Privileged Expats (Geprivilegieerden)

Expats that have been employed at a consulate,
embassy or international organisation in the
Netherlands and afforded diplomatic status are
not considered foreigners under the Dutch
Immigration Law (Vreemdelingenwet).

As a rule, all representatives of other countries
and staff of international organisations (including
their families) enjoy a special “privileged” status:
Privileged persons are not obliged to register
with the Municipal Personal Records Database
(Gemeentelijke Basis Administratie - GBA)*.
Nevertheless, they are strongly encouraged to
since numerous governemental organisations
may make use of the GBA database.

Moreover, privileged expats do not have to get
registered with the Immigration and
Naturalization Service (IND)** since they are
registered in the Probas (Protocollaire
basisadministratie) system of the Dutch Ministry
of Foreign Affairs. However, their families have
to appear in person (regardless of age) and bring
the following official documents:

› A valid proof of identity (not driving license)
› A valid residence document (Ministry of
Foreign Affairs)
› A rental contract or a purchase deed***
› A certified copy of one’s birth certificate and if
applicable, marriage or divorce certificates.
For document legalisation click here or call
070 348 5901.

Finally, privileged expats will automatically
receive their Sofi number from the municipality.
If a Sofi number has already been issued, the
municipality should be informed immediately for
avoiding double-entries. Note that BSN is not
applicable to privileged expats.

Notes
*GBA / Municipal Personal Records Database
(Gemeentelijke Basis Administratie) is a
database containing personal information
(names, address, marital status, child births,
deaths etc) about those residing in the
Netherlands. GBA is administered by the
Registration Office (Dienst Burgerzaken) and
shared by many official organisations such as
the police, the Immigration and Naturalization
Service (IND), the Tax Authority
(Belastingdienst), the Ministry of Justice and
many others.
Registration in the Netherlands
upon arrival and residence permits for non-
privileged expats are recorded in GBA.

**Privileged expats do not need to make an
appointment at the Immigration Office. In case
they need to arrange a meeting, they should dial
14070 and clearly state their privileged status.

***One can also present a copy of the owner /
main occupant’s valid proof of identity.