Dutch passports to include BSN and QR code

IMPACT – MEDIUM

What is the change? The Netherlands has revised its plans to introduce a QR code to Dutch passports and identity cards.

What does the change mean? Starting Monday, Aug. 2, 2021, an individualized QR code will be added, in addition to the citizen service number (BSN), to the backside of Dutch passports and ID cards. The transition to QR-readable passports is expected to take two years.

• Implementation time frame: Two years
• Documents affected: Dutch passports and identity cards.
• Who is affected: Dutch citizens.

Additional information: In August, the Ministry of the Interior and Kingdom Relations announced a plan to remove the BSN number, which is visible on the passport in the machine-readable zone, to address the risks of identity theft associated with Dutch passports. Recently, the Dutch Data Protection Authority approved the addition of the QR code; however, the BSN code will remain on the backside of the passport and identity cards to ensure that citizens are able to read their own BSN without a QR code scanner.

Analysis & Comments: The transition to QR-readable passports is intended to reduce fraud and identity theft related to Dutch passports.

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