If you’re moving to the Netherlands, you are usually required to register with the municipality where you’ll be living. This process is known as “First registration”. Depending on the length of your stay, different rules may apply. Please read further and select the option that best matches your situation.
Note for ISS students: This information does not apply to you. Since ISS is located in The Hague, not Rotterdam, you will receive specific registration instructions directly from the institute after your admission.
Do you meet all the following conditions?
- You will be staying in the Netherlands for more than 4 months.
- You have never registered in the Netherlands before.
- You do not yet have a citizen service number (BSN).
If you answered yes to all three, you’ll need to register with the municipality where you’ll be living. This is called a first registration. You can begin your online registration as of 4 weeks before your arrival in the Netherlands on the website of the Rotterdam municipality.
To find the earliest date you can register, simply count back 28 days from your arrival date. For example, if you arrive on 1 September, you can begin your registration on 4 August. After submitting the form, you will receive a confirmation email from the Municipality of Rotterdam. It will include your case number and a link to book your appointment.
A housing permit (HVV) is required for renting a home in certain streets in Rotterdam. Please check the list below to determine whether your new address is located on a street where an HVV is required.
If an HVV is required, your landlord must complete a Declaration of Readiness before you can register at the address.
For more information about housing permits and the application process, please contact the Municipality of Rotterdam or visit the relevant page on their website Re-registration in the Netherlands
Please note:
If you plan to rent a home on certain streets, you will need a housing permit (HVV).
Please check the list below to see whether your new address is located on a street where an HVV is required.An HVV is required for homes on the following streets: Aar
Alerdincksingel
Bas Jungeriusstraat
Boezemstraat
Charloisse Hoofd
Charloisse Kerksingel
Dordtselaan
Engelsestraat
FlakkeesestraatKatendrechtse Lagedijk
Lepelaarsingel
Mijnsherenlaan
Moerkerkestraat
Oranjeboomstraat
Petrarcastraat
Pleinweg
Polderlaan
Professor PoelslaanSchinnenbaan
SlaghekstraatSlinge
SlotboomstraatSpooneringel
Strevelsweg
Walchersestraat
WolphaertsbochtDo you require an HVV? If so, your landlord will need to complete a Declaration of Readiness. You can find this form in your application after clicking on “Re-register.”
- If you live outside the municipality of Rotterdam, such as in Schiedam or Capelle, please use the guidelines for registration in Capelle and Schiedam.
- This can be a passport or an identity card.
- Are you moving to the Netherlands from a country outside Europe? Then you must bring your residence permit or the authorization for temporary residence (MVV sticker) in your passport.
If you're allowed to travel without an entry sticker and your Dutch residence permit cannot yet be collected, you can print the IND approval letter that was sent to you via Osiris by our Immigration Office. - If you're registering from Aruba, Bonaire, Curaçao, Sint Maarten, Saba, or Sint Eustatius, you must also bring proof of deregistration.
Depending on where and with whom you're living, you will need one or more of the following documents. If you don't have all of them yet, bring whatever you have to your appointment (Step 4).
| My living situation | Documents needed |
|---|---|
| I'm renting an apartment or a house | Rental contract or tenancy agreement* |
| I'm living with a tenant who is the main occupant | Declaration by the main occupant* and a copy of their ID + tenancy agreement* |
| I'm living with the owner | Declaration by the main occupant* and a copy of the occupant’s ID |
| I'm renting a room | Rental contract or tenancy agreement* |
*Documents must be no older than 3 months and must be completely filled out and signed.
You can begin your online registration as of 4 weeks before your arrival in the Netherlands on the website of the Rotterdam municipality.
Make sure to upload all required documents and provide your phone number and email address, so the municipality can contact you if necessary.
Please select the appointment type "Studentenafspraak gemeente" when booking your appointment. You may choose any available timeslot.
If you select a different appointment type, your registration will be processed through the regular procedure, which means you will not receive your BSN immediately.
You will receive an email with the date and location of your appointment to complete the registration.
For EU/EEA or Swiss nationals:
- Case number (you receive this after completing the form)
(Important: If you don’t bring your case number, your registration cannot proceed.) Confirmation email with QR code (you will receive this after you scheduled an appointment with the Municipality)
(Important: Please use this QR code to check in at the City Hall reception desk, located at Coolsingel 40.)
- Proof of identity
(Valid passport or valid identity card) - Proof of your living situation
(Rental contract, tenancy agreement, or a declaration by the main occupant along with a copy of their valid ID)
For non-EU/EEA nationals:
- Case number (you receive this after completing the form)
(Important: If you don’t bring your case number, your registration cannot proceed.) Confirmation email with QR code (you will receive this after you scheduled an appointment with the Municipality)
(Important: Please use this QR code to check in at the City Hall reception desk, located at Coolsingel 40.)
