Moving to the Netherlands: what to bring, and what to buy here
"Should I ship my furniture?" It's one of the first questions internationals ask. The honest answer: usually not. International shipping is expensive and slow, Dutch homes are often smaller than you're used to, and many items simply won't fit or work here. Here's what's worth bringing and what's smarter to buy locally.
Worth bringing
- Clothes and shoes, including a proper rain jacket. You'll need it.
- Important documents: passport, birth certificate (sometimes with an apostille), diplomas, marriage certificate and medical records.
- Medication for the first weeks, plus prescriptions, until you've registered with a GP (huisarts).
- Personal items that make it feel like home: photos, books, a favourite mug, souvenirs.
- Laptop, phone and small electronics. These usually work fine with a plug adapter.
Better to leave behind
- Large furniture. Shipping costs can exceed the value of the furniture. Dutch stairs are narrow and steep, and your sofa may not fit.
- Beds and mattresses. Sizes differ per country. Dutch beds are usually 90, 140, 160 or 180 cm wide and 200 cm long, so your bedding may not fit either.
- Large appliances. Washing machines and fridges from outside Europe may have the wrong voltage or plugs, and Dutch kitchens have standard built-in sizes.
- Lamps and electricals with non-EU plugs. The Netherlands uses 230V and type F plugs.
Buy here, ideally before you arrive
- Furniture: bed, sofa, dining table, wardrobe, desk.
- Appliances: washing machine, microwave, kettle, coffee machine.
- Bedding in Dutch sizes. Our bedding pack comes in 90 to 180 × 200 cm.
- Kitchen and household basics. Our household pack has 40+ items for 4 persons, from pans to the cheese slicer.
- A bike. The best purchase you'll make.
The smart middle ground
Ship a few boxes or bring an extra suitcase with personal belongings, and arrange the rest locally. With Welcome2Holland you can order your furniture and essentials before you fly, and have them delivered and installed on your move-in day. No container, no customs, no waiting weeks for a ship.
Arrange the rest locally.
See how our assembly service works, or tell us about your move through our contact form.
