Citizen Service Number (BSN)

You will find your BSN on your Dutch passport (under 'persoonsnummer'), identity card or driving licence. It also appears on:

• your tax return and tax bill from the tax authority;
• your salary slip and the annual statement you receive from your employer or income support agency.

The government, care agencies, education institutions and the tax authority all use your BSN in their administration and communications. You can read more about the BSN at rijksoverheid.nl.

If your stay in the Netherlands is shorter than 4 months, but there are affairs you wish to manage with the Dutch government, register as non-resident. You can do this in Eindhoven, or in another municipality which has a counter for non-residents (RNI).

If you will be staying for longer than 4 months, you must register within 5 days of your arrival, in the municipality where you will be living. You will automatically be issued with a BSN.

If you will be living in Eindhoven, you must register, in person, at the appropriate counter at Residents' Plaza (in the Stadskantoor). If you have a partner and/or children with you, they too must register, in person, at Residents' Plaza (in the Stadskantoor). Phone us at 14 040 to make an appointment.

Yes, certainly. If you live abroad and need a BSN in order to manage affairs with the Dutch government. For example, with the belastingdienst.nl to apply for supplements or to apply for a BSN for your partner. Or with the svb.nl (Sociale Verzekeringsbank) if you wish to apply for your AOW pension. You will find more information about this at rijksoverheid.nl.

The letter 'O' never appears in the number of a Dutch identity document. If there is an '0' in your number, it is always the digit zero.