Universiteit Maastricht

Information: European Union (EU) / European Economic Area (EEA)

This information is intended for international students coming to Maastricht University to study for more than 3 months and who hold passports issued by the following countries:

Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Cyprus, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.


NB As this information changes frequently, please visit these web pages regularly.



Registration at City Hall

As an EU / EEA national, you are not required to apply for a visa to travel to the Netherlands, or a Residence Permit once you are in the Netherlands, but you are required to register at City Hall.


The application process
Different countries have different ways of recording their population – some countries choose to carry out a census every 10 years, but the Netherlands has a system whereby a live database (GBA) is maintained on a daily basis, recording the most important information about the population. Dutch law therefore requires all those living in the Netherlands (both Dutch nationals and non-Dutch nationals) to register at the City Hall in the area in which they live in order to keep this database up-to-date.


If you will be living somewhere other than Maastricht, you must contact your local City Hall yourself to arrange for your registration and find out which documents you must take with you to register. However, if you will be living in Maastricht, you should register at City Hall of Maastricht.


Please call + 31 (0)43-3504000 for an appointment. After the voice response, press 1 and then 2 for contact with the appropriate department. Please clearly state that you wish to register in the Municipal Records database (GBA) as an EU/EEA-student.


Documents required
You are required to take certain documents with you to register at City Hall. The following documents will be required by Maastricht City Hall in order to complete your registration:

  1. An original, legalised birth certificate. This is only required when you are going to live in Maastricht for more than one year. So it only applies to bachelor students, 2-year master students and preparatory students continuing their education in Maastricht after the preparatory year. It does not apply to exchange students and 1-year master students.

    The birth certificate must not be a copy and must not be older than six months. It must be in either the Dutch, English, French or German language. If not, you will also need to provide an official translation. It is easier to arrange this BEFORE your arrival in the Netherlands. In addition, legalisation stamps may be required from the government of the country which issues the birth certificate to confirm that the document is genuine. In order to confirm what legalisation you are required to have, you must contact the Dutch Embassy in your own country (see http://www.mfa.nl/en/ to find details of your local Embassy or Consulate).

    This should be done as soon as possible because the legalisation process can sometimes take a number of months.
  2. Your passport
  3. To speed things up, you can already complete the registration form and take it with you to the appointment. This registration form can be found here (link naar GBA-formulier studenten).


Registration Fee
Registration at the City Hall is free of charge.



Registration at Dutch Immigration (IND)

Although registering with Dutch Immigration is not mandatory for EU and EEA nationals, citizens from the following countries are still advised to do so:

Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Cyprus, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland


The application process
More information about this procedure can be found in the booklet produced by Dutch Immigration, available here (http://www.ind.nl/nl/Images/6005_tcm5-115507.pdf). The first part of this booklet is in Dutch, but there is an English version that begins on page 9. Below is a summary of the process.

  • Make an appointment with Dutch Immigration on 0900 1234561 (€0.10 per minute).
  • You will receive a letter confirming your appointment with Dutch Immigration. A registration form will be included with this letter.
  • Complete the form and prepare the documentation required by Dutch Immigration, which will be detailed in the letter.
  • Attend your appointment at Dutch Immigration.
  • After your documentation has been checked, a sticker will be placed on your proof of identity (such as your passport), confirming your registration.

Registration Fee
Registration at Dutch Immigration is free for EU / EEA citizens.



Nationals of Bulgaria and Romania only

Nationals of Bulgaria and Romania are not able to register with Dutch Immigration as detailed above for nationals of other EU member states. However, you do have the option to apply for verification against EU Community Law (Proof of Lawful Residence). This document will last for five years and may be necessary if you wish to claim for social assistance in the Netherlands, or as a first step if you wish to work alongside your study.


Application Fee
You should also confirm the fee you will have to pay for this application when you make your appointment. Currently, the fee is set at €30 but this is subject to change.



Additional issues

Working in the Netherlands
Although it is easy to survive in the Netherlands without speaking Dutch, it is difficult to get a job here, even part time, without some knowledge of the Dutch language. If you want to work alongside your studies, you will also have to ask your employer to apply for a Work Permit on your behalf. 


Nationals of Bulgaria and Romania should be aware that they may be required to have a Work Permit in order to work alongside their studies. Again, please contact either ICONN or Dutch Immigration directly to find out what procedures apply to you.



Summary


We would ask you to remember the following:

  • When you are staying for more than one year, bring an original birth certificate with you to the Netherlands, not older than six months with a translation (if required) for registration at City Hall. Please find out from your local Dutch embassy whether additional stamps and/or a translation of the document are required.
  • Register at City Hall in the area in which you are living. Call 043-3504000 for an appointment.
  • Make an appointment with Dutch Immigration to register through the Appointment Line (0900 1234561). Complete the form and prepare the documentation required by Dutch Immigration, which will be detailed in the letter. Attend your appointment at Dutch Immigration.

After your documentation has been checked, a sticker will be placed on your proof of identity (such as your passport), confirming your registration.