Moving to the Netherlands comes with a flood of financial tasks that need to happen in the right order. Miss a step or do things out of sequence, and you can face weeks of delays. This checklist keeps you on track during your critical first 30 days.
Before You Arrive (or Day 1)
1. Open a Bank Account You Can Use Immediately
Do not wait until you have your BSN to get banking sorted. Download bunq or Revolut and open an account without a BSN. Having a working bank account and card from day one prevents countless headaches—you can receive an advance from your employer, pay for groceries, and set up direct debits.
Action: Download bunq, complete identity verification, and have a working Dutch IBAN within 24 hours of arrival.
2. Bring Essential Financial Documents
Make sure you have (in physical and digital form):
- Passport (valid for the duration of your stay)
- Employment contract
- Apostilled birth certificate (required for gemeente registration)
- Marriage certificate if applicable (apostilled)
- Proof of address in the Netherlands (rental contract)
- Recent payslips or bank statements from your home country
Week 1: The Essentials
3. Register at the Gemeente (Municipality)
This is the single most important administrative task. Registering at your local gemeente gives you your BSN, which unlocks everything else—banking, health insurance, tax, and more.
Action: Book your appointment immediately (or have your employer's relocation service do it). In busy cities, wait times can be 4-6 weeks, so book as early as possible. Bring your passport, birth certificate, rental contract, and any family documents.
4. Arrange Health Insurance
Health insurance (zorgverzekering) is mandatory in the Netherlands. You must arrange a basic health insurance policy (basisverzekering) within 4 months of your registration date. All basic policies cost approximately EUR 130-150/month and cover the same standard package.
Action: Compare policies from CZ, Zilveren Kruis, VGZ, or Menzis. Many expats choose based on English-language support and international coverage. If you visit the dentist regularly, consider adding a dental supplement (aanvullende verzekering).
5. Set Up Your Salary Payments
Give your employer your new Dutch bank account details (your bunq IBAN works perfectly for this). Confirm the payment schedule and any advance payments available during your first month.
Action: Email your HR department your Dutch IBAN. Ask about the 30% ruling application timeline if you are eligible.
Week 2: Building Your Financial Foundation
6. Get Your BSN (When Your Appointment Arrives)
Attend your gemeente appointment and receive your BSN. This number will be used for everything financial, so keep it safe and memorise it.
Action: Add your BSN to your bunq account immediately after receiving it.
7. Open a Traditional Bank Account (Optional but Recommended)
With your BSN, you can now open an account at ING, ABN AMRO, or another traditional Dutch bank. While bunq handles daily banking well, having a traditional bank account can be useful for mortgage applications, certain direct debits, and situations where institutions prefer a big-bank IBAN.
Action: Apply for an ING account online. See our best bank accounts comparison to decide.
8. Apply for DigiD
DigiD is your digital identity for accessing government services, filing taxes, and managing health insurance online. You need a BSN to apply, and activation takes about a week (a code is sent by post).
Action: Apply at digid.nl as soon as you have your BSN.
Week 3: Optimising
9. Set Up a High-Interest Savings Account
Do not leave your savings in your current account earning 0%. Open a dedicated savings account with one of the best savings rates available in the Netherlands.
Action: Open an account with Openbank, Trade Republic, or Bigbank. Set up an automatic monthly transfer.
10. Understand Your Tax Situation
If your employer is applying for the 30% ruling, understand what it means for your net pay and tax obligations. If you have assets or income in your home country, understand how the Dutch tax system treats them.
Action: Ask your employer about the 30% ruling timeline. Consider consulting a tax advisor for your first Dutch tax return.
11. Set Up International Money Transfers
If you need to send money home or maintain financial obligations in your home country, set up a Wise account for cost-effective international transfers.
Action: Create a Wise account and link your Dutch bank account for iDEAL funding.
Week 4: Fine-Tuning
12. Review Your Credit Card Options
With your BSN and at least a few weeks of employment history, you can start exploring credit card options. A credit card is useful for international travel and online purchases, even though daily Dutch life runs on debit.
Action: Research which card fits your needs. Consider applying after 3 months of employment for better approval chances.
13. Create a Dutch Budget
Dutch living costs may differ significantly from your home country. Take stock of your first month's spending and create a realistic budget. Key Dutch expenses to budget for:
- Rent (typically 30-40% of gross income in Amsterdam/Rotterdam)
- Health insurance (EUR 130-150/month)
- Groceries (EUR 250-400/month for a single person)
- Transportation (EUR 90-200/month for public transport or cycling costs)
- Utilities and internet (EUR 150-250/month)
- Phone plan (EUR 15-30/month)
14. Set Up Liability Insurance
Liability insurance (aansprakelijkheidsverzekering) is not mandatory but is extremely common in the Netherlands. It covers you if you accidentally damage someone else's property or cause injury. Policies cost around EUR 3-5/month and are well worth it.
15. Download Essential Financial Apps
Make sure you have these apps on your phone:
- Your bank's app (bunq, ING, etc.)
- Tikkie — for splitting bills and social payments
- Wise — for international transfers
- Mijn Belastingdienst — for tax matters (once you have DigiD)
Your first 30 days set the foundation for your entire financial life in the Netherlands. Follow this checklist, and you will be ahead of most expats within your first month.