The RNI (Registratie Niet-Ingezetenen) is not a separate Dutch population system: it is the non-resident part of the BRP. It is for people who live outside the Netherlands and have dealings with Dutch authorities, and for people who will be in the Netherlands for less than four months. Everyone registered in the RNI has a BSN.

Who should use the RNI?

  • You live abroad and need a BSN for Dutch government, tax, pension or other authorised administration.
  • You will stay in the Netherlands for less than 4 months, for example for short-term work, study or an internship.
  • You previously lived in the Netherlands and later moved abroad: after deregistration, your resident BRP record normally moves into the RNI automatically.

If you actually move to the Netherlands for more than four months, the RNI is not the correct long-term substitute for resident registration. Register with your municipality as a resident.

2026: which RNI desk can you use?

There are 19 municipalities with an RNI desk. A major 2026 restriction applies to first registration: if you are not Dutch and do not hold the nationality of an EU country, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein or Switzerland, NetherlandsWorldwide currently says you can register in person only at the RNI desks in Breda or Venlo. Dutch/EU/EEA/Swiss nationals can choose among the RNI desks.

Registration is in person and free

  1. Choose an RNI desk you are eligible to use and book an appointment.
  2. Optionally complete the online RNI form first and bring the personal QR code.
  3. Attend in person with a valid passport or accepted identity card. If you do not speak Dutch or English, bring someone who can interpret.
  4. Everyone being registered must be present, including children.
  5. After successful registration, the desk gives you an overview of the RNI data and a letter containing your BSN.

Registering a child under 16

For a child under 16, NetherlandsWorldwide says to bring the child’s valid passport or EU identity card and a birth certificate or acknowledgement-of-parentage document showing that you are the parent. Foreign documents may need translation and/or legalisation. The child must attend too.

Already have a BSN?

Do not try to obtain a second BSN. NetherlandsWorldwide states that a BSN is issued once and remains valid and unchanged even if you move abroad or return. If you are unsure whether you already have one, check old Dutch documents, MijnOverheid if available, or ask an RNI desk to verify whether you are already registered.

RNI data is more limited than resident BRP data

This matters when you use Dutch administration from abroad. NetherlandsWorldwide explains that some information is not added or continuously updated for people who entered the RNI directly. For example, civil status, partner and child data may not be recorded in the same way as for a resident record. If you deregistered from the Netherlands, some data is transferred as it stood at departure and may not update while you remain abroad.

Changing your foreign address

If you are registered in the RNI and move from one foreign address to another, you can update the address through MyRNI with DigiD. NetherlandsWorldwide also lists RNI desks that accept updates online without DigiD, by post, with a recognised European eID, or in person. Other personal-data changes generally require an RNI desk and supporting documents.

Moving from RNI to resident BRP

If you later move to the Netherlands to live there, register with your municipality within 5 days of arrival. NetherlandsWorldwide says your data is then moved from the RNI into the resident BRP automatically. You keep the same BSN.

Can a government organisation register me instead?

Sometimes. NetherlandsWorldwide notes that Dutch public organisations such as the Tax Administration, SVB and in specific situations DUO, CAK or UWV can arrange RNI registration when they need a BSN to process a case. This is situation-specific; do not assume an employer or private company can do it.

RNI newcomer traps

  • Using RNI while actually settling in the Netherlands for more than 4 months.
  • Applying for a “new” BSN even though you already have one.
  • Booking the wrong RNI desk under the 2026 nationality restriction.
  • Assuming RNI contains the same family/civil-status data as a resident BRP record.
  • Forgetting to update your foreign address, so Dutch official correspondence goes to an old address.

Official sources