Start early. Some steps take weeks, and a few can only be done while you still live here.
Check your passport, activate the DigiD app with ID check, collect certificates and diplomas, and give notice on your rental contract.
Tell your employer, health insurer, pension fund, UWV or SVB, and the Benefits Office. Stop your provisional tax assessment.
Deregister at the municipality – at most 5 days before you leave. Give your new address abroad.
Register in your new country, update your address in the RNI and keep your proof of deregistration.
Apply for voluntary AOW and Anw insurance if you want to keep building your state pension.
Keep a copy of your deregistration certificate – the health insurer, the tax office and your bank will ask for it.
The municipality informs the IND. You do not need to end your permit yourself.
Only if you did not deregister within 4 weeks after leaving, or if you hold an asylum permit.
Make it invalid (cut a corner) and post it to IND Bureau Documenten, PO Box 49, 9560 AA Ter Apel.
EU, EEA and Swiss citizens never need to inform the IND. Want to keep your permit? Read the permit rules first.
Renew your passport and set up DigiD before you go – it is much harder from abroad.
Give notice on time. Selling or renting out? Check Box 3 rules for non-residents.
Report the export to the RDW and check a partial BPM refund.
End your Dutch health insurance with proof of deregistration – and arrange cover abroad.
Inform the school, ask for school reports and check child benefit abroad.
Get apostilles and sworn translations for certificates you will need abroad.
Ask whether your bank keeps accounts for people living abroad.
Register as a voter abroad if you are Dutch and want to keep voting.
Many municipalities offer it online with DigiD; others need a visit or a signed form. Check your municipality’s website.
Then you do not deregister – you stay registered at your Dutch address. Permit holders must still watch the main-residence rules.
Yes. Your BSN stays the same and you are registered in the RNI as a non-resident.
Yes, if you are leaving for good. The card belongs to the Dutch government.
Five years in? A permanent permit or EU long-term resident status travels better.
eu-permanent.nl Open website CitizenshipNaturalisation or the option procedure – and keeping your Dutch passport.
dutch-citizenship.nl Open website FamilyComing back with a partner from abroad? The partner route explained.
partner-visa.nl Open website EU lawLived with your family in another EU country? EU law may bring you back together.
yari-immigration.nl/eu-law-eu-route.html Open websiteInformation valid for 2026, based on ind.nl, government.nl, netherlandsworldwide.nl, belastingdienst.nl, svb.nl and cbs.nl. Rules can change – always check the latest information with us or on the official websites.
