Checklist for international students
As a new student in a new city you can feel quite lost, probably even more so as an international when moving to a different country. We therefore created a checklist for international students moving to Groningen, allowing you to see everything you need to arrange; before you move, when you arrive and when you are settled in Groningen.
Before you move
- Watch & listen to our podcast episode: Starting your life in Groningen
- Go to (online) open days
- Apply to a Dutch educational institution
- Receive confirmation of enrolment
- Sort out study financing
- Make sure to closely read the universities’ requirements for deadlines and study payments: University of Groningen, Hanze, NHL Stenden, Van Hall Larenstein, TIO
- Arrange your visa (when coming from outside the EU/EEA or Switzerland)
- Arrange your residence permit (when coming from outside the EU/EEA or Switzerland)
- Arrange travel insurance
- Arrange international health insurance
- Arrange your (short-term) accommodation on arrival
- Prepare the necessary documents and get them translated and legalized (for non-EU/EEA citizens)
- Book your flight or transport to the Netherlands
- Find a school or childcare provider for your children
- Check how to import a pet
- Check how to import your car and get mandatory Third-party liability insurance
- Check out the map of Groningen
- Pack rain-proof clothes ;)
- Check the website of IWCN
When you arrive
- Arrange transport to Groningen
- Check in to your (short-term) accommodation
- Register at your municipality to get your BSN
- Collect your residence document (when coming from outside the EU/EEA or Switzerland)
- Take a TB test if necessary. Find out which nationalities are required to do so
- Obtain a DigiD: a secure digital identification system in the Netherlands that allows residents to access a variety of government services online
- Open a bank account
- Get a Dutch phone number
- Arrange your utilities
- Register with a general practitioner (GP), pharmacy, and dentist for your medical needs
When settling in
- Arrange your (long-term) accommodation
- Obtain an ov chip card
- Get a bike
- Check our 'Everything you need to know about biking' article
- Find an internship, part-time or full-time job at Make it in the North
- Apply for basic Dutch health insurance
- Start learning Dutch
- Get a bike
- Check our 'Everything you need to know about biking' article
- Find an internship, part-time or full-time job atMake it in the North
- Exchange your drivers license
- Apply for a parking permit
- Think about joining an association like a study, student, sports or cultural association
- Join welcome events in Groningen: KEI week, ESN introduction week
- Check international-friendly events & activities at Here & Now in Groningen
- Fall in love with Groningen!
The original checklist from International Welcome Center North was used to create this checklist. On their website you can find a lot more information on living, working, and settling in Groningen.