How do I set up mail forwarding when moving within the Netherlands?

Moving to a new address within the Netherlands is an exciting step, whether you’re relocating for work, upgrading to a larger space, or exploring a different neighborhood. However, one crucial administrative task that many expats overlook is ensuring their mail follows them to their new home. Missing important letters from government institutions, banks, or your employer can lead to unnecessary stress and complications during an already busy transition period.

The Netherlands has a well-organized postal system managed by PostNL, which offers straightforward mail forwarding services to help you capture all correspondence during your move. Understanding how to set up this service properly ensures you won’t miss critical documents while you’re updating your address with various organizations. This guide walks you through the entire process, from registration to costs, so you can manage your mail seamlessly during your relocation.

Understanding PostNL’s mail forwarding service

PostNL, the primary postal service provider in the Netherlands, offers a mail forwarding service called Verhuisservice (moving service). This service automatically redirects mail sent to your old address to your new address for a specified period. You can choose forwarding periods ranging from 6 months to 12 months, giving you time to notify all relevant parties of your address change. The service covers letters and small packages, though larger parcels may have different handling procedures. It’s important to note that mail forwarding is a temporary solution designed to bridge the gap while you update your address with banks, insurance companies, government agencies, and other important contacts.

When to set up mail forwarding

Timing is crucial when arranging mail forwarding. PostNL recommends setting up the service at least one week before your move, though you can arrange it up to three months in advance. This advance notice ensures the system is activated by the time you move out of your old address. If you’ve already moved and forgotten to arrange forwarding, you can still set it up after the fact, but you may miss some mail that arrives in the interim period. The service can start on any date you specify, so coordinate it with your actual moving day or the end of your rental contract. For expats moving between temporary accommodations or from a serviced apartment to a permanent home, planning this timing carefully prevents any gap in mail delivery.

How to register for mail forwarding online

The easiest way to set up mail forwarding is through PostNL’s website. Visit postnl.nl and navigate to the Verhuizen (moving) section. You’ll need to provide several pieces of information:

• Your current (old) address with postal code
• Your new address with postal code
• The names of all household members who should have their mail forwarded
• Your preferred start date for the forwarding service
• The duration of forwarding (6 or 12 months)
• Payment information (credit card or iDEAL)

The online process is available in English, making it accessible for international residents. You’ll receive a confirmation email once your registration is complete, along with details about when the service begins and ends. Keep this confirmation for your records.

Setting up mail forwarding by phone or in person

If you prefer not to use the online system, you can arrange mail forwarding by calling PostNL’s customer service at 088 – 868 68 68. English-speaking operators are available during business hours. Be prepared with all the same information required for online registration. Alternatively, you can visit a PostNL location or authorized postal point to arrange forwarding in person, though this option is less common and may involve longer wait times. The phone and in-person options are particularly useful if you have special circumstances, such as forwarding mail for a business address or if you need assistance understanding the process in English. Whichever method you choose, ensure you receive written confirmation of your forwarding arrangement.

Costs of mail forwarding services

PostNL’s mail forwarding service is a paid service, with costs varying based on duration and household size. As of 2024, expect to pay approximately €30-35 for a 6-month forwarding period for one person, and around €50-60 for 12 months. If you’re forwarding mail for multiple people at the same address (such as a family), the cost increases but remains reasonable compared to the hassle of missing important mail. Payment is made upfront when you register, typically via iDEAL (the Dutch online payment system) or credit card. The service is non-refundable once activated, so double-check your start date and duration before confirming your order. Some relocation packages or employer benefits may cover this cost, so check with your HR department if you’re moving for work.

What happens to your mail during forwarding

Once your forwarding service is active, PostNL will redirect mail addressed to your old address to your new address. The process works as follows: when mail arrives at the sorting center for your old postal code, it’s identified as belonging to an address with active forwarding, and a new label with your current address is applied. The mail is then rerouted to your new location. This process may add 1-3 days to normal delivery times, so factor in this slight delay for time-sensitive mail. Not all mail types are forwarded, unaddressed advertising mail (huis-aan-huisbladen) sent to “the occupant” rather than a named person typically won’t be forwarded. Official government correspondence, bank statements, medical letters, and personally addressed mail will all be redirected as expected.

