Do I need to register for a BSN?

If you live abroad and come to the Netherlands to work or study, you will need a citizen service number (burgerservicenummer (BSN)) for your dealings with the Dutch authorities.

Government authorities use the BSN to correspond with citizens and exchange personal information with other (governmental) agencies, when legally permitted; for example, between the municipality and the Tax and Customs Administration (Belastingdienst). The BSN is an important tool for improving government services, and is also used to combat identity fraud and solve issues with misspelled names.

The BSN is a requirement for starting a job in the Netherlands, opening a bank account, using the health care system, applying for benefits, buying a car, and announcing a change of address, to name a few examples.

You will be issued this BSN when you register in the Netherlands.

If you will be staying in the Netherlands for more than 4 months, you should register with the municipality in which you live. If you qualify for the accelerated formalities services of the IWCN, the registration may be done at the IWCN.

However, if you will be staying in the Netherlands for less than 4 months, you should register with one of 18 municipalities in the Netherlands via the RNI (registratie niet-ingezetenen) procedure. This cannot be done at the IWCN.

To register via the RNI procedure in the Northern Netherlands, you should make an appointment to go to one of the registration agencies, either in Groningen (city center), Eemshaven, or Leeuwarden.

You must go in person to the appointment and present valid proof of identity (a passport or identity card) and will be asked to provide your address outside of the Netherlands.

Other services of the Municipality

The Municipality is also responsible for many other tasks. The most common ones that internationals may be interested in or require are the following:

Issuing parking permits, driving licenses and dog licenses (some municipalities); certifying invitation letters for visitors requiring a visa; filing procedures for registered partnerships or marriages; collecting waste; changing your address; and most importantly, de-registering when you move out of the Netherlands.