PDF Guides
Preparing PDF Documents for DigiD-Linked Services
It's worth clearing up what DigiD actually is before preparing anything for it: DigiD is the Netherlands' digital login system, used to sign in to government, municipal, tax, and healthcare websites. It isn't itself a place you upload documents — it's how you get authenticated into the specific service that might ask you for one.
What DigiD does and doesn't do
You apply for DigiD using your BSN, then log in with a PIN through the app, or by scanning a QR code, sometimes with fingerprint or face recognition depending on your device. Once logged in, DigiD hands you off to the actual service — the Belastingdienst (tax authority), your municipality, DUO for student finance, UWV, and others. Any document upload happens on that destination site, under its own rules, not inside DigiD itself.
So what should you actually prepare?
Since the upload step (if there is one) belongs to whichever service you're logging into, the specific format and size rules vary by service. What stays constant is the groundwork.
- Scan or photograph documents clearly before you start, so you're not scrambling mid-session
- Save as PDF rather than a loose set of image files, unless the destination service specifically asks for images
- Keep individual files reasonably sized — compress a scan if it's unexpectedly large
- Check the specific service's own help page for its exact format and size requirements once you're logged in, since these differ across the Belastingdienst, your municipality, and other DigiD-linked sites
Frequently asked questions
Can I upload documents directly through DigiD?
No. DigiD is a login system — it authenticates you into other government and public-service websites, and any document upload happens on that destination site, not inside DigiD.
Do all DigiD-linked services have the same upload rules?
No. Each service (tax, municipality, student finance, and so on) sets its own file format and size rules, so check the specific site once you're logged in.
Is my document uploaded to a server when I prepare it here?
No. Scanning, converting, and compressing all run entirely in your browser, so your file never leaves your device before you upload it yourself.