All international students need to register in the municipality of the city they study in (the city hall) upon arrival. We recommend you arrange this as soon as you arrive in the Netherlands (but not before) as you will then be issued with a citizen service number (BSN) and you will need this for official paperwork like opening a Dutch bank account. NB: you need to get an additional form from the City Hall to open a bank account.
You can get more information on the BSN on this website.
For more information on the different ways of getting your BSN number, refer below to the specific information for the student city you will be studying in.
Please bring 2 copies (you will need to hand them in) and show the originals of the following documents:
- Passport or ID card
- Rental contract of your student room/house
- Original birth certificate with the official translation (if it’s not in Dutch or English)
- NHL Stenden letter of admission (received by email during the application process)
Non-EU students will also need to present a copy of their AON health insurance policy.
If you do not show up for your appointment, it may take another 2 to 4 weeks for your BSN to be processed.
Registration City Hall different campus locations
You can register on the Leeuwarden Campus from 17 August till 11 September (Rengerslaan 8, room 0.18), you will receive your BSN directly during your appointment.
You can also register online for an appointment at the city hall in Leeuwarden (note it will take a few days before you receive your BSN number):
You need to make an appointment online for the City Hall. Use your NHL Stenden email address when you register. If you have made an appointment but are then unable to attend, you will need to cancel the appointment before you make a new one. Once you have made an appointment, you will receive a confirmation email from the City Hall. Keep this email safe as you can use it to cancel and change your appointment time and you will need to present it at your appointment.
Gemeente Leeuwarden
Oldehoofsterkerkhof 2
Leeuwarden
You can register at the city hall in Emmen:
Gemeente Emmen
Raadhuisplein 1
7811 AP Emmen
Opening times: Mon-Fri, 8:30-16:30 (Thursday till 19:00)
Walk-in hours: from 28 July on Tuesday and Thursday from 1 pm - 4 pm. You can make an appointment at the city hall’s information desk. If you need assistance with making an appointment by phone, please ask a member of staff from student info.
Once you’re registered, you’ll receive your citizen service number (BSN). This is your personal number and will be used by government, healthcare, financial and educational organisations. It’s a good idea to let the member of staff at the municipality know that you are a student and that you need your BSN number as soon as possible in order to be able to open a Dutch bank account.
You can register at the city hall in Meppel:
Gemeente Meppel
Grote Oever 26
7941 BJ Meppel
Opening times: Mon-Fri from 8:30-17:00 (Friday until 20:00)
You can make an appointment at the city hall’s information desk. If you need assistance with making an appointment by phone, please ask a member of staff from student info.
Once you’re registered, you’ll receive your citizen service number (BSN). This is your personal number and will be used by government, healthcare, financial and educational organisations. It’s a good idea to let the member of staff at the municipality know that you are a student and that you need your BSN number as soon as possible in order to be able to open a Dutch bank account.