Registration
In the Netherlands everyone is required to register his or her place of residence with the relevant city council. This rule applies to everyone who moves from one city to another, moves properties within one city or moves in or out of the country. Registration does not take long, and can be done at the city hall.
You do not generally need to give notice at your old city council: this is done automatically when you are registered somewhere else. The only exception to this rule is when you are moving to another country. In order to register you will need a passport as proof of identity. In principle you should register within five days of moving to a new place; it is not a crime to register after five days, but doing so may result in certain problems.
Short stay
If you wish to stay in the Netherlands for less than three months, non-EU and non-EEA citizens must get a 'Schengen' visa. This visa, available at every Dutch foreign embassy, gives access to all countries that signed the Schengen Treaty. Almost all countries in the EU (except for the United Kingdom, Ireland and Cyprus) and Iceland, Norway and Switzerland are part of the Schengen area.
If you are an EU or an EEA citizen, you enjoy freedom of movement in the EU and you do not have to get a visa to stay in the Netherlands for a period less than three months.
Long stay
Not all EU-citizens who wish to stay longer than three months enjoy freedom of movement. If their country of origin joined the EU in 2004 or 2007 they have to register and apply for a work permit. In a few years, all EU citizens will be free to live and work in the Netherlands.
Non EU and EEA citizens have to apply for a residence permit. In order to do so, they need a Temporary Residence License (a 'Machtiging Voorlopig Verblijf'), which is essentially a note in your passport that states that you are allowed to come to the Netherlands. With this license you are allowed to come to the Netherlands for a longer period of time, and can subsequently apply for a residence permit.
Foreign Registration
Just as Dutch citizens must register their residence, foreigners who come to the Netherlands and expect to stay for three months or more must register at the city council closest to where they live. To register, you will need proof of identity, a permit for residence and your rental contract. Some landlords do not want their tenants to register, so that they can evade taxes, nevertheless it is important that you do so.
