Moving house is very exciting and takes a lot of stress. Many things need to be arranged, most of them forgetting to inform the authorities about your new address. Notifying your new address is very important because you absolutely do not want important mail and information to remain at the old address. It is often thought that all agencies have been notified, yet unfortunately it happens too often that an agency is forgotten. In this blog article we would like to list for you the authorities that need to be informed about the move so that no authority is ever skipped again!

What is a relocation?

I can hear you thinking, “What’s a move? Yes, that makes sense.” But nevertheless, it is good to take a moment to go into exactly what a move is. In fact, a move refers to the entire process by which a person leaves his or her current home to relocate and settle to another address. A move can be within the same town or city, or to another city or even to another country. In addition, a move can involve some complexity. For example, many, heavy and large items often need to be moved.

The importance of reporting a move

Notifying relevant agencies of your move is critical so that your mail and other important information and communications continue to reach you. If you do not communicate the move, chances are you will miss important documents and correspondence. Examples include tax assessments, health insurance information, retirement information or bank statements.

In addition, not reporting your new address may affect your personal security. If your old address has not been reported to the municipality, it can cause problems if, for example, mail with highly sensitive information is sent to the old address.

Which agencies should be notified of your move?

Thus, when moving house, it is very important to inform various agencies. In our opinion, the following 9 agencies are the most important to inform about your move:

1. Municipality
2. Tax Office
3. Health Insurer
4. Pension Fund
5. Banks and financial institutions
6. Insurance companies
7. Energy supplier
8. Telecom provider
9. Postal Companies

Below we will briefly explain all 9 agencies and substantiate why it is important to notify precisely these 9 agencies.

1. Municipality

As soon as you move, it is essential to report the move to the municipality. This will ensure that the new address is correctly registered in the so-called Basisregistratie Personen (BRP), formerly known as the Gemeentelijke Basisadministratie (GBA). Finally, notifying the municipality of your move is mandatory and must be done within five days of your move.

2. Tax Office

Unfortunately for many but the IRS also needs to be notified regarding the move. This allows them to use your new address for correspondence regarding tax returns, benefits and other tax matters.

3. Health insurer

It is important to notify your health insurance company of your move so they can use your new address to send important information about your health insurance, premium payments and correspondence related to your health.

4. Pension Fund

If you are accruing pension or already receiving pension benefits, it is important to notify your pension fund of your relocation. That way you will stay informed about important pension-related matters and your pension mail will be sent to the correct address.

5. Banks and financial institutions

Your bank(s) and other financial institutions should also be notified of your move. This is important to ensure that you receive your bank statements, credit card information and other financial documents at the correct address.

6. Insurance companies

If you have several insurance policies, such as auto insurance, home contents insurance or liability insurance, you should notify the appropriate insurance companies of your move. This ensures that your policies are updated with the correct address and that important correspondence related to your insurance policies continues to reach you.

7. Energy supplier

It is important to notify your energy supplier of your move so they can send your utility bill to the correct address. In addition, they can also help you arrange for the connection of gas, water and electricity at your new address.

8. Telecom provider

If you have a landline telephone, Internet or television subscription, you must notify your telecom provider of your move. This will ensure that your communication services are transferred to your new address.

9. Postal Companies

Various postal companies, such as PostNL, are automatically notified of your move through the Basic Registration of Persons. This ensures that your mail is automatically forwarded to your new address.

How are agencies automatically informed?

The agencies that receive automatic notification of your move receive this information through the Basisregistratie Personen (BRP). The BRP is a database in which personal data of residents of the Netherlands are kept. When you report your move to the municipality, this information is automatically passed on to other agencies connected to the BRP. This ensures that your new address is updated in their systems.

However, it is important to know that not all agencies are automatically notified when you move. Some agencies require you to notify them of your move yourself, even if you have already notified the municipality.

Reporting information yourself when moving house

Despite automatic notification of your move to certain agencies, it is advisable to also take action yourself and notify specific agencies of your move. This applies especially to agencies that are not connected to the BRP.

Some examples of agencies you may need to inform yourself of your move are:

• Employer
• School or university
• Subscriptions and memberships (e.g., gym, magazines)
• Family and friends
• Other agencies not connected to the BRP
  
  

Reporting your move yourself ensures that all relevant agencies are aware and that you do not miss out on important mail or information.

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

1. Should I report my move to the municipality? Yes, it is mandatory to report your move to the municipality you are moving to within five days.
2. Can I notify agencies of my move online? Yes, many agencies offer online forms or portals where you can submit your move. Check their websites for more information.
3. What happens if I do not communicate my move to authorities? If you fail to report your move, you risk missing important mail and information. In addition, it may also affect your personal security.
4. How long does it take for agencies to know about my move? The time may vary depending on the agency. Some agencies are informed directly through the Basic Registration of Persons, while others may require you to notify your move yourself.
5. What should I do if I continue to receive mail at my old address? If you are still receiving mail at your old address after you have reported your move, contact the appropriate agencies to make sure they update your address.