In this guide
Just arrived? Start with our complete guide to moving to the Netherlands.
💡 Looking for a complete banking comparison? Read Best banking for expats in the Netherlands 2026 — covers ABN, ING, Bunq, Wise, Revolut & 5 others by expat use case.
What Is DigiD?
DigiD is the login with which you identify yourself online when you arrange matters with the government, educational institutions, healthcare or your pension fund (digid.nl). It is linked to your BSN (citizen service number). Your DigiD is personal. If you want to help someone else arrange matters online, DigiD offers authorisation (machtigen) instead.
Why You Need DigiD
Many Dutch organisations ask for DigiD when you log in online, for example:
| Service | Typical use |
|---|---|
| Belastingdienst (tax office) and toeslagen | Tax return, allowances |
| MijnOverheid | Government mailbox |
| UWV and SVB | Benefits, state pension, child benefit |
| Municipality | Documents and changes of address |
| DUO | Student finance |
| Pension funds and healthcare | Pension and care portals |
Check the website of each organisation for the login options it accepts.
Prerequisites
To apply for a DigiD you need (digid.nl):
- A BSN (citizen service number), which you receive when you register with your municipality
- A registration address with a Dutch municipality, because the activation letter is sent to that address
- A mobile phone
If you have no permanent home address or are not registered in the Dutch BRP, or if you live abroad, DigiD has separate information; see the DigiD site and NederlandWereldwijd.
How to Get DigiD: Step by Step
Step 1: Apply on digid.nl
Go to digid.nl, switch the language to English if you prefer, and apply via the application form.
Step 2: Choose a Username and Password
When you apply you enter a username and password. Remember them, because you need them to log in.
Step 3: Wait for the Activation Letter
You receive a letter with an activation code by post at the address where you are registered with your municipality. DigiD states within 3 business days on its application page and within five working days on its activation page.
Step 4: Activate Your DigiD
Activate your DigiD within 21 days, otherwise you have to apply again. You can do this via the DigiD app or via the website with the activation code from the letter.
Login Methods
DigiD offers several login methods (digid.nl):
| Method | What DigiD says |
|---|---|
| DigiD app | The easiest way to log in securely, with a PIN code of your choice. You can use the app on up to 5 devices, on iOS 15 or higher, Android 9 or higher, Windows 11 or higher or macOS |
| SMS verification | Log in in 2 steps with an SMS code. You can use a mobile number, a landline number or a foreign phone number |
| Username and password | The login you choose when you apply |
| Identity document | Log in with a Dutch identity card (issued from 13 March 2021) or Dutch driving licence (issued from 26 May 2018) and its PIN, for particularly privacy-sensitive data |
DigiD says many organisations will soon no longer allow logging in with only a username and password, so you will always need your phone.
The ID Check in the DigiD App
If you add an ID check to your DigiD app, you can do more with the app, such as viewing extra sensitive data. DigiD notes that more and more organisations require you to add an annual ID check, that it only works on mobile devices with an NFC reader, and that it does not work with passports or identity cards that have no BSN.
Common Uses for Expats
Filing Your Tax Return
You file your Dutch tax return online via Mijn Belastingdienst with your DigiD. Learn more in our Dutch tax system guide.
Applying for Toeslagen (Allowances)
- Zorgtoeslag: health insurance allowance, up to €129 per month for a single person and €246 with a partner in 2026
- Huurtoeslag: rent allowance
- Kinderopvangtoeslag: childcare allowance
- Kinderbijslag: child benefit, via the SVB
Apply for the toeslagen through the Belastingdienst’s toeslagen website with your DigiD. A single person with a toetsingsinkomen up to €29,500 can receive the full maximum zorgtoeslag in 2026, subject to the other conditions. See our childcare guide for kinderopvangtoeslag.
Health Insurance
Read our health insurance guide for how to choose and manage your policy.
MijnOverheid, Your Digital Mailbox
MijnOverheid (mijn.overheid.nl) is the government’s digital mailbox, where you can receive messages from government organisations that offer it. Log in with your DigiD.
Security Tips
- Never share your DigiD login. No one should ask for it. If you want someone else to arrange matters for you, use authorisation instead.
- Use a strong, unique password. Do not reuse your DigiD password for another account.
- Add SMS verification or the DigiD app, so that you log in with two steps.
- Recognise fake messages. DigiD has a page on how to recognise a fake email or text message.
- Keep your phone number and email address up to date in your DigiD settings.
If Something Goes Wrong
- BSN not recognised or no activation letter: check that you are registered at your municipality and that the address you entered matches your registration. DigiD lists “Activation did not succeed”, “I did not receive my activation code” and “Wrong activation code” as help topics.
- Forgotten password or username: use the “Forgot password” or “Forgot or change your username” procedure on digid.nl.
- DigiD app problems: DigiD lists help topics for time-outs, QR code scanning, Android login problems and notifications. Start with the help pages on digid.nl.
- ID check does not work: the ID check needs a phone with an NFC reader and a document with a BSN.
Use our BSN planner to walk through the municipality registration steps in order.
For more on setting up your Dutch digital life after DigiD, see our expat tax return guide and our complete guide to moving to the Netherlands.
Related Guides
- Complete Guide to Moving to the Netherlands — The complete relocation guide
- BSN Planner — Step-by-step BSN registration
- Expat Tax Return Netherlands — Filing with DigiD
- Dutch Health Insurance for Expats — You’ll need DigiD to manage your insurance
- Dutch Tax System Explained — Filing taxes with DigiD
- Best Bank Accounts for Expats — Setting up your finances
Frequently Asked Questions
What is DigiD?
With your DigiD you identify yourself online when you arrange matters with, for example, the government, educational institutions, healthcare or your pension fund (digid.nl). It is a personal login, and you may not apply for a DigiD that is meant for someone else.
Do I need a BSN to get DigiD?
Yes. To apply you need your citizen service number (BSN), a registration address with a Dutch municipality and a mobile phone (digid.nl). You receive your BSN when you register with the municipality.
How long does it take to get DigiD?
After you apply, you receive a letter with an activation code by post at the address where you are registered with your municipality. DigiD states within 3 business days on its application page and within five working days on its activation page. You must activate your DigiD within 21 days, otherwise you have to apply again.
Can I use DigiD from outside the Netherlands?
Yes. NederlandWereldwijd states that you can arrange matters with DigiD online with the Dutch government, healthcare institutions, educational institutions and pension funds from abroad too. For applying and activating while you live abroad, see the NederlandWereldwijd DigiD page.
What if I forgot my DigiD password?
DigiD has a "Forgot password" and a "Forgot or change your username" procedure on digid.nl. Follow the steps on the DigiD site, and be careful with fake emails and text messages that ask for your login details.
Is the DigiD app mandatory?
Not strictly, but DigiD says many organisations will soon no longer allow you to log in with only a username and password, and that you will always need your phone. The DigiD app is described as the easiest way to log in securely, with a PIN code of your choice instead of a complicated password.