Plan your Move

If you have children, inform their schools and any other memberships about their termination.  

Investigate the schooling/childcare possibilities in the Leiden region. You can consult our education page to find out what types of school there are in the Netherlands, and what (international) schools are located in the Leiden region.    

Plan your flight and accommodation for pricing and availability considerations.   

Make sure everything is arranged regarding your short-term/long-term accommodation.  It is strongly recommended that you start the preparation of your accommodation well in advance.   

Get connected (arrange a Dutch telephone number, an internet provider, utilities, etc.)  

The first and most important thing you will need to arrange upon your arrival in Leiden is to book your registration appointment at the municipality of Leiden in order to receive your BSN number. You can visit our Registration page  *  

You will also need to open a local bank account. You can make use of  Rabobank's expatriate service: the Rabobank Expat Desk. You can also visit our bank services webpage for more information on the subject.   

Arrange your health insurance in Leiden is another important step in your arrival phase. In the Netherlands, a basic health insurance is mandatory for all residents of the country and should be arranged as soon as possible.  

You can also register at your local doctor and dentist (in Dutch: ‘huisarts’ & ‘tandarts’). A detailed information can be found here & here.  

Obtain a driving licence or exchanging your current licence (if required) could also be one of your priorities during this stage. Read more here.  

Learning Dutch is important for making new friends and communicating with your potential colleagues or employers. We recommend taking some of the Dutch classes provided by Partners in Language Services.   

Get active in the local and/or expat community and join social (media) groups, clubs, sports and associations.   

Adapt your CV/Resume to match the Dutch style and begin contacting local recruitment agencies in case you need a job.   

Stay informed: throughout the ECL website and social media platforms (Facebook, Twitter & Linkedin) where you can find out about many more aspects of expat life in the region of Leiden. Our event page offers a nice overview of the activities in the region.