Registering your address (BSN) during a short stay in Rotterdam: how it works

Starting a new job or project in Rotterdam comes with a long to-do list. One item tends to block several others: getting a citizen service number, the BSN. Your employer, your bank and the Dutch tax office will all ask for it. In this guide we explain how registration works in plain language, what you need to prepare, and how a serviced apartment can give you an address to register at while you look for a permanent home.

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This article gives general information. Rules can change and every situation is different, so always check the official pages linked below or ask the municipality.

BRP or RNI: which registration applies to you?

The Netherlands has two ways to register, and the one you need depends on how long you will stay.

Staying longer than 4 months: register as a resident (BRP)

If you will live in the Netherlands for longer than four months, you must register as a resident in the Personal Records Database (BRP). According to the Dutch government, you must do this within 5 days of arriving, at the municipality where you live. If your partner or children come with you, they register in person too. You receive your BSN when you register. (government.nl)

The municipality of Rotterdam explains that a first registration is done in person, by appointment, and is free of charge. Once you have handed in all documents, processing usually takes about four weeks and you receive a letter. (rotterdam.nl)

Staying shorter than 4 months: register as a non-resident (RNI)

If you will work or study in the Netherlands for less than four months, you can register in the Non-residents Records Database (RNI). Rotterdam says you then receive your BSN straight away at the appointment. This route in Rotterdam is for people with a European passport or ID card; nationals of countries outside the EU, EEA or Switzerland can only register as non-residents in Breda or Venlo. Employers who want to register more than three people at once can ask for a group registration. (rotterdam.nl)

Coming from outside the EU?

If you do not have the nationality of an EU country, you first need a residence permit from the IND. Rotterdam states that you cannot register until you have a residence permit or a running application for one. (rotterdam.nl) For many international hires, the employer arranges this; for example, only an employer recognised by the IND can apply for a highly skilled migrant permit. (ind.nl)

Why your accommodation matters

To register as a resident you need an address in the municipality. That is exactly where many newcomers get stuck: the rental market moves fast, and you often need a BSN to sign up for things that help you find a home. Erasmus University Rotterdam, for example, warns its international staff that short stays in a hotel or via Airbnb often do not offer an option to register. (eur.nl)

At Alphabet Apartments, guests can register at the property for stays of at least 30 nights (see our FAQ). Our apartments can be rented for up to 180 days, so you have time to settle in, register and look for a permanent home at your own pace.

Planning a longer stay and need to register? Just ask us. We arrange the registration request for you, and registering costs you nothing. As a bonus, guests who are registered at our Rotterdam address do not pay tourist tax.

A practical timeline for your first weeks

Before you travel

• Check which registration applies to you (BRP or RNI) using the official links in this article.
• If you need a residence permit, make sure the IND application is under way.
• Book accommodation for at least 30 nights if you want to register at the address.
• Gather your documents. The municipality shows which documents you need when you start your appointment request. Usually this includes a valid passport or ID card; foreign birth certificates may need to be legalised and translated, so start early.

In your first days

• Complete online check-in in our Alphabet Stay app before arrival: you add your contact details and identity details there, and register everyone in your group.
• Make your appointment with the municipality as soon as possible, ideally before you arrive, because the government asks you to register within 5 days.
• Keep your booking confirmation and proof of address together with your passport.

While you wait for your BSN

• Use the time to explore neighbourhoods. Our neighbourhood guide for longer stays helps you compare areas.
• Plan the move from temporary to permanent housing. Our guide on the gap between homes has a checklist.

What makes a serviced apartment practical during this period

The first weeks in a new country are busy. It helps when the basics are taken care of. Our apartments are fully furnished, with an equipped kitchen, fast private Wi-Fi, fresh linen and towels, laundry facilities and a digital access code, so you do not need to collect keys. For stays of seven nights or longer, weekly touch-up cleaning is included and your bed linen is refreshed. Our guest team can be reached every day from 10:00 to 22:00 by email, phone or WhatsApp.

Standard check-in is at 16:00 and check-out at 11:00. When you book directly on our website, early check-in at 14:00 is free, subject to availability.

If you are relocating with colleagues or family, larger apartments help. In central Rotterdam, our Westersingel apartments have two or three bedrooms and paid on-site parking. Near the Markthal, our Jufferstraat apartments offer up to three bedrooms. Compact studios at Binnenrotte suit one or two people.

For a full picture of what you pay, read how to compare the full cost of a serviced apartment.

Frequently asked questions

Can I register at an Alphabet Apartments address?

Yes. Guests can register at the property for stays of at least 30 nights. For a longer stay, just ask us: we arrange the registration request for you, free of charge.

How quickly do I need to register after arriving?

If you will live in the Netherlands for longer than four months, the Dutch government asks you to register with your municipality within 5 days of arriving. Check government.nl for the current rules.

How long does it take to get a BSN in Rotterdam?

For a first registration as a resident, Rotterdam says processing usually takes about four weeks after you have handed in all documents. For non-resident (RNI) registration, Rotterdam says you receive your BSN straight away.

I am staying less than four months. Do I still need to register?

You cannot register as a resident, but you can register in the RNI if you work or study in the Netherlands. In Rotterdam this is for people with an EU passport or ID card; other nationals register as non-residents in Breda or Venlo.

How long can I stay in an Alphabet apartment?

From one night up to 180 days. Contact our team about availability if you are planning a longer stay.

Do I need to show my ID when I arrive?

No. You do not need to show identification on arrival, but all guest details must be submitted during online check-in in the Alphabet Stay app.

Ready to settle in?

Moving to Rotterdam is easier with a calm base and an address you can register at. View our serviced apartments in Rotterdam or check availability and book directly.

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Frequently asked questions