Expat Moving Company in the Netherlands

Moving as an expat is one of life’s biggest transitions, whether you are arriving in the Netherlands from Paris or Berlin, relocating from Amsterdam to Rotterdam for a new role, or heading onwards to Brussels after your Dutch chapter. Holland Movers is the expat moving company that has guided more than 8,000 expats through these moves since 1973. With a fluent English-speaking team, full insurance up to €2.5 million and a personal relocation advisor, we take care of every detail — across Europe and across Dutch cities.

Challenges of Moving to the Netherlands as an Expat

The biggest challenges of moving to the Netherlands as an expat are administrative registration, tight housing logistics in the Randstad, and navigating unfamiliar local rules — and these apply whether you are arriving from another European country or relocating within the Netherlands itself. After 8,000+ expat moves we see the same recurring pain points, so partnering with an experienced expat moving company pays off from day one.

By knowing these challenges in advance you will arrive settled and calm rather than overwhelmed:

• Registering at the gemeente (BSN number) within five days of arrival is mandatory for new arrivals — without a BSN you cannot open a bank account, start work, or arrange health insurance. If you move between Dutch cities, you must also update your registration at your new gemeente.
• Finding housing in the Randstad is competitive: expat-friendly rentals in Amsterdam, Amstelveen, The Hague and Utrecht often come unfurnished and require quick decisions, which is why many expats relocate twice within their first year.
• Narrow staircases and canal houses — many homes in Amsterdam, Haarlem, Delft and Leiden have steep, narrow 17th-century stairs. A moving lift with an 18-metre reach is almost always the safest option.
• Parking permits for moving trucks (parkeerontheffing) must be requested 3–5 working days in advance at the local municipality — we arrange this for you.
• VvE rules in apartment buildings can restrict moving times, lift use and parking; our relocation advisor checks this up front.
• Arranging DigiD, health insurance and a Dutch bank account — we refer you to trusted expat service partners for these steps.
• Coordinating a move across European borders — different countries have different VAT rules, driving regulations and delivery windows; our advisor manages the timeline end to end.

Because we have seen these challenges many times, our advisors flag them during your free viewing and build the solutions straight into your moving plan. That is the difference between moving to the Netherlands and settling into the Netherlands.

Our Expat Moving Services: From Door to Door

Our expat moving services cover the entire journey from your old front door to your new one, including packing, transport, assembly and unpacking — within the Netherlands or anywhere across Europe. As a full-service expat moving company we handle every step, so you can focus on your new job, family or home rather than on boxes and logistics.

Expat moves are rarely just A-to-B: timelines shift, temporary housing is often involved, and some furniture travels internationally while other items need storage. Our services adapt to this reality:

• Free (online) viewing with a personal advisor who speaks fluent English
• Professional packing service — we wrap, label and crate your entire inventory using high-grade materials
• Loading with protective floor runners, stair guards and wall protection as standard
• Handyman service — dismantling beds, wardrobes, desks and kitchen units at origin, and reassembling them at destination
• Moving lift (18 m reach) for apartments, canal houses and any location with a narrow staircase
• European transport — door-to-door moves anywhere within Europe with our own fleet
• Inter-city moves within the Netherlands — from Amsterdam to Eindhoven, The Hague to Groningen, or any other Dutch route
• Temporary storage in climate-monitored facilities, with flexible pick-up and delivery
• Unpacking at destination — boxes unloaded, items placed in the correct rooms, furniture reassembled
• Full insurance up to €2.5 million, zero excess — the standard for every move

Every service is priced per hour actually worked, with no call-out fees, no return-travel fees and no weekend surcharges. Your personal advisor coordinates all services on a single plan, so you have one point of contact from start to finish.

Free (Online) Viewing and a Personal Relocation Advisor

Every expat move at Holland Movers starts with a free viewing — in person at your home or online via video call — and the immediate assignment of a personal relocation advisor who becomes your single point of contact. This advisor stays with you from the first conversation until the last box is unpacked, in fluent English and with deep knowledge of the local situation.

