Your guide to getting your BSN number in the Netherlands

What’s a BSN number and how do you get it? Learn everything about citizen service numbers in the Netherlands and their requirements in our guide.

Ivandzhelin

3 minute read

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23 Aug 2024

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Living

Getting your Dutch BSN number is a crucial step when moving to the Netherlands. The citizen service number is essential for accessing banking, healthcare, and employment services. Whether you’re working, studying, or settling in, understanding how the BSN number in the Netherlands works is key to a smooth start. To help you, we’ve outlined everything you need to know about getting your BSN number in the Netherlands and answered your most pressing questions.

A Burgerservicenummer or BSN number is a citizen service number, similar to a social security or tax ID. It’s a unique number that every resident in the Netherlands needs to have. After moving, you have 5 days to visit the municipality (Gementee) and register to get your BSN. The BSN is used for identification purposes with the government and accessing public services.

You need a BSN number to live in the Netherlands, as it’s used for almost all administrative tasks. Your citizen service number is used for tasks such as:

• paying your Dutch taxes
• getting health insurance in the Netherlands
• getting social benefits, e.g., pension
• opening a Dutch bank account
• being employed in the Netherlands
• changing your address

Additionally, having a BSN number lets you get your DigiD, which allows you to conduct most of your administrative tasks online. For example, you can file your tax return online, change your address, etc. Some health insurance providers also require you to use your DigiD to access your profile on their platform.

To get your BSN number, you need to register in the municipality of your city. In larger cities like Amsterdam and Rotterdam, there are multiple municipal offices where you can register. Here’s how to get your BSN number in 3 simple steps:

1. Set up an appointment on the municipality’s website to register your address.

In busy cities like Amsterdam, securing an appointment can take up to 2 months. Check the municipality’s website well before your move and book early to avoid delays in accessing services like banking and health insurance.

2. Gather the documents you need to get your BSN:

• A valid passport/ID
• Residence permit (if applicable)
• Employment contract (if applicable)
• Proof of address, e.g., rental agreement
• Filled-in application form (you can either find it online or fill it in, in person before the appointment)

Some municipalities might ask for additional documents, such as birth certificates, which have to be translated into Dutch or English. In the case of birth certificates, sometimes you can ask the municipality in your hometown to provide a translated copy.

3. Attend the appointment and submit the documents. Make sure you show up 10-15 minutes early and pick up a number

Students who are registering might need to pre-register before moving. If that's the case, your university will contact you about it.

Additional steps for non-EU residents:

4. Receive pre-registration letter (BvB) from IND. Once you’re registered at the municipality, you’ll receive a letter from the IND which confirms your pre-registration

5. Bring the pre-registration letter to the municipality. This completes your registration process

Obtaining a BSN (Burgerservicenummer) in the Netherlands is free of charge. Registering with the municipality after moving to the Netherlands will automatically be issued a BSN at no cost.

You’ll receive your BSN number within 4 weeks of registering at the municipality. They’ll send you a letter stating that you’re successfully registered and your citizen service number. Make sure you keep that letter, as you’ll need it to know what your number is.

Lost the letter with your BSN number? Don’t worry—you can still find it. Your BSN is listed on official documents like letters from the government, your Dutch residence permit, and your driving license, and you can request it from the municipality where you registered. You can also access it through MijnOverheid, the Dutch government’s online portal.

No, you can’t work in the Netherlands without a BSN. Your citizen service number is required for employment because it is used for tax and social security purposes. Employers need your BSN to legally register you as an employee and to withhold taxes and social contributions from your salary. Without a BSN, it is also difficult to open a bank account, which you would need to receive your salary.

No, a BSN isn’t a residence permit. While both the BSN and a residence permit are essential for living in the Netherlands, they serve different purposes. The BSN is for identification and accessing services, while the residence permit is for legal residency. But you’ll need your Dutch residence permit to get a BSN number.