Once you have arrived in the Netherlands
What to do when you have arrived?
Note: Some steps only apply to students from Non-EU countries. They are marked with: 'Non-EU' in the title.
Eight steps to take
Students arriving at Amsterdam’s Schiphol airport wishing to travel to accommodation in Amsterdam, are advised to take the train from the airport to the station nearest their accommodation. The Dutch national railway company is the NS (Nederlandse Spoorwegen). NS trains, signage and logo are yellow and blue. Once you’ve arrived at your destination station in Amsterdam, it may be necessary to transfer to the metro, bus or tram. For travel information, route planning and tickets, go to
To plan a journey using public transport, go to the 9292 website. Enter your start point and destination address. Recommended modes of transport will include NS trains where relevant. 9292 has also got a great smartphone app that’s very useful if you want to check en route, or if you’re lost and need information.
If you want to travel around the Netherlands with public transport, you will need a Dutch national public transport travelcard, or OV-chipkaart (OV is short for Openbaar Vervoer, meaning Public Transport). It works exclusively on a debit basis. There are two types of travelcard:
Prepaid OV Travelcard (not registered to an individual). This type of card can be purchased at NS railway stations, kiosks and supermarkets. The card costs € 7.50, but this does not include any travel credit, so don’t forget to top it up! You can top up your OV Travelcard using cash or a debit card – credit cards are not accepted.
Registered OV Travelcard (personal and not anonymous). This is the best option if you travel a lot and want a subscription, which allows you to travel for a reduced fare. For example, around € 90 a month will get you unlimited travel by bus, tram and metro. Apply for this card at www.ov-chipkaart.nl. You can also top up your registered card at this site.
How to use your OV Travel Card: Before traveling check into the bus, tram, metro or train by holding your card in front of the clearly marked card readers on posts either at the platform or stop, or else inside the bus or tram. Don’t forget to check out at similar posts at the end of each stage of your journey. When checking out, the post will display the fare paid and the remaining credit on your OV Travelcard. If there is insufficient credit on your card, you will not be able to check in and travel.
You can make appointment Dutch Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND) on:
https://ind.nl/en?pk_campaign=header&pk_kwd=taal-selectie-en
If you have questions about your residence document, please contact the Central Student Administration:
csa@ahk.nl / +31 (0)20 5277734
For general information on visas, go to https://www.ahk.nl/en/prospective-students/preparing-your-stay/visa-procedures/
Everyone living in the Netherlands has got their own unique Citizens Service Number (burgerservicenummer, BSN). People born in the Netherlands are assigned a BSN at birth. New arrivals in the Netherlands will need to apply for their BSN. As a resident in the Netherlands you are obliged to have a BSN. You will need it, for example, if you want to be employed, open a bank account, make use of healthcare (including doctor or hospital), or apply for allowances.
How to get a BSN
To get a BSN, international long stay students who will be a resident for over four months, need to register with the municipality in which they live (for most students this will be Amsterdam municipality): www.iamsterdam.com/en/local/official-matters/registration/registration
For this registration students need to make an appointment and bring their visa (and other documents as described on the website of the municipality).
www.amsterdam.nl/en/contact-information/city-offices/
You can also try just going along to the municipal office without an appointment – you may have to wait quite a long time to be processed because the queues can be long, but you’ll almost certainly be seen in the end.
www.amsterdam.nl/en/contact-information/city-offices/
Formally registration needs to be done within five days after arriving in the Netherlands. However, it often takes a long time to get an appointment, which is why the CSA (Central student Administratinon) is organizing appointments with the municipality of Amsterdam in August and September. You will receive information about this from the CSA.
