Dutch Kingdom introduces new rules for sharing personal data after BSN rollout

THE HAGUE — The Netherlands has introduced new regulations governing the exchange of personal data between the Netherlands, Aruba, Curaçao, St. Maarten and the Dutch Caribbean following the rollout of the citizen service number, or BSN, on Bonaire, St. Eustatius and Saba.

The Ministry of the Interior and Kingdom Relations said the new directive replaces a 2013 regulation and is intended to prevent individuals from being simultaneously registered in multiple population registries across the Kingdom.

Since Nov. 11, 2025, all residents of Bonaire, St. Eustatius and Saba have been assigned a BSN number. Their personal information is now also being included in the Netherlands’ Personal Records Database, known as the BRP.

According to the ministry, the introduction of the BSN system makes accurate coordination between population registries throughout the Kingdom more important than ever.

Under the new rules, municipalities, public entities and civil registry offices will be required to automatically exchange personal information whenever a person relocates between the Netherlands, the BES islands, Aruba, Curaçao or St. Maarten. Each individual must also use only one administrative identification number.

The ministry acknowledged that previous regulations were not always properly followed in practice, particularly when individuals returned to the Kingdom through a third country, creating the possibility of duplicate registrations.

Under the updated system, information involving relocations, marital status and previous registrations will now be exchanged digitally between population administrations.

While Aruba, Curaçao and St. Maarten will continue maintaining their own civil registries, the countries will be required to coordinate and share data with the Netherlands and the Dutch Caribbean territories.