News item | 22-12-2023 | 14:42
At the proposal of State Secretary Van Huffelen (Kingdom Relations and Digitalisation), the Council of Ministers has approved the bill for the introduction of the Citizen Service Number (BSN) and login tools for the digital government in Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba.
The purpose of the law is to strengthen the digital government and society in the Caribbean Netherlands.
State Secretary Van Huffelen: “Having a unique and personal number, such as the Citizen Service Number, will make life easier on Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba.”
The proposal ensures that the almost 29,000 residents of Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba, who are registered in the population administration of the islands, will receive a BSN. With the BSN, residents have a unique personal number with which they can identify themselves at government organizations.
The proposal makes it legally possible for residents and entrepreneurs to have access to the login tools of the digital government in the Netherlands, such as DigiD and eHerkenning. This allows residents and entrepreneurs to demonstrate online who they are to arrange matters with the government. The bill thus lays an important foundation for gradually offering government services in Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba more and more digitally and making them more accessible.
This proposal was drawn up in close cooperation with the governments of Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba. From June 19 to July 31, citizens could respond to the proposal via an internet consultation. The bill will now be submitted to the Council of State for advice. The aim is to present the bill to the House of Representatives by mid-2024.