Can I get a BSN without a rental contract?

To register as a resident you need an address where you live and may register, usually shown with a rental contract or a letter from the main occupant. For stays under four months you can register as a non-resident (RNI) instead.

How long after arriving do I need to register?

If you plan to stay more than four months, you must register at your municipality within five days of arriving in the Netherlands.

Does every rental allow registration?

No. Some sublets, holiday rentals and shared homes don't allow it. Always confirm registration is allowed, in writing, before signing.

BSN and registration when renting in the Netherlands: what expats need to know

Expat guide · 29 September 2026 · 5 min read

Dutch municipality building with bicycles parked outside

Without a registration address you can't get a BSN, and without a BSN work, banking and healthcare get complicated. Here is how registration works and why it matters when choosing a rental.

Short answer: if you'll live in the Netherlands for more than four months, you must register at the municipality (gemeente) where you live, usually within five days of arriving. Registration gives you a BSN (citizen service number). To register you need an address where registration is allowed — so always check this before you sign a lease.

What is a BSN?

The BSN (burgerservicenummer) is your personal number for everything official in the Netherlands: your employer and salary, taxes, health insurance, opening a Dutch bank account, seeing a GP and applying for benefits such as the 30% ruling or rent allowance.

Why the registration address matters

Not every rental lets you register. Some landlords don't allow it (for example with certain sublets or holiday rentals), and in some cities the number of people who may register at one address is limited. If you can't register, you can't get a BSN at that address.

Before you sign, always ask: "Can I register at this address with the municipality?" and make sure the answer is in the contract.

How registration works

1. Book an appointment with your municipality (in Amsterdam through the gemeente website; many cities have a special desk for international newcomers).

2. Bring your passport or ID card, your signed rental contract, and — if applicable — a legalised birth certificate.

3. You'll usually receive your BSN at the appointment or by post within a few days.

Staying less than four months? You can register in the RNI (non-residents register) at one of the designated municipalities to get a BSN.

Common mistakes

Signing a lease that doesn't allow registration.
Waiting until you've found your "real" home — your employer, bank and insurer may need your BSN in your first weeks.
Forgetting to deregister when you move to another city or leave the country.

How we help

Every home we propose through RentalHunter is checked for registration before you sign, so you can get your BSN without surprises.

Frequently asked questions

Can I get a BSN without a rental contract?: To register as a resident you need an address where you live and may register, usually shown with a rental contract or a letter from the main occupant. For stays under four months you can register as a non-resident (RNI) instead.
How long after arriving do I need to register?: If you plan to stay more than four months, you must register at your municipality within five days of arriving in the Netherlands.
Does every rental allow registration?: No. Some sublets, holiday rentals and shared homes don't allow it. Always confirm registration is allowed, in writing, before signing.

Written by Sander de Korte, Director of RentalHunter