Moving to The Netherlands (if you have previously been registered as a resident of The Netherlands)
Are you moving back to the Netherlands from abroad, or have you been deregistered from the Personal Records Database (BRP)? If so, you are required to re-register with the municipality of Leiden in person if you intend to stay for more than 4 months. This is a legal requirement.
Anybody who has been registered with a Dutch municipality in the past and intends to stay in The Netherlands for more than 4 months is required to re-register. This also applies for Dutch inhabitants of the countries of Aruba, Curaçao and Sint Maarten or the special municipalities of Bonaire, Saba and Sint Eustatius.
Have you found an address in Leiden and do you know the date of your arrival? Then make an appointment with the municipality in advance.
If you are in possession of a citizen service number (BSN), but have not yet lived in The Netherlands you will be required to make an appointment of first registration.
Conditions
- You have been registered with a Dutch municipality before.
- You will be living at least 4 of the next 6 months in The Netherlands, at your registered address in Leiden.
- You have a valid residence permit, or you have the nationality of a country in the European Economic Area or Switzerland.
- You should make an appoint to go to the counter in person.
- Are there family members who are also moving? If they have also lived in The Netherlands before, they are required to come to the appointment with you. If they have not lived in The Netherlands before, they are required to make an appointment of first registration.
Make an appointment in advance
Have you found an address in Leiden and do you know the date of your arrival? Then make an appointment with the municipality in advance.
To take with you
You are required to bring the following documents with you to your appointment with the municipality of Leiden:
- A valid proof of identity.
- A copy of the real estate purchase contract or rental lease of your residence.
- Proof of deregistration (only required if you are moving from the countries of Aruba, Curaçao or Sint Maarten or the special municipalities of Bonaire, Saba and Sint Eustatius.)
- A written confirmation of the main resident of your new address if you are living with someone else. Include a copy of a valid identity permit of the main occupant/homeowner.
If you have not yet handed over copies of your birth certificate, marriage certificate or other foreign documents regarding your civil status, you will be required to do so.
Use the button below to make an appointment or call +31 – 71 516 51 65
How long does it take?
Depending on the specifics of your situation it will take at least 5 working days to process your registration.
Costs
The registration is free of charge.
Personal Records Database (BRP)
The municipality of Leiden will process your new address data in the Personal Records Database (BRP). This database contains general personal data that the Government uses to provide various services. You can find more information on how the municipality uses the Personal Records Database and how to review your own registration here.
Address investigation
Is someone wrongly registered at your address? In that case, the municipality can launch an address investigation. Read more at Adresonderzoek (Adress Investigation) (in Dutch). Contact the municipality by phone via +31 – 71 5 16 51 65.
Postal address
Do you not have a permanent domicile or residence? Or are you residing in an institution? Then you can register at a postal address in the municipality of Leiden under certain conditions. Read more at Briefadres (Postal address) (in Dutch). Contact the municipality by phone via +31 – 71 5 16 51 65.
The BRP law (Personal records database) obliges the municipality to register you at the location where you live or stay. Even if your residence does not have an official residential function. The registration does not mean that you are allowed to live there. Whether a location has a residential function or not is recorded in a so-called zoning plan (bestemmingsplan).
Why would the municipality want to register you on a location without residential function?
The BRP law obliges the municipality to register you at the location where you are staying. In case of an emergency, like a fire, it could be essential for the fire brigade to know whether people live in that building. The fire brigade will get this information (and other emergency services) from the BRP.
What will happen when you are registered at a location without residential function?
According to the law the Municipal Executives of Leiden (B&W) have to take measures in this case. In juridical terms this is called ‘principle of reinforcement’. B&W could impose a penalty of payment. The resident is obliged to move within the set period. If the resident does not comply, then the penalty has to be paid. The municipality can also decide to vacate the illegal residence. The costs involved should then be paid by the resident. Even if the resident of the property without residential function did not find alternative accommodation, the municipality is allowed to vacate the residence.
Social District team
Do you have question or concerns about your finances or living conditions? Please contact the Sociaal Wijkteam.