The Netherlands or Holland is a country in Northwest Europe known for its global job market, ultra-modern infrastructure, a strong economy, and progressive society. Every year, thousands of people consider moving to the Netherlands for work, studies, or to reunite with their families. In reality, the country works for many immigrants – especially if you understand how the system works before you arrive.
Beyond its traditional trade, agriculture, and logistics-based economy, the Dutch government has introduced programs to foster innovation and entrepreneurship, making the country more accessible for skilled foreign professionals and digital nomads. However, moving to the Netherlands requires careful planning and preparation, especially when it comes to moving costs, visa and customs requirements, and the step-by-step moving process.
Here are some key aspects about moving to the Netherlands from Kenya:
1. Moving Costs from Kenya to the Netherlands
Moving costs to the Netherlands vary depending on the shipment volume, visa fees, international moving logistics (sea vs air freight), and the immediate cost of settling in.
If you choose to ship your household goods and personal effects by air, expect them to arrive in the Netherlands in about 8-15 days flight time. While air freight is faster, it’s more expensive and only makes sense for last-minute or time-sensitive relocations.
Sea freight is much slower (68-80 days from Mombasa to Rotterdam) compared to cargo planes but more cost-effective. However, you will need to plan your move well in advance. Full-service international moving including packing, export customs clearance, sea transit, and door-to-door delivery takes about 10-12 weeks.
Depending on the size of your move, you will use either a 20ft or 40ft container or you can share a container with others for Less Than Container Loads (LCL) or shipments under 10 cubic meters. If you engage an international moving company offering door-to-door services, your moving costs will be relatively higher compared to a port-to-port service provider.
Remember, for a 3-bedroom house you will need at least a 20ft container for household goods alone, but if you also plan to relocate with your car then you will require a 40 ft container. You will require a 40ft container for a 4 or 5-bedroom house.
2. Dutch Customs and Documentation Requirements
Once you have prepared everything you want to bring with you, having the following crucial documents in hand will certainly save you a lot of time.
Passport
This is vital when applying for a Residence Permit and several other procedures. A passport or valid ID issued by an EU country is a valid form of travel identification if you need to travel outside of the European Economic Area from the Netherlands.
Work Contract
This is necessary if you’re moving to the Netherlands for work. It also comes in handy in case of issues while in transit and for settling in. You may also need to present it as proof of income when you’re looking to buy or rent property.
Visa
Short-term stay visas to the Netherlands are only valid for 90 days (or 90 days within a 180-day period). The Schengen C visa is the most common short-stay visa, allowing you to travel across the Schengen Area. If you have a solid cause, you can usually upgrade a single-entry visa to a multi-entry visa for a fee.
European Union/European Free Trade Association citizens do not require a visa to visit, live, work, or study in the Netherlands. All they need is a valid ID. Unless you’re bringing a family member with a non-EU/EFTA passport, you don’t need to register your stay if you’re a citizen of one of these countries.
The only requirement is that they must register with their local authorities for stays of more than three months. They’ll be added to the Personal Records Database and assigned a citizen service number. This is the Dutch social security and tax number, which is required for many areas of daily life in the Netherlands, such as opening a bank account.
When relocating to the Netherlands from Kenya, you require a visa to enter and remain in the country. The Netherlands visa requirements for short stays of up to three months are determined by nationality. In Kenya, you can book an online appointment at the Nairobi embassy when applying for a long-stay visa. For short-stay visas, you can book an appointment with external providers.
When it comes to Customs and imports rules for the Netherlands, EU Transfer of Residence guidelines apply. Household goods and personal effects are duty-free for individuals relocating their primary residence to the Netherlands from outside the EU, following 12+ months of living overseas.
Some important documents you will to import your personal household effects include;
- Detailed packing list
- Bill of lading
- Registration form with local municipal
- Valid residence permit
- Proof of residence outside EU for 12+ months
3. The Moving Process to the Netherlands
Free Home Survey and Quotation
Our surveyor will visit your home in Nairobi or conduct a virtual walkthrough to calculate the total volume in cubic feet or cubic meters. This will help determine the best shipping method: LCL or groupage consignments for small households and full container loads (FCL) for larger households.
The surveyor also checks for fragile high-value items that require specialized packing materials, access constraints for moving trucks, and generates an itemized quotation detailing freight cost, packing supplies, customs clearance, and destination port fees.
Documentation and Planning
One you approve the quotation; you will be assigned a dedicated move coordinator to handle every aspect of your move. At this stage you will put together essential official documents such as the EU Transfer of Residence Declaration, Bill of Lading, and detailed packing lists with the guidance of your move coordinator.
Professional Packing
Our trained packing team wraps, boxes, and crates your household goods and personal items using export-grade materials. Every single box, wrapped item, and loose piece is tagged with a numbered sticker corresponding to a comprehensive packing list detailing the contents and condition of the item.
Loading and Transportation
Your consignment will be carefully loaded onto moving trucks and transported to the port of Mombasa under our supervision. Our licensed clearing agents will present the export manifest, a detailed packing list, and tax compliance documentation to the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA). Finally, after securing the export release, our agents will supervise the physical loading of the container with your shipment into the vessel.
International Transit
Your shipment travels to Rotterdam since it offers the fastest and most cost-effective European port clearance and is often the cheapest European corridor from Kenya due to port efficiency and high container volumes. Sea transit takes 68-80 days. You receive your Bill of Lading and tracking details.
Air freight takes 8-15 days.
Destination Customs Clearance
Our destination partner handles all import customs clearance including EU Transfer of Residence Declaration submission, duty assessment (if applicable), and port release. They will be coordinating directly with you on delivery timing.
Delivery to Your New Home
Following customs release, the container is transported directly to your new address in the Netherlands. The crew unloads the items, places boxes in their designated rooms based on your instructions, reassembles standard furniture pieces, and unwraps large appliances.
Full-service packages include unpacking and furniture assembly and placement.
Best Movers to the Netherlands: Nellions Moving and Relocations Company
Relocating to the Netherlands from Kenya? Secure professional international moving services from Nellions Moving and Relocations Company to simplify your move. The IAM-certified company provides expert packing, customs clearance, and door-to-door shipment delivery.
With Nellions as your moving partner, your move to the Netherlands can be a smooth transition in your life. Contact us on +254700000002 or email move@nellions.co.ke to get a free moving quote.
Frequently Asked Questions – Moving to the Netherlands
A: Sea freight from Mombasa to Rotterdam takes 68-80 days. Total door-to-door including packing, export customs clearance, sea transit, destination port clearance, and final delivery is typically 10-12 weeks. Air freight takes 8-15 days flight time.
A: Key documents include: a detailed packing list, Bill of Lading, EU Transfer of Residence Declaration, passport copy, valid Netherlands residence or immigration documentation, and a marine insurance certificate. Nellions prepares all documentation as part of a full-service move.
A: Yes. Nellions coordinates all destination customs clearance through our established partner network in the Netherlands. Our destination agents handle EU Transfer of Residence Declaration submission, import duty assessment, and port-to-home delivery — so you do not need to manage this yourself.
A: Yes. Nellions arranges vehicle shipping from Kenya to Netherlands either via RoRo (Roll-on/Roll-off) vessels or in a container. A separate vehicle quotation is provided. Import duties, registration requirements, and any vehicle modifications required in the Netherlands will be advised by our destination agent.
