Leaving the Netherlands: what to arrange with your residence permit
Moving on to another country or returning home? Leaving the right way protects your record – and keeps the door open if you ever want to come back.
Last checked: 12 October 2026 · 3-minute read- 1
Deregister at your municipality
Report your departure to the Civil Affairs department (Burgerzaken) of your town hall. The municipality removes you from the BRP and informs the IND – you do not have to end your residence permit yourself.
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Inform the IND – only in some cases
Needed if you did not deregister at the municipality within 4 weeks after leaving, or if you hold an asylum residence permit. You can do this online or with the form for your residence purpose; your employer or partner (sponsor) can also do it for you. EU, EEA and Swiss citizens never need to inform the IND.
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Return your residence card
The card belongs to the Dutch government. Make it invalid first – cut off a corner or punch a hole – and post it to IND Bureau Documenten, PO Box 49, 9560 AA Ter Apel. You can also hand it in at an IND desk by appointment.
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Leave before your permit expires
Staying after your permit has ended means staying illegally. The Royal Netherlands Marechaussee can then issue a return decision and sometimes an entry ban – which can make a future return much harder.
Thinking of coming back later?
Former residents can sometimes return through a special route – for example people who grew up here or lost Dutch nationality. See other residence permits.
Only going abroad for a while?
Then you are not leaving the Netherlands. Long absences can affect your permit or your path to permanent residence and citizenship – check with us before you travel.
Travelling during your application?
Need to travel and come back while your application is still running? You may need a return visa or residence sticker.
Need a travel document?
Apply to the embassy or consulate of your own country for a passport. If that is not possible, the Repatriation and Departure Service (DTenV) can help.
Emigrating from the Netherlands
The full checklist, how long you can stay abroad with your permit, Dutch nationality abroad, tax and benefits, returning – and the latest emigration statistics.
Open emigrating.nlSource: IND – Leaving the Netherlands. Yari Immigration Services is an independent advisory firm and not part of the IND.