BRP Registration in the Netherlands: What It Is and Why It Matters

If you've recently moved to Amsterdam or are planning to, BRP registration is one of the first administrative tasks to sort. It's not complicated, but it's essential, and many newcomers don't realise how many things depend on having it done.

What is BRP registration?

BRP stands for Basisregistratie Personen, the Basic Registration of Persons. It's the national database where every resident of the Netherlands is registered, maintained at the municipal level.

When you register, you receive a BSN (burgerservicenummer), a unique nine-digit citizen service number that functions like a national identification number for all interactions with the Dutch government and most institutions.

Why do you need it?

Almost everything in Dutch administrative life requires a BSN:

Opening a Dutch bank account
Registering with a GP (huisarts)
Taking out health insurance (verplicht if you're working in the Netherlands)
Receiving salary or benefits via payroll
Filing taxes
Applying for housing allowance (huurtoeslag)
Getting a library card, public transport subscription, and many other services

Without a BSN, you're effectively invisible to Dutch institutions. You can rent a room with a temporary contract before you have one, but you'll need it within the first weeks of arriving to function normally.

When do you need to register?

If you plan to live in the Netherlands for more than 4 months, registration is legally required. You should register within 5 working days of moving into your permanent address.

For shorter stays (less than 4 months), you don't need BRP registration, but you also won't receive a BSN, which can be limiting if you need to work or access services during that time.

What do you need to register?

Bring the following to the municipality (gemeente) appointment:

For EU/EEA citizens:

Valid passport or national ID card
Proof of address, a signed rental contract or a letter from your landlord confirming you live at that address (verhuurdersverklaring)
If employed: employer's statement or employment contract
If studying: proof of enrollment from your university

For non-EU citizens:

Valid passport
Valid residence permit (verblijfsvergunning) or MVV (machtiging tot voorlopig verblijf)
Proof of address as above
Birth certificate (may need an apostille or certified translation, check your country's requirements)
In some cases: marriage certificate if registering with a partner

How to make an appointment

In Amsterdam, BRP registration is handled by the Gemeente Amsterdam. You need to book an appointment, walk-ins are not accepted.

Go to: amsterdam.nl/burgerzaken and look for "Inschrijven als nieuwe inwoner" (Register as a new resident). Appointments are usually available within 1–2 weeks.

The appointment itself takes about 15–20 minutes. You'll receive your BSN on the spot (or by post shortly after, depending on the municipality).

What if you don't have a permanent address yet?

This is the most common catch-22 for new arrivals: you need an address to register, but you need a BSN to open a bank account to pay rent. A few options:

Short-term accommodation. If you're staying in a hotel, hostel, or short-stay apartment while you search, you can try to register there, some municipalities allow this, Amsterdam does not for most short-term accommodations.

Employer address. If you have an employer in the Netherlands, they may be able to register you at their business address temporarily while you search for housing. Ask your HR department.

University registration. Many Dutch universities offer temporary registration addresses for incoming international students. Check with your student services office.

RNI registration. If you don't live in the Netherlands but need a BSN for work-related purposes (cross-border workers, etc.), you can register via RNI (Registratie Niet-Ingezetenen) at designated municipalities including Amsterdam.

What happens after registration?

You'll receive:

Your BSN in writing (usually printed at the appointment)
A registration confirmation document

With these in hand, you can:

Open a Dutch bank account (ING, ABN AMRO, Rabobank, or challenger banks like Bunq, Revolut NL)
Register with a GP (most require a BSN for registration)
Take out health insurance if working in the Netherlands
Apply for huurtoeslag (housing benefit) if your income qualifies, see our housing benefit guide

What if you move within Amsterdam?

When you move to a new address, you must update your registration. This is called a verhuizing doorgeven (change of address notification). You can do this online via DigiD (Dutch digital identity service) or in person at the municipality. You have 5 working days from your move date.

Frequently asked questions

Can I rent a room without being registered at the BRP?

Yes, in practice many rooms are rented before the tenant is registered, especially in shared housing. However, you should register as soon as you have a permanent address, both because it's legally required and because you'll need a BSN for everything else.

I registered but haven't received my BSN yet, what now?

In Amsterdam, your BSN is usually confirmed at the appointment itself. If you registered in a different municipality and are waiting by post, it typically arrives within 5 working days. If it hasn't arrived after 2 weeks, contact the municipality directly.

My landlord won't provide a verhuurdersverklaring. What can I do?

This is unfortunately common. A verhuurdersverklaring (landlord declaration) is the standard proof of address, but the municipality also accepts a signed rental contract. If your landlord refuses to provide any documentation, contact Huurteam Amsterdam for advice, they deal with these situations regularly and can advise you on your options.

Does registering affect my privacy?

Your BRP data is accessible to Dutch government bodies and some authorised organisations (your employer, for payroll purposes). It is not publicly searchable by private individuals. You can request a privacy protection (geheimhouding) flag on your registration if you have concerns about your address being disclosed.

I've left the Netherlands, do I need to deregister?

Yes. If you leave permanently or for more than 8 months, you should notify the municipality and deregister (uitschrijven). Staying registered while living abroad can cause complications with tax authorities and benefits systems.