Living together in the Netherlands: what changes are there in terms of finances and paperwork?

Registering at the same address

Are you moving in with your partner? If so, please notify the municipality. The

Renting

Is one of you going to live in the other's rented property? If so, check the tenancy agreement first. If you are not named on the agreement, you do not automatically have the same rights as the tenant. If you are not married and do not have a civil partnership, you will need to ask the landlord if you can become a co-tenant.

Are you moving into a new rented property together? If so, check carefully who is named on the tenancy agreement. If you are both named on the agreement, you are usually both entitled to the property.

You can find a more general explanation about renting in this article: How do you find and rent a house in the Netherlands?

Buying

Are you buying a house together without being married? In that case, you can both be co-owners of the property. Make sure you agree clearly on who owns which part of the house and who pays which part of the mortgage and other costs. Have these agreements recorded by

In that case,

A more general explanation about buying a house can be found in this article.

Money and agreements

If you live together, it is a good idea to make clear agreements about money. For example, agree on:

• Who pays the rent or mortgage

• How you pay for your groceries and energy

• Who owns what. You can also agree on what will happen to money and possessions if you split up in the future. You can have such agreements set out in a

  cohabitation agreement
  or a will.

Allowances, benefits and tax

If you live together, this may affect your

Registering at the same address

Even if you are married or in a civil partnership, you must notify the municipality of any changes to your household. The Dutch tax authorities will then be informed of the change.

This may also mean that your allowances change. On RefugeeHelp, you can read more about what you need to do if your family situation changes.

Renting

Are you married or in a civil partnership? And do you both live in the rented property? If so, you are automatically

Buying

Are you married or in a civil partnership? If so, there are rules regarding money,

Money and agreements

Even if you are married or in a civil partnership, it is a good idea to agree on clear financial agreements together.

For example:

• Living costs

• Savings

• Debts

This is particularly important if one of you earns more, if one of you has debts, or if you have children. Do you already have a cohabitation agreement?

And if you go on to get married or enter into a civil partnership? In that case, the terms of the cohabitation agreement will usually no longer apply. From then on, the rules governing marriage or civil partnership will apply. The only exception is if you have new terms set out in writing.

Allowances, benefits and tax

If you get married or enter into a civil partnership, you are usually considered partners for the purposes of allowances. In that case, the income and

Would you like to know more about the financial implications of a change in your family circumstances? Read more.

Always check your tenancy agreement or the terms of your property purchase carefully. Sort out any important matters with the solicitor in good time, if necessary. You should also agree clearly on matters relating to money, expenses and debts. This will help you avoid problems later on.