eHerkenning: Digital Identity for Dutch Businesses

Recognise the local name “eHerkenning” when it appears.

A regulated login system used by businesses and organisations to access online government services. Business Digital ID can be used as evidence, but the document should not be confused with the underlying registration, status, agreement or entitlement it may help prove.

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Dutch document, number or proof in digital government

The role of Business Digital ID

A regulated login system used by businesses and organisations to access online government services.

A regulated login system used by businesses and organisations to access online government services. The term belongs to the Netherlands' digital government system, so its practical effect comes from the local rules and the specific record, application, contract, or decision in which it appears.

A regulated login system used by businesses and organisations to access online government services.

In practice, “eHerkenning” may be something you quote as a number, present as a card, download as a certificate, or attach to an application. The receiving organisation may care about the issuing body, validity date, exact personal details, or whether the copy is recent, complete, certified, translated, or digitally verifiable.

eHerkenning is evidence, a credential, or an identifier; it is not automatically the underlying right, approval, or completed registration that the business digital identity may be used to demonstrate.

Use the native wording when searching the official site, then confirm how identity is verified, which authentication level the service accepts, how access can be recovered, and whether messages delivered there carry a response deadline. Retain the final certificate, decision, receipt, or account message that proves what was actually completed.

Key takeaways

“eHerkenning” is the wording most likely to appear in local forms, portals, and official correspondence.
A regulated login system used by businesses and organisations to access online government services.
eHerkenning is evidence, a credential, or an identifier; it is not automatically the underlying right, approval, or completed registration that the business digital identity may be used to demonstrate.
For this digital government concept, verify how identity is verified, which authentication level the service accepts, how access can be recovered, and whether messages delivered there carry a response deadline.
Keep the resulting confirmation, record, contract, receipt, or decision and review it after a relevant change or before expiry.

Questions to ask before relying on Business Digital ID

When Business Digital ID appears in an online service

Here, “Business Digital ID” names a regulated login system used by businesses and organisations to access online government services. Check whether the request asks for the document itself, a number printed on it, a current copy, or the separate record or status behind it.

Look for “eHerkenning” when dealing with digital government in the Netherlands, particularly when instructions switch between English explanations and the native wording used on forms, portals, certificates, contracts, or decisions. Understanding the term before an appointment or submission helps you identify the correct evidence, authority, and next step.

Example situations

An application asks for “eHerkenning”, and the applicant checks whether to enter a number, upload both sides of a card, or obtain a newly issued certificate.
A bank, employer, landlord, school, or public office requests the business digital identity and rejects an older or incomplete form of evidence.
The name, address, or validity date shown on the document does not match another official record, so the holder identifies which authority must correct it.
Someone already has a related card, number, or approval and checks whether it proves the same thing as “eHerkenning” before submitting it.

Read Business Digital ID more narrowly than a loose translation

The important distinction around Business Digital ID

Business Digital ID can be evidence, but it is not the underlying registration, status, agreement or entitlement.

Compare different kinds of wording around Business Digital ID

Beyond Business Digital ID: more Dutch digital government terms

Digital government is the shared frame for these Dutch terms. Beyond Business Digital ID, the cards cover document, number or proof and authority, register or service; each defines its own document, service, status or process rather than an alternative name for the current concept.

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