DigiD in the Netherlands

Once you've got your BSN sorted, there’s another four-letter word you’ll start seeing everywhere: DigiD.

At first it might look like just another username and password you'll probably forget. In reality, DigiD becomes one of the most useful things to have when living in the Netherlands. It lets you prove who you are when dealing with Dutch government organisations and other organisations with a public function online.

Think of it as your digital ID for official business in the Netherlands.

What Is DigiD?

DigiD stands for Digital Identity. Instead of proving who you are in person every time you need something from the government, you can use your DigiD to identify yourself online.

You'll come across it when dealing with municipalities, taxes, healthcare, education, pensions and various other official services.

For example, you might use DigiD when checking information from the Dutch tax authorities, dealing with your municipality, accessing certain healthcare services or arranging benefits you're entitled to.

Basically, once you're properly settled in the Netherlands, DigiD saves you from having to do quite so much administration in person.

And believe us, anything that reduces the amount of paperwork in your life is worth arranging.

Do I Really Need DigiD?

Technically, you can live in the Netherlands without immediately having DigiD. But if you're staying here, you'll probably want one sooner rather than later.

More and more official services are handled online, and DigiD is the standard way of confirming that the person trying to access your information is actually you.

That's why we'd put it pretty high on your new-to-the-Netherlands checklist:

Register → Get your BSN → Apply for DigiD.

Don't wait until you urgently need to log into something before applying.

What Do You Need to Apply?

If you're registered at a Dutch municipality, applying is fairly straightforward.

You'll need your BSN, the address where you're registered with the municipality and a mobile phone.

You apply through the official DigiD website. After completing the application, DigiD sends an activation code by post to the address where you're officially registered.

Yes, by post.

A physical letter.

Welcome to the digital future.

The letter should normally arrive within a few working days. You'll then use the activation code to finish setting up your DigiD.

One small but important detail: remember the username and password you choose during the application because you'll need them again when activating your account.

Don't Forget to Activate It

Applying isn't the end of the process.

Once your letter arrives, you still need to activate your DigiD.

The activation code doesn't last forever. DigiD currently requires you to activate your account within 21 days, otherwise you'll need to apply again.

So don't do what we all occasionally do with official letters — put it somewhere “safe”, forget where that safe place is and rediscover it two months later.

Open it and finish the activation.

Get the DigiD App

Once your DigiD is working, it's worth setting up the DigiD app as well.

For everyday use, the app is generally the easiest way to log in securely. Instead of entering a complicated password every time, you can use the app and a PIN you've chosen.

Depending on how your account and phone are set up, activation can involve SMS verification, an activation letter or an ID check.

One thing that can confuse internationals is the ID check. The DigiD app's ID-check feature only works with certain Dutch identity documents. Foreign passports, foreign national identity cards and residence documents can't be used for that particular ID check.

That doesn't mean a foreigner can't have DigiD. It simply means that specific ID-check method has limitations.

Keep Your DigiD to Yourself

This part is important.

Your DigiD is personal.

Don't give your DigiD username, password, app PIN or login details to your employer, recruitment agency, landlord, friend or somebody who says, “Don't worry, I'll arrange everything for you.”

If somebody legitimately needs to help you deal with certain government matters, DigiD has an official authorisation system. That allows another person to help without you handing over your own login credentials.

Treat your DigiD a bit like access to your online banking. If somebody asks you to simply send them your login details, that's a very good reason to stop and ask questions.

What If I Move House?

This is another reason your municipality registration needs to be correct.

When you apply for DigiD while registered in the Netherlands, the activation letter is sent to the address recorded for you in the BRP.

If you've recently moved and your registration hasn't been updated properly, your letter could end up going to the wrong address.

So whenever you move, make sure your official address is updated as required. Don't just change your address with your bank, employer and favourite takeaway and assume the government somehow knows too.

What If I Live Outside the Netherlands?

Having a DigiD isn't limited only to people currently living in the Netherlands.

If you live abroad and have a BSN, you may also be able to apply for DigiD. The process is different from the standard application for someone registered at a Dutch residential address.

People abroad generally need to meet specific requirements and obtain their activation code through one of the available activation methods, such as a DigiD service desk or, where available, a video call.

If you already had DigiD while living in the Netherlands and later move abroad, you can continue using it.

So if you're leaving the Netherlands, don't throw your DigiD away mentally along with your old OV card.

You might still need it.

What If I Forget My Password?

It happens.

DigiD has options for recovering your password, particularly if you've already added and verified your email address and phone number or have an activated DigiD app.

That's another reason it's worth setting everything up properly when you first create the account instead of doing the absolute minimum and forgetting about it.

Also keep your email address and telephone number up to date. Your future self will appreciate it.

Watch Out for Fake DigiD Messages

Because DigiD gives access to important personal services, you should be careful with emails, text messages and websites pretending to be DigiD.

Don't blindly click a link because a message tells you that your DigiD is “about to expire” or that you urgently need to verify your account.

When in doubt, go directly to the official DigiD website or open the official DigiD app yourself.

Your DigiD is connected to some pretty important parts of your life in the Netherlands, so a little caution goes a long way.

BSN and DigiD Are Not the Same Thing

This is probably worth repeating because newcomers often mix the two up.

Your BSN is your personal citizen service number.

Your DigiD is the digital identity you use to prove who you are when accessing participating online services.

You generally need your BSN before applying for DigiD, but having a BSN doesn't automatically mean you already have a DigiD.

So if you've just received your BSN after registering with your municipality, DigiD is a logical next step.

Our Advice? Just Get It Sorted

DigiD isn't the most exciting part of moving to the Netherlands. Nobody moves here because they've always dreamed of creating an online government login.

But once you start dealing with taxes, municipalities, healthcare and other official matters, you'll be glad you arranged it.

Apply once you've got your BSN, activate it when the letter arrives, set up the app and keep your login information private.