Before anything else — the residency and tax conversation
For UK families: which IND residency-permit route applies (employer-led kennismigrant for most), and what tax sequencing makes sense across UK exit and Dutch arrival. Both worth specialist scoped advice before practical planning begins.
For returning Dutch families: confirm BSN status, plan gemeente reactivation, sort UK-born children's Dutch passports if not already done. Talk to a Dutch tax adviser about the UK→NL tax-year sequencing.
Six months out
The aim at six months out is to have the foundational paperwork in motion and a clear sense of which Dutch region you are heading to.
- Residency permit application underway (UK families) or Dutch-passport / consulate paperwork confirmed (returnees).
- Dutch property search substantially advanced — rental targets identified or purchase under offer.
- Tax-adviser conversation completed; sequencing of move date and Dutch tax residency mapped.
- Initial survey with us booked — the volume estimate at six months out helps with everything downstream.
- School research started — Dutch state, international, or TTO bilingual options identified for each child.
- Pet planning under way if relevant — microchip up to date, rabies vaccination planned, AHC vet identified.
Three months out
At three months out the move shifts from planning into execution.
- Residency permit approved or strongly advanced (UK families).
- Dutch property contract signed or purchase progressing.
- Written quote with us confirmed and move date in the diary.
- UK utility cancellation dates worked out.
- School applications submitted for each child.
- UK and Dutch banking arranged or scheduled.
One month out
One month out is when the move stops being abstract.
- Final inventory walked through and signed off.
- Vehicle shipping paperwork finalised if applicable.
- Pet AHC appointment booked for the appropriate pre-travel window.
- UK utilities given cancellation dates; council tax notified of move-out.
- Mail-forwarding arranged.
- Dutch-side practical contacts collated — employer's relocation contact, RMC if managed, removals firm (us), gemeente-appointment plan.
- Children's schools notified of UK end dates; Dutch schools confirmed for first-day arrangements.
Move week
Packing day, load-out day, travel day, vehicle in transit, delivery at the other end.
- Final personal-effects sort — what travels with you, what travels in the consignment, what the kids cannot be without.
- Documents wallet ready — passports (UK and Dutch where applicable), residency permit, employment contract, rental/purchase contract, customs paperwork copy, ToR1 copy, pet AHC.
- UK property final clean and handover scheduled.
- Dutch property key handover confirmed for delivery day.
- Pet transport coordinated separately.
After the move
Post-move administrative tasks cluster in the first four to six weeks.
- Gemeente registration appointment booked and attended — BSN issued or reactivated.
- DigiD applied for online; activation code waited for; account activated.
- Dutch bank account opened.
- Zorgverzekering health insurance registered (mandatory).
- GP (huisarts) registered with.
- Utility contracts in your name.
- OV-chipkaart sorted for everyone in the household.
- Vehicle re-registration with RDW started if you brought a UK car.