The Netherlands is one of the top destinations for skilled migration from Turkey in technology, logistics, finance and academia. Professionals moving to Amsterdam, Eindhoven, Rotterdam or Utrecht on a highly skilled migrant (kennismigrant) visa, students heading to Delft, Leiden and Groningen, and families relocating through family reunification all start the moving process with the same question: "Can I take my belongings tax-free, and how?" The answer is yes. This guide explains the Dutch household goods exemption (verhuisboedel), the documents you need, the removal process from Turkey to the Netherlands, and the delivery details specific to Dutch cities (canal houses, furniture hoists, parking permits).
The Dutch Customs Exemption: Verhuisboedel
Under EU customs legislation, anyone transferring their normal residence to the Netherlands from outside the EU may bring in their used household goods without paying customs duty or import VAT (21%). Dutch customs (Douane) calls this scheme the vrijstelling voor verhuisboedel.
Conditions
- Your normal residence must have been outside the EU for the last 12 months.
- The goods must have been in your possession and use for at least 6 months.
- The goods must be imported within 12 months of the date you transfer your residence.
- The imported goods must not be sold or transferred for 12 months.
How to Apply
The exemption application is submitted to Douane digitally (the "Aanvraag vrijstelling verhuisboedel" form); we prepare the application on your behalf. The approval document (vergunning) is attached to the import declaration. Applications are usually decided within 1-3 weeks, so you should start at least 3-4 weeks before your loading date.
Required Documents
- Passport and Dutch residence permit / MVV visa / kennismigrant approval
- BSN number (Burgerservicenummer) — issued after registering with the municipality (inschrijving); if you do not have one yet, the application is made with your tenancy and employment contracts and the BSN is added later
- Tenancy/purchase agreement or employment contract showing your address in the Netherlands
- Proof of residence in Turkey for the last 12 months (residence registration, utility bill, employer/school letter)
- Detailed inventory list (in English; box number, contents, quantity, value)
- Power of attorney (for export formalities in Turkey and import formalities in the Netherlands)
- Invoices for any new items
Expat Moving Plan: What to Do When
| Timing | To do |
|---|---|
| 6-8 weeks before | Inventory list, quotations, choosing your mover, gathering documents for the exemption application |
| 4 weeks before | Exemption application, loading date, parking permit (parkeerontheffing) application for your Dutch address |
| 2 weeks before | Packing materials, separating prohibited items, photo/video record of electronic devices |
| Loading week | Emptying and drying appliances, setting aside documents and valuables to travel with you |
| Arrival | Municipal registration (BSN), being at the address on delivery day, delivery report |
For a more detailed timeline and packing rules, see our complete guide to moving household goods abroad.
The Removal Process from Turkey to the Netherlands
- Survey and quotation: inventory list or video survey; volume and method (groupage/dedicated vehicle) are determined.
- Exemption application and documents.
- Packing and loading: in Istanbul, Ankara, Izmir, Gaziantep or whichever city you live in.
- Leaving Turkey and T1 transit: Kapıkule – Bulgaria – Serbia – Hungary – Austria – Germany – Netherlands.
- Dutch customs: exemption declaration at the destination customs office (Rotterdam, Venlo or Amsterdam); 1-2 working days.
- Delivery: delivery to your address, assembly, removal of packing materials.
Transit time is 5-9 days by groupage (part-load) and 4-6 days by dedicated (full-load) vehicle. We have regular departures on the Netherlands route, with distribution to every Dutch city via our Frankfurt depot.
Delivery in Dutch Cities: Canal Houses and Furniture Hoists
The best-known challenge of moving in the Netherlands is the narrow, steep staircases of historic buildings, particularly in Amsterdam, Leiden, Utrecht and Delft. Most sofas, beds and wardrobes will not fit up these stairs; the goods are lifted in through a window or balcony using an external furniture hoist (verhuislift). This is why the Dutch fitted hoisting beams (hijsbalk) to the top of their buildings. What you need to know:
- We establish at the survey stage whether a furniture hoist is needed; it appears as a separate line in the quotation.
- In central Amsterdam and Rotterdam a parkeerontheffing (parking exemption) is obtained from the municipality so the lorry can park; apply 1-2 weeks in advance.
