Once you make the choice to study abroad, there are certain practical matters which must be taken care of both before and after arrival. Certain things like registering with the municipality and completing your immigration process (if applicable) are required, while other practical matters such as opening a bank account and arranging a bike before arrival will simply make your life easier. We have compiled the following information to help you prepare for your Semester in Amsterdam, both before and after arrival.
Practical Matters for Semester in Amsterdam students
Before You Arrive
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Immigration Process (Applying for a Visa or Residence Permit)
Find all the information you need on the webpage Visa information for Semester in Amsterdam students.
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Arrange Insurance
It is important that you are properly insured during your time in the Netherlands. Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam requires all incoming international students to be properly insured by an internationally recognized insurance agency for the duration of their stay. This is also required by Dutch law. Your insurance policy should cover all costs related to sudden illness, accident, or death.
To simplify the business of arranging suitable insurance during your time in the Netherlands, it is advisable to consult your insurance company and explain that you will be studying abroad for a semester or an entire academic year.
If your insurance company is unable to meet your needs, then we advise you to reach out to our preferred supplier Aon Student Insurance. It is advised to arrange insurange before you arrive in the Netherlands. More information about the Aon Student Insurance and other possible insurances can be found here.
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Upload a photo for you VU student card
In order to receive a VU student card you need to upload a portrait photo. If you have already uploaded a photo during the application process, as long as the photo was accepted, you don’t need to do this again. If you’re not sure, please upload the photo again to be certain it was submitted successfully before arriving so that you can pick up your student card during your first week of classes. Carefully check the photo requirements and upload your portrait photo via this VU webapge.
Having a student card is not a requirement for attending lectures or work groups, but you will need the card for taking exams. Your student card can be used for:
- Borrowing books in the library
- Identification for exams
- Printing and copying
- Student discounts around the city
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Apply for Academic Accommodations (if applicable)
Deadline to Submit Documents:
Fall Semester 1 July Spring Semester 1 December Academic accommodations at VU Amsterdam are offered to students with a disability who provide official documentation from a psychologist or health care provider. In order to receive academic accommodations, you must apply and submit official documentation before the start of the semester. Students with a disability are understood to include students with a physical disability or chronic illness as well as students with dyslexia and psychiatric disabilities.
The most common academic accommodation offered is extra time for exams, which is a standard amount of 30 minutes. Additional accommodations or facilities, such as the use of a (faculty) laptop or a private room, are awarded only in rare circumstances; however, students may be able to arrange additional accommodations directly with their professor on a case-by-case basis. We encourage you to contact your professors directly about this in advance.
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Pre-Order a Bike
Amsterdam is one of the most bicycle-friendly cities in the world. In fact, there are more bicycles than people! It should then come as no surprise that cycling is by far the most frequently used transportation method by the locals. With an extensive network of cycling lanes, bicycle parking, and even traffic lights specifically for bicycles, there is no better place to cycle than in the Netherlands. Additionally, although public transport is very efficient in Amsterdam, it can be fairly expensive, which is why we strongly recommend our students to travel by bike.
You may wish to make use of Swapfiets! The word fiets translates to bicycle in Dutch (a very important word in the Netherlands). Swapfiets is named after the concept of bicycle swapping. How does it work? You pay a monthly fee in exchange for a reliable bike and full support services. If your bike needs maintenance, gets stolen, or you have a flat tire, Swapfiets promises to replace your bike within 12 hours. They'll even come to you! If they can't fix your bike within 15 minutes, then they'll swap it for a new one until your bike can be repaired.
Swapfiets may sell out or have a waiting list, so we recommend that you arrange this in advance if possible. Alternatively, you can of course choose to buy a bike after your arrival in Amsterdam.
Still not sure? Check out the Expat's Guide to Buying a Bicycle.
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Proof of Enrolment and Registration
The Declaration of Registration (also known as Proof of Enrolment) is an official document that proves you are registered and enrolled as a student at VU Amsterdam. Once you are fully enrolled, you can download a digital copy using this link. This also serves as your proof of acceptance.
You will first need to log in with your VU ID and password.
After You Arrive
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Immigration: Complete Your Biometrics and Pick Up Your Residence Permit
If you are required to complete an immigration process for your Semester in Amsterdam, you are also required to have your biometrics (fingerprint, photo, and signature) taken either before arrival (MVV students) or at a local Dutch Immigration office after arrival. The student immigration team will inform you about this after you have submitted your application for a visa and/or residence permit.
Please be aware that you are also required to pick up the physical permit that is your residence permit. You will be notified by e-mail after arrival once it is ready.
