Sooner or later, almost every official task in the Netherlands sends you to a login screen that says “Log in met DigiD.” DigiD is your personal digital identity for Dutch government services, and its website, app, and the sites it logs you into are overwhelmingly in Dutch. You do not need fluency, but a dozen interface words turn a confusing screen into a two-minute task.
What DigiD actually is
DigiD (short for “Digitale Identiteit”) is a single username and password, plus a verification step, that proves who you are to government websites. You apply for it once, receive an “activeringscode” (activation code) by post a few days later, and activate your account. After that, the same login works across dozens of services. You need a BSN to get one, so it comes after your gemeente registration.
The login words
The screen you will see most often uses a small, fixed vocabulary:
| Dutch | English |
|---|---|
| Inloggen | Log in |
| Gebruikersnaam | Username |
| Wachtwoord | Password |
| Onthoud mijn gebruikersnaam | Remember my username |
| Wachtwoord vergeten | Forgot password |
| Volgende | Next |
| Annuleren | Cancel |
| Uitloggen | Log out |
The verification step
DigiD asks for a second check for security. You will see one of these:
- “Inloggen met de DigiD-app” (log in with the DigiD app), the most common method now: you scan a code or approve a push on your phone.
- “Sms-controle” (SMS check): you receive a code by text and type it into “voer de code in” (enter the code).
- “Identiteitscontrole” (identity check) the first time you use the app, often by scanning your ID.
If you are setting up, look for “activeren” (activate) and “koppelen” (to link the app to your account).
Where you use DigiD
The same login gets you into the services that matter most:
- The tax office, the Belastingdienst, for taxes and benefits (“toeslagen”).
- Your gemeente, for address changes and documents.
- Healthcare portals and your insurer.
- DUO for student finance, and many more, as the national government explains.
Phrases if you get stuck
If you need help at a counter or on the phone:
- “Ik kan niet inloggen met DigiD.” (I cannot log in with DigiD.)
- “Ik ben mijn wachtwoord vergeten.” (I forgot my password.)
- “Ik heb mijn activeringscode niet ontvangen.” (I did not receive my activation code.)
- “Kunt u mij helpen met DigiD?” (Can you help me with DigiD?)
For the wider set of admin vocabulary, see the Dutch words you need at the gemeente, and for replying to official messages, WhatsApp and text replies to the gemeente and tax office.
A few practical tips
Set up the DigiD app early, because it is faster and more secure than SMS and avoids problems if you change phone numbers. Keep your activation code letter until you have logged in successfully at least once. And do not share your DigiD with anyone; legitimate organisations will never ask for your password by email or phone, a useful rule given how much your DigiD unlocks.
Authorising someone else (machtigen)
One more useful concept: “machtigen” (to authorise). DigiD lets you give someone permission to handle certain tasks on your behalf, for example a partner doing the tax return, which is handy if one of you is more comfortable in Dutch. You arrange this through “DigiD Machtigen.” And if you ever leave the Netherlands but still need access to Dutch services, “DigiD Buitenland” (DigiD for use abroad) keeps your account working. Neither is something you need on day one, but knowing the words means you recognise them when a form or a caseworker mentions them.
Learn it in five minutes a day
Learn Dutch For Expats is an app, available on the App Store, that turns the gemeente and admin situations above into short, five-minute lessons with audio, built for expats in the Netherlands and Dutch-speaking Belgium.
Frequently asked questions
What does DigiD mean and what is it for?
DigiD (Digitale Identiteit) is your Dutch digital ID: a username, password, and verification step that logs you into government websites such as the tax office, the gemeente, healthcare, and DUO. You need a BSN to get one and activate it with a code sent by post.
Is the DigiD website available in English?
DigiD itself offers some English support, but most of the government services you log into with it are primarily in Dutch. Knowing the key interface words (inloggen, wachtwoord, sms-controle) makes using it much easier.
What does “inloggen met DigiD” mean?
It means “log in with DigiD.” You enter your gebruikersnaam (username) and wachtwoord (password), then complete a verification step, usually approving a login in the DigiD app or entering an SMS code.
How do I log in to DigiD with the app?
Choose “inloggen met de DigiD-app,” then approve the login on your phone by entering your app PIN or scanning the on-screen code. The app method is faster and more secure than SMS and is the recommended option.