- Canal-side streets in central Amsterdam may restrict vehicles over 7.5 tonnes; delivery is then made by panel van.
- In newer residential developments in cities such as Eindhoven, The Hague and Groningen, lift and parking problems are generally not an issue.
Groupage or a Dedicated Vehicle?
For professionals and students moving alone as kennismigranten (a one-bedroom flat, 5-15 m³), groupage (part-load) is the economical option. For families and homes larger than three bedrooms, a dedicated (full-load) vehicle is faster and more direct. If you will rent a furnished flat for the first few months and move your own belongings in later, we offer interim storage at our Frankfurt or Istanbul depot.
What Determines the Cost?
- Volume (m³): a single person 5-10 m³, a two-bedroom home 18-25 m³, a family home 25-35 m³.
- Transport method: groupage or dedicated vehicle.
- Delivery conditions: furniture hoist (verhuislift), parkeerontheffing, floor level, street access.
- Packing: professional or self-packed.
- Customs services: export declaration, T1, Dutch exemption declaration.
- Insurance and storage.
Prohibited and Restricted Items for the Netherlands
- Prohibited: meat and dairy products, fresh food, plants and soil, weapons, fireworks.
- Restricted: alcohol and tobacco (outside the exemption), prescription medicines, packaged dry food in limited quantities.
- Electricity: 230V/50Hz with Schuko plugs is compatible; satellite receivers may not work because of the different broadcasting system.
Example Scenario: A Kennismigrant Move from Izmir to Eindhoven
An engineer starting a job at a technology company in Eindhoven wants to take the contents of her one-bedroom flat in Izmir. The verhuisboedel application is prepared with her employment contract and tenancy agreement; approval arrives in two weeks. Volume is 9 m³, shipped by groupage. After loading, the vehicle enters Europe under T1 and on day four the goods are transferred to the Netherlands vehicle in Frankfurt; on day six the exemption declaration is lodged in Venlo, and on day seven delivery is made to her new-build apartment in Eindhoven (with lift). The engineer receives her BSN after delivery and it is added to the file. Tax: zero.
Why REG Transport?
- Over 12 years of hands-on experience: thousands of completed shipments for families and businesses on the Turkey–UK and Turkey–Europe routes.
- Our own fleet and depots: warehouses in Istanbul, Gaziantep, London and Frankfurt; weekly scheduled departures that do not depend on third-party hauliers.
- Licensed customs operation: export declarations in Turkey and import declarations in the destination country are handled by our partner customs brokers; we prepare all documents on your behalf.
- One point of contact: the same account manager from survey to delivery, with updates at loading, border crossing and delivery.
- Transparent quotation: freight, packing, customs, insurance and delivery are itemised separately in writing; no surprise costs.
- Insurance: CMR included; optional full-cover insurance on the declared value.
Common Mistakes
- Submitting the exemption application after the goods have already left.
- Discovering on delivery day that a furniture hoist is needed — extra cost and delay.
- Leaving the inventory list in Turkish; Douane requires a list in English or Dutch.
- Forgetting the bicycle — bicycles are valuable in the Netherlands and must be on the list.
- Declaring new items as used.
Frequently Asked Questions
I don't have a BSN number yet. Can I still ship my goods?
Yes. The application is made with your tenancy agreement, employment contract and visa; the BSN is added to the file once issued.
How long does it take to ship household goods from Turkey to the Netherlands?
5-9 days by groupage, 4-6 days by dedicated vehicle.
My flat in Amsterdam is on the 3rd floor with no lift. How will it be moved in?
By furniture hoist (verhuislift) through the window or balcony; this is planned at the survey and added to the quotation.
Will my goods be opened at customs?
A physical inspection is possible; numbered boxes and a detailed list speed the check up.
I also want to take furniture I have just bought in Turkey.
It travels in the same vehicle; 21% VAT applies to the new furniture and it is declared separately. See shipping furniture from Turkey to the Netherlands.
Let's Plan Your Move to the Netherlands
Door-to-door household removals from any city in Turkey to any address in the Netherlands; from the exemption application to the parking permit and the furniture hoist, we handle the whole process. Send us your inventory list and receive a written quotation the same day. For service details, see our international household removals page.
