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): http://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.
https://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: http://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 https://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 oqers the option to pay through the iDeal payment method, used in Dutch webshops and to pay energy bills, payment requests, Tikkie (https://dutchreview.com/expat/tikkie netherlands/#:~:text=Tikkie%20is%20an%20online%20payment,money%20through%20your%20online%20banking.) etc. 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!
https://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/mobileopen-
a-student-account
• Rabobank: www.rabobank.com (English website)
• SNSBank:https://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 https://www.digid.nl/enand follow the instructions.

 

 

15a Health insurance

Everyone living long-term in the Netherlands (including EU citizens) is obliged by Dutch law to have Dutch National Healthcare insurance. If you have a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), you may be entitled to exemption for a temporary period. See here for details.

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.
https://www.studyinholland.nl/plan-your-stay/insurance/studying-and-health-insurance-in-holland

This Dutch language website helps you compare what’s on offer from different health insurance companies: www.independer.nl/zorgverzekering/info/buitenland/buitenlandse-student.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

Notes:

  1. Pre-existing health conditions are never covered by a European Health Insurance Card;
  2. If you work in the Netherlands you are obliged to get Dutch National Healthcare insurance. See above for details.

When selecting an insurance package, check whether it includes physiotherapy, dentistry and psychological care, for example.

Additional insurance package deals are available that include liability insurance, household content insurance and legal aid.

Paid work in the Netherlands – Do you have a job, are you self-employed, or are you on a paid internship in the Netherlands?
If you answered ‘yes’ to any of the above, you are obliged to have Dutch National Healthcare insurance. If you meet certain conditions, you may be entitled to a partial refund of your insurance premium through the healthcare allowance (zorgtoeslag) scheme. For more nation, please contact the student counsellor.

Please note that if you are doing a paid internship, you are only obliged to take out Dutch health insurance if you earn the minimum wage.
Dutch National Healthcare insurance is offered by many private insurance companies, including AON and Zilveren Kruis. If you fail to take out healthcare insurance, you will be fined €360 by the Healthcare Institute (Zorginstituut).

15b Allowances for healthcare and other purposes
The Dutch government provides students with a healthcare allowance (zorgtoeslag) to support them pay their health insurance premium. 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

15c Liability insurance
We advise all students to take out liability/third-party insurance (WA-verzekering). Students planning to travel are advised to take out travel insurance with worldwide coverage.

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