v256.0 · relocation checklist · IN → NL · verified 2026-04
India to Netherlands — relocation checklist
15-step ordered checklist covering visa, banking, healthcare, housing, taxes, schooling, shipping, and pets. Written for the Indian tech professional on Highly Skilled Migrant (kennismigrant) visa or EU Blue Card.
From
Total cost
EUR 5,000-18,000 — visa, deposits, shipping
Timeline
8-14 weeks pre-arrival, 4-6 weeks post-arrival
Typical profile for this pair
Indian tech professional on Highly Skilled Migrant (kennismigrant) visa or EU Blue Card
Step-by-step checklist (15 steps)
Pre-departure (10-14 weeks out)
- Choose visa — Highly Skilled Migrant (salary >â¬5,331/mo or â¬3,909 for under-30, 2024 levels), EU Blue Card, Orientation Year (1-year visa for graduates of top 200 universities)
Pre-departure (8-12 weeks out)
- IND-recognized sponsor employer files application — IND processes in 2-4 weeks typically
Pre-departure (6-10 weeks out)
- MVV (long-stay entry visa) at Dutch Embassy Delhi/Mumbai/Bengaluru — schedule via VFS Global
Pre-departure (4-8 weeks out)
- PCC + MEA apostille; tuberculosis test (required from non-EU countries); medical insurance proof
Pre-departure (4-6 weeks out)
- Tax planning — IT-30; LRS USD 250K/year strategy; 30% expat tax ruling eligibility check
Pre-departure (2-4 weeks out)
- Ship sea freight Mumbai/Chennai to Rotterdam 28-35 days, EUR 3,500-8,000 for 20ft
Pre-departure (1-2 weeks out)
- Pet — EU Pet Passport via India government-authorized vet; microchip + rabies
Arrival (Week 1)
- Municipal registration (GBA / BRP) at gemeente office — gives BSN (citizen service number) needed for banking + work
Arrival (Week 1-2)
- Open Dutch bank — bunq (instant online), ING, ABN AMRO, Rabobank
Arrival (Week 2-3)
- Mandatory Zorgverzekering (health insurance) within 4 months — EUR 130-160/month basis
Arrival (Week 2-4)
- Long-term housing — Amsterdam tight market, employer relocation often helps; rent + deposit common
Arrival (Week 3-4)
- Apply for 30% expat tax ruling via Dutch tax authority — 30% of salary tax-free for 5 years (since 2024; previously 30 months)
Arrival (Month 2)
- Children school enrollment — Dutch public, international (Amsterdam International Community School), IB curriculum widely available
Arrival (Month 3-6)
- Indian ITR partial year; Dutch Inkomstenbelasting due April 30
Ongoing
- Permanent residence after 5 years; Dutch citizenship after 5 years (renounce Indian citizenship required, since India does not allow dual)
Cost breakdown
| Highly Skilled Migrant + MVV | EUR 380 + EUR 192 |
| TB test | EUR 50 |
| Health insurance Zorgverzekering | EUR 130-160/month |
| First month rent + 2-month deposit (Amsterdam 1BR) | EUR 3,500-7,500 |
| Shipping (sea freight 20ft) | EUR 3,500-8,000 |
| Pet relocation | USD 800-2,000 |
⚠ Gotchas + watch-outs
- 30% expat tax ruling capped at 5 years (changed in 2024)
- 30% ruling reduced progressively: 30% / 20% / 10% per 20-month tranches (legislative debate)
- Mandatory health insurance Zorgverzekering within 4 months
- Amsterdam housing market extremely tight — register early
- India does not allow dual citizenship — Dutch citizenship requires renouncing Indian
- India-Netherlands DTAA (1989) prevents double taxation
Official sources
- IND Netherlands — https://ind.nl/
- Belastingdienst 30% ruling — https://www.belastingdienst.nl/
See also: India profile · Netherlands profile · all relocation checklists · Netherlands digital nomad visa · Netherlands banking
Last verified 2026-04. Immigration, tax, and banking rules change frequently — verify with official sources before acting.