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Citizen Service Number (BSN)

The citizen service number (BSN) is a unique personal number allocated to everyone registered in the Personal Records Database (BRP).  A BSN is required for interactions with Dutch authorities, such as managing health insurance, opening a bank account, pursuing education, handling taxes, and more.

Since you have to set up quite a few things with Dutch authorities upon arrival in the Netherlands, it is important that you acquire your BSN as soon as possible.

In addition, our Payroll department needs your BSN to pay your salary correctly. Without a BSN, we are obliged to apply a higher tax rate to your salary.*

Your BSN will also remain valid when you move abroad. When returning from abroad, you can continue to use the same BSN.

How to register in the BRP?

In this table we offer you a brief overview of how to register in the Personal Records Database. Please follow the instructions that appy to your situation. 

 

Registering in the Personal Records Database
  
Staying in the Netherlands ≥ 4 monthsStaying in the Netherlands ≤ 4 months
  

If you are going to live in hte on of the
municipalities in the South of Limburg,
KCIS can help you with scheduling and
appointments via the Expat Centre for 
the Maastricht Region, with the municipality 
of Maastricht to be registered at that address.

For residence addresses in the rest of the
Netherlands, you will have to contact the
municipality of your choice and arrange an 
appointment through them. 

Please make sure that you register within 5
days after arriving to the Netherlands.

More information on registering in the BRP
can be found via this link.

You will receive your BSN per post at your new 
home address within 3 to 5 working days.

As a non-resident you can apply for a 
BSN via the Registry for non-residents.

The nearest RNI desk to Maastricht is 
located in Heerlen. You will have to make 
an appointment through this link. Choose
activiteit(en) 'BSN aanvraag voor niet 
ingezetenen' under 1.

You can find more information on the RNI
procedure and locations of other RNI
desks through this link.

You will receive your BSN on the spot.

Applying for a BSN is free of charge.

* If you do not have a BSN, our Payroll Department by order of the tax authorities, has to apply a tax rate of 52 % on your salary until they have received your BSN. After your BSN is duly registered in your personnel file, your salary will be corrected retroactively in the following month. Please note that it is not possible to correct your salary if the BSN is not obtained in the same calendar year, e.g. you start working in December but only obtain the BSN in January. Then, you have to receive the correction of the excess taxes paid via your personal tax return.

Useful links:
 Government.nl - BSN
 NetherlandsWorldwide - BSN