During the viewing we assess the elements that determine a smooth expat move:

• Inventory and volume — what is coming, what is being sold, what goes into storage
• Access at origin and destination — staircase width, door dimensions, lift availability, street access
• Whether a moving lift is needed — common for canal houses in Amsterdam, Haarlem or Delft, and for apartment buildings without a large lift
• Parking logistics — we arrange the parkeerontheffing at the relevant Dutch gemeente on your behalf
• VvE rules for apartment buildings at either end of the move
• Timeline and temporary housing — many expats move in two stages, from a short-stay apartment to a long-term home
• Cross-border coordination — if you are moving to or from another European country, we plan the transport window, delivery slot and handover in one timeline

After the viewing you receive a transparent, English-language quote with all costs listed per component. Because we charge per hour actually worked and never add call-out or weekend fees, what you see in the quote is what you pay. As your personal relocation advisor is the same person throughout the process, you never have to re-explain your situation to a call centre — a small but meaningful difference at a stressful time.

Full-Service Expat Moving: Packing, Transport, Assembly

Full-service expat moving means we handle everything — packing, loading, transport, unloading, unpacking and furniture assembly — so you arrive at your new home with your life ready to unpack itself. Holland Movers’ full-service option was designed precisely for expats who do not have time, family nearby or local knowledge to manage a move themselves, whether the relocation is within the Netherlands or across Europe.

Here is what “full service” includes as a standard package:

• Professional packing of your entire inventory, from wardrobes to kitchen cupboards, using high-grade boxes, wrap and specialist crates for fragile items
• Clear labelling system so every box is traceable to a room and a category — essential for expat moves where unpacking may happen days or weeks after loading
• Handyman disassembly of beds, wardrobes, shelving, desks, dining tables and kitchen units at the origin
• Loading and European transport with our own fleet, dedicated crew and single point of contact for cross-border moves
• Moving lift (18 m) deployed where access requires it — included in the standard quote, not charged extra
• Unloading at destination, boxes placed in the correct rooms according to your labelling
• Handyman reassembly at destination — you walk into rooms with furniture already set up
• Unpacking service on request, including disposal of all packaging materials

Common full-service scenarios for our expat clients include moving from a temporary apartment in Amstelveen to a permanent home in The Hague, relocating from Eindhoven to Rotterdam for a new role at a corporate headquarters, or transferring an entire household from Brussels or Antwerp to Amsterdam. In every case, one advisor, one plan, one price — insured up to €2.5 million with no excess, and no weekend surcharges if your preferred moving day is a Saturday or Sunday.

Storage Solutions During Your Expat Relocation

Temporary storage is one of the most requested services among expat clients, because expat moves rarely follow a clean timeline. Holland Movers offers flexible storage solutions that integrate seamlessly with your moving plan — whether you need a few weeks between two leases or several months while you search for a permanent home in the Netherlands.

Expat relocations often involve timing gaps. Your Dutch contract may start on 1 September while your current apartment in Brussels must be vacated by 15 August. Or you have found a home in The Hague, but the renovation will not finish for another three months. In both situations, our team picks up your belongings on your preferred date, transports them to our storage facility, and delivers them to your new address when you are ready — all under one plan and one advisor.

Our storage services include:

• Short-term and long-term options — from a few weeks to several months, adjusted to your timeline
• Climate-monitored facilities to protect furniture, electronics and personal items
• Pick-up and delivery integrated into your moving plan at no additional call-out cost
• Flexible access — you can request delivery to your new home whenever the timing is right
• Single inventory list covering both move and storage, so nothing gets misplaced

Storage is particularly common among expats who relocate within the Netherlands. Moving from a furnished corporate apartment in Amstelveen to an unfurnished home in Utrecht often means purchasing new furniture — and the old belongings need a temporary home in the meantime. Your personal relocation advisor coordinates the full sequence so you are never left without a plan.

How Does Expat Moving to the Netherlands Work?

Expat moving to the Netherlands with Holland Movers follows a clear, step-by-step process designed to eliminate uncertainty — from the first enquiry to walking into your new home with everything in place. Here is how it works:

Step 1 — Request a free quote
Fill in the online enquiry form or call us directly. Most clients receive a personal response from their relocation advisor on the same day. You can describe your situation in English — our entire team is fluent.

Step 2 — Free viewing (in person or online)
Your personal advisor carries out a full inventory of your belongings, assesses access at both addresses, and discusses your timeline and preferences. For clients still abroad, we offer video-call viewings so you can plan your move before arriving in the Netherlands.

