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A BSN (in Dutch: Burgerservicenummer) is an individualized personal number that you will use in the context of the Dutch public administration. You'll need a BSN to work, open a bank account, arrange health insurance, visit a doctor or hospital, or apply for benefits.

City registration

To get it you need an appointment at the Municipality of your town of residence. You should book this appointment as soon as you have a housing situation settled. If you are staying for more than four months in the Netherlands, you are legally required to go to the city council and register as a new resident of the town where you are living. This procedure is mandatory, irrespective of your nationality or purpose of stay. If you are moving within the Netherlands, you must also inform your (new) municipality.

for more information and to make an appointment for the city registration for the Utrecht region. Make sure you bring a valid ID card and the tenancy agreement or purchase contract for your home in the Netherlands. 

DigiD 

Is a form of online ID that allows you to access many services and government websites in the Netherlands. It's like a digital version of your passport or driving license. The DigiD consists of a username and password that are linked to your personal public service number (BSN). 

How to get it and why you need it?  

You can apply online . It will ask for information about your address and a letter will come to you by mail. You need it to apply for the housing allowance, health insurance allowance if working, and other matters related to the government. 

Why get a Dutch bank account?

From the moment you arrive in the Netherlands, your home country’s bank account may not be sufficient in every situation. For example, most supermarkets only accept payments by debit card or cash. Since the so-called ‘pinpas’, or debit card, is most commonly used in the Netherlands, opening a Dutch bank account might be useful or even necessary for some things. For example: 

• Working in the Netherlands 
• Automatic monthly payments of your tuition fees 
• A mobile phone subscription 
• Making online payments via IDEAL 

Please note that if you have an IBAN bank account with a Maestro card, you may not need to open a Dutch account.  

How to open a Dutch bank account?

If you want to open a Dutch bank account, you can do so either prior to or after your arrival in the Netherlands, often online or in a physical office. While banks differ on which documents they will need for registration, it is a good idea to have the following on hand:  

• ID (passport or identity card) 
• Citizen service number (in Dutch: Burgerservicenummer, BSN) 
• Residence permit 
• Tenancy agreement 
• Proof of enrolment at the university 

For more information on opening a Dutch bank account, you can visit the .

During your studies in the Netherlands, it might not be necessary to acquire a Dutch phone number. You can decide to keep your EU phone number with the policy 'Roam from home', meaning your sim card should properly work in the NL. However, you should contact your provider for long-term use as some mobile phone companies will only allow you a set amount of data per month for free in other EU countries. You can check with your provider what this amount is. 

Acquiring a Dutch phone number  

As with a bank account, you might also want a Dutch phone number for practical reasons. For example, certain delivery services ask for a Dutch phone number or if you want to book online appointments. 

To get a Dutch phone number and a subscription in the Netherlands, you need to have the following: 

• A valid ID 
• Your BSN number 
• A Dutch adress 
• A Dutch bank account 
• Student ID if you opt for any special student deal 

In the Netherlands, it is mandatory for everyone to have health insurance, but it might not be necessary to buy this in The Netherlands. If you have health insurance in your EU/EE home country, you may be eligible for the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). The EHIC covers your necessary (state-provided) medical costs during your stay. Please make sure you check with your health insurer in your home country if you are covered, if you are covered for your full study period and what exactly is covered, as this might differ per EU-member state. The health care provider will reimburse the costs from your own health insurer, which will determine what costs are covered and what you have to pay yourself.

In case you need to complement your EHIC or need additional insurance you can take out private insurance. This can be done via AON, for example. You can also visit the AON stand during the Get Settled Lab for more information.

You are obligated to take out Dutch basic health insurance when you plan to start working during your studies in Utrecht.

