Persons who travel to the Netherlands, especially in relations to work, are often confronted with the so-called BSN number. It is needed, among others, in the case of legal employment in the territory of this country, allowing the employer to pay remuneration and make appropriate contributions. However, it should be emphasised that the BSN also has a broader application. Therefore, in this article, we explain what this number is and what it is used for, as well as how to obtain it.
1. What is BSN and what it is used for?
Burgerservicenummer, BSN for short, constitutes a unique and personal citizen service number which is the Dutch equivalent of the Polish PESEL number. In 2007, it replaced the former Sofi number (sofinummer) and consists of a sequence of digits.
The BSN allows the social and fiscal identification of its holder, and therefore, it facilitates contacts with authorities and institutions in the Netherlands, as well as handling of various formalities. The number in question is needed, among others, in order to obtain and perform legal work, open a bank account in a Dutch bank, receive social benefits or obtain health insurance. Moreover, it can be used, for example, to submit an annual tax return to the Belastingdienst tax office, apply for a DigiD digital identity and even to benefit from healthcare services.
A BSN can only be issued to a given person once and is valid for the entire life of the holder. Therefore, it won’t expire if its holder decides to live outside the Netherlands or plans to return to the Netherlands after a long absence from this country.
2. Method of obtaining a BSN number
A BSN is obligatorily assigned not only to Dutch citizens, but also to foreigners who come to the Netherlands for a period longer than 4 months. However, it may also be issued to persons planning to stay in this country for less than 4 months.
The way to receive a BSN depends on whether a given person intends to live in the Netherlands for a period longer or shorter than 4 months. Obtaining such a number is free, but requires a personal visit to the municipality, which in turn requires making a prior appointment online or by phone.
In the case of a stay in the Netherlands for a period longer than 4 months, it’s necessary to register at a specific address of residence in this country and, at the same time, to make an entry in the BRP Basic Register of Persons (Basisregistratie Personen). Every person registered in the BRP database automatically receives his/her BSN. In order to register in the BRP database, it’s necessary to register at the municipal office with jurisdiction over the place of residence. A visit to the office requires the presentation of, among others:
- an identity document:
- an identity card or
- a passport;
- a document confirming residence in the Netherlands:
- a rental agreement or
- a title deed of the dwelling either
- a declaration from the owner of the property regarding the applicant’s stay at a given address.
In situations where the departure to the Netherlands doesn’t exceed 4 months, for example because it is a seasonal work, or in the event that a given person doesn’t move to this country but intends to work there for more than 4 months, it’s necessary to register as a non-resident in the population register in the database of non-residents RNI (Registratie Niet-Ingezetenen), which is part of the BRP. To do this, the applicant has to go to one of the 19 municipal offices in the Netherlands that have a service point. A list of such offices, along with their contact details, is available on the website Contacting an RNI municipality | NetherlandsWorldwide. After making an appointment, it’s necessary to go to the chosen office on the date indicated and bring a valid identity document.
3. BSN for the benefit partner
It is worth knowing that it’s possible to request for a BSN for a benefit partner using a special form. This option concerns situations when both the applicant and his/her partner live outside the Netherlands or when only the partner lives abroad and the applicant lives in the Netherlands.
The form needed to apply for a BSN for the benefit partner can be downloaded from the website Formulier Verzoek burgerservicenummer voor toeslagpartner (buitenland). The printed and completed application should be sent by post together with the required documents, including, among others, copies of the document confirming the relationship and the identity card or passport of the applicant’s partner. Then, the Ministry of the Interior and the Kingdom will send the applicant a letter with the BSN number for his/her partner.
4. Where to find the BSN?
The BSN appears on such Dutch documents as, for example:
- identity card,
- passport,
- driver licence,
- pay slips,
- annual salary statements,
- health insurance policy.
It’s also possible to check the BSN number, among others, via the MijnOverheid webiste which acts as an electronic mailbox for various government messages. To do this, it’s necessary to log in to the aforementioned website using DigiD (Digitale Identiteit, or so-called digital identity which constitutes the Dutch equivalent of a Polish trusted profile).
5. Legal notice
The study is a work within the meaning of the Act of 4 February 1994 on Copyright and Related Rights (OJ 2006, No. 90, item 631, consolidated text, as amended). Publishing or reproducing this study or its part, quoting opinions, as well as disseminating in any other way the information contained therein without the written consent of Crede sp. z o.o. is prohibited.
