BSN for international students in Amsterdam: how to apply

A BSN (Burgerservicenummer, Citizen Service Number) is required for almost everything in the Netherlands: opening a bank account, taking out health insurance, getting a phone contract, or starting a part-time job. Without a BSN you are stuck. But applying for a BSN as an international student works differently than for Dutch nationals, and waiting times for an appointment at the Amsterdam municipality can run to several weeks, so start early.

This guide explains how to navigate the BSN process as smoothly as possible, what documents you need, and what to do if your BSN takes longer than your study schedule allows.

Why do I even need a BSN?

The Citizen Service Number is your unique identifier with the Dutch government. It is used by the tax office, health insurer, banks, employers, and DUO (for student finance). Practically: without a BSN you cannot open an account at most Dutch banks (some online banks let you start without one), you cannot take out health insurance if you work in the Netherlands, and you cannot legally start a part-time job.

For students staying less than 4 months, there is the RNI (Non-Residents Records Database). This gives you a BSN without full BRP registration, practical if you are only here for an exchange semester. For everyone else: the BRP route is the only way.

How does BRP registration work step by step?

Registration in the BRP starts with an online appointment at the Amsterdam municipality via amsterdam.nl. Select "First registration in the Netherlands". You pick an appointment slot at one of the city offices. Wait times differ per location, so it can pay to check several offices.

During the appointment the staff member checks your documents, scans your passport, and asks for your residential address. You usually receive a paper with your BSN right after the appointment. The official confirmation follows by post later.

Important: you must actually live at the address you give. The municipality may carry out checks by visiting or calling your landlord. Registering at an address where you do not actually live is not allowed and may lead to your registration being reversed. If you have no address yet, read about your options without BRP registration.

Which documents do I need?

For a successful BRP appointment you always need:

Valid passport or EU ID card
Rental contract or written permission from your hospita
Proof of enrolment at a Dutch educational institution (UvA, VU, HvA, AUC, etc.)
For non-EU/EEA students: residence permit or proof that the IND application is in progress
Birth certificate (legalised or with an apostille, if the municipality requires it for your country)

That last one trips up many international students. The birth certificate must come from your country of origin, sometimes translated to English or Dutch by a sworn translator, and officially legalised (apostille or consular legalisation). For some countries this process takes weeks. Check the requirements on amsterdam.nl and start before you leave.

For students from countries that signed the Apostille Convention (most European countries, US, Japan, Australia), an apostille is enough. For other countries you need consular legalisation at the Dutch consulate in your country.

What if the wait time is too long?

Wait times at the Amsterdam municipality can run to several weeks, especially around the start of the academic year. That is a problem if your study starts soon and you still need to arrange basics. A few options:

Option 1: another city office. Wait times differ per office. An office a metro ride away may have an earlier slot.

Option 2: RNI registration. If you are staying less than four months, or are not yet sure, you can register in the RNI at one of the designated RNI counters (check the government website for locations). You get a BSN, but no full BRP registration.

Option 3: special registration days via your university. Some universities work with the municipality to register international students quickly at the start of the academic year. Ask your International Office whether this applies to you.

Option 4: a bank that lets you start without a BSN. Some banks let you open an account before you have a BSN and add it later. Check the conditions with the bank, so you can already pay rent and buy groceries.

Registering without a rental contract, is that possible?

Many international students stay in an Airbnb or a short-term sublet while looking for a permanent room. That creates a problem at BRP: without a valid rental contract in your name you cannot register.

Three valid routes if you do not yet have a contract:

Permission letter from main resident. If you are temporarily staying with a friend or family member, that main resident can sign a permission letter allowing you to register at their address. Form available on amsterdam.nl.
Hospita contract. A hospita renting you a room is often willing to sign a simple written contract for BRP purposes, even for shorter rentals.
Student housing. DUWO, Lieven de Key and Studentenwoningweb provide standard contracts that the municipality accepts.

What does NOT work: Airbnb confirmations, hostel reservations, or "I am crashing at a friend's" without a written letter. The municipality does not accept these.

What happens after BRP registration?

After BRP registration and receiving your BSN you can:

Take out health insurance. Mandatory within 4 months of registration if you start working. If you only study (no part-time job, no paid internship), an international student insurance is often cheaper and sufficient.
Open a bank account at ING, Rabobank, ABN. You can now choose any Dutch bank.
Apply for DigiD. For access to the tax office, municipal portals and your health insurer. The activation code arrives by post.
Find a part-time job. With a BSN and health insurance you can start working. For non-EU students extra conditions apply, including a limit on weekly working hours during the academic year; check with your employer and the IND.
Get a postpaid phone contract. Most providers ask for a BSN.

Rent allowance (huurtoeslag) is generally only available for self-contained housing, so with a room where you share the kitchen or bathroom you usually do not qualify. Budget for your room without it; our cost guide for renting a room in Amsterdam helps you plan.

Frequently asked questions

How long does it take to get a BSN after the appointment?

You usually receive your BSN right after the appointment on a paper slip. The official confirmation follows by post later. In practice you can use your BSN from the day of the appointment to open a bank account, for example.

Can I apply for a BSN before arriving in the Netherlands?

No, BRP registration requires personal appearance at a municipality. RNI registration also requires personal appearance, at one of the RNI counters.

What if my birth certificate is not legalised when I arrive?

Then you cannot register yet. Request a legalised birth certificate from your country of origin before you leave. If you are already in the Netherlands without a legalised certificate, you need to apply via the Dutch consulate in your country, this takes weeks to months.

Do I really need a rental contract or do they accept an Airbnb?

An Airbnb reservation is not accepted for BRP. You need a real rental contract or a permission letter from the main resident. A rental contract for a room you found via Huismaatje, for example with a hospita, or a contract from a student housing provider is sufficient.

What if I stay less than 4 months, do I still need BRP?

No, registration in the RNI (Non-Residents Records Database) at an RNI counter is enough then. You still get a BSN, but no full registration. Practical for one-semester exchanges.

Can I deregister when I leave?

Yes, and it is mandatory if you move abroad. Deregister at the Amsterdam municipality around your departure date (check amsterdam.nl for the exact timing). If you do not, you remain officially registered and can keep receiving letters and assessments, for example from the tax office.

Applying for a BSN seems bureaucratic but is manageable if your documents are in order. Start the process as early as possible, preferably a month before your studies begin. Our guide to finding a student room in Amsterdam helps with the housing side, and you can create a free profile on Huismaatje to find a permanent room early, so your BRP registration can happen at one definitive address rather than having to move twice.