---
title: "BSN Registration in the Netherlands: Complete Guide"
description: "Learn how to get a BSN in the Netherlands, register with your municipality, understand RNI rules, prepare documents, and book your appointment."
url: "https://www.relocify.nl/a/bsn-municipal-registration-netherlands"
---
[Relocify Wiki](https://www.relocify.nl/wiki)

# BSN (Municipal Registration)
Learn how to get a BSN in the Netherlands, register with your municipality, understand RNI registration, prepare the required documents, and arrange your appointment.

Written by Hasan Updated 1 month ago 3 min read

Everyone living in the Netherlands must have a citizen service number, often referred to as a BSN (burgerservicenummer). You’ll need one to work, receive your salary, open a [**bank account**](https://app.relocify.nl/dox/essentials/banking#opening-bank-account), arrange health insurance, visit a doctor or hospital, or apply for benefits.

In addition, if you leave the Netherlands and later return, you’ll keep the same citizen service number when you re-register with the municipality. International newcomers need to apply for a BSN when they arrive in the Netherlands.

> 💡 Keep in mind that the appointment date can be later than your arrival in the Netherlands due to overload work at the municipality and the IN Amsterdam.

You can still receive your salary through an [**anonymous rate scheme**](https://www.administratie-informatie.nl/anoniementarief) (het anoniementarief) while waiting for your BSN. Under this tax arrangement, your salary might be lower than expected until you receive your BSN, but you can receive back the difference a year after when submitting your [**tax return**](https://app.relocify.nl/dox/work/taxes).

## **RNI**
If you move to the Netherlands for no more than 4 months, you can register as a **non-resident** in the [**Non-residents Record Database**](https://www.government.nl/topics/personal-data/question-and-answer/how-i-can-register-in-the-non-residents-records-database) (RNI) in [**19 RNI-municipalities**](https://www.government.nl/topics/personal-data/question-and-answer/how-i-can-register-in-the-non-residents-records-database) and receive your BSN. Therefore, the BSN you will receive under the RNI will be for a [**short staying**](https://www.government.nl/documents/leaflets/2018/07/01/registration-for-a-short-term-stay-in-the-netherlands) in the Netherlands.

> 💡 Non-resident BSN is a limited version of BSN and while it allows you to open a bank account or receive a salary, you won't be able to get the insurance with it for example.

### **How we work**
We will schedule a BSN appointment for you as soon as we start your relocation process. We partner with **IN Amsterdam** - the city of Amsterdam's initiative for newcomers, so we can directly book BSN appointments for you in their system. Once we have your appointment, we will send you the confirmation email, including the list of necessary documents you will have to bring.

IN Amsterdam is an expat center that allows you to receive both your residence permit card and your BSN. If you want to schedule your BSN appointment on your own, feel free to do so. In that case, you need to call the municipality in the city you will live in.

> 💡 Keep in mind that if you schedule your BSN appointment at the municipality, you will have to pick up your residence permit card at IND.

It is not possible to make an appointment online, so you need to call with the municipality. Monday to Friday from 08.00 to 18.00, you can call the following numbers:

[**Amsterdam Municipality**](https://www.amsterdam.nl/en/civil-affairs/first-registration/): **14 020** or **+31 20 624 1111** if you are calling from abroad

[**Utrecht Municipality**](https://www.utrecht.nl/city-of-utrecht/registration/registering-from-abroad): **14 030** or **+31 30 286 00 00** if you are calling from abroad

[**Den Haag Municipality**](https://www.denhaag.nl/en/moving-and-immigration/bsn-and-registration-as-a-non-resident-of-the-netherlands-rni.htm): **14 070** or **+31 70 353 30 00** if you are calling from abroad

[**Rotterdam Municipality**](https://www.rotterdam.nl/en/first-registration-in-the-netherlands): **14 010** or **+31 10 267 16 25** if you call from abroad

Once your appointment is scheduled, the municipality will send you a confirmation email, including the list of the documents you need to bring.

# Den Hague
To schedule a BSN appointment in The Hague, you must visit the city hall in person for the initial registration. For detailed instructions on what documents to bring, please refer to the municipality’s website. Additionally, you can use the green button on the website to make an appointment online.

- [EU/EEA and Swiss citizens](https://www.denhaag.nl/en/moving-and-immigration/1st-brp-registration-for-eu-eea-and-swiss-nationals-coming-from-abroad-you-do-not-have-a-bsn/)
- [With residence permit](https://www.denhaag.nl/en/moving-and-immigration/1st-brp-registration-when-coming-from-abroad-with-residence-permit-you-do-not-have-a-bsn/)
- [Highly skilled migrants and scientific researchers](https://www.denhaag.nl/en/moving-and-immigration/brp-registration-for-highly-skilled-migrants-and-scientific-researchers-coming-from-abroad/)

Appointment can be made via the phone as well by calling **14070** or from abroad **+31 70 353 30 00.**

Read also

[Banking](https://www.relocify.nl/a/banking-in-the-netherlands) [Health insurance](https://www.relocify.nl/a/health-insurance-in-the-netherlands) [Taxes & Social Security](https://www.relocify.nl/a/taxes-and-social-security)