How to use MijnOverheid and Berichtenbox in NL
Activate MijnOverheid, set Berichtenbox preferences and notifications, check how each sender delivers government post, and handle messages without relying on email reminders.
- Who it's for
- People in the Netherlands who use Dutch government services and want to keep track of digital government post
- Time
- The first setup is a short account session. After that, checking the Berichtenbox is an ongoing admin habit because notification emails are a convenience service rather than a delivery guarantee.
- Steps
- 7 steps
- Last reviewed
- 5 October 2026
“Last reviewed” means this guide was checked against its official sources on that date.
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Overview
What you're trying to do
MijnOverheid is the personal government portal where you can view government-held information and access the Berichtenbox for digital government post. This guide covers activation, organisation preferences, notifications, paper-versus-digital boundaries, message handling, phishing and safe help. It does not replace the separate DigiD application guide or explain the legal content of a tax, benefit, permit or other decision.
Prerequisites
Before you start
You need a BSN and an approved login method, such as DigiD or another EU-approved login supported by MijnOverheid. On the first login, MijnOverheid asks for an email address and personal preferences; it calls this activation. If you still need to apply for DigiD, use the DigiD guide first. Keep access to an email address you monitor, but do not treat email as proof that there is or is not new government post.
Which rules apply to you
What do you need to sort out?
The safest route depends on whether you are setting up MijnOverheid, troubleshooting notifications, checking a delivery channel or arranging help.
You have never used MijnOverheid before
Sign in with an approved login method and complete the first-login activation by entering your email address and personal preferences. If you need DigiD first, use the separate DigiD guide.
You already use MijnOverheid but are missing notifications
Check the email address and notification settings in MijnOverheid, then open the Berichtenbox itself. A notification can arrive late or not arrive, and the notification service has no legal status.
You are unsure whether a letter will also arrive on paper
Check the sender's current rules. Connected organisations decide which messages they send digitally, and paper-versus-digital delivery can differ by organisation and message.
You need someone to help read selected digital government post
Use DigiD Machtigen for the relevant organisation or service. The helper uses their own login and does not get access to your whole MijnOverheid account.
Step by step
Your recipe
- 1
Sign in and activate MijnOverheid
MijnOverheid requires a BSN and an approved login method. The website supports DigiD and another EU-approved login where available. On your first login, MijnOverheid asks for an email address and personal preferences; it calls this activation. This guide starts at that point and does not repeat the DigiD application process.
Open the DigiD guideDo this: Sign in through MijnOverheid with an approved login method, add your email address and complete the first-login preferences.
Documents needed- Your BSN
- Your approved login method
- An email address you monitor
Processing timeDo this after you have an approved login method and before you rely on MijnOverheid for recurring government post.
Common mistake: Do not treat DigiD as the only possible MijnOverheid website login. If you need to apply for DigiD, use the separate DigiD guide rather than this guide.
- 2
Open the Berichtenbox and choose organisation preferences
The Berichtenbox is the digital government mailbox inside MijnOverheid. Under Settings, use Organisaties Berichtenbox to choose from organisations connected to the service. Not every government organisation is connected, and each connected organisation decides which messages it sends digitally.
Do this: Review Organisaties Berichtenbox in Settings and choose the connected organisations from which you want to receive digital post.
Processing timeReview the list when you first activate MijnOverheid and again when your government contacts change.
Common mistake: Choosing an organisation does not mean every message from that organisation will use the same channel. Check the sender's current rules when paper-versus-digital delivery matters.
- 3
Turn on notifications, but do not rely on them
In MijnOverheid Settings you can enable an email notification for new post and a reminder for unread post. The official Berichtenbox app can also notify your phone or tablet. MijnOverheid says the notification service has no legal status and no rights can be derived from whether a notification was received on time.
Do this: Turn on the reminders you want, keep your email address current and still open the Berichtenbox regularly to check for new post.
Processing timeKeep checking the Berichtenbox regularly, especially when you expect an important government decision or deadline.
Common mistake: No email notification does not mean there is no new message. Notifications can fail or arrive late, so the Berichtenbox itself is the place to check.
- 4
Check which channel the sender actually uses
Paper-versus-digital delivery depends on the organisation and the type of message. Some organisations use digital post, some use paper, and some may use both for particular messages. MijnOverheid does not control each sender's delivery choice.
