Registration for students
All students that will be staying in the Netherlands for 4 months or longer will need to complete a municipal (BRP) registration. You need to register as a resident with your municipality of residence, through which you will receive a citizen service number (BSN). A BSN is required to work, take out health insurance, open a bank account, apply for a DigiD, accessing housing benefits and more.
Make an appointment
At the beginning of each semester, The Hague holds special registration days for students new to The Hague. Students can make appointments on this website from 19 January 2026 via the button at the end of this page. The first available appointments will be on 26 January. Registration takes place at The Hague International Centre in City Hall.
Eligibility for student registration
- Students enrolled in a higher education institute, such as a university, or university of applied sciences, and;
- Students who will be living in The Hague, and;
- Students who will be living in the Netherlands for 4 months or longer, and;
- Students who are 16 years of age or older. If under the age of 16, you need authorization of a legal guardian in the Netherlands.
Not living in The Hague?
If you are living in another municipality you need to register there. Find out more about how to do this for the following municipalities:
- Delft
- Are you studying at TU Delft? please proceed to this page for more information.
- Rijswijk (website only available in Dutch)
- Leidschendam-Voorburg
- Rotterdam
- Leiden
Required documents for registration in The Hague:
- Valid identification (passport or, if you are an EU citizen, your national identity card), and;
- Hard copy (printed) proof of occupancy:
- signed rental/tenancy agreement in your name (valid at the time of the appointment), or;
- home purchase deed in your name, or;
- a signed statement by the main occupant/owner of the house, together with a hard copy of the ID of the main occupant/owner and a hard copy of the signed rental/tenancy agreement of the main occupant, or purchase deed of the owner of the house.
- Residence permit or letter of approval from the IND (if applicable).
Please note that you cannot print at The Hague International Centre. Make sure to either print the documents at your university, or at the central library.
Staying here for less than 90 days?
If you will be staying in the Netherlands for less than 4 months, it will not be possible to register as a resident. To obtain a BSN, you can register as a non-resident via an RNI desk. You can read more about this on our website.
Residence permits
All non-EU students will need to apply for a residence permit before starting their studies in the Netherlands. In some cases, you will only be able to travel to the Netherlands once your status has been approved and you have collected a provisional residence permit (MVV) at the Dutch representation in your country of nationality, or residence. Your university will act as the ‘sponsor’ for your permit.
Visit Study in The Hague for more information about student life in The Hague.
If you have any questions about student registrations, please contact us. We look forward to welcoming you at The Hague International Centre!
Privacy statement
In order to make an appointment, your personal data will be processed and recorded in the registration system of The Hague International Centre, part of the Municipality of The Hague. Your data will not be transferred to third parties. The Municipality of The Hague processes and protects your personal data as described in the Data Protection Declaration.
