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.
Good to know
- First priority
- Right to reside + sedula
- Register within
- 5 days of your permit
- Shipping
- Mostly by sea freight
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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