Getting a Dutch Phone Number (Keep Your US Number Too)

Three days after arriving in Amsterdam, we tried to book a BSN appointment online.

"Please enter your Dutch phone number."

We didn't have one. We'd been using our US phones with international roaming—expensive and impractical.

Turns out, you need a Dutch phone number for almost everything: appointments, deliveries, bank accounts, even ordering food. But you also need to keep your US number for two-factor authentication, US bank accounts, and staying connected back home.

Here's how to set up both—a Dutch number for daily life and keep your US number active without paying $100/month in roaming fees.

In this guide, you'll learn:

Why you need both a Dutch and US number
How to port your US number to Google Voice (free)
Best Dutch phone providers for Americans
Step-by-step setup process
Real monthly costs

Why You Need a Dutch Phone Number

You'll need a Dutch number for:

Essential Services

Booking BSN appointments
Opening bank accounts
Registering with KVK
IND communications
Healthcare appointments

Daily Life

Deliveries and packages
Restaurant reservations
Taxi/rideshare apps
Rental applications
Utility companies

Business

Client contact
Professional presence
Local credibility
WhatsApp Business

The reality: Dutch systems expect Dutch phone numbers. Many online forms won't accept international numbers. Some services won't even try calling a +1 US number.

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Why You Need to Keep Your US Number

You still need your US number for:

Two-Factor Authentication

US bank accounts
Credit cards
Investment accounts
IRS accounts
Social Security

US Services

Amazon, Netflix (US accounts)
Healthcare providers back home
Insurance companies
Government services
Family and friends

Practical Reasons

Visiting the US
US business clients
Maintaining US presence
Emergency contacts

The problem: Keeping your US phone plan active costs $50-100/month just to receive occasional texts. That's $600-1,200/year for a number you rarely use.

The solution: Port your US number to Google Voice (free) and get a Dutch SIM card.

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Step 1: Port Your US Number to Google Voice

Do this BEFORE you leave the US or immediately after arriving.

What Is Google Voice?

Google Voice:

Free service from Google
Keeps your US number active
Receive calls and texts
Works anywhere with internet
Costs $0/month

Perfect for expats.

Requirements

To port to Google Voice, you need:

US phone number (not already with Google Voice)
Google account
$20 one-time porting fee
Number must be portable (most are)

What you can port:

Mobile numbers (AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile, etc.)
Most landlines
Some VoIP numbers

What you can't port:

Numbers already with Google Voice
Some VoIP services
Certain business numbers

How to Port Your Number

Step 1: Check If Your Number Is Portable

Go to: voice.google.com

Click "Get Google Voice"
Select "I want to use my mobile number"
Enter your number
Google will tell you if it's portable

Step 2: Gather Information

You'll need:

Account number from your carrier
PIN or password for your account
Billing zip code
Account holder name

How to find account number:

Call your carrier
Check online account
Look at your bill

Step 3: Start the Port

Go to voice.google.com
Click "Get Google Voice"
Select "Port my number"
Enter your information
Pay $20 fee

Step 4: Wait for Completion

Timeline:

Most ports: 24 hours
Some carriers: up to 7 days
You'll receive email confirmation

During porting:

Keep your old SIM active
Don't cancel your carrier plan yet
Wait for confirmation

Step 5: Cancel Your Old Plan

After port completes:

Your number is now with Google Voice
Cancel your carrier plan
No more monthly fees

Important: Port BEFORE canceling your carrier. If you cancel first, you might lose your number.

Using Google Voice

How it works:

Calls and texts go to Google Voice app
Works on WiFi or data
Free calls/texts to US numbers
Can forward to other numbers

Download the app:

iOS: App Store
Android: Google Play
Use on computer: voice.google.com

Receiving calls:

Ring in Google Voice app
Answer on any device
Works anywhere with internet

Receiving texts:

Show up in Google Voice app
Including 2FA codes
Can reply from app

What We Wish We Knew: Port your number BEFORE leaving the US. We tried to port after arriving and had issues getting our account number from AT&T. Do it before you leave—takes 24 hours and saves so much hassle.

