Do you live in one country but work in another? Then the Maastricht International Centre is the place to go with all your questions. We work with nine partners in this service and expertise centre to make living and working across borders as easy as possible for expats, labour migrants, businesses and entrepreneurs. Expat Centre Maastricht Region can offer you more information.

Hello, how may we help you?

How does the municipal registration process work?

  • All residents in the Netherlands who are planning to stay more than four months must register their details in the Basisregistratie Personen – BRP (Municipal Personal Records Database) with the municipality in which they intend to live.
  • Make an appointment for “first registration from abroad” with the local municipality.
  • Each person who needs to register must attend in person – including babies.
  • Those able to register under the Fast Track process can make the appointment via their employer with the Expat Centre at Maastricht or at Eindhoven.

Expat Centre Maastricht Region can offer you more information.

What is a DigiD and how do I apply?

The DigiD (Digital Identification) is a way of providing secure access to national and local authority websites and to a growing number of other websites such as health insurers and pension funds.

The DigiD is linked to the BSN (issued upon registration at the municipality). Only Dutch nationals are able to apply for a DigiD when not resident in the Netherlands.

Application for a DigiD can be done via their website (in Dutch), however there is some basic information available online in English. Applicants will be prompted to choose a gebruikersnaam (username) and wachtwoord (password), and then these two codes are subsequently used to gain access to relevant websites.

Read more about DigiD on the Expat Centre Maastricht Region website.

How do I complete a tax return?

The Dutch tax year runs from January to December. Tax returns are normally filled in during March or April. It is possible to request an extension until 1 September if necessary.

In the Netherlands, income is divided into three ‘boxes’. Each category of income is assigned to a certain box, and different rates apply to each box.

Find out more about the Dutch tax system at Expat Centre Maastricht Region.

Where do I have to pay income tax if I work in Belgium and live in the Netherlands?

The answer to this question will vary from one person to another. The experts at the Cross Border Information Point will be happy to help you. Contact them here.

Which tax return form do I need to file in the year that I take up residence in the Netherlands?

The year that you take up residence in the Netherlands, you will need to file an M form (M-biljet). This form is only available on paper. For more information, click here.

Can I get help filling in my tax return?

The Tax and Customs Administration can help you fill in your return. Call the Tax Information Line (0800-0543) to make an appointment. For more information, click here.

Where can I get more information about paying taxes in the Netherlands?

For general information, contact the Cross-Border Employment and Enterprise Team (GWO) at the following telephone numbers: if calling from the Netherlands, 0800-024 12 12; if calling from Belgium: 0800-902 20; if calling from Germany: 0800-101 13 52. The Team also holds monthly walk-in consultations at Mosae Forum. Contact the Maastricht International Centre for the dates.For questions regarding cases under review by the Tax and Customs Administration, please contact the Tax Information Line (0800-0543) if you are resident in the Netherlands. If you live abroad, please call the Tax Information Line for Non-Resident Issues (0031‑55 5 385 385).

Do I need health insurance?

All residents in the Netherlands are obliged to take out a basic level of national health insurance within the first four months of arrival, regardless whether they have existing health insurance from another country. Once a health insurance policy has been taken out the next step is to register with a GP in the local area.

There are a number of situations where residents and employees are exempt, depending on the purpose and duration of stay in the Netherlands (posted workers, students etc.). These exemptions are covered for healthcare under the Wet Langdurige Zorg – WLZ (The Long-term Care Act) which is governed by the Sociale Verzekeringsbank – SVB (Social Insurance Bank).

Read more about health insurance on the Expat Centre Maastricht Region website.

Can I still go to my GP in the Netherlands if I work in Germany?

The answer to this question will vary from one person to another. The experts at the Cross Border Information Point will be happy to help you. Contact them here.

Will I still receive child benefit in Belgium if I live there but work in the Netherlands?

The answer to this question will vary from one person to another. The experts at the Cross Border Information Point will be happy to help you. Contact them here.

What does the Cross border Employment Services do?

  • We help you search for suitable work in the Belgian Limburg borderregion.
  • In consultation with the Cross Border Information Point, we consider howa cross-border job will affect your personal situation.