Dutch basic health insurance

You have multiple options if you decide to take out Dutch basic health insurance. For basic insurance, you pay a set premium to the insurer that provides the healthcare. The government decides what is covered by basic insurance. Not all care covered by basic insurance is fully reimbursed. You may need to pay an excess (eigen risico) and sometimes a co-payment (eigen bijdrage). More information and a FAQ on Dutch health insurance can be found here

NOTE! If you do not work a long side your studies you are not allowed to take out Dutch basic health insurance.

The GP is your only path to access healthcare!!!

Sign up for a General Practitioner

In the Dutch healthcare system, the general practitioner (GP) is your first point of contact for all questions about physical and mental health. If you get sick you can only be treated by a GP and for this, you must register for one. The GP is meant for medical problems that are not an emergency. Most of the time the first healthcare is received from a GP. The doctor can, however, refer you to a specialist (for example in the hospital) if needed. In case of an emergency you call 112. For more information on the Dutch health care system visit  

Why and how? 

You should sign up with a GP as soon as you are registered at the municipality. You may never need to go there, but if you are sick (which is usually sudden and unexpected) the last thing you want is to not be able to go anywhere for a check-up.

First of all, find out to which practice you can register; this depends on your address. If you cannot find a GP, your health insurance company will help you find one and can mediate if necessary. Additionally, your local town hall will have information on local healthcare providers. 

You can register with a GP with your proof of health insurance and your BSN. It is possible to make an appointment with a GP before registering; this is recommended so that you can get to know the GP. It is important to find a doctor that you feel comfortable visiting and discussing your health status with. The Netherlands has a large number of English-speaking GPs. 

Costs for the GP

Visiting the doctor is covered by the compulsory basic healthcare insurance that all Dutch residents must take out. This also means that you do not have to pay (deductible) excess if you visit the GP. If you do not have general healthcare insurance, you could be obliged to pay for the treatment yourself. Check your healthcare insurance policy before visiting the GP, if possible. 

One of the most important and urgent things to take care of is to ensure you are (or going to be) fully admitted to your programme by 1 September. In case you already received your unconditional letter you can ignore this section.   

I am a Bachelor student

If you are a Bachelor student with conditional admission, you need to send your documents as soon possible so we can verify the authenticity. For more information, please check your conditional admissons letter and our website.

I am a Master student

If you are a Master student with conditional admission, you need to send your documents as soon as possible so we can verify the authenticity. For more information, please check your conditional admissions letter and our website.

I have sent my documents, but I haven't received a confirmation 

International Students Admissions (ISA), the faculties and graduate schools receive a lot of documents via post and email during the summer. It may take up to three weeks before we can confirm we have received your documents. However, we will always confirm when we have processed your documents. 

Can I hand in my documents in person? 

(Assistant) Admissions Officers will be present at the Get Settled Lab and it is possible to hand in documents on 30 August. What do you need to bring: 

• A certified hardcopy of your original diploma and/or transcript; OR 

• Your original diploma and/or transcript and a photocopy of these documents 

• Original translations made by a sworn translator, if applicable

If you are already in the Netherlands or will be soon, you could bring your original documents to Student Services at Utrecht ľ¹Ï¸£ÀûÓ°ÊÓ. Our colleagues there can make certified copies for you (free of charge). However, please consult for more information. 

How do I know if I met all the requirements? 

If you received an unconditional letter you have met all the admission requirements. You can check at one of the information points during the Get Settled Lab if you have any outstanding requirements. 

Finding your way in a new city and a new country can be complicated and a little confusing. As a student in the Netherlands, the two most common ways of transportation are by bike and by public transport. We have summarised the most important information to get you from A to B like a local in no time. 

Get a bike 

The Dutch love their bikes, but we understand this subject can be entirely new and maybe even a little bit complex for internationals. Familiarizing yourself with buying, and maintaining a bike can be a handful, especially when you are only in the Netherlands for a semester or one academic year. A good option is to buy a new or second-hand bike in any bike store near you, or you can opt for online sales through platforms like Facebook Marketplace. 

