Registration Municipality

Registration with the municipality is mandatory

Under Dutch law every person who is planning to live in the Netherlands for more than 4 months must register with the municipality of the town where they live. This registration is with the municipal personal records database (Gemeentelijke Basisadministratie or GBA for short). This registration is called a GBA registration.

After the GBA registration you will automatically receive a Burgerservicenummer  (BSN). A BSN is a personal tax and social security number which you will need for such matters as working or opening a bank account. It is not possible to receive a BSN without a GBA registration with the municipality.

What do you need to get a GBA registration?

A GBA registration is only possible with a legal address. Illegal subletting of housing is not allowed. It is important that you have an official housing contract with you when you register at the municipality.

How do you organise your GBA registration?

• If you use housing offered by the Hogeschool van Amsterdam, University of Applied Sciences, officials from the municipality of Amsterdam are present during the arrival days to help you with your GBA registration.
• If you rent private housing in Amsterdam you will have to organise your GBA registration by making an appointment with the municipality of Amsterdam.
• If you live outside of Amsterdam you will have to organise your GBA registration by making an appointment with the municipality of your own town.

You can ask the International Office of your school for advice.

More information on the GBA registration is available on the Nuffic website at: GBA registration.