Formalities

When you first arrive in The Hague region, there are a number of formalities to take care of. In this section, you will learn what legal documents you need and what steps to take to begin your new life in the Netherlands. If you’re planning on moving to The Hague in the future, this resource will help you plan ahead.

Upon arriving, you should register at your municipality as soon as possible. You will need to do this in order to get a citizen service number (BSN) and a DigiD.  

If you are a highly skilled migrant, make an appointment at The Hague International Centre and we can help you and your family register at the municipality. We are also happy to assist you with other Dutch documents you may need, such as parking permits or the VOG (code of conduct) certificate.

It’s also important to learn about the postal service as you are likely to have to mail and receive many documents. 

If you’ve brought a car or are planning on buying a car, the following pages will help you determine what documents you will need and how to get your Dutch driver’s licence in order.