Moving to Haarlem is a great move. Whether you settle down in the bustling center, the attractive Haarlem-Noord district or near the greenery of the Haarlemmerhout, there is a lot involved in a new start. One of the first things you have to arrange is your registration with the municipality of Haarlem. This is not only mandatory, but also important to be able to use facilities such as care, benefits and local services. In this blog you will read exactly what you need, how the process works and what you need to pay attention to for a smooth registration.
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What is registering municipality of Haarlem?
To become a resident of the City of Haarlem, you must register yourself with the City of Haarlem. This is an important process that ensures that you are officially registered as a resident of the city. In this section we will discuss what registering municipality Haarlem means for you what the requirements are.
First, what does registering municipality Haarlem mean? Registration municipality Haarlem means that you are officially recognized as a resident of Haarlem and that your personal data are included in the Basisregistratie Personen (BRP). This BRP is a central database in which all personal data of Dutch citizens are registered. It is mandatory for anyone who wants to stay in the Netherlands for longer than four months to register here.
Now you may be wondering what is required to register yourself with the municipality of Haarlem. First, you must be able to prove that you are lawfully residing in the Netherlands. This can be done in various ways, such as a valid passport or identity card, a residence permit or proof of enrollment at an educational institution.
In addition, your address information must also be known to the municipality. You can only be registered at an address where you actually live or are going to live. If this is not the case, you cannot be registered with the municipality of Haarlem.
Another important requirement is that you have a citizen service number (BSN). This number is assigned automatically once you are registered in the BRP and is essential for carrying out all kinds of official business in the Netherlands, such as opening a bank account or taking out health insurance.
Finally, if you do not have Dutch nationality, you must also be able to prove your residence status. This can be done, for example, through a valid residence permit or by proving that you are an EU citizen.


Why is registering municipality of Haarlem important?
Registering municipality Haarlem, also known as “having your residential address registered,” is a mandatory and important step for anyone settling in the Netherlands. This applies to both Dutch citizens and foreign citizens who wish to stay in the Netherlands for longer than four months.
But why is it actually so important to register with the municipality? Below we have listed the main reasons:
1. Legal obligation
First of all, registering with the municipality is a legal obligation. According to the Basic Registration of Persons Act (BRP), you are obliged to register yourself with the municipality where you are going to live within five days of your arrival in the Netherlands. If you do not do this, you risk a fine or even deportation.
2. Entitlement to services and benefits
Being registered with the municipality entitles you to various services and benefits from the government, such as care allowance, rent allowance and child allowance. You also cannot claim certain social services until you are registered.
3. Id.
With a valid registration with the municipality, you automatically receive a citizen service number (BSN). You will need this number for numerous things, such as opening a bank account, getting health insurance and taking care of tax matters.
4. Important to your rights as a citizen
By registering with the municipality, you show that you are integrated into Dutch society as a citizen. This is important not only for your rights and duties, but also for any future naturalization procedures.
5. Municipal taxes
Finally, registering with the municipality is important for paying municipal taxes, such as garbage and sewer charges. By being registered with the municipality, you automatically receive assessments for these and avoid nasty surprises.


Requirements for registration municipality of Haarlem
When you want to register with the municipality of Haarlem, there are a number of requirements you must meet. It is important to know these well before you go to the town hall. This way you will not encounter any surprises and your registration will go smoothly. Below are the most important points in a row.
1. Residential address in Haarlem
To be registered with the municipality of Haarlem, you must have a residential address in the city. This means that you actually live here and have your main residence. A PO Box or letter address is not sufficient to register.
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2. Valid ID
During your visit to the town hall, always bring valid proof of identity, such as a passport or identity card. This allows the municipality to register your personal data correctly.
3. Proof of termination of previous residence.
Are you moving from another Dutch municipality? Then also bring proof that you have left your previous place of residence. This can be, for example, a removal notice or an unsubscription form.
4. Residence documents for non-EU citizens.
Are you not an EU citizen but you do reside lawfully in the Netherlands? Then, in addition to the above documents, you must also show your residence document during your registration.
5. Extract of Basic Registration of Persons (BRP) from your previous place of residence.
Are you moving to Haarlem from abroad? Then bring an extract from the Basic Registration of Persons (BRP) of your previous place of residence. This official document contains your personal details and is needed to complete your registration.
6. Registration form municipality of Haarlem
At City Hall, you can get a registration form to register with the City of Haarlem. Fill out this form completely, sign it and bring it with you to your appointment.
7. Making an appointment
Finally, it is important to make an appointment in advance before going to the town hall. This can easily be done online through the website of the municipality of Haarlem or by phone via the general number.
