The RNI contains the information of people who live abroad and have dealings with the Dutch authorities. You can also register with the RNI if you will be staying in the Netherlands for less than four months, for example for work, study or an internship.
The RNI is part of the Personal Records Database (BRP). Everyone who is registered in the RNI has a citizen service number (BSN).
There are 4 ways to become registered in the RNI.
- You move from the Netherlands to another country
- You move to Bonaire, St Eustatius or Saba
- You live outside the Netherlands and register at an RNI desk
- You live outside the Netherlands and a government organisation registers you
You move from the Netherlands to another country
If you move from Netherlands to another country, you must deregister from your municipality. The municipality will then transfer your data to the RNI. Your citizen service number (BSN) will remain valid. If you deregistered from a municipality in the Netherlands before 1 October 1994, your data was not transferred to the RNI.
Find out how to deregister from your municipality
You move to Bonaire, St Eustatius or Saba
If you are moving to the Caribbean part of the Netherlands and you are not yet registered in the RNI, your information will be recorded in the RNI when you register with the population affairs department on the island where you will be living.
As of 11 November 2025, all residents of Bonaire, St Eustatius and Saba are registered in the RNI and has a BSN.
Read more about the BSN in Bonaire, St Eustatius and Saba on the website of the National Office for the Caribbean Netherlands.
You live outside the Netherlands and register at an RNI desk
If you live outside the Netherlands and need a BSN, you can register in one of the 19 municipalities in the Netherlands with an RNI desk. You can also register at an RNI desk if you will be in the Netherlands for less than 4 months, for example for work, study or an internship.
How can I register in the RNI?
You live outside the Netherlands and a government organisation registers you
In some cases, a government organisation such as the Social Insurance Bank (SVB) or the Tax Administration (Belastingdienst) can register you in the RNI. For example, the SVB can register you if you wish to apply for Dutch state pension (AOW) from abroad but don’t have a BSN.
Are you unsure whether you are registered in the RNI?
Registration in the RNI is not mandatory. However, you must register in the RNI to obtain a citizen service number (BSN).
The personal data that is recorded in the RNI depends on how you were registered. Read which data is recorded in the RNI and how to check that data.
You can update some of your personal data in the RNI. You can change your address, telephone number and email address online. You can update other data at any of the 19 municipalities in the Netherlands with an RNI desk.
If your data is in the RNI, you will be able to arrange official matters with the Dutch authorities. The Dutch authorities can also use your data to contact you if necessary.
You can arrange administrative matters with the Dutch authorities
If your data is in the RNI, that means you have a citizen service number (BSN). You need a BSN to arrange administrative matters with the Dutch authorities such as your Dutch state pension (AOW), tax return or health insurance. You also need a BSN to receive benefits.
Find out more about the BSN
You can apply for a DigiD
If your data is in the RNI that means you have a BSN, which you need in order to apply for a DigiD.
You can request an extract from the RNI
If you live abroad you may occasionally need an extract from the RNI, for example, as proof of that you’ve deregistered from a Dutch municipality.
How can I request an extract from the RNI?
You can be contacted if necessary
Dutch government organisations can use your data in the RNI to contact you if necessary. Therefore it is important that your address in the RNI is up to date.
Various organisations have access to your personal data in the RNI. Which ones these are depends on your personal situation.
The National Office for Identity Data (RvIG) manages the personal data in the RNI.
If you are registered in the RNI and move to the Netherlands, you must register with the Dutch municipality where you will be living. You will then automatically be deregistered from the RNI. Your BSN will remain valid.
How can I deregister from the RNI when I move to the Netherlands?
Read how to report the death of someone registered in the RNI.
Contact
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.