Do this: When the delivery channel matters, check the sender organisation's current website or instructions instead of assuming that activating Berichtenbox replaces paper everywhere.
Documents needed- The sender organisation's name
- The message or service you are expecting
Processing timeCheck before relying on one channel for a time-sensitive decision or document.
Common mistake: Do not ignore paper post just because Berichtenbox is active, and do not assume every digital message will also arrive on paper.
- 5
Open the message and act on the sender's instructions
Open the Berichtenbox message and any attached letter or document that is present. Check the sender, subject, stated action, deadline and contact route. The citizen Berichtenbox is receive-only, and MijnOverheid cannot answer substantive questions about the content of a message.
Do this: Follow the sender's instructions and contact the organisation that sent the message if you need an explanation, correction or reply route.
Documents needed- The Berichtenbox message
- Any attached letter or document that is present
Processing timeAct according to the date or deadline stated by the sender. This guide does not reinterpret organisation-specific deadlines.
Common mistake: Do not try to reply through the citizen Berichtenbox. Use the contact route given by the sender or its current official website.
- 6
Protect your account and recognise fake notifications
MijnOverheid says it never asks for your login credentials. Its notification emails do not contain a login link or QR code, and MijnOverheid does not send notifications by SMS. If an unexpected message tells you to log in, do not use its link or QR code.
Do this: Go directly to the official MijnOverheid website or official app and sign in there rather than through an unexpected message.
Processing timeUse this check every time a message unexpectedly asks you to sign in or provide personal information.
Common mistake: Never give your DigiD or other login credentials to a person, caller, email, text message or website you have not independently verified.
- 7
Get help safely or authorise someone
For questions about a letter, contact the organisation that sent it. If someone needs permission to read selected digital post for you, use DigiD Machtigen. You choose the organisation and service covered by the authorisation; the helper uses their own login and does not get access to your whole MijnOverheid account.
Do this: Use the sender's contact route for content questions, or set up a bounded DigiD Machtigen authorisation when another person needs to help with selected Berichtenbox post.
Documents needed- The organisation or service for which help is needed
Processing timeArrange authorisation before another person needs to access the selected messages.
Common mistake: Do not share your own DigiD credentials. A helper should use their own login through the official authorisation route.
Checklist
Documents you may need
- Your BSN
- An approved login method for MijnOverheid, such as DigiD or a supported EU-approved login
- An email address you monitor for notification reminders
How long it takes
Timing
Set up MijnOverheid once you have an approved login method, then check the Berichtenbox regularly. Do not wait for an email notification before checking when you are expecting an important government decision or deadline.
Verify before you act
Official sources
Requirements depend on your situation. Check the latest requirements with the relevant authority.
Practical
Useful tools for this
Services people use for this in practice. We say who runs each one. See all apps and tools.
Avoid these
Common mistakes
- Assuming all government post arrives in the Berichtenbox. Not every organisation participates, and connected organisations decide which messages they send digitally.
- Assuming an email notification proves legal delivery or that no email means there is no new message. MijnOverheid says the notification is a service with no legal status, so check the Berichtenbox itself regularly.
- Assuming digital preference always stops paper. Paper-versus-digital delivery depends on the sender and message, and some organisations may use both.
- Trying to reply from the citizen Berichtenbox. It is receive-only; use the contact route in the message or on the sender organisation's website.
- Using a link or QR code from a message that claims to be MijnOverheid. MijnOverheid says its notification emails do not contain login links or QR codes, and it does not send notifications by SMS.
- Sharing your DigiD credentials with someone who is helping you. Use DigiD Machtigen so the helper uses their own login for the selected organisation or service.
- Assuming MijnOverheid can interpret a tax, benefit, permit or other decision. Questions about the content belong with the organisation that sent the message.
After this
What happens next
- Check Settings and review which connected organisations may send you digital post.
- Turn on email notifications and unread-message reminders if you want them, but keep checking the Berichtenbox itself.
- Save MijnOverheid as a direct destination rather than signing in through links in unexpected emails or messages.
- When a message contains an action or deadline, follow the sender's instructions and contact that organisation if anything is unclear.
- If someone needs to help with selected digital post, arrange a DigiD Machtigen authorisation instead of sharing login details.
Where to go next
Need help beyond this guide?
Browse organisations across the Netherlands that support internationals with settling in, work, housing, health and study. Listing is not endorsement.
Keep going
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