Moving to Dubai from the Netherlands: the 90-Day Checklist
1 min read
Ninety days is enough to move your life from the Netherlands to Dubai if you sequence it right. This checklist runs backwards from your flight date.
T minus 90 to 60 days
- Choose your visa route: employment, freelance permit (from AED 7,500 per year), golden visa, or company setup.
- Get quotes for sea freight. A 10-box shipment Amsterdam to Jebel Ali runs EUR 600 to 900, door to door in 4 to 6 weeks.
- Scan every document: diploma, marriage certificate, birth certificates. Apostilles take 2 weeks at the Dutch court.
T minus 60 to 30 days
- Give notice on your rental or arrange your sale.
- Book the one-way flight. See current fares.
- Health insurance: your Dutch basisverzekering ends the day you deregister. Line up UAE cover to start on arrival.
T minus 30 to 0 days
| Task | Where | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Deregister (RNI) | Gemeente | Free |
| Export car or sell | RDW | Varies |
| Freeze or port Dutch pension | Pension fund | Free |
| Final tax return (M-form) | Belastingdienst | Free |
Landing week
Entry stamp, medical test, biometrics, Emirates ID, then bank account. In that order, nothing works out of sequence.
Last updated: July 2026. Full budget breakdown in the moving hub, or line-by-line prices in the cost of living comparison.
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