Moving within the Netherlands is more than transporting boxes. The key administrative step is updating your address in the BRP, followed by checking the organisations and contracts that do not automatically follow that update.
1. Report the move to the municipality
Report the move to the municipality where you will live. You can report it from four weeks before the move until no later than five days afterwards. The municipality updates the Basisregistratie Personen (BRP). If you move to another municipality, the new municipality handles the registration; you do not separately deregister from the old municipality.
2. Prepare proof
Have valid ID and proof that you may live at the new address, such as a rental contract, purchase deed or consent from the main occupant. Keep the municipal confirmation and check that the registered move date is correct.
3. Do not assume everyone is notified
BRP-linked public bodies may receive address information, but that does not replace updating every private contract or every municipal service. Check your employer, bank, insurer, pension provider, subscriptions, school or childcare, healthcare providers and any organisation that still uses your old address. Municipal Wmo or social-assistance arrangements may need action when moving to another municipality.
4. Post
PostNL Verhuisservice can notify selected companies and optionally forward qualifying mail. It does not forward every type of item, so change important addresses directly as well.
5. Energy, water and heat
- Tell your electricity/gas supplier you are moving and confirm whether the contract moves with you.
- Photograph meter readings at both homes on the handover date unless readings are reliably transmitted automatically.
- Contact the drinking-water company serving the new address; water is regional rather than a normal competitive supplier choice.
- If the property has stadsverwarming or blokverwarming, identify the heat supplier and the handover procedure.
- Keep final bills and meter photographs until accounts are settled.
6. Internet, insurance and local permits
Check internet availability before moving because the old product may not be available at the new address. Update contents/home/liability insurance as relevant and check the exact effective date. If you use resident parking, apply through the new municipality and do not assume an old permit transfers.
7. Healthcare and family administration
A move does not automatically mean changing GP or pharmacy, but distance and practice catchment policies can make a change practical. If moving municipality, separately check childcare, school transport, Wmo support and other locally administered services where relevant.
8. Handover evidence
For a rental, make a signed condition/handover report where possible. Photograph every room, existing damage, meters and returned keys. For a purchase, use the final inspection to compare the home with the agreed condition before the notarial transfer.