Reporting a change of address as a foreign citizen
Are you living in the Netherlands as a foreign citizen with a verblijfsvergunning (residence permit) and you are moving within the Netherlands or moving outside the Netherlands? Then you must inform the municipality.
Last updated on 19 July 2022
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Moving within the Netherlands
Are you are moving to a new place of residence or accommodation in the Netherlands? Then you must notify the municipality of your change of address.
You can notify the municipality in person, in writing and in many cases also online. You must do this 4 weeks before or no later than 5 days after you move. In this case, you do not need to notify the Immigratie- en Naturalisatiedienst – IND (Immigration and Naturalisation Service), as the municipality will do this for you.
Moving outside of the Netherlands
Are you are going to live outside the Netherlands permanently? You must deregister from the municipality where you live. You can do this from 5 days before you leave. You must deregister in person.
If you have informed the municipality on time that you are going to leave the Netherlands, it is not necessary to report this separately to the IND. ‘On time’ means notifying the Basisregistratie Personen– BRP (Personal Records Database) before you relocate, as in that case, the IND will have already been informed.
Please note: If you are late in informing the municipality of your change of address within the Netherlands or your relocation, you must inform the IND yourself. Depending on your situation, you can use the Notification form for foreign citizens or the Notification form for family members and relatives (sponsor). Or you can use the Online Notification form for foreign national or sponsor.
The IND may impose a fine if you fail to report your departure.
Returning your verblijfsdocument (residence document) when you move outside the Netherlands
Your verblijfsdocument is and remains the property of the Government of the Netherlands. You must return your residence document before you leave the Netherlands. You can return your residence document at an IND service desk. You need to make an appointment to do this. You can also send your residence document to the IND by post. The IND has more information on its website about leaving the Netherlands.
Laws and regulations (in Dutch)
Vreemdelingenwet 2000, artikel 54