Step 2: Get a Dutch Phone Number

Now you need a Dutch SIM card and number.

Best Dutch Providers for Expats

Lebara

Prepaid, no contract
Easy to set up
English support
€10-15/month
Good for starting out

Simyo

Month-to-month contracts
No annual commitment
Good coverage
€10-20/month
Popular with expats

KPN

Largest Dutch provider
Best coverage
More expensive
€20-35/month
Most reliable

T-Mobile

Good coverage
Competitive prices
English support
€15-25/month

Budget Options:

Lycamobile - €5-10/month, basic service
Youfone - €10-15/month, good value
Ben - €12-18/month, Vodafone network

Prepaid vs Contract

Prepaid (Prepaid):

No commitment
Top up as needed
No credit check
No Dutch bank account needed (initially)
Good for first month

Contract (Abonnement):

Monthly payment
Better rates
More data
Requires Dutch bank account
Better for long-term

Our recommendation: Start with prepaid (Lebara or Lycamobile) in your first week, then switch to contract (Simyo or T-Mobile) once you have your bank account.

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How to Get Your Dutch SIM Card

Option 1: Buy at Airport (Immediate)

At Schiphol Airport:

Multiple stores in arrivals hall
Lebara and Lycamobile available
€10-20 for starter pack
Activated immediately
No appointment needed

What you get:

SIM card
Dutch phone number
Initial credit (€5-10)
Instructions in English

Our experience: We bought a Lebara SIM at Schiphol for €10. Had a Dutch number within 5 minutes of landing. Used it to book our BSN appointment the next day.

Option 2: Buy at Store (More Options)

Where to buy:

Phone shops (KPN, T-Mobile, Vodafone stores)
Albert Heijn (grocery store)
Kruidvat (drugstore)
Electronics stores (MediaMarkt, BCC)

What to bring:

Passport
Sometimes BSN (for contracts)
Cash or card

Process:

Choose provider and plan
Buy SIM card
Activate online or in-store
Usually works within hours

Option 3: Order Online (After You Arrive)

Once you have an address:

Order from provider website
Delivered in 2-3 days
Activate when it arrives
Often better deals online

Best for:

Contract plans
After you're settled
When you have time to wait

Setting Up Your Dutch Number

Step 1: Insert SIM Card

Turn off your phone
Remove old SIM (save it!)
Insert Dutch SIM
Turn phone back on

If your phone is locked:

Contact your US carrier
Request unlock
Usually free after contract ends
Takes 1-3 days

Step 2: Activate SIM

Most SIMs require activation:

Follow instructions in package
Usually visit provider website
Enter SIM number and details
Activation takes 1-24 hours

Step 3: Set Up Voicemail

Dial voicemail setup number (in instructions)
Record greeting
Set PIN
Test it

Step 4: Share Your Number

Update your number with:

Bank (once you have account)
Gemeente
IND
Landlord
Important contacts

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Using Both Numbers: Practical Setup

Here's how we use both numbers:

Physical SIM: Dutch Number

In phone's SIM slot:

Dutch SIM (Simyo)
For calls and texts in Netherlands
For data
Primary number

eSIM or App: US Number

Google Voice app:

US number
For 2FA codes
US calls/texts
WiFi/data only

Or use eSIM if your phone supports it:

Some carriers offer eSIM
Can have both active simultaneously
Switch between numbers easily

Dual SIM Phones

If your phone supports dual SIM:

Dutch SIM in slot 1
US SIM in slot 2 (or eSIM)
Both active at once
Choose which for calls/data

Phones with dual SIM:

iPhone 11 and newer (physical + eSIM)
Most Android phones (two physical SIMs)
Check your phone's specs

Real Monthly Costs

Our setup:

Service	Cost	Purpose
Google Voice	€0/month	US number, 2FA
Simyo (Dutch)	€12/month	Dutch number, data
Total	€12/month	Both numbers active

Compare to keeping US plan:

US carrier international: €80-100/month
Our setup: €12/month
Savings: €68-88/month (€816-1,056/year)

Typical Dutch Plan Costs

Budget plans (€10-15/month):

1-5 GB data
Unlimited calls/texts in Netherlands
Basic coverage

Standard plans (€15-25/month):

5-15 GB data
Unlimited calls/texts
Good coverage
EU roaming included

Premium plans (€25-40/month):

15+ GB to unlimited data
Best coverage
Extra features
International calling

What you need:

Most people: €15-20/month plan
Heavy data users: €25-30/month
Light users: €10-15/month

WhatsApp: Your New Primary Communication

In the Netherlands, everyone uses WhatsApp.