Step 3 — Transparent quote
You receive an itemised, English-language quote listing all services, hourly rates and included extras (insurance, property protection, materials). No hidden costs, no call-out fees, no weekend surcharges. Adjustments to the plan — an extra room, a different date, a storage add-on — are always free of charge.

Step 4 — Moving day
Our VCA-certified team arrives on the agreed date and time with the right vehicle, materials and equipment — including a moving lift if needed. Your advisor monitors the move remotely and is reachable by phone throughout the day.

Step 5 — Delivery and setup
At your new address, we unload, place furniture in the correct rooms, reassemble beds and wardrobes, and — if you chose full service — unpack boxes and remove all packaging materials.

Step 6 — Follow-up
Your advisor checks in after the move to make sure everything has been delivered as planned and to resolve any open items.

This process is the same whether you are moving from Berlin to Amsterdam, from Amsterdam to Eindhoven, or from a temporary stay in Rotterdam to a permanent home in Leiden. One advisor, one plan, one language — English.

Corporate and Diplomatic Expat Relocations

Holland Movers is a trusted partner for corporate and diplomatic expat relocations, helping organisations such as multinational companies, embassies and international institutions relocate their employees across the Netherlands and Europe. We understand that a corporate relocation is not just about moving boxes — it is about minimising downtime and ensuring your employee is productive at their new location as quickly as possible.

Our corporate expat moving services include:

• Single point of contact for both the employer and the relocating employee — our advisor coordinates with HR departments, relocation management companies and the employee simultaneously
• Flexible scheduling — we move on evenings and weekends without surcharges, so your employee does not need to take additional time off work
• Volume agreements for organisations that relocate multiple employees per year, with consistent service quality and streamlined administration
• Confidential handling of diplomatic and high-profile household moves
• European coverage — we relocate employees arriving from or departing to any European country with our own fleet and dedicated teams
• Combined personal and office moves — when an employee also needs furniture transported to a new office location, we coordinate both in a single plan

Expat-heavy companies in the Randstad — from technology firms in Eindhoven’s Brainport region to financial institutions on the Zuidas and international organisations in The Hague — rely on Holland Movers because we deliver a consistent, professional experience. Your employee receives a personal relocation advisor, a transparent English-language quote, and the assurance of full insurance up to €2.5 million without any excess.

For diplomatic relocations, we provide the same level of service with additional discretion and scheduling flexibility to accommodate the specific requirements of embassies and international courts.

Why 8,000+ Expats Choose Holland Movers

More than 8,000 expats have chosen Holland Movers as their expat moving company — and the reason is consistent service at every stage, in a language you understand, with financial protection you can rely on. Our 4.6 out of 5 average rating reflects a track record built one careful move at a time.

Here is what our expat clients tell us matters most:

• English from start to finish — not just the sales call, but the movers on the day, the advisor on the phone, and the follow-up after delivery
• One advisor, one plan — no call centres, no ticket numbers, just a personal contact who knows your move inside out
• Transparent pricing — per hour actually worked, with no call-out fees, no return-travel fees and no weekend surcharges
• Flexibility — change your date free of charge up to 48 hours beforehand, add extra items at any point, cancel free of charge up to one week before the move
• Insurance that truly covers — €2.5 million with zero excess, covering every item from loading to unpacking
• Professional, uniformed team — VCA-certified, experienced with international households, respectful of your home and belongings

These are not just promises on a website. They are the reasons our expat clients refer colleagues, neighbours and friends to Holland Movers year after year. When you are far from home, reliability is not a luxury — it is the baseline.

Expat Guides per City

At Holland Movers, we believe that a great expat moving company helps you beyond the move itself. That is why we have compiled comprehensive expat guides for the cities where most of our international clients settle. Each guide covers practical topics such as registration, housing, healthcare, education and local tips to help you feel at home faster.

• Expat guide Almere
• Expat guide Amstelveen
• Expat guide Amsterdam
• Expat guide Delft
• Expat guide Eindhoven
• Expat guide Haarlem
• Expat guide Leiden
• Expat guide Maastricht
• Expat guide Nijmegen
• Expat guide Rotterdam
• Expat guide The Hague
• Expat guide Tilburg
• Expat guide Utrecht

Whether you are moving to Eindhoven for Brainport’s technology sector, to The Hague for an international organisation, or to Amsterdam for finance and creative industries — our guides give you a head start on life in your new city.

International

Belgium
France
Germany
Netherlands