You can find more information on the website of Cross Border Employment Services.

Who runs the Cross border Employment Services?

  • Staff employed by VDAB, UWV Employee Insurance Agency,Werkgeversservicepunt Westelijke Mijnstreek (Sittard-Geleen) and Podium24(Maastricht).

You can find more information on the website of Cross Border Employment Services.

What is the purpose of the Cross border Employment Services?

  • If we eliminate the national borders, then our region has no less than2.2 million jobs available within an hour's travel!

You can find more information on the website of Cross Border Employment Services.

Which studies is ITEM carrying out at the moment?

ITEM is currently conducting several studies related to cross-border mobility. They range from its annual cross-border impact assessment, which explores the effects of existing and future legislation on border regions, to contract research, PhD research and case study analyses. Click here for a more detailed summary of ITEM's ongoing and future studies.

Can I take my question to ITEM?

The expertise centre is considered part of the ‘science backbone’. In addition to contract research, PhD research and its cross-border impact assessment, ITEM also addresses everyday fundamental and structural issues in which borders impede cross-border mobility or cooperation (case study analysis).

Contract research and cross-border impact analysis

To outsource specific research assignments or ask about effects on border regions, please contact ITEM at item@maastrichtuniversity.nl

Case study analysis

If you work in a front office and have identified fundamental and structural cross-border issues that affect everyday life, you can submit the problem to ITEM through the ITEM Cross-border Portal.

Where do I find ITEM’s reports on the outcomes of its studies and assessments?

The ITEM Cross-border Portal is where you can submit questions but also read up on issues that ITEM has already addressed. In addition, you will find ITEM's most recent research results, the latest status reports on test cases in which ITEM is involved, as well as updates and explanations of relevant case law and legislation.

Are there any grants, government initiatives, competitions or incentives which would help fund a new business in Maastricht (invest)?

The answer to this question will vary from one person to another. The experts at the Maastricht Business Contact Centre will be happy to help you. Contact them on ondernemen@maastricht.nl

I will need some information on what the formalities are to start freelance work from home.

The answer to this question will vary from one person to another. The experts at the Maastricht Business Contact Centre will be happy to help you. Contact them on ondernemen@maastricht.nl

I found out that there is some kind of assistance for self-employed people offered by Gemeente Maastricht. I wonder if I'm entitled for such help and how does it work?

The answer to this question will vary from one person to another. The experts at the Maastricht Business Contact Centre will be happy to help you. Contact them on ondernemen@maastricht.nl

What about starting a business in the NL, what do I need to do?

Het antwoord op deze vraag is per persoon verschillend, de experts van het StartersCentrum Limburg helpen u graag verder. Neem contact met hen op via info@starterscentrum.nl

What about taxes for starting entrepreneurs?

The answer to this question will vary from one person to another. The experts at the Start-up Centre will be happy to help you. Contact them on info@starterscentrum.nl

Do I need to ask permission to start a company?

The answer to this question will vary from one person to another. The experts at the Start-up Centre will be happy to help you. Contact them on info@starterscentrum.nl

Our partners

Expat Centre Maastricht Region

Helps employees and companies with residence and work permits and other matters relating to living and working in the Netherlands.

Cross Border Information Point Maastricht

Supports cross-border labour mobility.

Cross border Employment Services

Promotes the cross-border labour market by helping people find work across the border.

Institute for Transnational and Euregional cross border cooperation and Mobility

Expertise centre that studies cross-border mobility and social issues.

Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND)

Issues residence permits to new foreign residents.

Maastricht Business Team

Advises start-up and established entrepreneurs.

Start-up Centre

Advises internationals and foreign students aiming to set up a business in South Limburg.

Tax and Customs Administration, Cross-Border Employment and Enterprise Team (GWO)

Helps internationals with questions about taxation in cross-border situations.

Sociale Verzekeringsbank

Specialist in the social insurance of the Netherlands & Belgium. Helps cross border commuters and employers with comprehensible, personal information.

Location

 

Address:

Gemeente Maastricht

Mosae Forum 10

6211 DT Maastricht

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