Dutch at the gemeente: registration, BSN, DigiD and the counter

The Dutch of the gemeente: registering your address, the BSN, DigiD, moving house, appointments at the counter — the words in the letters and the sentences at the desk.

Updated · 2 min read

The Binnenhof in The Hague, seat of the Dutch government, across the Hofvijver
Photo: Michielverbeek, CC BY-SA 4.0, resized.

The gemeente (municipality) is where your life in the Netherlands is registered: your address, your BSN (citizen service number) — the number every organisation asks for — and, under the 2021 Act, your integration plan. Many of its letters and forms use the same few dozen words.

Words in the letters

DutchEnglish
de inschrijvingregistration
het BSN (burgerservicenummer)citizen service number
DigiDyour digital ID for government websites
de afspraakappointment
het formulierform
de aanvraagapplication
het besluitdecision
de verhuizingmove (house)
het paspoort, de identiteitskaartpassport, ID card
de verblijfsvergunningresidence permit

At the counter

Goedemorgen, ik heb een afspraak om tien uur.

Literally: Good morning, I have an appointment at ten.

Meaning: hebben

Ik wil me inschrijven op mijn nieuwe adres.

Literally: I want to register at my new address.

Meaning: zich inschrijven — to register

Welk formulier moet ik invullen?

Literally: Which form do I have to fill in?

Meaning: welk before a het-word; invullen together at the end after moeten

Kunt u dat langzamer zeggen, alstublieft?

Literally: Could you say that more slowly, please?

Meaning: kunnen + zeggen

Moving house

When you move, you report it to the gemeente: ik ga verhuizen (verhuizen). The perfect takes zijn: ik ben verhuisd — see hebben or zijn.

For the exams

The gemeente is a classic topic in the KNM exam, and under the 2021 Act it is where your integration route is decided and where MAP and the participation statement happen.

The words of the letters

16Word’s inburgering path has a set for admin and the gemeente, with audio and a game of Blocks between answers. Free to start.

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Frequently asked questions

What is the gemeente?

The municipality — it registers your address, gives you your BSN and, under the 2021 integration law, makes your integration plan with you.

What is a BSN?

The burgerservicenummer, the citizen service number every organisation asks for.

How do you say I want to register in Dutch?

Ik wil me inschrijven — at the gemeente, for your address.

How do I ask someone to speak more slowly in Dutch?

Kunt u langzamer praten? or Kunt u dat langzamer zeggen, alstublieft?

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