Get access to public transportation 

You will most certainly need to use the trains, trams, buses and metros around the country at some point during your studies here. Your best options to do so are through acquiring either an OV-chipcard or the Student Mobility Card. 

The OV-chipkaart is the means of payment for the entire public transport system throughout the country (bus, train, tram and metro). The OV-chipkaart can be loaded with credit in Euros, which you can use to travel anywhere within the Netherlands. You have the option to request a personal card or an anonymous card; depending on the duration of your stay one might suit your needs better than the other. More information on the OV-chipkaart on the or the  

The Student Mobility Card

If you would rather get an all-in package, the Student Mobility Card might be just the option you're looking for. In their mobility package, they offer a plan that includes a durable (lease) bike to get you on the move right away. Additionally, you will get a 15% discount on Dutch Railways (NS) trains on weekdays during off-peak hours and weekends. You can register with any (international) bank account and the card automatically tops up. for more information on the benefits of this card and how to purchase it. 

Student jobs are widely available in the Netherlands and are a good way to enrich your studies and gain additional experience. A lot of jobs do not require Dutch and offer flexible hours, allowing you to combine your classes with part-time work. Most popular employers are food delivery companies, cafes and bars, where you can expect to earn around 8€ to 14€ an hour. However, your income might depend on your age, as the legal minimum wages increase the older you are. 

How to find a job 

You can apply directly via the company: many restaurants/bars display notes informing that they are hiring or you can also use the portal . Pro tip! Norms and expectations for CVs and motivation letters are different around the world – make sure you go to to get a CV check! 

Legal requirements 

To apply for a job, you will first need a BSN and a bank account. Additionally, once you start working you will need a ): your EHIC will not be sufficient! Once you take out the insurance, you can apply for , a health care benefit.  Meaning you may receive compensation for your monthly insurance cost! Be aware that the processing of your zorgtoeslag application might take several weeks. 

Budgeting 

Studying in the Netherlands can be expensive. You will have to balance your rent, your study costs, groceries and save some money to do fun stuff. De Geldzaak is an Utrecht-based platform that can help you with money-related questions. You can visit to make an appointment but they are also present at the Get Settled Lab. Come to one of their talks or visit their stand. 

Tuition fee 

In the 2023-2024 academic year, the depend on the specific programme, which you can check on your programme's website.  

: you can pay the entire sum in full or divide it into 5 instalments, withdrawn every other month. Both of them are transferred in the form of direct debit from your bank account. In order to authorize direct debit, go to Studielink.nl and fill in your details.  

Low-interest tuition fees loans 

The Dutch government offers low-interest tuition fees loans for EU/EEA citizens. To apply, go to and fill out the document "Application tuition fees loan". Once your application is successful, the tuition is transferred to your bank account in 10 equal parts. If you have chosen to pay your tuition fee in instalments, notice that the ľ¹Ï¸£ÀûÓ°ÊÓ withdraws it in 5 instalments. 

Important! For the application you will need a BSN and an invoice from the ľ¹Ï¸£ÀûÓ°ÊÓ stating the amount of your tuition, which you should receive by e-mail. Be aware that it might take up to 3 months for your loan application to be processed.  

Note that this is a loan and you will have to pay the amount back. You only start paying the debt off after you finish your entire education. In total, you have 35 years to repay your loan, but each year there is interest added to it. The interest rate in 2023 for these loans is 0.46% per annum, and every few years it can be changed by the government.  

Supplementary grant 

If you are an EU citizen and you work alongside your studies, you might be eligible for a  from the government. It is a non-returnable gift of up to 400 Euros a month. 

Government benefits 

When you work and take out Dutch basic health insurance you be eligible for a In some cases you may also be eligible for a 

Uni-Life is the official community and events platform of Utrecht ľ¹Ï¸£ÀûÓ°ÊÓ, you can join or create a community to meet other students with similar interests and keep in touch with them through a group chat. You will also be the first to find out what the 90+ student associations at UU are organizing for the upcoming academic year.