Next: DigiD · health insurance · bank account
What is a BSN?
The BSN (burgerservicenummer) is your personal number in Dutch government systems. Employers, banks, health insurers and the tax office all ask for it. With a BSN you can also apply for DigiD, the login for Dutch government websites.
Staying longer than four months: register with the municipality
If you will live in the Netherlands for more than four months, register with the municipality (gemeente) where you live. You do this within five days of arriving. Make an appointment, usually online on the municipality’s website, and take the documents they ask for. A passport and a tenancy agreement are typical examples. Your BSN is sent to you automatically after you are registered.
You can only register at an address that is yours or where you are allowed to be registered, so ask about this before you sign a housing contract.
Staying less than four months, or living abroad: the RNI
If you stay less than four months, or you work in the Netherlands but live in another country, you can register in the RNI (Non-residents Records Database). This is optional for short stays, but it is required if you want a BSN. First fill in the form on the RvIG website to get a personal QR code, then make an appointment at one of the 19 RNI desks and bring the QR code and your identity document.
EU, EEA and Swiss citizens
You can live and work in the Netherlands without a residence permit. A valid passport or ID card is what you need. Citizens from outside these countries need a residence permit from the IND before they can register.
What to do once you have your BSN
- Give it to your employer or agency so you can be paid correctly.
- Apply for DigiD.
- Arrange Dutch health insurance (see our health insurance article).
- Open a Dutch bank account. Banks ask for your BSN and ID.
Need help with the steps?
We help people before, during and after the move, also when you are not working with us. Send us a message and tell us where you are in the process.