Your BSN (Burgerservicenummer) is the first thing you need to sort after arriving in the Netherlands. Without it, your employer can't pay you properly, you can't open a Dutch bank account, and you can't register with a GP. Here's exactly how to get it.
A BSN is a unique personal number that the Dutch government uses to identify you in all their systems — tax authority, healthcare, municipalities, everything. Think of it as a Dutch social security number or national insurance number. It's 9 digits and yours for life.
Without a BSN, you're stuck in a loop. You need it for:
The good news: you usually get your BSN on the same day you register.
You get a BSN by registering at a Dutch municipality (gemeente). Which route you take depends on your situation:
Register at the gemeente where you live. This is called inschrijving in de BRP (Basisregistratie Personen). Make an appointment online via your municipality's website — search for "[city name] gemeente afspraak inschrijving" or look for "first registration" on their site.
What to bring:
At the appointment, a gemeente employee registers you in the system. Your BSN is assigned immediately — you usually get it on a printout before you leave.
You can register at one of the 19 RNI desks (Registratie Niet-Ingezetenen) across the country. These are specifically for people who work in the Netherlands but live abroad. You get a BSN without a Dutch home address.
Cities with an RNI desk include Amsterdam, Rotterdam, The Hague, Utrecht, Eindhoven, and others. Make an appointment in advance — walk-ins are rarely accepted.
Your BSN is assigned during the appointment itself. Getting an appointment is usually the slowest part — in busy cities like Amsterdam it can take 1–3 weeks. In smaller municipalities you can often get an appointment within a few days.
Pro tip: if your employer needs your BSN urgently, tell them. Some employers have HR contacts who can help speed things up, or they can work with a provisional arrangement for the first payroll run.
Can I start working before I have a BSN?
Technically yes — your employer can pay you temporarily using a special code, but it's better to get your BSN first. Some employers won't process your salary without it.
What if I lose my BSN?
It's on your DigiD app, on letters from the Belastingdienst, and on your DigiD correspondence. You can also look it up via MijnOverheid.nl once you have DigiD.
Do I need a Dutch address to register?
If you're staying in the Netherlands, yes — you need proof of address. If you're in temporary accommodation, ask your landlord or Airbnb host for a written statement. Some municipalities accept a hotel address for the first registration.
BSN is just step one. Get the free checklist — everything in the right order. On the next page, enter your email and download the PDF there (instant — not via email).
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