Why WhatsApp Matters

WhatsApp is used for:

Personal messaging (replaces SMS)
Business communication
Group chats
Voice and video calls
Sharing documents

Seriously, everyone uses it:

Your landlord
Your gemeente
Businesses
Friends
Even your doctor

Setting Up WhatsApp with Dutch Number

Step 1: Download WhatsApp

If you don't have it already
Free on iOS and Android

Step 2: Change Your Number

Settings → Account → Change Number
Enter old number (US)
Enter new number (Dutch)
Verify with SMS code

Step 3: Notify Contacts

WhatsApp offers to notify contacts
Let them know your new number
Your chats and groups stay the same

Important: Your WhatsApp is now tied to your Dutch number. You can still use it on WiFi when traveling.

Common Issues and Solutions

"My Phone Is Locked to US Carrier"

Solution:

Contact your carrier (AT&T, Verizon, etc.)
Request unlock
Usually free if contract is complete
Takes 1-3 days
Do this before leaving US if possible

"Google Voice Won't Accept My Number"

Possible reasons:

Number not portable
Already ported
VoIP number
Business line

Solutions:

Check with your carrier
Try different number
Use family member's number (with permission)

"I Need My US Number for Work"

Options:

Google Voice works for most business needs
Can forward to Dutch number
Use VoIP service (like Skype number)
Keep US plan if absolutely necessary

"2FA Codes Aren't Coming Through"

If Google Voice isn't receiving codes:

Check app settings
Verify number is active
Try voice call instead of text
Some services don't work with Google Voice
Keep backup authentication methods

Alternatives:

Authenticator apps (Google, Authy)
Backup codes
Email authentication

Timeline: When to Do What

2-4 weeks before leaving US:

☐ Port US number to Google Voice
☐ Unlock your phone
☐ Test Google Voice app

Day 1 in Netherlands:

☐ Buy prepaid SIM at airport
☐ Get Dutch number immediately
☐ Test calling and data

Week 1-2:

☐ Use prepaid for appointments
☐ Get BSN and bank account
☐ Research contract plans

Week 2-3:

☐ Sign up for contract plan
☐ Port prepaid number (optional) or get new number
☐ Update WhatsApp
☐ Share new number with contacts

FAQ

Q: Can I keep my US phone plan instead of porting to Google Voice?

A: Yes, but it's expensive. International roaming costs $50-100/month just to keep your number active. Google Voice is free and works just as well for receiving 2FA codes and staying connected to US contacts.

Q: Do I need a BSN to get a Dutch phone number?

A: Not for prepaid SIMs—you can buy those with just your passport. For contract plans, most providers require a BSN and Dutch bank account. Start with prepaid, then upgrade to contract after you have your BSN. For more on getting your BSN, see Getting Your BSN Number: Complete Guide.

Q: Will my US phone work in the Netherlands?

A: Most modern smartphones work worldwide. Check that your phone is unlocked and supports European frequencies (most do). iPhones and major Android phones work fine.

Q: Can I use my Dutch number when I visit the US?

A: Yes, but you'll pay international roaming rates (expensive). Better option: use WiFi and Google Voice for calls, or get a temporary US SIM when visiting.

Q: What happens to my WhatsApp when I change numbers?

A: WhatsApp has a "Change Number" feature that transfers everything to your new number. Your chats, groups, and settings all stay the same. Just go to Settings → Account → Change Number.

Got your phone situation sorted? Next, learn what to expect during your first month in Amsterdam—the culture shock, funny moments, and adjustment challenges. Read Our Culture Shock Stories →

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We're not immigration lawyers—just Americans who did this. Requirements change, so verify with official sources.