Moving to Brabant

There are many formalities involved with moving to another country. What you are required to do depends on your nationality, family composition and your work situation. Good preparation is vital. Consult Holland Expat Center South, your HR Manager or International Office for details.

2 MOVING TO BRABANT

2.1 BSN 2.2 Residence Permit 2.3 Work Permit 2.4 Driving in the Netherlands

2.1 BSN

Every person residing in the Netherlands has a registration number: BSN. One is issued to Dutch citizens when they are born and registered into the Population Register, and to migrants who start to live in the Netherlands when they register at the municipality.

You will be registered for a BSN during your appointment at Holland Expat Center South or at the local Town Hall. A BSN is required to get insurance, open a bank account, receive your salary, and to apply for benefits.

Conditions to obtain a BSN:

● You may only obtain a BSN for yourself and your children (who are younger than 18). ● You must provide an address. ● You must present a valid passport. A different identification document can only be presented by nationals of an EU member state. (A driver’s license is not accepted as an identity card.) ● You must appear in person.

If you are not a national of an EU member state, Liechtenstein, Norway, Iceland, or Switzerland, you must have a note/sticker in your passport that permits you to stay and work in the Netherlands.

Within days after arriving in the Netherlands, you must register in the Population Register (Municipal Personal Records Database) and collect a BSN (Burger Service Number or Citizen Service Number). This will be done during your appointment at Holland Expat Center South.

Take the following items to your appointment:

● Birth certificate (legalized)

Tip! Check the website of the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs for legalization procedures with your country of origin. ● Marriage certificate (legalized)

● Valid passport

Tip! Make sure that your passport is valid for as long as possible. ● Dutch housing rental or purchase contract (or consent of the principal occupant)

2.2 Residence Permit

● Non-EU citizens must apply for a residence permit. ● Everyone over the age of 12 must carry a valid ID at all times. ● Migrants will make their permit application directly to the

Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND), with help from their employer. In some cases, this application can be done before the work permit has been issued. Consult your HR Manager/

International Office for details. ● It may be possible to pick up your residence permit at Holland

Expat Center South.

Replacing a lost or stolen residence permit

1. File a report with the police. 2. Complete the ‘Vervanging, vernieuwing of

eerste aanvraag vreemdelingendocument’

IND form. 3. Mail the following items to the IND: ● Police report ● Copy of your passport

WHERE IS MY PERMIT?

REPLACING A LOST OR STOLEN RESIDENCE PERMIT

● Copy of your residence permit (if available) ● The IND form Mail to the following mailing address: Immigratie-en Naturalisatiedienst, Postbus 5 9560 AA Ter Apel

The cost is dependent on the type of residence permit. For more information visit www.ind.nl or contact Holland Expat Center South.

2.3 Work Permit

Depending on your country of origin and requested residence status, a work permit might also be required. Getting a visa, work permit and residence permit can take 1-4 months. However, highlyskilled migrants can get their residence permit within two weeks. Both partners are usually permitted to work, but there can be some exceptions.

2.4 Driving in the Netherlands

● Residents of the Netherlands are not allowed to drive a car registered in another country (after a certain period of time). ● You must exchange your current driver’s license or apply for a

Dutch driver’s license. ● You are allowed to drive in the Netherlands with your current driver's license for 180 days.

The following are required to drive a car in the Netherlands: ● A valid driver’s license ● Third party insurance ● Car must be registered

Exchanging a driver’s license

Some internationals are able to exchange their driver’s license for a Dutch one: ● Expats who have the 30% tax facility status (nationality does not matter). ● Citizens of the countries of the EU or EFTA. ● Driver's licences issued in some other countries can also be exchanged. For more information, visit www.rdw.nl.

For most of the above-mentioned countries, the driver’s license will be valid for 10 years. But before it elapses, it is required to exchange the license for a Dutch one.

Driving exam

Those who do not fit in the above categories are legally allowed to use their foreign driver’s license for 185 days after arrival, then they must pass the regular Dutch theory and driving tests. ● It is possible to take both the theory and driving tests in

English. ● Dutch driver’s licenses are generally issued for 10 years.

Formalities

● Exchange your driver’s license for a Dutch one (if applicable). ● Return foreign driver’s license via home country. (Be sure to make a copy!) ● Note expiration dates of all permits and licenses, and make sure you reapply on time!

Road tax

When buying or importing a vehicle, you may have to pay a road tax. The amount of road tax depends on: ● Type of vehicle ● Weight (the heavier, the more expensive) ● Fuel used (petrol, diesel, LPG or LPG/petrol) ● The province in which you live ● Eco-friendliness of the vehicle You have to pay a road tax from the time your name is transferred to the vehicle registration certificate.

Vehicle purchase tax (BPM)

The purchase, lease or rent of vehicles and motorcycles might be subject to a special tax (the so-called ‘BPM’). The amount of BPM due depends on the Dutch list price and eco-friendliness (CO2 emission) of the vehicle.

Car insurance is on the car and not on the driver. Once a vehicle is insured, anyone who meets the specifications of the policy (in terms of age, etc.) is insured to drive it. Conversely, the driver may NOT be covered to drive other vehicles.

EXCHANGING A DRIVER’S LICENSE

FOR A NON-EUROPEAN DRIVER'S LICENSE

● Step 1: Go to the CBR website (www.cbr.nl) or visit the CBR, and purchase the ‘Gezondheidsverklaring’ (State of Capability) form. This form costs € 37,80.* Complete the form and post this form in the enclosed addressed envelope. Do not forget a stamp! ● In a few weeks, you will get a ‘Certificate of Fitness’ in the mail from the

CBR. Take this form with you to your local town hall, along with the following documents:

● Current driver’s license ● Passport ● Passport photo

● Proof that you qualify for the 30% tax facility (letter from the tax office)

You will need to pay € 41,00* extra. ● The Town Hall will send your package of items to the RDW (Rijksdienst van het Wegverkeer). You will get a message concerning when you can collect your Dutch driver’s license at the Town Hall (between 2-3 weeks).

Take your passport with you to collect your new driver’s license!

Please note that your original driver’s license will not be returned to you. For more information about getting your driver’s license, visit www.rijbewijs.nl. For information about registering your car from abroad in the Netherlands, visit www.belastingdienst.nl.

* Prices can change.