Your first week after arriving in the Netherlands as a student is best spent completing a handful of essential administrative tasks: registering at your local municipality, arranging health insurance, opening a bank account, and getting familiar with your new surroundings. These steps are time-sensitive, and completing them early prevents complications later in your studies. The sections below walk through each priority in order, with practical guidance tailored to international students starting at a residential college like UCR in Middelburg.
Where should you register first after arriving in the Netherlands?
The first thing you should do after arriving in the Netherlands as a student is register with your local municipality, known as the gemeente. This registration gives you a BSN (Burgerservicenummer), which is the Dutch equivalent of a national identification number. Without a BSN, you cannot open a bank account, arrange health insurance, or receive any government-linked services.
For students arriving in Middelburg, registration takes place at the Gemeente Middelburg. You will typically need to bring your passport, proof of your address in the Netherlands (such as a housing contract or a letter from your university confirming your accommodation), and your enrollment documentation. UCR students have an advantage here: because the college guarantees housing for all students, you will have the documentation you need from day one.
Make an appointment in advance rather than walking in, as waiting times can be long during peak arrival periods in late August and early September. Some universities coordinate group registration sessions for new international students, so check with your institution’s student services office to see whether this is available.
Once registered, your BSN is typically issued on the spot or sent to your address within a few days. Keep this number safe. You will use it repeatedly throughout your time in the Netherlands.
Do you need a Dutch bank account as an international student?
Yes, opening a Dutch bank account is strongly recommended for international students in the Netherlands. Most landlords, universities, and service providers require payment from a Dutch or European IBAN. Without a local account, paying rent, receiving scholarships, and managing day-to-day expenses becomes significantly more complicated and expensive due to international transfer fees.
The most commonly used banks among international students are ING, ABN AMRO, and Bunq. Bunq in particular is popular with international students because it can be opened online without needing a Dutch address in advance, though a BSN is still required for full account functionality. ING and ABN AMRO both offer student accounts with no monthly fee, though you will need to visit a branch or complete the process online after receiving your BSN.
To open a Dutch bank account, you will generally need your passport, your BSN, and proof of your Dutch address. Some banks also ask for proof of enrollment. Given that the BSN is a prerequisite, prioritize your municipality registration in the very first days after arrival so you can move on to banking within the same week.
If you need to make payments before your Dutch account is set up, services like Wise or Revolut can serve as a temporary bridge, but they are not a long-term substitute for a local account.
What health insurance do international students need in the Netherlands?
International students studying in the Netherlands who work more than 16 hours per week, or who are EU/EEA citizens, are typically required to take out Dutch health insurance (Dutch: zorgverzekering). Students from outside the EU who are not working in the Netherlands may be covered by their home country’s insurance or by a private international student insurance plan, but this varies by individual situation.
The Dutch healthcare system is organized around basic insurance packages offered by private insurers such as Zilveren Kruis, CZ, and VGZ. If you are required to take out Dutch insurance, you must do so within four months of registering with the municipality. You may also be eligible for a government healthcare allowance (zorgtoeslag) if your income is below a certain threshold, which can significantly reduce your monthly premium.
If you are a non-EU student who does not work in the Netherlands, you should arrange a comprehensive private health insurance plan before you travel. Check with your university’s international student office to confirm exactly which category applies to you. UCR’s student services team can help clarify what is required based on your nationality and circumstances.
Regardless of which insurance route applies to you, register with a local general practitioner (GP, or huisarts) early in your first week. In the Dutch system, the GP is the gatekeeper to all other medical care, and you cannot access specialist services without a referral from them. Finding and registering with a GP before you need one is far easier than trying to do it urgently when you are unwell.
How do you get around Middelburg and Zeeland as a student?
Getting around Middelburg and the wider Zeeland region as a student is straightforward once you have an OV-chipkaart, the Dutch public transport card used on all trains, buses, and trams across the country. Trains run to and from Middelburg every 30 minutes, and the railway station is a ten-minute walk from the UCR campus on Lange Noordstraat.
You can purchase an OV-chipkaart at the train station or online via the NS website. Students enrolled at Dutch universities are also eligible for the NS student travel product (studentenreisproduct), which provides free or heavily discounted travel during weekdays or weekends depending on the option you choose. This benefit is linked to your student enrollment and your Dutch bank account, so it is worth setting both up in your first week so you can activate the travel product without delay.
Within Middelburg itself, most places you need to reach as a UCR student are within comfortable walking or cycling distance. The Netherlands has an exceptional cycling infrastructure, and a bicycle is arguably the most practical and enjoyable way to explore the city and surrounding areas. Second-hand bikes are widely available at local shops and markets, typically at very reasonable prices. Investing in a good lock is equally important, as bike theft is common across Dutch cities.
For destinations further afield in Zeeland, regional buses connect Middelburg to towns like Vlissingen, Goes, and Zierikzee. The Zeeland coast, with its beaches and nature reserves, is easily accessible by bike or bus, making weekend exploration a genuine pleasure from your very first week.
What campus activities should you join in your first week at UCR?
In your first week at UCR, the most valuable thing you can do beyond the administrative essentials is to engage actively with the campus community. UCR’s orientation programme introduces new students to campus life, fellow students, faculty, and the city of Middelburg. Attending every orientation event is strongly recommended, as these sessions are specifically designed to help you form connections quickly in a community of around 500 students.
UCR has a vibrant student-led culture with numerous clubs, associations, and committees covering sports, arts, debate, sustainability, and more. The first week is typically when these groups hold their introduction events and sign-up sessions. Joining at least one or two activities early gives you an immediate social anchor and a sense of belonging beyond the classroom.
The college’s residential campus means that social life and academic life are naturally intertwined. Your neighbours are your classmates, and informal conversations in shared spaces often lead to the kind of intellectual exchange that defines the UCR learning experience. Make a point of introducing yourself to the people on your floor, in your cluster, and at shared meals during the first week. These early connections tend to become the friendships that last throughout your degree and beyond.
UCR also encourages students to engage with the city of Middelburg from the outset. Exploring the historic centre, visiting the local market, and discovering the surrounding Zeeland landscape all help you feel grounded in your new home rather than confined to campus. The quicker you feel at home in Middelburg, the more settled and ready to learn you will feel when academic work begins in earnest.
How UCR supports you through your first week and beyond
Arriving in a new country as a student involves a lot of moving parts, and UCR is structured specifically to make that transition as smooth as possible. Here is how the college supports new international students from day one:
- Guaranteed housing: Every UCR student is guaranteed a place to live on campus for the full duration of their studies, removing one of the most stressful unknowns of moving abroad.
- Orientation programme: A structured welcome week helps new students complete administrative tasks, meet staff and fellow students, and get familiar with Middelburg.
- Small community: With around 500 students and 50 staff, UCR’s scale means you are never anonymous. Support is accessible and personal.
- Dutch language courses: International students can take Dutch language classes as part of their programme to ease integration into local life and culture.
- Personal and Professional Development track: From the very first semester, all students participate in a mandatory development programme covering communication, study skills, and adaptability.
- Student services team: Dedicated staff are available to help with questions about registration, insurance, banking, and anything else that comes up during your transition.
If you are considering starting your undergraduate journey in the Netherlands and want to learn more about what life looks like at UCR, connect with the UCR admissions team to ask your questions and find out whether UCR is the right fit for you.
Related Articles
- How do you write a motivation letter for a liberal arts college?
- How do you balance academics and extracurricular activities at college?
- How do students manage homesickness in a residential college setting?
- What are the benefits of living on a residential college campus?
- Why do students say campus community changed their university experience?