Required documents register municipality of Haarlem
When you want to register with the municipality of Haarlem, there are a number of things to consider. Besides filling out the registration form, you will also need several documents and information to complete your registration.
First of all, bring a valid ID to your appointment at the municipality. This can be a passport, identity card or residence document. Make sure that your ID has not expired and is still valid for at least six months at the time of registration.
In addition, you will need proof of your new address. This could be a rental or purchase contract, for example, or a letter clearly stating your name and address. Sometimes the municipality will also ask for a landlord’s certificate or permission from the main tenant if you are moving in with someone. Make sure this proof is recent (no older than three months) and that the full address is legible.
If you do not have Dutch nationality, additional documents are required. EU citizens staying in the Netherlands for less than four months must be able to show proof of lawful residence, such as an employment contract or proof of study. Non-EU citizens bring their residence permit in addition to their passport.
Furthermore, it is important to have information from your previous registration with you. This could be an extract from the Basic Registration of Persons (BRP) or proof of registration from your previous municipality. Have you never been registered in the Netherlands before? Then the municipality will also ask for additional information.
Finally, it is useful to already know your marital status and nationality, as these details will also be requested on the registration form. For some nationalities, the municipality may require additional documents, such as a birth certificate or marriage certificate.
What is the enrollment process like?
The registration process with the municipality of Haarlem involves a number of steps. First, you need to check whether you live in the municipality of Haarlem and therefore need to be registered with this municipality. You can do this by looking at your address and zip code. If these fall within the area of the municipality of Haarlem, then you are required to be registered here.
The next step is to collect the required documents for registration. These documents are needed to confirm your identity and address. You need to bring valid proof of identity, such as a passport or driver’s license, and proof of residence, such as a lease or deed of sale. If you are not the owner of the property you live in, you will also need permission from the main occupant for registration.
You can then make an appointment online via the website of the municipality of Haarlem to come to Stadhuisplein 1 for your registration at the Department of Civil Affairs. During this appointment you will need to bring all required documents and your personal situation will be examined together with you.
During the appointment, several questions will be asked about your nationality, marital status and any children moving to Haarlem. You will also be asked about your income, as this may affect any benefits you are entitled to.
After completing the necessary forms and submitting the documents, an appointment will be made for a follow-up interview. During this interview we will check whether your application is complete and whether all the information is correct. After this your application will be processed and you will receive a confirmation of your registration with the municipality of Haarlem within four weeks.
It is important to know that it is not possible to register with several municipalities at the same time. When you move to another municipality, you must be de-registered from the old municipality before you can register in the new one. Even if you move within the same municipality, you need to inform the municipality and update your registration. Do not forget to inform other authorities about your change of address, such as the tax authorities and health insurance company.
Tips and advice for a smooth registration municipality of Haarlem
Registering with the municipality of Haarlem can be an exciting and sometimes complicated procedure. To ensure that your registration goes smoothly, we have listed some helpful tips and advice below.
1. Collect all necessary documents
Before you go to City Hall to register, it is important to make sure you have all the necessary documents at hand. These include:
– A valid proof of identity (passport or identity card)
– Proof of address, such as a rental contract or extract from the landlord’s Basic Registration of Persons (BRP)
– Any residence permits or work permits
Make sure these documents are complete and up to date before you bring them with you to the municipality.
2. Make an appointment with the appropriate department
At the municipality of Haarlem, you can go to different departments for registering as a resident. For example, there is a special department for international residents and expats. Check which department you need and make an appointment via the website or by phone.
3. Take enough time with you
A registration can sometimes take a little longer than expected, especially if documentation or information is still missing. Therefore, make sure you have scheduled enough time for the appointment at the municipality. This will avoid unnecessary stress and ensure that everything can be handled properly and completely.
4. Complete the registration form accurately
At registration, you will be asked to fill out a registration form. Be sure to do this accurately and fill in all requested information correctly to avoid delays or problems.
5. Ask for help if needed
If you are unsure about certain things or don’t know how to fill out something, don’t hesitate to ask the municipality’s staff for help. They are there to help you and can often answer your questions quickly and clearly.
6. Check enrollment
After completing registration, it is important to double-check everything. Is all the information correct? Are all the details listed correctly? If something is incorrect, ask for an adjustment right away so it won’t cause problems later.
7. Register on time
It is important to register with the municipality of Haarlem as soon as possible. This must be done within 5 days of arriving in the Netherlands, otherwise you risk a fine. If you have lived here longer and want to move to a different place of residence, please deregister from the municipality no later than 4 weeks before the move date and register yourself with the new municipality as soon as possible.
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