiden region

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