
Get started with your life in the North
Welcome to the Northern Netherlands! Discover everything you need to know to make this beautiful region your new home.
Opening hours
Monday till Thursday from 9:30 – 12:00 & 13:00 – 16:30
International Student
Checklist: Moving to the Netherlands
Moving to the North soon? Fantastic! It’s a truly special region with plenty of room to grow.
To make sure you’re properly prepared, check out our list of everything that international students need to know before moving to the Northern Netherlands.

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News from the north

Groningen lecturer to put telescope on moon
University of Groningen Professor Léon Koopmans will be placing a radio telescope on the moon at the request of the European Space Agency (ESA). It’s expected that the telescope will be sent in 2035. Koopmans wants to find out what the universe looked like in the period right after the Big Bang, known as the […]

The Northern football clubs’ monthly round-up: September
Another month of the football season has come and gone so that means it’s time for our monthly round-up of each Northern football club to see how they got along. The four teams, SC Heerenveen, FC Emmen, FC Groningen, and SC Cambuur, were all in action at least four times in the second month of […]

Groningen residents invited to share their thoughts on the city center
The municipality of Groningen is actively seeking the input of its residents and visitors to the city to shape the future of the city center through a comprehensive survey. The survey delves into various aspects, such as the quality of life in the city center, the diversity of stores and eateries, and the accessibility of […]
About us
About Us
Feel at home in the North in just a few steps
We understand there are many things to take care of when getting settled in a new country.
That’s why it’s our mission to provide a welcoming space where you can take care of everything at one convenient location.

20+
3
35,000+
We helped 35,000+ international people
“I have lived in several countries (USA, Germany, Russia, Egypt) but I have to say that I have had the best experience at the Welcome Center in Groningen. Thank you again!”
“How happy it makes me to learn that the flowers got there and that they brightened up everyone’s day! This was my goal.
You guys work hard, and I wanted to make sure you guys know that your work is meaningful and very well appreciated in the city.”
“I would recommend the IWCN for new Internationals, who would like help finding their feet, but also for those who have been in the Northern Netherlands, as the information on offer is very extensive!”
“The idea to have such an office to welcome foreigners is a formidable one and this is a good tangible result. I wish there had been such an office, and people like you, 13 years ago when we arrived. It would probably have made our lives so much better, especially the first years!”