Two Dutch local authorities have been charged with getting rid of the backlog of applications for BSN numbers from refugees and asylum seekers.

Last Saturday NOS reported that 18,000 people were waiting for their official registration number. Without a number it is virtually impossible to open a bank account, take out health insurance or start a college course as well as work.

Local authorities are responsible for sorting out BSN numbers but just five are licenced to issue them, according to NOS.

Now officials have agreed that Amsterdam and Gilze en Rijen will get extra funding to speed up the process, with a plan to deal with 16,500 applications in seven months.

In total, the councils will get €2.7 million to finance 24 full-time jobs. Local government offices on Bos en Lommerplein in Amsterdam and in Gilze en Rijen will be set up to deal with face-to-face applications

Officials hope the backlog will have been dealt with by next June.