This is the latest Brexit newsletter for British citizens living in the Netherlands. It is issued by the Dutch Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND) in English. Subsequent issues will be published when there is more news. Previous newsletters are available from the archive below. It is not currently possible to receive this newsletter by e-mail.
These are difficult and uncertain times as a result of the coronavirus crisis. It is important to stay in touch with us if you are unable to submit your application for a residence document on time, or if you have not received an invitation letter and think you should have. Our Brexit line is happy to help you with any questions you have about your application.
The latest IND coronavirus measures will not affect a decision on applications from UK nationals and their family members living in the Netherlands for a residence document for after the transition period. The IND is still reviewing and deciding on applications received. You will receive the decision by post. A positive decision guarantees your right to continue to live, work and study in the Netherlands after the transition period.
Note: at the moment, you cannot visit an IND desk for biometrics or to collect your residence document: IND desks are currently only handling urgent matters. So you may receive your residence document later than originally hoped due to the coronavirus measures.
For more information visit the Brexit Q&As and the Coronavirus Q&As.
Invitations to apply for a residence document have now been sent to all UK nationals living in the Netherlands since before 2013. So if you have been living here since 2013 based on your EU right to freedom of movement and you do not have a residence document yet, you should have received an invitation. If you have not, please check whether you are correctly registered at your town hall (gemeente) in the Personal Records Database (Basisregistratie Personen or BRP). You can find out by logging in to MijnOverheid. For this you need a DigiD. Then please call our Brexit phone line on +31 (0)88 04 30410.
The IND will continue sending invitations to all other UK nationals and their family members who came to live in the Netherlands in 2013 or after in stages. Please wait to receive your invitation before submitting your application.
The calendar showing which invitation letters have been sent out already is being regularly updated. It is available on the Brexit website.
When you have received an invitation to submit your application for a residence document, you should submit your application within 4 weeks. Do not delay applying! Together we can ensure that you and the 45,000 other UK nationals living in the Netherlands receive a decision on time. We cannot guarantee this if you delay submitting your application.
What if you cannot submit your application within 4 weeks? We appreciate that these are difficult times and there could be good reasons why you may not be able to submit your application on time. However, if this is the case, please notify us by calling our Brexit line on +31 (0)88 04 30410. We would also like to know why, in case there is anything we can do to help you, or to improve our services.
The IND will send a reminder by post to UK nationals and their family members who have not submitted their application within 4 weeks.
Submitting your application is easy and you will receive a decision as soon as possible. You can easily submit your application on our website, ind.nl/Brexit.
"I am really British, but I have been living here for 20 years. The Netherlands is my home, where I live and work. I was a bit scared at the time of Brexit, because you just didn't know what was going to happen. But for me personally, the IND has made it very easy." Michelle Colman
On 27 February 2020, Michelle Colman and her sons Tristan and Ethan were the first UK nationals to receive their residence documents at the IND desk in The Hague. Find out more.
Based on the latest feedback, we have recently updated the general information page Living in the Netherlands after Brexit on our Brexit website, ind.nl/Brexit. Additional website updates will follow shortly. Please continue to give your feedback by calling the Brexit line.
If you have any questions or if you need any assistance completing your application for a residence document, please call our Brexit information line. The Brexit line is available from Monday to Friday from 9.00 to 17.00 on +31 (0)88 04 30410.