No postal address, but important letters: what can you do?

Many companies or organisations still send important information by post. For example, a decision from the

It is worth noting that a postal address and a correspondence address are not the same thing. A postal address is the address to which your post is sent. A correspondence address is an official address that you can use through the municipality if you do not have a residential address.

Do you not have a residential address? In that case, a correspondence address provided by the municipality is often the most reliable solution. With a correspondence address, important organisations, such as the IND or the municipality, can still contact you.

You can often use a friend's or relative's address as your correspondence address, provided that person is willing and gives their consent. Please note: this can sometimes have consequences for the person providing the address. For example, regarding benefits, allowances or other municipality regulations. You should therefore first find out exactly what this entails. Sometimes it is also possible to use an organisation's address, for example if you are receiving support through a reception centre or social services. How this works exactly varies from one municipality to another.

It is important to note that a PO box (with a postal service provider) is usually not a valid address for registering with the municipality. You must arrange a correspondence address through the municipality, not through a postal service provider.

Not everyone has a friend or family member who can provide a correspondence address. This is logical if you move house frequently, stay in temporary accommodation, or if people are worried about the consequences.

You can get help and advice across the Netherlands. Het Juridisch Loket

In many towns and cities, too, support organisations can offer advice. They are familiar with the rules and often know which option works best in your situation: through the municipality, via a support service, or via a designated collection point where you can collect your post. Sometimes they can also help you fill in forms and gather the necessary documents.

In Amsterdam, you can visit the Loket Ongedocumenteerden (help desk for undocumented migrants)

In Rotterdam, people who are homeless or living on the streets can obtain a correspondence address from the municipality, often with support from an organisation

A PO box can sometimes be useful, for example if you do not have any money and are staying in the same area for an extended period. However, it is not usually a substitute for an official correspondence address. It is a paid service, and there are often additional requirements (such as identification and administrative formalities). Furthermore, for many official matters, it is important that you can be contacted via a correspondence address, not a PO box.

If your asylum procedure has ended or if you no longer have a residence permit, dealing with the authorities can feel particularly stressful. However, one thing remains important: receiving post is essential for protecting your rights. Without post, you may miss deadlines for

If this feels daunting, do not try to do it on your own. It often helps to first discuss with a support organisation or a support worker which route in your town is the safest and most practical. You can then arrange, step by step, for your post to be delivered to one specific location, and ensure that you actually collect it regularly.

If you are unable to arrange a correspondence address or are worried about the consequences, you can also contact

You can also seek help from a support organisation or a drop-in clinic, social support services, or a legal advice centre such as Het Juridisch Loket.