Your moving checklist
Relocating to a Caribbean island touches everything from paperwork to shipping. Work through this checklist so nothing catches you out.
Moving to Bonaire is very doable — thousands do it — but it rewards preparation. The order below reflects how the steps depend on one another: sort your legal right to reside first, then registration and banking, then the physical move. Each linked page has the offices and contacts you’ll need.
Before you leave
Get the foundations in place while you still have easy access to your home-country services.
- Confirm your right to reside — Dutch nationals differ from other nationalities (see the Sedula & residency guide).
- Gather and legalise/apostille key documents: birth, marriage, diplomas.
- Arrange proof of deregistration if you’re coming from the Netherlands or another Kingdom country.
- Get quotes for shipping household goods (sea freight) and, if applicable, your vehicle (see Cost of moving).
On arrival
The first weeks are about becoming official and connected.
- Register in person at the population registry (Burgerzaken) within 5 days of receiving your permit, and obtain your sedula (ID).
- Open a local bank account (you’ll need your ID/identity number).
- Arrange water and electricity (WEB), internet and mobile.
- Sort healthcare registration (ZJCN) and any private insurance.
- Register/insure any imported vehicle; third-party car insurance is mandatory.
Sources & official links
For orientation only. Rules, rates and costs can change — always verify the current situation with the relevant authority or an advisor. · Last reviewed: July 2026.
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