Moving Away From the Netherlands

Why people leave

The Netherlands is a country people move to more than move from — CBS recorded around 75,000 immigrants against roughly 49,000 emigrants in the first quarter of 2025 alone — but outward migration among Dutch nationals themselves is real and persistent: 7,000 people with the Netherlands as their country of origin emigrated in that same quarter, against just 4,000 who moved back. Reasons cited in Dutch reporting range from the country's acute housing shortage and high cost of living in major cities to career opportunities abroad, retirement relocation, and family ties, though CBS's own migration releases don't break out a single dominant driver.

Departure checklist

1. Deregister from your municipality (gemeente) by filing your emigration report with the Basisregistratie Personen (BRP) any time between 5 days before your departure date and the day you leave — weekends and public holidays count toward that 5-day window, and in-person deregistration is required if not everyone in the household is emigrating together
2. Request an international proof of deregistration from your municipality if your destination country's own registration process requires it
3. Note that once you deregister, your BRP record moves to the Non-residents Records Database (RNI) and your citizen service number (BSN) stays valid, but the deregistration is shared with the Belastingdienst, health insurers, and pension funds, and can affect benefits, allowances, and AOW state pension accrual
4. File the 'M-form' (M-biljet) — the special income tax return required for the calendar year in which you emigrate — with the Belastingdienst once your income for that year is finalised
5. If you hold a substantial shareholding (broadly 5%+) in a Dutch company, or have built up Dutch pension or annuity entitlements, ask the Belastingdienst about the conserverende aanslag (a conservatory/deferred tax assessment) that can apply on emigration
6. Cancel or transfer your Dutch health insurance (zorgverzekering) once you're no longer a Dutch resident, and arrange cover in your destination country
7. If bringing a pet, arrange ISO-compliant microchipping and rabies vaccination at least 21 days before travel (minimum age 12 weeks), and get an EU pet passport for EU destinations or an official health certificate for non-EU ones
8. Close or convert Dutch bank accounts as needed, redirect mail via PostNL, and give notice on your rental lease and utility contracts in line with their notice periods
9. If you have school-age children, plan around the Dutch school year (roughly September to July) and request transfer records from their school

Container shipping corridors from here

Country-to-country container guides from Netherlands will appear here as they are published. Destination country guides and the quote form are available now.

Exit tax and customs

The Netherlands doesn't impose a blanket exit tax on individuals leaving, but two specific mechanisms can apply: a conserverende aanslag (a deferred tax assessment) on unrealised gains in a substantial shareholding or on accrued pension/annuity rights, and the mandatory M-form tax return covering your year of migration. As an EU member, shipping household goods to another EU country needs no customs declaration; moving to a non-EU country brings normal Dutch/EU export customs procedures into play. This is general information, not tax advice — confirm your situation with the Belastingdienst or a tax adviser.

This is general orientation, not tax, legal, or immigration advice.