The BSN or burgerservicenummer (citizen’s service number) is a unique code assigned to all residents in the Netherlands (whether you are Dutch or not) from November 2007. The nine-digit number has replaced the Sofi (sociaal fiscaal) number used on tax forms but it will also cover medical care, education and more or less every other point of contact with the authorities. Whoever said ‘I am not a number’ did not live in the Netherlands.