Citizen service number (BSN) in the Netherlands

In the Netherlands, anyone who registers as a resident in the Personal Records Database (Basisregistratie personen, BRP) automatically receives a citizen service number (burgerservicenummer, BSN). This is a unique personal number, which you use to identify yourself to government agencies. 

As a non-governmental organisation, you may only ask for and record someone’s BSN in your administration if you: 

• are a recognized healthcare provider, to identify a care recipient
• are an educational institution
• need it for your payroll accounts 

Citizen service number of your employees 

If you hire a new employee, you must record their BSN in your payroll accounts. If you are a subcontractor or intermediary, you should communicate your employee’s BSN to the main contractor or client. 

Do you hire a foreign employee without a BSN? Depending on their length of stay, the employee must: 

• register with the Non-residents Records Database (Registratie Niet Ingezetenen, RNI) if they stay for at most 4 months. They will then receive a BSN.
• register in the Personal Records Database (BRP) with their municipality to receive a BSN if they stay for more than 4 months. They may have to apply for a residence permit and/or a work permit as well.

You cannot apply for a BSN for your employee. They must register with the municipality they (will) live in themselves to receive their BSN. 

Citizen service number for healthcare, childcare, and rented homes 

Childcare organisations need to ask parents for their BSN and that of their child for the childcare allowance. Health insurance companies and landlords also need this information for healthcare and rent allowance purposes. 

Healthcare providers, assessment bodies, and health insurance companies use the BSN to exchange medical records of their patients. 

Citizen service number in education 

Schools in the Netherlands must use a personal identification number (persoonsgebonden number, PGN) for their school records. This personal identification number or education number is the same as the BSN. If a student in your school does not have a BSN you can contact DUO for a temporary education number (in Dutch).