Moving in Amsterdam: What About the Parking Permit?

Summary: When moving in Amsterdam, you’ll need permits (RVV or TVM) for safe loading and unloading. When moving to your new address, be aware of environmental requirements and the often long waiting lists for regular parking permits. Since processing times and waiting lists vary greatly by district, it’s important to always check the City of Amsterdam’s website for the most up-to-date information on times and deadlines. This will help you avoid unexpected delays or fines on moving day.

Moving to Amsterdam is always an exciting time. It’s a chance to set up a new home and make a fresh start. However, before you can enjoy your new home, you’ll need to take care of the practical aspects of the move. One of the most important things to consider is where to park the moving truck. In a city like Amsterdam, this isn’t always straightforward, and you’ll often need a parking permit or a special exemption.In this article, we’ll take a closer look at parking permits during the move itself—such as for loading and unloading your belongings—as well as the parking permit you’ll need at your new address so you can park without any worries afterward.

Do I need a parking permit while moving to Amsterdam?

Yes, in most cases, you’ll need a parking permit or a temporary permit when you’re moving in Amsterdam. This is especially true if you’re using a moving truck or a moving lift and want to park it temporarily on a public street. In some cases, you’ll need multiple permits: one for loading at your old home and one for unloading at your new address. By applying for these permits in advance, you can avoid fines, delays, and stress on moving day.

Do I need an exemption when I move to Amsterdam?

First of all, the question is: Do you need a (parking) permit for the moving truck? You may need a permit for both the loading area at your old home and the unloading area at your new home. Go through the list below to find out if this applies to you.

An exemption is required in the following situations:

• When there are no parking spaces available for loading or unloading the moving truck.
• If you want to reserve specific parking spaces for the moving truck.
• When you want to temporarily close off the street because there is otherwise no place to load or unload.
• If you want to drive or park in places where it is normally not allowed, such as on a sidewalk or in an area with (retractable) bollards.

How does the process of obtaining a permit or exemption work?

Arranging a permit or exemption actually always starts with you, the customer, because you’re responsible for providing a free space for the moving truck and the lift. But don’t worry: we’re happy to help you with this. During a (moving) site visit, our account manager will tell you exactly where we’d prefer to park, so you can take your time to assess whether it’s possible to keep those parking spots clear yourself. If there’s no space on the street and we need to (partially) block the road, an official permit is always required to ensure the move goes smoothly.

You can choose to apply for this permit yourself or have us handle it for you; in the latter case, we’ll pass on the municipal fees to you on a one-to-one basis, plus a small administrative fee. Since the application process varies by municipality and the processing time can range from 3 weeks to as long as 3 months, it’s extremely important to take care of this in a timely manner. Check the City of Amsterdam’s website for the current processing time.

What types of permits are there?

In Amsterdam, there are two commonly used permits for moving:

RVV Traffic Exemption

This permit is required if you want to temporarily park the moving truck in areas where parking is normally not allowed, such as on the sidewalk, in a closed-off street, or in a low-traffic zone. You can apply for this permit online through the municipality, usually on a district-by-district basis.

Please note: Apply for this traffic permit at least 10 days in advance.

TVM – Temporary Traffic Measure

A TVM is required if you want to reserve parking spaces or temporarily close off a section of the road. This allows you to create enough space to safely park the moving truck and load or unload your belongings. The following also applies to this permit: you must submit an online application to the municipality and provide a clear sketch of the location.
Please note: apply for this traffic exemption at least 10 days in advance.

What is the difference between an RVV and a TVM?

You need an RVV traffic exemption if you want to temporarily park your moving truck somewhere where it’s normally not allowed, such as on the sidewalk, on a low-traffic street, or in areas with retractable bollards. It allows you to temporarily deviate from traffic rules. You need a TVM (Temporary Traffic Measure) if you want to reserve parking spaces during the move or temporarily close off a street so you can load and unload safely. This involves creating space for your moving truck without violating existing traffic rules. For both types of permits, you must apply online through the municipality.

How do I apply for an RVV traffic exemption or TVM?

Enter the starting point

• First, enter all the details about the location where you’ll be loading your belongings.
• Here, you can reserve parking spaces in Amsterdam or temporarily close off a street.

Enter your final destination

• Next, enter the details of the location where you’ll be unloading your belongings.
• Here, you can also reserve parking spaces in Amsterdam or block off a street.
• Please submit a site plan along with the form at a later time.

Moving Lift

• You can set up a moving lift for free at both the starting point and the final destination. You do not need to submit a separate request for this.

Additional Requests

• Would you like to arrange anything else in addition to parking or street closures? If so, you’ll need to submit a separate request.

Want to attach a site plan? Here’s how

If you submit an application for an RVV traffic exemption or a TVM, you must always include a clear sketch of the traffic situation. The sketch must show, at a minimum:

• Location of the moving truck(s): Specify exactly where you want to park the moving truck on the sidewalk or in reserved parking spaces. Please also clearly indicate the house numbers of the buildings in question.
• Available space: Indicate how much space will remain once the moving truck(s) are parked on the sidewalk.
• Entrance doors: Show the doors of nearby houses and stores.
• Any road closures: Indicate where the street needs to be temporarily closed and where detour signs will be placed, including the house numbers of the affected properties.
• Dimensions of the moving truck(s).

If you plan to load and unload on the sidewalk while moving, please keep in mind that at least 2 meters (on shopping streets) or 1.5 meters (on other streets) of sidewalk width must remain available for pedestrians.

After Moving: Applying for a Parking Permit in Amsterdam

The information above pertains to applying for a parking exemption during your move in Amsterdam. Don’t forget to also start thinking about parking options at your new address. In doing so, you should keep a few important points in mind:

• Unfortunately, it is not possible to obtain a parking permit at every address. This applies to new construction projects or large-scale renovation projects.
• Please note that the estimated waiting time for a parking permit can be quite long—sometimes even months. Want to know the current waiting time? Please visit the City of Amsterdam’s website.
• There is a waiting list for some areas. In addition, the cost of a parking permit varies by area. You can use the Address Finder on the City of Amsterdam’s website to find out which permit zone your address falls under.
• When you apply for a parking permit, it is important that the vehicle is registered in your name. In addition, if you own two or more cars, you can receive a maximum of two permits. Please note: this is not possible in every permit zone.
• To be eligible for a parking permit, your vehicle must meet the environmental requirements. Do you have an electric car? If so, you’ll be given priority on the waiting list.
• Do you have your own parking space? If so, this will be deducted from the number of permits you can obtain.

Changing a Parking Permit in Amsterdam

Are you moving within Amsterdam? If so, don’t forget to update your parking permit. You can do this through the City of Amsterdam’s website. Cancel your old permit and apply for a new one for your new address, even if you’re on the waiting list or moving within the same permit zone.

You can keep your permit active at your old address until the end of the month following the month you moved. Keep in mind that you’ll be paying for two permits temporarily.

The environmental requirements of your previous permit apply to this application; if there are any discrepancies, please indicate that this is due to a change of address.

Make Your Move in Amsterdam Easy

Moving in Amsterdam can be a challenge, especially when it comes to parking and permits. By preparing thoroughly and applying for the right exemptions and parking permits well in advance, you can ensure that your moving day goes smoothly and that you have a hassle-free start at your new address. Are you ready to plan your move? Start arranging your permits today and make your move in Amsterdam a lot easier!