If you have applied for a credit card, loan, or phone contract in the Netherlands, you have probably encountered the term "BKR check." The BKR (Bureau Krediet Registratie) is the Dutch credit registration bureau, and understanding how it works is essential for managing your finances as an expat.
What Is the BKR?
The BKR is a foundation based in Tiel that maintains a central database of all credit agreements in the Netherlands. Unlike credit scoring systems in countries like the US (FICO) or the UK (Experian), the BKR does not assign you a numerical score. Instead, it records the existence and status of your credit agreements.
Think of it as a factual register: it shows what credit products you have, how much you owe, and whether you have made your payments on time. Lenders then use this information to make their own lending decisions.
What Gets Registered?
The following financial products are registered with the BKR:
- Credit cards — Including the credit limit
- Personal loans — The full amount borrowed
- Overdraft facilities — If above EUR 250
- Phone contracts with a device — The financed value of the phone
- Buy-now-pay-later arrangements — Above a certain threshold
- Mortgages — Only registered if you fall behind on payments (positive mortgage records are not stored)
- Store credit and financing — For example, financing a laptop or furniture
Important for expats: Even a phone contract that includes a "free" phone is registered as a credit agreement. If you get a EUR 600 phone included with your contract, EUR 600 shows up on your BKR record as outstanding credit. This can reduce your borrowing capacity for other products.
Positive vs. Negative Registrations
BKR entries come in two flavours:
Positive registration: Simply shows that you have a credit agreement. This is normal and not problematic. It shows lenders how much credit you currently have outstanding.
Negative registration (codering): This is added when you are behind on payments. Negative codes indicate serious problems:
- A code: Payment arrears (achterstand)
- H code: Final write-off of the debt (herstel)
- 1 code: Debt restructuring
- 2 code: Debt is deemed irrecoverable
A negative registration stays on your record for 5 years after the issue is resolved. During this time, getting approved for any new credit product becomes extremely difficult.
How to Check Your BKR Record
You can request your BKR overview through their website at mijnbkr.nl. The process is straightforward:
- Create an account on mijnbkr.nl
- Verify your identity (you will need a Dutch ID or passport)
- Request your overview—the first request each year is free
- Additional requests cost a small fee
It is a good idea to check your BKR record at least once a year, especially before applying for a mortgage or significant credit product. Errors do occur, and correcting them takes time.
The Expat Challenge: No History
When you first arrive in the Netherlands, your BKR record is blank—no entries at all. While this is not a negative mark, it can be a disadvantage. Lenders prefer to see some credit history because it demonstrates that you can manage credit responsibly.
Building your BKR history:
- Get a basic credit card (like the ICS Visa World Card) and use it responsibly
- A phone contract with a device will add a positive entry
- Always make payments on time—a single late payment can result in a negative code
- After 6-12 months of positive history, your chances of approval for larger credit products improve significantly
BKR and Mortgages
When applying for a mortgage in the Netherlands, the BKR check is crucial. Mortgage advisors will review your BKR record as one of the first steps. Any negative registrations can disqualify you entirely, and high levels of existing credit (credit card limits, phone financing) reduce the maximum mortgage amount you can get.
Pro tip: Before applying for a mortgage, consider reducing your credit card limits and paying off any phone financing. Even unused credit card limits count against your borrowing capacity.
How Long Do Records Stay?
- Active credit agreements: Shown as long as the agreement is active
- Completed agreements: Removed 5 years after completion
- Negative registrations: Removed 5 years after the situation is resolved
Understanding the BKR system is essential for any expat planning to access financial products in the Netherlands. Keep your record clean, check it regularly, and factor it into your financial planning. For your first credit product, explore our credit card comparison to find options that are expat-friendly.