Moving to Utrecht

Introduction

Until very recently, Amsterdam was considered the hotspot for expat communities in the Netherlands. Known for the limitless possibilities and expat-friendly communities, it has become a diverse, international hub for all sorts of different cultures and nationalities. Utrecht was always comfortably hidden in the shadow of the capital city, often overlooked by tourists and travel guides.

Yet, over the last few years, our small city has become increasingly popular, as people discovered it offers everything that Amsterdam does, with the authenticity of Dutch life and culture that the larger cities like Rotterdam, Den Haag and Amsterdam sometimes lack. It’s therefore not surprise almost 10% of the residents in Utrecht have an international background nowadays.

Perhaps you’ve also decided to make a move to our city, or perhaps you’ve just started thinking about it.

Whatever is your case in this article we’ll explain exactly what it takes to make a move to the center of the country; Utrecht.

Preparing for the move

As you probably know, moving from a different country is a lot more complex than simply loading your belongings in a truck and driving to your next destination. The Netherlands is known for its bureaucracy and knowing the administrative side of things can help make the process a lot smoother and faster.

Visas, residence permits and the IND

First off, your type of visa is going to make a small difference for some of the administrative issues, like whether you can start working immediately, where you pick up your residence card, or what documents you need for registration.

Common visa types are:

• Kennismigrant (Work permit) - Valid for up to 5 years
  Usually sponsored by an employer, which allows you to work and live in the Netherlands.
• Verblijfsvergunning Studie (Study visa) - Valid for up to 5 years
  Usually handled by the university, this visa is for students who have successfully enrolled in a Dutch university. An extra permit is often necessary to be able to apply for a job.
• Zoekjaar Hoogopgeleide (Orientation Year for High-Skilled Immigrants) - Valid for up to 1 year
  This is a one-year permit for graduated students or researchers to decide whether they would like to stay in the Netherlands. It’s often possible to apply for jobs and apply for a work permit.
• Gezinshereniging (Family reunification) - Valid for up to 5 years
  This type of visa exists to join a partner or family member in the Netherlands. Requirements are quite strict and a lot of rights depend on the status of the sponsor (the person you’re joining).

All processes regarding visas and permits go through the IND (Immigratie- en Naturalisatiedienst), the service for immigration and naturalization. Applications often require a lot of documents and actions (see this article for more information) so we recommend starting with this process as early as possible.

Registering with Gemeente

One of the first things to do upon arrival is to make sure you’re registered with the local municipality (gemeente Utrecht). This puts you into the population registry and allows you to access important government services.

In order to start this process, go to this webpage and make an appointment for BRP registration. The website will tell you everything you need to take with you, but generally it’s safe to assume you’ll need your passport and a proof of address.

If everything is in order, you’ll receive a BSN-nummer (Dutch equivalent of a social security number), which will allow you to sign work contracts, apply for health insurance, open a bank account, and much more.

Once your BSN is active, you can also request a DigiD, which is a digital ID that’s used for most of the Dutch online government services. To apply for DigiD you can follow this link.

Health Insurance

Everyone who lives or works in the Netherlands is legally required to have basic Dutch health care insurance. If you don’t have this sorted out in time, the government will issue a warning and eventually fine you, which makes this quite a pressing matter when making your move.

Most of the time, the government allows you 4 months to close an insurance plan from the moment you register with the municipality, but rules differ in different situations. We strongly advise you to have an international private health insurance or expat travel insurance in place to cover any potential incidents during the waiting period.

All necessary information for your specific case can be found on this government webpage.

Banking and Finances

For most internationals it’s essential to have a European bank account (preferably Dutch), as many services require an IBAN number for making and receiving payments. Besides, an increasing number of stores and restaurants are no longer accepting cash, making it more and more important to have a way to pay digitally or by card.

It’s generally quite straightforward to open an account. Go to the website of the preferred bank, book an appointment and follow the instructions given. Popular banking options in the Netherlands are ING, Rabobank, ABN AMRO, Knab and Bunq.

Online payments are often done through a system called iDeal, which allows you to pay with the money on your bank account. Credit cards are becoming increasingly more used but are still not as widely accepted as they are in many places abroad. When paying someone back, or making a more casual transaction, the Dutch often rely on Tikkie, a system that allows you to request smaller amounts from friends or acquaintances. Both of these systems are used through your regular bank account.

Getting around

One of the great things about the Netherlands is that it’s incredibly easy to get from one place to another, whether by foot, bike or through the city’s reliable public transport system.

Starting with the latter, most public transportation systems require the use of an OV-chipkaart (a rechargeable travel card) or OVpay (a system that automatically withdraws the travel fee from your bank account). OV-chipcards can be bought from the ticket machine on every train station or through this website. OVpay can be used by simply scanning any form of contactless payment (your debit card or phone Wallet) when checking in. Remember that the public transportation system requires you to both check in when entering and check out when leaving.

Still, there’s a good reason Utrecht is home to the largest bicycle parking garage in Europe, as getting around the city by bike is still the most popular form of transportation. You can simply buy a second hand bike from marktplaats or at your local bike shop but there are also (long-term) renting alternatives such as Swapfiets that can help you get around through the cycling lanes on a low budget.

If you prefer getting around by car, be aware that parking in Utrecht is heavily regulated. Residents often need to register for a parking permit through the municipality and waiting lists may apply depending on the neighbourhood. For those who prefer to use a car occasionally, there are plenty of car-sharing options like Greenwheels and MyWheels that allow you to rent a car for a brief period.