01Choose the registration route by length of stay
If you plan to live in the Netherlands for more than four months, Government.nl directs you to register as a resident with the municipality within five days of arrival. For a shorter stay or while living abroad, check non-resident registration in the RNI. Both registration routes can provide a BSN, the personal number used in dealings with Dutch public bodies.
Document requirements and appointment availability vary by registration location and circumstances. Check the municipality or RNI desk for your route rather than relying on someone else’s generic list.
02DigiD is for online identification, not a substitute for documents
DigiD lets you identify yourself when using participating government and other services online. The standard application lists a BSN, an address registered with a Dutch municipality and a phone. An activation code is sent to that address. If you live abroad or do not have a permanent Dutch address, check DigiD’s separate instructions for your situation.
Your login, password and activation code are personal. Do not give them to the portal, an intermediary or a service provider. If someone needs to help with online matters, use the official authorisation route instead of sharing access to your DigiD.
03Use the IND for residence questions
Having a BSN or DigiD does not by itself establish a right to live or work in the Netherlands. The IND explains different residence grounds, renewals and changes of residence purpose. Use the information for your own nationality and situation rather than assuming someone else’s route applies.
If you already hold a permit and your circumstances change, check with the IND whether you must report the change or follow a different process. Use the current page for the specific application to confirm forms, timing and evidence.
04Arrange a bank account as a separate application
Banks have their own identification and application checks. Ask the chosen provider which identity documents, address information and tax details it needs for your circumstances. A BSN or municipal registration does not by itself guarantee approval for a particular account.
Compare the regular fee, payment card, international transfers, access to support and the country of the deposit guarantee scheme. If you cannot obtain a regular personal account, Rijksoverheid explains when a basic payment account may be available. LiveInNL does not accept bank applications or send documents to a bank.
05Find the authority for each other task
Dienst Toeslagen deals with benefits, KVK with business registration, and RDW and the municipality have roles in exchanging a foreign driving licence. There is no single application for all these matters. Direct official routes appear below this article.
LiveInNL is not a government body, does not collect documents and cannot book an appointment. Before sending personal information, check the official website address and the purpose of its form.