After arrival

Anyone staying in the Netherlands for four months or longer must register with the municipality in order to be registered at the Personal Records Database (in Dutch: Basisregistratie Personen, BRP).

Students who will live in Groningen, will receive a link to the appointment system of the municipality from the ISD to register. If you are going to live in another municipality, please check with the municipality of that city how to register.

Don't worry! The Municipality opens new slots on a daily basis when they know it is a busy period. So please keep an eye on their appointment system. Please note to only visit the municipality after self-quarantine.

You need to bring the following documents for your registration at the municipality:

• Valid passport
• A valid residence permit or proof you have applied for one (sticker or the approval letter from the IND)
  
• A rental contract or a written permission form of an adult current resident when registering. If you do not have your own address but are staying with a friend or in a hotel, please bring a written permission form from a co-occupant or owner of the property or hotel. You can find the permission form and more information on the website of the municipality of Groningen.

The citizen service number (burgerservicenummer (BSN) is a unique personal number allocated to everyone registered at the municipality in the Personal Records Database (BRP). Everyone who registers with the BRP is automatically given a BSN. You might also need the BSN to open a Dutch bank account. 

In the Netherlands, it is most common to pay by debit card or cash. Therefore, we advise you to open a Dutch bank account after your arrival in the Netherlands. If you are due to receive your sufficient funds from us, it is easier to deposit it into your Dutch bank account.

On the website of the University of Groningen you can find information on how to open a Dutch bank account. You will also find a list with several Dutch banks that we have contacted. Each bank specifies what the requirements are to open a bank account.

For most Dutch banks you need a BSN to open a bank account.However, there are some (online) banks where you can open a Dutch bank account without a BSN, such as N26 and Bunq. For more information, please check our website.

As soon as you have arrived in the Netherlands and opened a (IBAN) bank account, you can submit your online reclaim form for the refund of the sufficient funds you transferred. The ISD will send you a link to the online form soon after your arrival.

Please ensure that you are financially covered during the first few months in the Netherlands, as the refund procedure may take a couple of weeks. You take extra cash or a credit card to make sure you can pay for the first essentials.

We will also refund the tuition fees and sufficient funds if you are not able to attend the University of Groningen. If we have already applied for your visa we cannot refund the application fees. Please note that you will have to let us know as soon as possible but before the start date of your degree programme. 

The Immigration Service Desk (ISD) will keep you informed about the status of your residence permit card. In busy periods, e.g. at the start of a new semester, we will send lists of students to the IND to check whether the residence permit cards are ready. We will inform all students with their status. Please bear in mind that this is a time-consuming procedure, but we will get to you. If you have not heard anything from us after your arrival, please contact the ISD. We can check whether your card is ready and inform you when and where you can collect it.

Keep in mind that obtaining this information may take a few working days. If you need to know as soon as possible, please contact the Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND) by phone: +31 88 043 0430. In order for the IND call center to be able to help, you will need to have your V-number ready.

It depends on your nationality and situation whether or not you need (additional) health insurance. Check our website for more detailed information.