- Proof of identity
(Valid passport) - Residence permit or MVV sticker (authorization for temporary residence)
- If you're allowed to enter the Netherlands without an entry sticker and your Dutch residence permit cannot be collected yet, bring the IND approval letter (sent via Osiris from our Immigration Office).
- Proof of your living situation
(Rental contract, tenancy agreement, or a declaration by the main occupant along with a copy of their valid ID)
Registration of non-residents – RNI (stay <4 months)
Staying in the Netherlands for less than 4 months?
If you are staying in the Netherlands for less than four months, you generally do not need to register as a resident with the Municipality of Rotterdam.
However, if you need a BSN (Citizen Service Number), you can register as a non-resident (RNI) instead.
A BSN may be needed if you want to:
- Work in the Netherlands
- Take out Dutch health insurance
- Access certain government services
- Open a Dutch bank account
- Arrange other administrative matters with Dutch authorities
How to get a BSN through the RNI
You cannot register for the RNI online. You need to make an appointment and complete your registration in person at an RNI municipality.
The closest options to Rotterdam and The Hague are:
- Municipality of Breda – RNI registration
- Municipality of Venlo – RNI registration
Registration is free of charge. You must attend the appointment in person on the date and time you selected.
Before making an appointment, please check the website of your chosen municipality for the latest information about the procedure, required documents and available appointments.
Step 1 – Make an appointment
Schedule an appointment online with:
Step 2 – Complete the online RNI form
Fill out the online form 'RNI registration form'
After completing the form, you will receive a QR code. Keep this QR code and bring it with you to your appointment.
Step 3 – Go to your appointment
Go to the RNI desk on the date, time and location confirmed in your appointment email. You must attend the appointment in person.
Step 4 – Bring the following documents
- The QR code you received after completing the online form 'RNI registration form'.
- Your appointment confirmation email
- A valid proof of identity, such as a valid passport or identity card
Costs
RNI registration is free of charge.
When will I receive my BSN?
You registration will be completed at the RNI desk. You will receive your BSN immediately after registration.
Are you moving back to the Netherlands from abroad? And are you staying longer than 4 months? Or have you been deregistered from the municipality? If so, you must re-register. This application is referred to as “resettlement”.
Conditions
- You were previously registered in the Netherlands.
- You already have a citizen service number (BSN).
- You are going to live in Rotterdam for more than 4 months.
- You have been deregistered from the municipality.
Step 1 - Download and complete the form from the municipality
Download the form "Re-registration in the municipal personal records database (BRP) form abroad."
Step 2 - Provide valid proof of identity
EU/EEA/Switzerland: passport or ID card
NON-EU/EEA: passport or ID card + residence permit or IND approval letter
Aruba, Bonaire, Curaçao, Sint Maarten, Saba or Sint Eustatius: passport or ID card + original proof of deregistration.
Step 3 - Gather documents for your living situation
- Independent as a tenant
- Rental contract or tenancy agreement
- Sublet
- Rental contract or tenancy declaration
- Living with the main tenant as a tenant
- Declaration by main occupant
- Tenancy agreement
- Copy of valid identity document of the person you are going to live with
- Living with the main tenant as owner
- Declaration of residence
- Copy of valid identity document of the person you are going to live with
- Independent as owner and not yet registered in the Land Register
- Copy of the deed of transfer, signed by the notary
You can book an appointment online via the website of Gemeente Rotterdam.
If you are registered in a municipality through the First registration process and are relocating within or to Rotterdam, please provide your new address to the municipality from 4 weeks before the moving date up to a maximum of 5 days after. You can report your move online through the website of the Municipality of Rotterdam.
If you are moving from Rotterdam to another city, you should report the move to that municipality and check their website for further information.
If you are registered in the RNI database and want to report a move, then go to the online RNI registry to change your data.
If you plan to leave the Netherlands for more than 8 months, it's important to deregister from the Municipal Personal Records Database (BRP) Rotterdam. After deregistration, the Municipality of Rotterdam, will update your information and automatically notify other government authorities. You can deregister online through the website of the Municipality of Rotterdam.
If you live in a municipality other than Rotterdam, for example Schiedam or Capelle, here’s what you need to know about registering in a neighbouring city.
Downloads
- First registration Barendrecht.pdf pdf, 245.42 kB
- First registration Capelle pdf, 303.51 kB
- First registration Delft.pdf pdf, 69.61 kB
- First registration Ridderkerk.pdf pdf, 66.28 kB
- First registration Schiedam pdf, 404.74 kB
- First registration Spijkenisse.pdf pdf, 57.93 kB
- First registration Vlaardingen.pdf pdf, 86.38 kB
The municipality of Rotterdam can impose a fine if you deliberately provide incorrect information for the Persons Database (BRP).
Note: If you stay in the Social Hub, remember to ask for a confirmation of residence. Without registration as a Social Hub resident, you are obliged to pay tourist taxes. The Social Hub is familiar with issuing rental statements.
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