Citizen Service Number – what is it and where do I find it?
If you are registered in a Municipality in the Netherlands, you have a Citizen Service Number also known as Burgerservicenummer (BSN).
What is a Citizen Service Number?
The Citizen Service Number (BSN) is a unique personal number for anyone who has contact with the Dutch government. Government organisations use your BSN to find your details. This means you don't have to give your details every time. The government also uses the BSN to fight fraud and to help protect your privacy.
Where can I find my BSN?
Your can find your BSN in the following documents:
- your passport
- your identity card
- your driving licence
- your health insurance card from a Dutch insurer
- the tax return letter or tax assessment (for example, for income tax) that you receive from us
You can also find your BSN in MijnOverheid. To do this, first log in using your DigiD, a personal digital ID that allows you to access government services online.
How do I apply for a BSN?
If you do not have a BSN, you will receive one when you register with a Dutch municipality. A municipality is the local government in a city or town that handles services such as registration, housing, and civil matters.
If you do not live in the Netherlands, you can apply for a BSN at a municipality with a Non-residents Registration desk. In Dutch, this is called the loket Registratie Niet-ingezetenen (RNI).
In some cases, you can apply for a BSN using the form ‘Application for a Citizen Service Number’. The form explains in which situations you can use it.
Which number does your business get in the Netherlands?
Your business will receive either a BSN or a Legal Entities and Partnerships Information Number (RSIN).
RSIN is short for the Dutch term: Rechtspersonen en Samenwerkingsverbanden Informatienummer.
The number you get depends on the legal form of your business.