Moving to the Netherlands in 2026

Moving to the Netherlands: entry, first 30 days, 3-month budget

Russian citizens need a long-stay visa to move to the Netherlands. You do not request it yourself: an employer recognised by the migration service, or you as a business applicant, first obtains approval, and the embassy issues the visa on that decision. The migration service fee for a highly skilled migrant, EU Blue Card, self-employed or startup residence permit in 2026 is €423, about $480. A specialist aged 30 or over must earn at least €5,942 a month, about $6,700, and under 30 at least €4,357, about $4,910, excluding holiday pay.

1. Before the trip. Migration service approval through your employer or your business, the visa at the embassy, and apostilled, translated birth and marriage certificates.
2. Days 1-5. Register your address with the municipality to get a personal number; without it you cannot start work, open an account or take out insurance. Everyone staying longer than 4 months must register.
3. Days 5-14. Collect the residence card at a migration service desk and open a bank account.
4. Days 14-30. Mandatory basic health insurance: you have 4 months to take it out, but premiums run from the date the obligation starts. Register with a family doctor and apply for the tax break for recruited specialists with your employer within the first 4 months of work.

By law the deposit cannot exceed two months of basic rent. Rotterdam, Utrecht and Eindhoven are noticeably cheaper, but flats go within days, so people look for housing before arrival. We work out a family budget in the chat, and you can compare with other countries in our guide on where to move from Russia in 2026.

Netherlands at a glance

The Netherlands is a European Union country in north-western Europe with about 18 million people. The capital is Amsterdam, the government and parliament sit in The Hague, and Rotterdam is Europe's largest port. The economy is one of the European Union's strongest: trade, logistics, tech, finance, agriculture and the European offices of international companies. Almost everyone speaks English.

The country attracts with high salaries, an international environment, cycling culture, good schools and a clear path to citizenship after 5 years. The downsides are an acute housing shortage, high salary taxes and the investor residence programme closed in 2024.

History and government

In the 16th century the northern provinces rebelled against the Spanish Habsburgs and formed a republic, and the 17th century became the Dutch golden age of trade, science and painting. Since 1815 the country has been a kingdom. The Netherlands was a founding member of the European Union and NATO. Today it is a parliamentary monarchy where a coalition of parties forms the government, and much of the land lies below sea level, protected by dykes.

How to move in 2026

Russian citizens need a visa: a Schengen visa for trips and a long-stay visa through an employer or the chosen basis for moving. Investor residence was abolished on 17 April 2024. For citizenship, spouses and partners of citizens need 3 years, government fees are about $1,600, and in 2025 98% of applicants received a positive decision. More on the pages Netherlands residence permit, Netherlands startup visa and Dutch citizenship.

Taxes

Income tax on salaries is 35.75% to 49.5%, but tax credits noticeably reduce the real rate: on a €60,000 salary it is about 26.5%. Specialists recruited from abroad can use a facility allowing part of their pay to be received tax-free. Corporate tax is 19% and 25.8%, VAT 21%, and savings and investments are subject to a separate tax on deemed return on capital. More on the page Taxes in the Netherlands.

Property

Foreigners buy property in the Netherlands without restrictions, and banks lend to foreign residents with jobs. Transfer tax on an owner-occupied home is low, and young first-time buyers get an exemption. The main difficulty is scarcity: apartments sell within days, often above asking price, and free-market rentals are limited and expensive.

Cost of living

A one-bedroom apartment in Amsterdam on the free market costs around €1,700-2,300 a month, about $1,900-2,600, and noticeably less in Rotterdam, Utrecht and Eindhoven. Health insurance is mandatory for all residents and costs about €150 a month per adult. Transport means bicycles, trains and trams, and a car is hardly needed in large cities. The rate is about $1.12 per euro.

Where to live

• Amsterdam - international environment, tech and culture, the highest rents. More in the Amsterdam guide.
• The Hague - government, international courts and organisations, many international schools.
• Rotterdam - the port, modern architecture and lower prices than the capital.
• Utrecht - a university and a convenient transport hub in the centre of the country.
• Eindhoven - the tech cluster in the south.

Practicalities

• Climate. Mild and windy, around zero in winter, 20-25 degrees in summer, rain all year.
• Language. Dutch; almost everyone speaks English, and citizenship requires an exam.
• Documents. After moving you register with the municipality and get a personal number.
• Healthcare. Mandatory insurance, with a family doctor as first point of care.

Who the Netherlands suits

The Netherlands suits specialists with a job offer from a sponsor company, startup founders and entrepreneurs ready to work in an international environment, and families who value schools and a European Union passport after 5 years. Those looking for residence through investment or living on passive income should consider other countries. Murblz specialists choose the basis, prepare documents and help with citizenship. A consultant in the chat will calculate the cost of support.