If you want to stay and live in the Netherlands, you first need to apply for your BSN (Burgerservicenummer). A BSN is a unique registration number for everyone who lives in the Netherlands. You have to be registered in the Basic Registration Persons (BRP), everyone who registers in the BRP automatically gets a BSN. A BSN is a unique number linked to a person. If someone has passed away, the BSN remains linked to this person so it will not be reissued.
You can find your BSN on the following documents:
- Passport
- Identity card
- Driving license
Costs BSN
The costs you have to make when applying for a BSN are €15,10 (2020) at any municipalities.
Where to use your BSN
For processing your personal data, the government uses your BSN. Through your BSN, the government organization can look up your personal data. You will need your BSN for many
- Opening a bank account
- Starting a job
- The care system
- Applying for subsidies
- Applying for allowance
- Following education
- Address change
How to apply for a BSN
You will automatically receive a BSN when you are registered in the BRP (Basic Registration Persons). If you live abroad, you can personally apply for your BSN at the municipalities in which you are about to live. Everyone who wants to move to the Netherlands, for a duration of more than 4 months, has to register with the municipalities within five days after arrival. Will you move to the Netherlands to work or study for less than 4 months? Then you can register with BRP, your details will be put in the RNI (Registration Non-Residents) and you will get a BSN.
While applying for your BSN, persons from the EU have to show a valid proof of identity (passport or ID, no driver’s license!), and also your Dutch address has to be registered.if you are of non-European descent, you will need more documents (residence and work permit, employment contract, etc) to show. If you have requested a residence permit, your registration with the municipalities is temporary. After you have registered, you will receive a letter of pre-registration (BvB) from the IND (Immigration and Naturalisation Service). They will send it back to the municipalities after you have applied for your residence permit. Then you will be registered and your BSN will be confirmed.
