No BRP registration: postal address options

Not being registered in the BRP (Basisregistratie Personen) is a temporary problem for many people: you just moved, you are waiting for a room, you live anti-squat, or you stay temporarily with a friend. But the consequences are bigger than most realise, especially for internationals new to the Dutch system.

This article explains what exactly goes wrong without BRP registration and what options exist to fix it.

What are the consequences of no BRP registration?

The BRP is the official registration of all residents of the Netherlands with their municipality. Without registration, the government treats you as "non-resident", even if you actually live in the municipality.

Concrete consequences:

• No rent allowance (huurtoeslag), healthcare allowance (zorgtoeslag), or childcare allowance (kinderopvangtoeslag): these allowances can only be applied for at a registered address. Read more in our rent allowance guide.
• No DigiD renewal or application: DigiD is linked to your BRP address.
• No local voting rights (for non-Dutch nationals in municipal elections)
• No official correspondence from government agencies that requires a registered address
• Problems with health insurance: some insurers require a registered address before activating coverage
• Problems opening a Dutch bank account: ING, Rabobank, and ABN AMRO all ask for a BRP extract for new account opening
• Problems with employment paperwork: BSN-only setups exist for the first months but for tax filings and payroll registration BRP is needed eventually

For new internationals, the BRP registration is often the bottleneck that delays everything else. Read our full BRP registration guide for internationals to plan the timing.

What is a briefadres and when can you apply for one?

If you have no fixed residential address, you can in some cases apply for a briefadres (postal address) with the municipality. This is an address where you can receive official mail, but it is not a residential address.

A briefadres is intended for specific situations:

• Homeless people without a fixed place to stay
• People in crisis shelters
• People who temporarily stay with someone but have no rental contract
• Anti-squat residents who cannot register at the anti-squat address
• Recently arrived internationals in temporary stays while looking for a permanent place

To request a briefadres you submit an application to the City of Amsterdam (via the website or a service desk). You must demonstrate that you have no other address and that you are physically present in Amsterdam.

Important: the briefadres works for receiving mail and applying for some services, but not all. For rent allowance specifically, you usually need an actual residential address.

Can you register at the address of family or friends?

Yes, if the resident of the address consents. You can temporarily register at the home address of a parent, family member, or friend. This is the easiest and most practical solution when you temporarily have no fixed address.

Advantages:

• You can apply for rent and other allowances
• You receive official mail at a real residential address
• You keep your DigiD active

But: you must be honest about your living situation. If you register at an address but do not actually live there, this can cause problems with allowances (which are calculated based on the registered address). Discuss with a tax advisor (or check with the Belastingdienst directly) if you have doubts.

Also: the people who host you must consent in writing. The municipality may require their cooperation for verification. Some landlords explicitly ban this in rental contracts, which legally is questionable but a real source of conflict.

Can you register at an anti-squat property (antikraak)?

That depends on the anti-squat company and the property owner. Some anti-squat agencies allow registration, others do not. Always ask this before signing an anti-squat contract. Without registration you are left with a briefadres or address at acquaintances.

Major Dutch anti-squat providers (Camelot, Ad Hoc, VPS) usually do allow BRP registration in 2026 since the new anti-squat regulations were updated. But verify in writing per individual property.

What if you are renting informally without a contract?

Some tenants live "informally", without a rental contract, with a friend or acquaintance. In that case registration is harder but not impossible. The resident of the official address must consent to registration.

But: without a rental contract you also have no eviction protection. A structural informal living arrangement is fragile. We strongly recommend formalising even a simple sub-lease agreement on paper, which protects both you and the host.

What do you need to do if you want to change your BRP address?

When moving, you must give your new address to the municipality within 5 days of moving in. You do this online via the municipal website or at a service desk. You need your rental contract or proof of ownership for this.

When moving to Amsterdam: check if you can register via the Gemeente Amsterdam website. In some cases you can also log in with DigiD and arrange it digitally. For internationals from outside the EU, the first registration requires an in-person appointment at the Stadsloket and an immigration paperwork check.

Special note for international students arriving in Amsterdam

Internationals often arrive with temporary accommodation (hostel, Airbnb, short-stay) and then look for a longer-term room. The BRP gap during this transition is real. To minimise it:

1. Try to find a hostel or Airbnb host willing to let you register there even for two weeks. Many do not, but some do, especially smaller B&B owners
2. Apply for a briefadres at the Stadsloket as soon as you have a clear plan to be in Amsterdam for >4 months
3. Bring an extract from your home country municipality (Belarus calls it propiska, Italy uses certificato di residenza, etc) when going to the Stadsloket: it speeds things up
4. Book your BRP appointment online before you arrive. Slots in Amsterdam can be three to four weeks out in peak season

Our moving to the Netherlands checklist covers the broader sequence.

How Huismaatje helps

A core reason internationals struggle with BRP is that they cannot register at the first place they stay. Through our room platform for Amsterdam we list rooms where landlords explicitly allow registration in the listing description, so you can filter for them. Start a profile or browse rooms on the map and filter for "BRP registration allowed".

Frequently asked questions

How long am I allowed to be without BRP registration?

Officially you must register within 5 days of moving in. In practice this is not strictly enforced for short gaps, but the consequences fall on you: you miss allowances and official mail.

Can I claim rent allowance retroactively over a period without registration?

No. Rent allowance is always based on your registered address during the relevant period. You cannot apply for rent allowance retroactively over a period without a BRP address. This is a hard cut-off.

What if my landlord refuses to let me register at their address?

Formally a landlord cannot forbid this if you actually live at the address. If you have a rental contract and live there permanently, you have the right to register. If the landlord obstructs, you can file a notification with the municipality. Some social housing corporations have explicit anti-blocking rules.

Is a PO box (postbus) an alternative to BRP?

No. A PO box at a post office or commercial provider does not count as a BRP address. Only a residential address (a home) or an official briefadres from the municipality counts.

What are the costs of a briefadres?

Requesting a briefadres at the City of Amsterdam is free. It is a municipal service. Commercial "domicile addresses" (for businesses or postal-address services) are something else entirely and do not count as BRP briefadres.

Can my employer require BRP registration before paying me?

In the first three to four months, employers can usually pay you on BSN alone. After that, payroll often requires a BRP address for tax purposes. Get registered before this becomes a problem, or your salary may be held back.