Address secrecy (Geheimhouding BRP or historically GBA-geheimhouding) is a privacy protection mechanism for residents of the Netherlands that limits the access to your municipal Personal Records Database (Basis Registratie Persoonsgegevens) that is rather unknown. While the BRP is not a public “phone book” searchable by anyone online, third parties can request your address from the municipality if they have an authorization. Parties that have access include medical service providers (such as hospitals), health insurance companies, schools, and government research bodies. You can view the full official list of organizations at the Ministry of the Interior website.
Churches
Historically churches have had access to BRP. If you were once member of a church you can remove your data at them via SILA.
Advantages of obtaining Address Secrecy
Most organizations that want to obtain your data after you have requested confidentiality (address secrecy) will only receive it if you give your explicit consent. Some organizations (like the police) are permitted to receive your data according to the law, even if you have confidentiality in place. Yet you can significantly limit the amount of organizations that have access to your data by default. If a lawyer requests your confidential data, the Board of Mayor and Aldermen (college van burgemeester en wethouders) will perform a balancing of interests and informs you of the decision. You will be informed prior to the disclosure and have an option to file an objection (according to the Municipality of The Hague).
In practice, this status often signals to organizations that your data requires extra care, potentially reducing unsolicited contact or data sharing.
Address secrecy is intended to protect individuals facing genuine safety risks, including but not limited to stalking, domestic violence, threats, witness protection situations, or other circumstances where public disclosure of an address could endanger physical safety or privacy.
Anyone can request this via their municipality office (Gemeente), often via an online form.
If you are buying a house or have bought a house, now with this secrecy you can also request the Kadaster (Land Registry and Mapping Agency) to hide your name and have an anonymized registration. Kadaster data is easily accessible and has been abused in the past for doxxing and stalking. While you remain the owner, a notary details are placed as contact point in the public register.
Limitations
Sometimes it can be wrongfully assumed that you are some special person, which can lead to awkward conversations. It is advised not to respond in detail to it, and simply reply “I have my reasons”.
You might have to manually provide your address in certain situations if you want to receive communication from an organization.
As mentioned the confidentially does not apply to all organizations, so don’t assume full security.
How to apply (for free)
- Search for BRP Geheimhouding {Your Municipality}
For example you go to Geheimhouding persoonsgegevens aanvragen of stopzetten (Gemeente Amsterdam) - Log in via DigiD or follow the instructions to apply by mail.
- Submit
- You will receive confirmation that you have gotten an address secrecy status.
What organizations will see when accessing your data
Organizations requesting your data (with your social security number) will see a generic address of your municipality or the a message saying something like Adres Geheim.
Last edited by @ph00lt0 2026-06-08T22:10:57Z