For the homeless, having a postal address is extremely important. Without a postal address, you do not exist in the eyes of the government. Anyone residing in the Netherlands for an extended period must register in the Personal Records Database (formerly: Municipal Personal Records Database). Registration is crucial because without it, you are not entitled to benefits or social services. You should register at the address where you sleep most often and spend the majority of your time. The main rule is to register where you actually live. If you do not have a permanent place of residence, there are four options for obtaining a postal address.

Family or Friends (Anywhere in the Netherlands)
You can register with family or friends (this can be anyone in the Netherlands), but you will need the permission of the main resident. To request a postal address with a friend or family member in Amsterdam, you can use the form provided in the link. This makes it clear to the municipality that you are NOT cohabiting. A postal address does not affect the benefits or allowances of the person providing the postal address. You can apply for a postal address using the “Briefadres” form. You can also apply for a postal address online.

WPI (City of Amsterdam, Work, Participation, and Income)
Do you receive welfare benefits or are you entitled to them? Then you can request a postal address through WPI. You must visit them in person. You can register with WPI if you are homeless or staying at various addresses. This way, you can apply for benefits and receive mail at WPI, including personal mail. WPI distinguishes between OGGZ clients (not self-reliant) and non-OGGZ clients (self-reliant) when assigning a postal address. For implementation rules and work agreements, see: “Briefadres werkafspraken WPI article 4.7.4 to 4.7.7.”

Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday 09:30-12:00, Wednesday closed
Address: Jan van Galenstraat 323, entrance B
1056 CH Amsterdam
Phone: 020 252 6000

For more information about the right to benefits when lacking Dutch nationality, refer to the policy rule of the college of mayor and aldermen of Amsterdam concerning postal addresses under the Personal Records Database Act (BRP).

City of Amsterdam
You can apply for a postal address with the City of Amsterdam if you meet the following conditions:

You do not receive welfare benefits from WPI.
You are not a “rough sleeper.” These individuals can report to the Homeless Union (Daklozenvakbond).
You must have a valid Dutch identification (ID, passport, driver’s license, or permanent residence document) and a BSN number. EU citizens can, in exceptional cases, be registered with a foreign document with prior approval from the Basic Information Service of the City of Amsterdam.
HVO-Querido currently does not issue new postal addresses.

The Homeless Union (De Daklozenvakbond)
The Homeless Union provides a postal address if you meet the following conditions:

You are homeless, meaning you sleep on the street, on a small boat, or in a tent in the forest within the boundaries of the City of Amsterdam.
You must have a valid Dutch identification (ID, passport, driver’s license, or permanent residence document) and a BSN number. EU citizens can, in exceptional cases, be registered with a foreign document with prior approval from the Basic Information Service of the City of Amsterdam.
Address: “De Witte Boei” Kleine Wittenburgerstraat 201, 1018 LT Amsterdam (back entrance)

For more information, visit the website of the Homeless Union.
To apply for a postal address, you must make an appointment. They can be reached by phone at 06-30771154 on Mondays from 13:00 – 18:00 and Thursdays between 09:00 – 13:30. Other questions about the postal address can be sent to briefadres@daklozenvakbond.nl.

A Postal Address with the Municipality
Only if the first four options are not possible, a postal address with the municipality is an option.

No Postal Address and No Passport?
If you have Dutch nationality but no fixed residence and your travel document is about to expire, you can apply for a travel document at certain municipalities. Here you can read how this works.

If you are unable to obtain a postal address, please contact us.

For more information: “Report – A person does not live in a system.”