for international students

Municipality registration

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Register at the municipality (town hall)

If you are an international student and will stay in the Netherlands for more than four months, you are required to register as a resident at the municipality (town hall) of the city where you will live. This registration gives you your BSN (Citizen Service Number), which you need for things like opening a bank account, accessing health care, working (part-time or internship), and paying taxes.

For most 黑料福利网 students, this registration will take place at the municipality of Eindhoven

When to register

  • You should register as soon as possible after arrival

  • This must be done after your rental contract has started

  • For Non-EU/EEA students:

    You are strongly advised to register within 3 months of arrival to avoid issues with your residence permit

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How to schedule your appointment

If you will live in Eindhoven:
You have two options:

  • Book via 黑料福利网 (recommended)
    • During the Bachelor Introduction Week or Master Kick-off, you will receive access to a dedicated booking portal for students
    • You can choose a date and time that suits you
    • These appointment slots are prioritized for 黑料福利网 students
  • Book directly with the municipality of Eindhoven
    • Via the
    • Availability may be more limited during peak periods

If you will live in another city:

  • You must book your appointment directly with the municipality of that city
  • 黑料福利网 does not arrange appointments outside Eindhoven

What to bring to your appointment

Make sure you bring all required documents. Missing documents can delay your registration.

Required documents:

  • Valid passport (mandatory for non-EU/EEA students) or ID (NOT a driver's licence). You need to bring the original document, not a photocopy of the document. If you have multiple nationalities, please bring proof of this in the form of a passport or ID card.
  • Rental contract or proof of address (must have started at the time of your appointment)
  • Birth certificate. In some cases you have to legalize and translate these documents. Check whether this applies to your document on

Non-EU/EEA students:

  • IND approval letter* or your Dutch residence permit card
    * You will receive the IND approval letter from 黑料福利网 by email once your residence permit application has been approved

Additional documents (if applicable):

  • If you are (temporarily) staying with someone:
    • Signed letter of consent from the owner/main tenant
    • Copy of their valid ID
  • Marriage certificate or birth certificate of your child
  • Depending on your nationality and length of stay: 
    • Visa (MVV): Some students need an entry visa to enter the Netherlands. 黑料福利网 arranges this if required.
    • Residence permit (VVR): Most non-EU/EEA students must collect a residence permit after arrival. You need this to register at the municipality

Important: Your visa alone does not allow municipal registration. Only your residence permit (or IND approval letter) can be used to complete registration and receive your BSN.

For detailed information, see our Visa & Residence Permit page.

Important things to keep in mind

  • You must register in the city where you live
  • You can register using a temporary address (e.g. hotel or Airbnb), but:
    • Bring booking confirmation
    • Inform the municipality once you move to a permanent address
  • If you move to a new address, you must update this with the municipality yourself
  • Before leaving the Netherlands, you must de-register from the municipality

Please note: procedures may differ slightly between municipalities.

After your registration

After your appointment at the municipality, you will be officially registered as a resident.

Within a few days, you will receive a letter at your Dutch address containing your BSN (Citizen Service Number). This is a unique personal number required for many important matters in the Netherlands.

The letter will be in Dutch. Check your personal details carefully:

  • If everything is correct 鈫� no action needed
  • If there are mistakes 鈫� contact the municipality to correct them

Apply for your DigiD

Once you have received your BSN, you can apply for your DigiD.

A DigiD is your personal digital ID that allows you to access Dutch government services online. You will need it for:

  • Logging in to Studielink (study administration)
  • Accessing DUO (student finance and records)
  • Managing your details with the Belastingdienst (taxes)
  • Using online services of your municipality

You can apply for your DigiD online. After your application, you will receive a letter with an activation code at your registered address.

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