National insurance numbers

What is a national insurance number?

Your national insurance number (NINO) is a unique reference number and is used to identify you within the tax and benefits system. If you live in Great Britain and your parent or guardian claims Child Benefit for you, you will be registered automatically and will receive your National Insurance Number when you are 16 years old.

You will need your National Insurance Number when you apply for your Student Loan.

Applying for a national insurance number

You can apply for a NINO provided you have a right to work in the UK (for example as an EEA national or an international student here for more than 6 months).  You will need to prove you are actively seeking work and provide evidence of your identity.  

To apply for a number, you call your local Jobcentre Plus on 0845 600 0643. They will check that you don’t already have one and that you need a number and will then arrange an interview for you to verify your identity.  

National insurance contributions

If you are employed or self-employed you will pay National Insurance Contributions (NICs) when you earn above a certain level. You can find more information on the rates here.

Your NICs can help you claim certain contribution-based benefits and will contribute towards your state pension entitlement.