Burgers Service Nummer (BSN)
Why do you need a BSN?
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The citizen service number makes it easier for public authorities to exchange information without making errors. You need a BSN when you want to communicate with hospitals, benefit agencies and apply for a job and tax waivers.
If you want more information you can look on the website https://www.belastingdienst.nl/wps/wcm/connect/bldcontenten/belastingdienst/individuals/other_subjects/citizen_service_number/
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Basic Information for International Students
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When you register with a municipality, for example The Hague, you will receive a citizen service number if you did not possess a social security and tax number before. This is often the case with international students. Thus if you as an international student do not have your citizen service number yet, you need to register with the municipality as soon as possible because then you will receive it within approximately two weeks. There are also special days organized by universities including LUC, on which you can register without going to the municipality. When and where these register days will be organized can be found on this website according to the municipality.
https://www.denhaag.nl/en/moving-and-immigration/moving-to-the-hague-from-abroad/registration-procedures-for-international-students.htm
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You need to make an appointment to register with the municipality. When you register with a municipality, you will automatically be registered in the ‘basic registration for persons’ (BRP). However, the process of registration with a municipality differs slightly between international students. Here we will outline step by step how you need to apply for an appointment and what you need to bring based on the country from which you arrive in the Netherlands.
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For Dutch
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Dutch citizens used to have a social security and tax number before 26 November 2007. These are since then converted into one citizen service number. The BSN thus consists of the same digits as the previous number. If you were registered with a Dutch municipality on 26 November 2007, you did not have to do anything yourself. Your tax and social security number were automatically converted into your citizen service number.
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For EU/EER or Swiss students
Students from EU/EER-countries or Swiss
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If you do not have Dutch nationality, you need to register with the municipality The Hague at the establishment in Centrum.
You need to bring a legal document to the appointment with the municipality to identify yourself such as your ID or passport (not a driver’s license) and you need to bring proof of residence for example your housing contract.