What is a BSN?

Everyone in the Netherlands has a registration number: the citizen service number or so-called BSN. Every Dutch citizens automatically receives their BSN at birth, while those arriving in the Netherlands need to apply for one. You always require a BSN to work, open a bank account, use a healthcare facility (doctor or hospital), apply for benefits or allowances and to receive your salary. If you don’t have a BSN when you arrive in the Netherlands, SBA Flex will help you with the application and with collecting it from the municipality.