APPLY FOR A BSN NUMBER IN THE NETHERLANDS

WHAT IS THE BSN NUMBER?

The BSN number is required for you to be able to start a job in the Netherlands. The BSN is also necessary to have for a lot of other things, such as: when opening a bank account, declaring income tax or other tax related matters, arranging your health insurance, apply for Dutch benefits and so on.

Safe to say this BSN number is an important one to organize upon arriving to the Netherlands.

COSTS OF THE BSN IN THE NETHERLANDS

There are no costs in getting a Dutch citizen service number. You must however make an appointment with the city hall to register for a BSN.

HOW TO GET A CITIZEN SERVICE NUMBER IN THE NETHERLANDS

You will receive a citizen service number when registering with the municipality (known as gemeente) within the city that you will be resident. Usually this registration can be done at the city hall, known as the gemeentehuis.

Do keep in mind that having a BSN in the Netherlands, does not automatically give you permission to work in the Netherlands and does not equal to a work permit. Depending on your home country, you may need to apply for this separately.

You are a so-called ‘non-resident’, if you are staying in the Netherlands for less than 4 months. Although you are not resided in the Netherlands permanently, you have to deal with the Dutch government, as you need to register as a non-resident. You can do this with a municipality that has a special registration facility. After registration, you will receive a BSN directly.