How do I apply for a Citizen Service Number for myself or another heir living abroad?

First, check whether you already have a Citizen Service Number (BSN). If you live, work or have worked in the Netherlands before, you usually have one.

You can find your BSN on one of these documents:

• your Dutch passport, identity card or driving licence
• an income tax assessment (aanslag inkomstenbelasting) or a tax return letter (aangiftebrief) you received from us
• your Dutch pay slip (loonstrook), annual statement (jaaropgaaf), health insurance card (zorgpas), or health insurance policy (zorgpolis)

Do you have DigiD? Check your BSN in MijnOverheid.

Do you not have a BSN?

Please send us a letter with the following information:

• the reason why you need the BSN (for example: 'filing an inheritance tax return')
• your address details abroad
• the telephone number or email address where we can reach you if we have questions
• a copy of valid proof of identity
• a (copy of the) certificate of residence (verblijfsoverzicht or woonplaatsverklaring) from your country of residence —  written in Dutch, German, or English

Can I apply for a BSN for someone else who does not live in the Netherlands?

Yes, you can. First, check whether they already have a BSN. Ask them to look it up in their own paperwork or on MijnOverheid.

If they don't have one, you can apply for a BSN for them. But the person must give you written permission to do this. The permission must include the date and their signature.

You also need to send a copy of that person’s ID or passport with your letter.

Other than that, the process is the same as explained before. However, we need the address and other details of the person you are applying for. So, whenever we say ‘you’ or ‘your’, in this case it means their details.

We will send the BSN to the person for whom you applied.

Where do I send my letter?

You can send your letter to the following address:

Belastingdienst
Postbus 29
6400 AA Heerlen
The Netherlands

How long does it take for the BSN to arrive?

It may take some time. Once we have received your application, it will take about 8 weeks before you (or the other person) receive the BSN.