Citizen Service Number (BSN)
If you are staying in the Netherlands for longer than four months, you will need to complete municipal registration. Everyone who has registered with their municipality will have their details added to the BRP database. Once you are registered in the BRP database, you will receive a BSN (Burgerservicenummer).
What is a BSN?
A citizen service number or Burgerservicenummer (BSN) is your starting point when it comes to living and working in the Netherlands. You will need a BSN number to arrange a number of things when you come to the Netherlands. These include: opening a bank account, obtaining a Dutch mobile phone number, applying for benefits; and so on. Government authorities use the BSN to communicate with citizens and provide (electronic) services. They also use the number to exchange personal information quickly and easily with other (government) agencies.
How to get your BSN
You can get a BSN number by completing municipal registration.
If you are staying in the Netherlands for less than four months, you can obtain a BSN via the RNI procedure. More information on how to do this can be found here.
If you are staying in the Netherlands for more than four months, you can obtain a BSN via the ‘normal’ procedure. The Hague International Centre offers registration services for some newcomers, whilst others can attend an appointment at their local municipality.
More information on The Hague International Centre's registration service can be found here.
More information on registering at your local municipality can be found here:
- Municipality of The Hague
- Municipality of Delft
- Municipality of Rijswijk (Dutch language)
- Municipality of Leidschendam-Voorburg (Dutch language)
