Understand the local wording behind life abroad

Search the exact term you saw—or begin with the document, service or everyday question you recognise.

Official language rarely arrives with a neat translation. A short acronym may name a personal number, a portal, an authority or a benefit; a familiar English label may hide a different legal role. Search across countries, browse by subject, or choose the country behind the wording to find the explanation that matches the real system.

Search guidesBelgian glossary

A useful starting set across records, services, work and home

See how local terminology shapes ordinary tasks abroad

Browse selected terms from the six represented countries to recognise the kinds of language used in identity systems, digital government, healthcare, immigration, employment, tax, benefits and renting. The cards are examples for discovery—not a ranking or a claim that every reader needs them.

ProcessGermany

Address Registration in Germany

Identity and registration in Germany

The process of registering a new residential address with the local registration authority.

Identity and registration · Local government and services

Address Registration explained
DocumentNetherlands

Citizen Service Number in the Netherlands

Identity and registration in the Netherlands

The unique personal number assigned to everyone registered in the Dutch Personal Records Database.

Identity and registration · Digital government

Citizen Service Number explained
DocumentIceland

Personal ID in Iceland

Identity and registration in Iceland

A ten-digit personal identifier used across Icelandic public services, employment, banking, healthcare, and contracts.

Identity and registration · Digital government

Personal ID explained
DocumentSpain

Foreign National Number in Spain

Identity and registration in Spain

The unique administrative number assigned to a foreign national for dealings with Spanish authorities.

Identity and registration · Immigration and residence

Foreign National Number explained
DocumentPoland

PESEL in Poland explained

Identity and registration in Poland

An eleven-digit number that uniquely identifies an individual in Poland's population register.

Identity and registration · Digital government

PESEL explained
DocumentBelgium

National Register Number in Belgium

Identity and registration in Belgium

The personal identification number used in Belgium's National Register and social-security administration.

Identity and registration · Social security and benefits

National Register Number explained
GovernmentNetherlands

Personal Records in the Netherlands

Identity and registration in the Netherlands

The official database containing personal data for residents and registered non-residents.

Identity and registration · Digital government

Personal Records explained
MunicipalBelgium

Municipality in Belgium

Local government and services in Belgium

The local authority that handles resident registration, civil-status records, certificates, and many local services.

Local government and services · Identity and registration

Municipality explained
StatusIceland

Legal Domicile in Iceland

Identity and registration in Iceland

The address officially registered as a person's permanent legal home in Iceland.

Identity and registration · Local government and services

Legal Domicile explained
DocumentGermany

Registration Certificate in Germany

Identity and registration in Germany

The official certificate confirming the address information recorded after registration.

Identity and registration · Digital government

Registration Certificate explained
ProcessPoland

Address Registration in Poland

Identity and registration in Poland

The administrative registration of a temporary or permanent place of residence.

Identity and registration · Local government and services

Address Registration explained
DocumentSpain

Foreign National Card in Spain

Identity and registration in Spain

The physical identity card proving a non-EU foreign national's authorised stay and related details.

Identity and registration · Immigration and residence

Foreign National Card explained

Find the term through the question, service or responsibility behind it

Begin with the area of life, not the official vocabulary

Choose a practical subject when you know that the issue concerns tax, healthcare, residence, work, family, housing or another part of daily life but cannot name the local document or authority. Subject browsing expands your vocabulary while keeping each number, status, service and process distinct.

Employment and workplace92 termsEmployment contracts, collective agreements, pay statements, deductions, leave, probation, notice, dismissal, workplace representation, and end-of-employment documents.
Identity and registration72 termsPersonal numbers, identity cards, population registers, address records, and the certificates that prove who you are and where you officially live.
Digital government65 termsOfficial login systems, electronic signatures, digital mailboxes, government portals, and mobile credentials used to complete public procedures online.
Taxes59 termsPersonal and business tax identifiers, tax offices, online filing systems, annual returns, payroll withholding, value added tax, property charges, and the forms used to register taxable activity.
Social security and benefits55 termsSocial-insurance contributions, unemployment support, family payments, income assistance, disability benefits, and the public institutions that administer them.
Immigration and residence30 termsVisas, entry permissions, residence authorisations, physical residence cards, work rights, immigration offices, renewals, and long-term statuses.
Insurance29 termsCompulsory and optional health, care, home, vehicle, liability, and social-insurance arrangements, including the organisations that collect contributions or reimburse costs.
Healthcare25 termsPrimary-care doctors, health centres, patient portals, public coverage, electronic prescriptions, referrals, and cost-sharing arrangements.
Housing and renting19 termsResidential leases, deposits, condition reports, rent components, housing benefits, property registers, energy certificates, and recurring charges.
Citizenship and civil status6 termsCitizenship, nationality, births, marriages, partnerships, deaths, family relationships, and the official records or certificates used to prove those events.
Local government and services50 termsMunicipalities, district offices, resident service desks, local certificates, population records, permits, planning, waste services, and locally administered charges.
Business and self-employment22 termsSole-trader and company registration, self-employed status, tax enrolment, VAT, public business registers, professional permissions, and social-insurance obligations.

The same English phrase can point to a different record or legal role

Choose the country that issued the wording

Open the Belgian, German, Icelandic, Dutch, Polish or Spanish glossary that matches the form, authority or service you are dealing with. Country context determines what a term records, proves or enables, and prevents a familiar translation from being mistaken for an exact international equivalent.

Belgian terms and acronyms

Dutch and French wording in one glossary

Match the Dutch, French or abbreviated wording on Belgian forms and letters to a clear English explanation.

32 terms explained

German administrative glossary

Compound words and acronyms made understandable

Recognise the German wording used by registration offices, tax authorities, insurers, employers and landlords.

32 terms explained

Icelandic terms for everyday administration

Native spelling with practical English context

Identify Icelandic records, portals, authorities, benefits and services without flattening them into approximate translations.

32 terms explained

Dutch terms and acronyms

From BSN and DigiD to benefits and permits

Match Dutch wording from forms, portals and letters to the correct number, service, authority, payment or status.

32 terms explained

Polish terms and acronyms

Numbers, offices, contracts and digital services

Recognise the Polish terminology used by municipal offices, voivodeships, health services, employers and tax authorities.

32 terms explained

Spanish administrative glossary

NIE, TIE, padrón, tax and Social Security wording

Understand the Spanish numbers, cards, certificates, offices and registrations named on forms and appointments.

32 terms explained

Where to next

Have a specific question?

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