1. Collect your residence permit at the IND

• Why? Because you need it for opening a bank account and purchasing Dutch health insurance (if you plan to work next to your study).
• When? Within 4 days after arrival in the Netherlands. You or your university can schedule an appointment within 4 months after receipt of the approval letter from IND.
• Where? IND has offices in Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Utrecht, Zwolle, Den Bosch, Eindhoven and Den Haag.
• What to bring? A valid passport, your appointment code, which you will receive after making an appointment and the document you received from the IND through the Dutch Embassy. You must collect the residence permit yourself; no one else can replace you.

2. BRP registration and BSN application

• When registering with your municipality into the BRP (Municipal Personal Records Database) , you are automatically issued a citizen service number (BSN), which is equivalent to a unique social security number or tax number for every citizen. 
• Why? You need a BSN for example: opening a bank account, getting insurance, a job or a paid internship, or going to the hospital. 
• When? Within 5 days after arrival in The Netherlands. 
• Where? At the municipality of your place of residence in the Netherlands.
• How? Make an appointment first. Consult your own municipality to know how. 
• What to bring? Your passport, a rental agreement and a legalised and translated birth certificate. Take this therefore with you when you travel to the Netherlands! Please contact your municipality in advance to check which (legalised and translated) documents/certificates you need to take with you. 
• What is the processing time? Depends on your own municipality.

For a mobile phone subscription you'll need a bank account first

3. Open a bank account

• Why? You may need this to pay easily at supermarkets, restaurants, hotels or to rent an apartment.
• Where? The most reliable banks are: ABNAmro, ING, Rabobank and SNS.
• How? Make an appointment online, or walk into their office.
• What to bring? Inform first, but generally you need to bring: proof of ID, official proof of address (such as a tenancy agreement), BSN (citizen service number), residence permit.

4. Mobile phone subscription

• Why? You might find a contract (abonnement) useful to be able to use WhatsApp, use the 9292.nl app to plan your public transport travels or to use Google Maps.
• When? After you have opened a bank account.
• What do you need? Passport, official bank statement, bank account (card).
• How? Reliable providers are: Lebara (website in English), T-mobile, Vodafone, Ben, KPN.
• Compare: Prijs vergelijken mobile, mobiel.nl, GSMwijzer.
• Be warned: using your mobile while biking or driving is illegal and you risk getting fined. Use a handsfree solution.

5. Tuberculosis test (TB)

• When? Within 3 months after having received your residence permit.
• Where? At the Area Health Authority (GGD).
• What to bring? You must bring the TB test referral form with you. More info:  https://ind.nl/en/Forms/7604.pdf

6. General practitioner (huisarts) and dentist (tandarts)

• Why? You need to tell your health insurer who is your General Practitioner and your Dentist, so the insurance company can cover any future medical costs.
• How? You need to register at a GP in your neighbourhood. You are free to choose your GP as long as the GP can reach you within 15 minutes to your home.
• Don’t forget to a register at a pharmacy as well.
  

7. Health insurance

• If you only study in The Netherlands, you don’t need to take out Dutch health insurance. But it is compulsory by law to be insured. Staying insured with your Indonesian health insurance provider is sufficient. 
• If you plan to work (part-time) or do a paid internship, then you are obliged to take out Dutch health insurance. This you can do after arrival in The Netherlands and after having met the required conditions: residence permit + citizen service number (BSN). If you don’t take out health insurance then you risk a penalty from the government.

LEARN MORE

Also consult the international office at your host university. They can share their experience or recommend a good insurance provider.

8. DigiD

• What is it? A DigiD is a Digital Identification. It is like a digital passport, with which you can identify yourself online.
• Why? A DigiD is not compulsory, but you may need this to be able to use online government services. Access is made possible through a username and a password. Never share your username and password with anyone else.
• When need it? You need it if you need to pay tax or sometimes your educational institution or healthcare provider requires you to have a DigiD. 
• How? You can apply for a DigiD account by going to their website Digid.nl 

9. Legal obligations

• Why? As an Asian student in the Netherlands, you have the obligation to provide certain information. If you do not meet these legal obligations, you can get a warning or an administrative fine to a maximum of €1,500 per person. 
• What information? For instance a change of address, or if you want to collect your permit from a different embassy or if you cannot meet the conditions for the residence permit anymore. Read more about this on the IND website: IND.nl   
• Next to providing information, you also have the obligation to obtain 50% of your ECTS (study points) per year if you are doing a bachelor or master programme and 100% of your ECTS per year if you are doing a premaster or preparatory year programme. Otherwise you might risk withdrawal of your residence permit by the IND.

10. Register at your country's Embassy in the Netherlands

• Why? If you stay in the Netherlands for more than six months, your country may make it an obligation for their citizens to report themselves to their country's Embassy.
• How? Consult your own Embassy in the Netherlands what they require from you after your arrival.

Other matters...

For other matters such as: traveling by public transport, where to buy yourself a bike, campus orientation and other useful local tips, we would like to refer you to the international office of your host university.