Buying a car in the Netherlands

If you are a foreigner in the Netherlands, and wish to buy a car, then a few extra steps are required before they can transfer it to you:

Start by going to your local Gemeentehuis and ask for a new Plaatsbewijs. You will need your passport and BSN (Burgerlijke Service Nummer). It takes only a few moments and currently costs €9.70. They will issue you with a paper certificate which proves you are a legal resident and have been correctly registered.

Once you have found a car (and paid for it) you need to arrange for insurance before they will let you take the car. You will also have to visit the RDW and formally transfer the car onto your name.

The vendor should provide you with a four digit code which you need to take with your driver's licence, plaatsbewijs, health insurance code showing your BSN, proof of insurance, and passport to your local RDW office. This will also cost €9.70.

You can now legally drive the car.

Within a few days you will a green plastic smartcard (a Kentekenbewijs) which you must keep with you/the car at all times and produce it if requested by the police. If you are stopped and don't have it along with your driver's licence, you will receive an automatic fine!

Within a few weeks you will also receive a blue envelope from the the tax-office (Belastingdienst) asking you to pay the road-tax (wegenbelasting). Always check how this is for the car you are buying as it can be a lot more than you expect!