Expat Abroad · Netherlands

Living in the Netherlands.

6 practical guides for Americans living in the Netherlands, grouped by topic. Each one lists the official sources it is based on.

Netherlands

Arrival and immigration

Amsterdam Schiphol Airport apron with KLM jets and the control tower

Arrival and immigration · 5 min read

Entering the Netherlands on a US passport: Schengen 90/180

How the Schengen 90 days in 180 rule applies to Americans in the Netherlands, what the Entry/Exit System records, where ETIAS stands and how residence differs.

Netherlands

Documents and ID

US Consulate General building on Museumplein in Amsterdam

Documents and ID · 6 min read

US consular services in the Netherlands: what Amsterdam handles

Passport renewals by mail, CRBA appointments, emergency help, voting and federal benefits: what the US Consulate in Amsterdam does for Americans.

The Stopera, Amsterdam city hall and opera house, on the Amstel

Documents and ID · 6 min read

First weeks in the Netherlands: registrations after landing

The order of steps after you arrive in the Netherlands: municipal BRP registration within 5 days, your BSN, health insurance within 4 months and DigiD.

Netherlands

Safety

Dutch police car parked by a tram on an Amsterdam street

Safety · 6 min read

Safety and emergency numbers in the Netherlands

Emergency and police numbers in the Netherlands, how to reach the US consulate after hours, STEP alerts, and what the Level 2 State Department advisory means.

Netherlands

Shipping and moving

Container cranes at the Waalhaven terminal in the Port of Rotterdam

Shipping and moving · 5 min read

Shipping household goods to the Netherlands: customs rules

How Dutch Customs relief for household effects works when you move from the US, the documents your mover needs, excluded goods and the US rules for shipping back.

Netherlands

Visas and residency

Courtyard of the Binnenhof government complex in The Hague

Visas and residency · 7 min read

Moving to the Netherlands from the US: visa and residence routes

The main Dutch residence routes for US citizens: DAFT self-employment, highly skilled migrant and the orientation year, with 2026 fees and salary thresholds.