Q&A about the BSN

In 2025, as a resident of Bonaire, St. Eustatius, and Saba, you will receive a citizen service number (‘burgerservicenummer’), often abbreviated as BSN. The BSN is your personal number of 9 digits and is linked to your personal data.

What is a citizen service number (‘burgerservicenummer’, BSN)?

The citizen service number (BSN) is a unique and personal number of 9 digits and is linked to your personal data. It is often abbreviated as BSN. It is an important number that helps you to easily arrange your affairs with official authorities.

Why do residents of Bonaire, St. Eustatius, and Saba receive a BSN?

The introduction of the BSN is a first step towards better official services on Bonaire, St. Eustatius, and Saba. At the counters and online. To also arrange your affairs securely online with official authorities in the Caribbean Netherlands in the future, you will need a BSN. With a BSN, you can apply for the DigiD login tool. This is not possible with the personal numbers currently used in the Caribbean Netherlands, e.g. the ID and CRIB numbers. That is why everyone will receive one unique personal number for all official authorities.

Who receives a BSN?

Everyone registered in the population records of the Public Entity of Bonaire, St. Eustatius, and Saba will receive a BSN. All new residents of the Public Entity also receive a BSN upon registration.

When do residents of Bonaire, St. Eustatius, and Saba receive a BSN?

The BSN is introduced in 2025. Everyone is expected to receive a BSN in the second half of 2025. This is possible after the legislation has been amended.

Do I receive a new BSN if I already have one?

No, you do not receive a new BSN. The BSN you already have remains yours. A person can have only one BSN.

Can I continue using my ID and CRIB numbers?

Yes. After the introduction of the BSN, the ID and CRIB numbers will remain in use. The ID number will remain in use for the next few years. So temporarily, you will still keep your ID number, as you are used to.

What is the difference between the ID, CRIB number, and BSN?

The BSN is a personal number without personal information. The ID number includes your date of birth, which is undesirable from the point of view of the protection of your personal data. The CRIB number is the number used by the Tax Office Caribbean Netherlands. With a BSN, you can apply for the DigiD login tool. You can also use the BSN in contact with official authorities and organisations in the European Netherlands. This is not possible with the ID and CRIB numbers.

How do I receive my BSN?

In 2025, you can collect the BSN letter during the BSN collection weeks. You will be informed where and when this can be done later this year. You will receive the letter from the Public Entity where you are registered. Residents who already have a BSN will keep the same number and can also collect a letter.

How do I handle my BSN?

The BSN is your personal number. Keep the BSN safe and do not share it with others for no reason.

What if I do not remember my BSN?

If you have lost or do not remember your BSN, you can ask for it at the counter at Civil Affairs of the Public Entity on your island. With a DigiD, you can also look up the number online via MijnOverheid: MijnOverheid.

Who can use my BSN?

The BSN is primarily intended for contact between residents and the government and government agencies among themselves. The government in the Caribbean Netherlands and European Netherlands can therefore use your BSN. This is stated by law. This applies, for example, to organisations like the Tax Office Caribbean Netherlands and Care and Youth Caribbean Netherlands. Organisations other than the government can only use your BSN if this is stated by law. In the Caribbean Netherlands this has not been regulated yet. Therefore, do not share your BSN with organizations outside the government, even if they ask for it. In healthcare and education, for example, this concerns hospitals, general practitioners, pharmacies, and schools. This also applies, for example, to banks, hotels and suppliers of energy and water.

How do official authorities use my BSN?

Official authorities use the BSN in the processing of personal data. The BSN gives official authorities certainty about the identity of a person and it enables the exchange of data between authorities. A personal number should therefore be unique and personal.

What is DigiD?

A DigiD lets you show online who you are when you log in on to websites of official authorities. It is a secure login tool that allows you to easily arrange your affairs online with official authorities.

Can I apply for a DigiD with a BSN?

Yes, with your BSN you can apply for a DigiD. This can be done online, via www.digid.nl/buitenland.

Can I use my DigiD anywhere?

No, you cannot immediately use your DigiD everywhere. Official authorities on Bonaire, St. Eustatius, and Saba are not connected to DigiD yet. To do this, the systems must first be changed. This takes time. Official authorities in the Caribbean Netherlands are gradually connecting to DigiD, so that in the future you will be able to use online services more and more often. DigiD can, however, be used immediately with official authorities and organisations in the European Netherlands that are connected to DigiD.

Will I be registered in the Dutch Personal Records Database (BRP)?

Yes, everyone who receives a BSN is registered in the BRP. That registration is required to receive a BSN. BRP registration does not replace registration in the population records of Bonaire, St. Eustatius, and Saba.

Does the BSN appear on my new identity card (sédula) or passport?

The BSN will appear on new passports. In due course, the BSN is added to new identity cards (sédula). To add the BSN on identity cards requires modification of the model of the card, adaptation of systems, and distribution of new stocks of blank cards. This takes time. When the BSN appears on new identity cards is not yet known.

Will residents of Aruba, Curacao, and St. Maarten also receive a BSN?

No, residents of Aruba, Curacao, and St. Maarten do not receive a BSN. They are independent countries within the Kingdom. Bonaire, St. Eustatius, and Saba are part of the Netherlands as a Public Entity (special municipality). This means that the legislation that is currently being amended is not going to apply to the countries.