www.iamsterdam.com/en/local/official-matters/registration/registration
Short-stay international students who will be resident in the Netherlands for four months or less should consult the registration procedures for short-stay migrants: www.iamsterdam.com/en/local/official-matters/registration/registering-for-ashort-stay
If you are a short-stay international student you’re not required to register with the municipality in which you live. You are, however, obliged to obtain a BSN number. using the RNI process (which stands for 'registratie niet-ingezetenen', or registration of nonresidents). At registration you will be provided with a citizen service number (BSN). www.government.nl/topics/personal-data/question-and-answer/how-i-canregister- in-the-non-residents-records-database
Take along the following information/documents to your appointment at the municipal office:
1. Address of your accommodation
2. Passport / Proof of identity
3. Residence document
4. Birth certificate
5. Rental agreement or letter of permission from occupant
6. Proof of admission (received from the study programme)
After registering you will receive a Dutch citizen service number (BSN). A citizen service number is the personal number you use in your dealings with the Dutch authorities. You use your citizen service number if you want to arrange something with the Dutch government. For example, your health insurance or opening a bank account. You also need a citizen service number if you want to apply for a DigiD www.digid.nl/en/what-is-digid/
Conditions certificates
Bring the original certificates with you. The certificate must be in Dutch, English, French or German. Otherwise, you must have the certificate translated by a sworn interpreter/translator. You may also need to legalize this certificate. You can find information on legalizing certificates on the website of netherlandsworldwide.nl.
Costs
There are no costs involved for registering and receiving a BSN from your local municipality.
Contacts
You will find more information about the BSN at www.burgerservicenummer.nl (Dutch only). Or else call the municipal information number 14 020 (Monday to Friday, 08:00 to 18:00).
You will need to have an IBAN bank account to arrange your day-to-day activities in the Netherlands. A Dutch bank account offers the option to pay through the iDeal payment method, used in Dutch webshops and to pay energy bills, payment requests, Tikkie. There's already quite a number of stores and restaurants that don't even accept cash anymore.
Opening a Dutch bank account couldn’t be simpler, and the sooner you do it, the more you’ll save in ATM fees (foreign banks can charge a fortune!). Also, lots of machines and businesses (such as grocery stores and ticket machines at train stations) do not except credit cards, especially the ones without chips. So make sure you open a bank account (with a Dutch debit card, or pinpas) as soon as possible – it will make your transition into living in the Netherlands a lot easier!
www.bankenvergelijking.nl/prive-bankrekening/studentenrekening/
Choosing a bank
There are various banks in the Netherlands at which you can open a bank account as an international student. You can opt for a traditional bank, or an online (mobile or neobank). Both have their own advantages. It is up to you to select the type of bank that suits your needs. This is a personal choice.
Traditional banks
These large well-established banks have physical branches you can visit for personal contact with a clerk. They also offer a banking app which allows you to arrange your finances online. Most of these banks charge an annual fee for the use of your account. The process of opening an account may take up to two weeks to complete. Although it can differ slightly, depending on the bank you choose, you will generally need most of the following documents:
• A valid passport
• BSN number (Social security number). You will receive this after your registration with the municipality. A Tax Identification Number may be a substitute.
• Proof of enrolment (at your educational institution)
• Proof of address (i.e., a rental contract); residency document
• An original extract from the Personal Records Database (BRP)
• A Dutch mobile telephone number
Examples of traditional Dutch banks are given here. Note that this is not an exhaustive list:
• ABN AMRO (English website; possible to submit BSN within 120 days after
opening account) www.abnamro.nl/en/personal/payments/index.html
• ING (English website; possible to submit BSN within 90 days after opening account)
www.ing.nl/en/personal/payments/bank-accounts/student-account
• Rabobank: www.rabobank.com/ (English website)
• SNS Bank: www.snsbank.nl/particulier/betalen/bankrekeningopenen.html (Dutch website)
• ASN Bank: www.asnbank.nl/home.html (green and sustainable bank Dutch website)
• Triodos: www.triodos.com/en (English website)
Online banks
Also called mobile or neo banks. At most of these options assistance is only available digitally. Often, a fee is not charged for opening an account but may be charged for an upgraded bankcard or at some point for withdrawing or depositing money. Overall, they have fewer fees while travelling or for withdrawing foreign currencies.
Opening an online bank account is completed relatively fast, while fewer documents are requested to do so. They may include:
• A valid ID: for EU citizens sometimes plastic ID cards or driver’s licenses are also accepted
• Proof of residence: BSN number (Social security number), or residence permit
• An online money deposit to active the account
Examples of traditional banks are given here.
