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Registering with the IND as an EU, EEA or Swiss citizen

Last update: 29 May 2022

​Are you a national of a European Union (EU) or European Economic Area (EEA) country or Switzerland? If so, you do not need a residence permit to live in the Netherlands. But you can register as a Union citizen with the IND. On this page you will find out how to register and what documents you need.

Who is registration as a Union citizen intended for?

You have the nationality of a country of the EU, EEA or Switzerland. Read about which countries belong to the EU and EEA. That means you are a Union citizen. You can register with the IND. You are only obliged to register with the IND if:

  • You have a family member who is not a national of an EU/EEA country or Switzerland. That family member wants to live with you in the Netherlands.
  • Your previous right of residence has been terminated. In the Municipal Personal Records Database (Basisregistratie Personen - BRP) you are registered with code 41 (no right of residence).

Requirements for living in the Netherlands as a Union citizen

You do not need a residence permit to live in the Netherlands. However, a number of conditions apply if you want to live in the Netherlands as a Union citizen, even if you do not register with the IND. Read more about living in the Netherlands as a Union citizen.

The documents you need

You need to submit documents to demonstrate that you fulfil the requirements for registration as a Union citizen.

Documents that you always need

To register as a Union citizen, you always need:

  • A valid passport or identity card from an EU/EEA country or Switzerland.

Documents that you need depending on your situation

See which other documents you need in your situation:

You are an employee

One of these two documents:

  • The 'Employer's declaration' appendix. This is included with the registration form. Your employer should complete and sign the declaration.
  • An employment contract proving that you are performing genuine and effective work in the Netherlands. Read about when you are considered an employee under EU law.

You are an entrepreneur

  • Proof that your company is entered in the Commercial Register of the Chamber of Commerce.
  • Proof that you are performing genuine and effective work in the Netherlands. Read about when you are considered an entrepreneur under EU law. Examples of the proof you can provide:
    • Balance sheet or income statement;
    • Monthly overview of operating results; or
    • If you do not yet have those documents, a declaration or forecast drawn up by an accountant or financial advisor can be submitted.

You are a student

  • Original proof of registration with an educational institution.
  • A self-declaration that you have sufficient funds. You can use the 'Declaration of sufficient means of existence' appendix included with the form.
  • Proof of your health insurance (insurance card and/or policy).

You are economically inactive

You are the partner of a Union citizen

  • You are the partner of a Union citizen.

Is your marriage or registered partnership recorded in the Municipal Personal Records Database (Basisregistratie Personen – BRP) in the Netherlands? You do not need to include that document. The IND will check this in the database.

You are a child under the age of 21 of a Union citizen

  • A document proving that you are part of the same family, e.g. a birth or adoption certificate.

You are a child aged 21 or above of a Union citizen or a parent, grandparent or grandchild of a Union citizen

  • You are a child aged 21 or above of a Union citizen or a parent, grandparent or grandchild of a Union citizen.
  • Proof that the EU/EEA or Swiss citizen you are living with is supporting you financially.

Legalisation and translation of official documents

Official foreign documents must be authenticated and translated into Dutch, English, French or German. Read more about authenticating and translating foreign documents.

How to register with the IND

  1. Download the application form 'Registration for EU-citizens':
    Registration for citizens of the Union 6021 (PDF, 296.79 KB)
  2. Print out the form.
  3. Fill in the form and the appendices.
  4. Send the application form with the appendices and the required documents to the IND. You will find the address in the application form.

Joint application for registration at the IND and verification against EU law

Are you registering at the IND because you have a family member who does not have the nationality of the EU, EEA or Switzerland? You can send in the

Application for verification against EU Law 5005 (PDF, 332.37 KB)
together with your application for registration.

Kosten van de inschrijving

Registration as a Union citizen is free of charge.

Decision on your application

On the day of the appointment bring the form and the requested documents with you. The IND will assess your application immediately during the appointment.

  • The decision is positive:  You fulfil the conditions for residence as a Union citizen.
    Has the decision been made on or after 25 September 2021? You will receive a registration card as proof. Has the decision been made before 25 September 2021? You will receive a sticker in your passport or on your ID-card as proof.
  • The decision is negative: You do not fulfil the conditions for residence as a Union citizen. The IND will not register you. You can lodge an objection to the decision. Read about lodging an objection and appealing against a decision of the IND.
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