**If you never pick up the physical card which is your residence permit, you risk an entry ban to the Netherlands. Please make sure to pick up your residence permit within 90 days and take this with you if you travel outside of the Netherlands before your departure date.
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Register with the Municipality
Shortly after you have arrived in the Netherlands, you must register with the correct municipality. All individuals living in Amsterdam for more than 4 months are strictly required to register with the municipality (including Dutch and EU residents). Furthermore, you must register with the municipality in order to receive a BSN number. You need a BSN number to work and open a bank account.
When registering with the municipality, please make sure to bring your passport, proof of enrollment, and a copy of your signed housing contract. Equally important, before you leave the Netherlands, you must de-register with the municipality. You should make an appointment to do this before leaving Amsterdam (if you have a DigiD you can do this online).
Here you can find information about the documents you will need during your appointment to register. You can find more information about registering with each specific municipality via the links below. If you will be living in student accommodation, Hotel Jansen is located in the municipality of Amsterdam and Our Campus/Our Domain is located in the municipality of Diemen.
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Register with a General Practitioner
Making an Appointment with a Doctor
Before you can make an appointment, you need to register with a local GP. We recommend doing this as soon as possible after arrival. In the Netherlands, your GP (general practitioner) is your first point of contact for all medical problems except true emergencies. If you need to see a specialist, you must first make an appointment with a GP to get a referral. You can make an appointment with a GP over the phone, and in some cases online or by email. You can also request advice over the phone.
You should always bring a valid photo ID and valid proof of insurance with you to your doctor appointments.
Please consult this document to find a doctor near you.
Arrange Prescriptions in Advance
Please be aware that the Netherlands may have different customs and regulations than you are used to regarding the prescription of medicine. For this reason, it is important that you make plans in advance to get any needed prescriptions while you are abroad.
Medical Documents and History
You should bring any needed medical documents of your medical history with you so that you can share this with your new doctor. This enables the doctor to assess your medical history and will help you to accurately communicate about any medical conditions or problems you may have.
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Open a Bank Account
We recommend that all non-EU students open a Dutch bank account as not all places accept Visa and Mastercard and you may need an IBAN number for bank transfers and certain services.
Here you can find more information about opening a bank account.
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IT Services: VU student email and WIFI
Students of VU Amsterdam have a personal account on VU.nl, the university's study portal. You will receive VU.nl access after acceptance to the Semester in Amsterdam program as well as a VUnet-ID to log in and access university IT services such as a student email account, Wifi, printing and selected software.
Please consult the IT Serviceportal page for students for more information on how to arrange your IT matters and the contact details of the IT Service Desk.
For questions about IT or internet service in your housing, please contact your housing provider.
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Campus Security and Theft
In the event of theft or loss of personal or university property, please contact the VU Amsterdam security staff at +31 (0) 20 59 85854.
Have you lost something in the city of Amsterdam or Diemen? You can check the municipality's Lost and Found page. When found, items are posted within 3 working days.
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What to Do in an Emergency
Amsterdam is consistently ranked one of the safest cities in the world by the Economist Safe City Index. Of course, life can also be unpredictable, so it's a good idea to familiarize yourself with the city emergency numbers in advance.
In case of a true emergency, always first call 112, the national emergency helpline. An ambulance, member of the fire department, or police will be dispatched to help you. 112 is the European emergency helpline, equivalent to 911 in the United States or 999 in the United Kingdom. It is valid in all EU member countries.
- EU Emergency Number: 112
- Police Non-Emergency Number: 0900 8844
- Anonymous Tip-Line to Report Crimes: 0800 7000
- Safety and Security at VU Amsterdam
- City-Wide Emergency Services and Healthcare Helplines
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Student Wellbeing and Study Help
For issues such as study progress, motivation, family matters, adjusting to life in the Netherlands, discrimination, or disputes with lecturers, students can contact one of the student counselors.
We have also set up a new Student Wellbeing platform including links to mental health resources, financial support, physical and mental healthcare for international students, academic assistance, and more.
For students struggling to meet other students, we encourage you to join one of the many non-faculty student associations and the international student association, ESN.
Questions? Please don't hesitate to contact us!
Semester in Amsterdam is a separate programme from the Exchange programme at VU Amsterdam. If you have been nominated by your home university for Exchange and your university is a partner of VU Amsterdam, please contact incoming@vu.nl. Are you currently a student of another Dutch university wishing to register for a minor? Please contact the student desk at studentdesk@vu.nl.
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