Updating your address with key organizations

While mail forwarding provides a safety net, you should still actively update your address with important organizations as soon as possible. Priority contacts include:

• Municipality (Gemeente): Register your new address at the local town hall within five days of moving—this is a legal requirement in the Netherlands
• Tax authorities (Belastingdienst): Update via their website or MijnOverheid
• Health insurance company: Notify them of your address change to ensure coverage continues smoothly
• Banks and financial institutions: Update your address in online banking or by visiting a branch
• Employer and educational institutions: Provide your HR department or school administration with your new address
• Utility providers: Arrange final readings at your old address and new contracts at your new address
• Subscription services: Update addresses for magazines, meal kits, or regular deliveries

The sooner you complete these updates, the less you’ll rely on mail forwarding, reducing the risk of any mail going astray when the service expires.

Special considerations for expats

International residents should be aware of a few additional considerations. If you’re moving within the Netherlands but maintain a correspondence address abroad (such as parents’ home in your country of origin), mail forwarding only works for addresses within the Netherlands, it won’t redirect Dutch mail internationally. If you have a DigiD (digital identification for government services), updating your address with the municipality automatically updates it across many government systems, reducing your administrative burden. For expats who receive important documents from their home country, ensure you’ve also updated your international address with relevant organizations abroad. If you’re unsure about Dutch language correspondence you receive, the forwarding period gives you time to seek translation help or contact organizations to request English-language communications.

What to do when forwarding expires

PostNL will send you a reminder when your mail forwarding period is nearing its end, typically a few weeks before expiration. At this point, you have three options: extend the forwarding service for an additional period (at additional cost), ensure you’ve completed all address updates and let the service expire naturally, or arrange a final mail collection. If forwarding expires and you haven’t updated an address somewhere, mail sent to your old address will be delivered to whoever currently lives there. The new occupants are technically required to mark it as “moved” and return it to PostNL, but you shouldn’t rely on this. Before your forwarding ends, do a final audit of organizations that might still have your old address and proactively contact them. Review bank statements, insurance documents, and subscription confirmations to catch any you might have missed.

Alternatives and additional tips

For those who travel frequently or have unstable housing situations, PostNL offers a Pakketpunt (package point) service where you can have parcels sent to a pickup location rather than a home address. Some expats also use a postbus (PO box) for important mail, providing address stability during multiple moves. If you’re moving from a serviced apartment to permanent housing, coordinate with your apartment provider about how long you can receive mail at your temporary address after checkout, many providers hold mail for a brief grace period. Digital mail services are increasingly common in the Netherlands; consider switching to electronic statements and communications wherever possible to reduce dependency on physical mail. Finally, when moving internationally out of the Netherlands, PostNL’s domestic forwarding won’t help, you’ll need to arrange international mail forwarding or rely entirely on address updates.

Key takeaways

• Set up PostNL’s mail forwarding service at least one week before moving, choosing a 6 or 12-month forwarding period to ensure you don’t miss important correspondence during your transition
• Register online at postnl.nl, by phone at 088-868 68 68, or in person, providing your old address, new address, and names of all household members needing mail forwarded
• Expect to pay approximately €30-60 depending on duration and number of people, with payment required upfront via iDEAL or credit card
• Proactively update your address with the municipality, tax authorities, banks, insurance companies, and employer rather than relying solely on forwarding, as this is more reliable long-term
• Remember that forwarding only works for addresses within the Netherlands and adds 1-3 days to delivery times, so plan accordingly for time-sensitive mail
• Before your forwarding period expires, complete a final audit to ensure all organizations have your current address to prevent mail being delivered to your old residence