How to apply for a BSN number in the Netherlands

What do you need before you can register at a municipality

You will need the following documents before you can register with a municipality:

• Valid passport
• Non-EU residents must bring a residency permit and work contract (if applicable)
• Proof of residence in the Netherlands (rental contract, deed of sale or written authorization from the main resident), unless you are staying in the Netherlands for less than four months, in which case you should give your address back home

Note: If you do not have a valid address in the Netherlands yet, you will need to register as soon as your rental contract or deed of sale is signed. Still looking for a place to live? Then you can register with a temporary correspondence address, for example that of a friend, relative or coworker. This should be an official, BRP-recognized address. You cannot use a post office box or nonresidential address (like a business address). Someone must actually be living at that address. You will also need written authorization from the main resident of the address where you want to register. To register with a correspondence address, make an appointment with the municipality where that address is located. It is explained below how you can make that appointment.

Registering at the municipality

Depending on whether your stay in the Netherlands is shorter or longer than four months, choose the situation that applies to you:

1. Staying longer than four months

Will you be living or working in the Netherlands and will you be staying longer than four months? In that case you are required to register with the municipality where you will be living or are already living. You will automatically receive a citizen service number (BSN). Nearly all municipalities require you to make an appointment within five days of your arrival.

Below is a list of the most popular municipalities. Is the municipality where you will be living or are living, or where you want to register, not listed? No problem! Just google that municipality + contact. For example: ‘Municipality Eindhoven contact’. It’s better to call to make an appointment, as many municipalities, especially the smaller ones, only have a Dutch-language website. Say that you want to make an appointment for a ‘registration from abroad’.

2. Staying less than four months

If you are staying less than four months in the Netherlands but will be working or studying, you must register as a non-resident (RNI) at one of the 19 RNI locations. You will immediately get a BSN number. If you’re not planning to work or study, then you don’t need a BSN number and don’t need to register as a non-resident either.

Important: If you are staying longer than four months in the Netherlands but do not meet the requirements to register with a municipality, you cannot request a temporary BSN number via RNI.

How long does it take to get a BSN?

Current waiting times at the municipalities and RNI (registration for non-residents) locations is longer than usual (1-2 months).