DigiD

Definition

DigiD is the digital login tool individuals and sole traders use to identify themselves to the Dutch government, tied to their citizen service number (BSN). For the WBSO, DigiD matters because sole traders without staff can use it to log in to mijn.rvo.nl, submit an application themselves, view the decision, and report their realisation — the same steps companies with staff carry out via eHerkenning level EH3. The difference lies in the target group and the cost: DigiD is free and works immediately, while eHerkenning is issued by accredited private suppliers and level EH3 typically carries an annual fee. Once a company takes on staff or converts into a legal entity such as a BV, DigiD is no longer sufficient and eHerkenning becomes mandatory. Many founders therefore start with DigiD and only switch to eHerkenning once the company grows. For RVO, the login method itself makes no difference to the substantive assessment of a WBSO application — it only determines who gets access to the portal on behalf of which company. DigiD is thus mainly a practical threshold kept low for sole traders, so administrative burden does not stand in the way of access to the WBSO.

Frequently asked questions

Can I submit a WBSO application with DigiD?

Yes, as a sole trader you can log in to mijn.rvo.nl with DigiD and submit a WBSO application yourself; legal entities such as a BV need eHerkenning instead.

Is DigiD free?

Yes, DigiD is free and works immediately, whereas eHerkenning is issued by private suppliers and usually carries an annual fee.

When do I need to switch from DigiD to eHerkenning?

Once your company takes on staff or converts into a legal entity, eHerkenning becomes mandatory and DigiD is no longer sufficient.