BSN, RNI & DigiD explained

If you are moving to, working in, or staying in the Netherlands, you will quickly come across three essential terms: BSN, RNI, and DigiD.

These are the foundation of almost all official and administrative processes in the Netherlands.

Understanding how they are connected — and which one applies to your situation — is crucial to avoid delays, mistakes and unnecessary stress.

A BSN (Citizen Service Number) is your personal identification number in the Dutch system. It is issued by the Dutch authorities and used by government institutions, employers, healthcare providers and banks.

Why a BSN is important

You need a BSN to:

  • Work legally in the Netherlands
  • Arrange health insurance
  • Open a bank account
  • Apply for DigiD
  • Pay taxes and apply for benefits
  • Register with healthcare providers

Without a BSN, many essential services are not possible.

There are two different ways to obtain a BSN, depending on your situation:

  • Through municipality registration (BRP)
  • Through RNI registration (for non-residents)

Choosing the correct option is very important.

  • Stay in the Netherlands for less than 4 months, or
  • Do not yet have a permanent Dutch address, or
  • Live abroad but need a BSN for work or official matters

With an RNI registration, you also receive a BSN, but your status is different from someone fully registered at a municipality.

Many people are confused by the difference between:

  • A BSN through RNI
  • A BSN through full municipality registration

This confusion often leads to problems later, especially when:

  • Applying for DigiD
  • Arranging healthcare or benefits
  • Changing from temporary to permanent residence

Understanding this early helps prevent delays and complications.

Why do you need DigiD?

You need DigiD to:

  • Communicate with government authorities
  • Manage healthcare and health insurance matters
  • Apply for allowances and benefits
  • Access tax services
  • Receive and respond to official letters

Without DigiD, important information and deadlines can easily be missed.

These three elements are closely linked:

  • You need a BSN to apply for DigiD
  • Your registration type (RNI or municipality) affects how DigiD works
  • Incorrect registration can cause DigiD delays or rejection

That is why it is important that everything is set up correctly from the start.

How we help with BSN, RNI and DigiD

We provide professional guidance tailored to your situation, without unnecessary complexity.

What you can expect from our support:

  • Clear explanation of which registration applies to you
  • Guidance through BSN or RNI registration
  • Support with DigiD application and activation
  • Help when something goes wrong or causes delays
  • Clear communication in English, Spanish, Romanian and Polish

We guide you step by step — without overwhelming details — so everything is handled correctly.

We do not issue BSN numbers or DigiD ourselves.

These are handled by Dutch authorities.

Our role is to provide clear guidance, support and communication, helping you avoid mistakes, stress and unnecessary costs.

We help reduce uncertainty, confusion and unnecessary stress by guiding you through the process clearly and correctly.

Small mistakes can cause delays, fines or lost access to essential services. Professional guidance helps you get it right from the start.

Many internationals experience issues such as:

  • Applying for the wrong type of registration
  • Delays due to incorrect address information
  • Not receiving DigiD activation letters
  • Confusion about next steps

Small mistakes can have a big impact on work, healthcare and finances.

Our team is here to support you with clear guidance tailored to your situation.

 👉 Get help with BSN, RNI & DigiD