• Bunq: www.bunq.com/ (English website; possible to submit BSN within 90 days after opening account)
• N26: n26.com/en-eu
• Revolut: www.revolut.com/en-NL/
If you’ve got any questions about your tuition fees, please contact Central Student Administration:
csa@ahk.nl / +31 (0)20 5277734
https://www.ahk.nl/en/facilities/student-affairs/financial-matters/tuition-fees/
13a Paying for your physical examination
Some study programmes carry out physical examination of their students. For more information, please contact your study programme support officer secretary (onderwijsondersteuning)
13b Paying your fees for study materials
- The fees payable for each academic year for which you are registered total € 145.
- The full amount of € 145 for the upcoming academic year should be paid by bank transfer before 1 September.
Please transfer € 145 before 1 September to:
IBAN: NL79RABO0309032873
Account name: AHK Studentenadministratie
Please enter the following information in the payment details: ‘LMB’ and your full name
A DigiD is a secure digital signature you will need to interact with government agencies, for example. It takes the form of a unique, password-protected, personal code. You will need it to log in securely to government sites dealing with privacy-sensitive data, such as if you want to apply for a means-tested rent allowance (huurtoeslag) or healthcare allowance (zorgtoeslag). It is crucial that you get your DigiD as soon as possible. To apply for a DigiD, you will first need to get your BSN (see the BSN section in this guide for details) from your municipality. Apply for your DigiD online at https://www.digid.nl/index.php?id=1&L=1
To apply for a DigiD go to this website and follow the instructions.
15 a Dutch law requires all international students to have health insurance for the entire duration of their stay in the Netherlands. We need to be able to verify that you are insured for medical expenses in the Netherlands, from the moment you arrive.
You have several options:
- You have health insurance from your home country that also covers medical expenses abroad (including the Netherlands)
- You have travel insurance that also covers medical costs expenses abroad (including the Netherlands).
- You have student insurance. Examples include: Insure To Study: https://www.insuretostudy.com/en/ or AON student insurance https://www.students-insurance.eu/students/en/
Document requirements:
- Personal details: The insurance policy is in your name (the document must show your full name) and states your health insurance policy number;
- Validity: Your health insurance must be valid on the expected date of your arrival in the Netherlands and preferably valid for the entire duration of your stay, or at least until one month after the official start date of your study program. Will you start your studies in September? Then your health insurance should be valid until at least 1 October.
- Area of coverage: The document should clearly state that it covers medical expenses in the Netherlands / Schengen area / EU / worldwide.
Please ensure that your documents meet the above-mentioned requirements. If any information is missing from your health insurance policy, please request an additional statement from your insurance company.
Read more about healthcare for international students in the Netherlands on the Study in NL website:
Read more important information about working while studying in the Netherlands and your type of health insurance:
Insure To Study student insurance | Insure To Study
Want to study abroad? Insure To Study has specialized insurance for students. Check out the different covers and take out your insurance.
15b Health insurance for EU and non-EU students
If you fail to take out healthcare insurance, you will first receive a warning letter and then, if you don’t arrange health insurance within the period mentioned in the letter, you will be fined €528,- (in 2025) by the Healthcare Institute (Zorginstituut). What kind of health insurance you need to have is quite a hassle. It depends on what nationality you have and whether you have a job here (as an employee or selfemployed, that doesn’t matter). Please read this information carefully and do not hesitate to reach out to the student counsellor, who can help you figure out your particular situation. Please also make sure that you understand how the Dutch health care system works, what is covered (and what not), what the costs are etc. Your student counsellor, as well as the people in Health and Performance or Student Life can help you with that.
For non-EU-students:
1. if you don’t have a job here or you don’t pay income taxes in the Netherlands as a self-employed worker, you are obliged to either have a health insurance from your own country that covers medical costs in the Netherlands, or to buy a Dutch commercial health insurance.
2. if you do have a paid job here, however small that job, or you pay taxes as a selfemployed worker here, you are obliged to take out Dutch health care insurance. This is the insurance that all Dutch people have. There are many different providers with different additional options. The cheapest basic package is the same for everyone.
For EU-students:
1. If you don’t have a job/pay taxes here as a self-employed worker, you should be covered for basic health care with your European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). It differs per country what medical costs are covered. In most cases emergency costs and the family doctor (also called general practitioner (GP)) are covered, but a referral by the GP to a psychologist or therapist, is not. So please double check this. And double check the validity date on your pass as well!
2. if you do have a paid job here, however small that job, or you pay taxes as a selfemployed worker here, you are obliged to take out a Dutch health care insurance.
For non-EU students without a job and for EU-students who don’t have a job and are looking for additional insurance: we highly recommend the Master + package from Insure to study: www.insuretostudy.com/masterplanplus/
Extent of Cover in short. www.insuretostudy.com/?s=cover+in+short
Terms and Conditions. www.insuretostudy.com/?s=terms+and+conditions
3.2 Commercial health insurance or Dutch Basic Health Insurance?
If you have a paid job, even if it is for one hour a month, you are obliged by law to purchase Dutch Basic Health Insurance. This goes for both EU-students and non-EU-students.
If there is no paid work in the next month or their contract gets is terminated, you have to switch back to a commercial insurer.
However, the Dutch system is not designed for this switching between two systems during a year.
Insure to Study offers the service to arrange the administration of switching from this private commercial health insurance to a Dutch basic health insurance called HollandZorg with a very attractive low rate. Also, HollandZorg does not charge own risk (‘deductible’) of €385,- per year, when you need medical or therapeutically care.
With a Basic Health Insurance you can also apply for the healthcare benefit (called Zorgtoeslag), saving you quite some money (see 10.2 Tax waivers: Health care benefit and rent benefit on page 25 for more information).
With all insurances: In case you are referred by your GP to a specialist or psychologist or therapist, always check the Terms and Conditions carefully to see what diagnosis are covered!
A basic health insurance premium costs just under € 120 a month. The application procedure can be quite complex, so you might want click on the link below to go to a wizard that will
make it easier for you. www.studyinholland.nl/plan-your-stay/insurance/studying-and-health-insurance-inholland
This Dutch language website helps you compare what’s on offer from different health insurance companies: www.independer.nl/zorgverzekering/info/buitenland/buitenlandsestudent.aspx
European Health Insurance
The European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) is issued free of charge and allows anyone who is insured or covered by a statutory social security scheme of the European Economic Area (EEA) countries and Switzerland to receive medical treatment in another member state if that treatment becomes necessary during their visit. How long the card is valid varies according to the issuing country.
If you are a short-stay international student and you haven’t got a valid EHIC, take out
Student Health Insurance:
Oom Insurances: www.oominsurances.com
AON Student Insurances: www.aonstudentinsurance.com
15c Allowances for healthcare and other purposes
If you meet certain conditions, you may be entitled to a partial refund of your insurance premium through the healthcare allowance (zorgtoeslag) scheme via the Dutch government. For more information, please contact the student counselor.
Precisely how much you are entitled to depends on your income and how much money you have on your bank account. Usually, the monthly healthcare allowance payment is somewhere between € 70 and € 100, which will
cover most of your health insurance premium. In order to qualify for this allowance you will need to satisfy the following criteria:
• You must be at least 18 years old
• You must have Dutch health insurance
• Your income must not exceed the threshold. This will be explained in detail when
you apply for a healthcare allowance (zorgtoeslag)
• You must either have Dutch nationality or a valid residence permit
• Your total assets on your bank account must not exceed a certain amount.
• For more information, go to Belastingdienst.nl
3.3 Have you received a letter from CAK?
When you receive a letter from CAK (Centraal Administratie Kantoor), please open it and take it to the student counsellor. It means you are being fined for not having the right health insurance, according to their information. You can still arrange for a correct health insurance and avoid that fine.
3.4 Liability insurance
If you cause (any kind of) damage to someone else or someone else’s property, either in the streets, a public place, in your house or someone else’s house, you can be held accountable. You are liable for the damage caused, also for damage you have accidentally or unintentionally caused. These costs can be unexpected and often high.
Although private liability insurance is not required by law. it is advisable to take out liability/third-party insurance (WA verzekering). Accidents can happen. For this reason, it is wise to take out liability insurance.
You can buy liability insurance for less than 3 euros per month. Check this link: Studentenverzekeringen.nl/en/liability-insurance/