An International Security Identification Number (ISIN) is a code that uniquely identifies a security (a stock, option, or fund, etc.).

The ISIN code helps with international identification and simplification of exchange transactions. The codes follow a fixed structure according to the ISO-6166 standard and were created to prevent confusion.

Which securities have an ISIN code?

Stocks, options, warrants, funds, bonds, and futures contracts all have a unique ISIN code. Note that an ISIN code should be seen as a security code and not as a ticker symbol.

Is an ISIN code unique?

Yes, an ISIN number is unique. For example, NL0000000107 is the code for the AEX and this code is not used for any other assets.

Structure of an ISIN code

The ISO-6166 standard dictates that the code consists of 3 parts:

  • The first 2 letters represent the country of issuance. In the case of the Netherlands, this is NL; for Belgium, it is BE. These codes can be found in the ISO-3166-1 standard
  • The next 8 digits represent the NSIN or National Securities Identification Number.
  • The last digit is the check digit. This digit is used to verify the validity of the ISIN code. The check digit is calculated using the Modulus 10 Double-Add-Double method. For a complete explanation of the calculation, see the following page (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Securities_Identification_Number).

Requesting and looking up an ISIN code

The codes can be easily looked up via the ISIN organization's website (https://www.isin.org/) or at Euronext https://euronext.com/en.

Is a CUSIP code the same as an ISIN number?

The CUSIP code is the NSIN portion of an ISIN code in North America. See also "Structure of an ISIN code." In addition to the CUSIP code, there are also the SEDOL (United Kingdom and Ireland) and WKN (Germany) codes.

Commonly used ISIN codes in the Netherlands

  • Aalberts N.V. NL0000852564
  • ABN AMRO NL0011540547
  • Aegon NL0000303709
  • AEX NL0000000107
  • Ahold Delhaize NL0011794037
  • AkzoNobel NL0000009132
  • Altice NL0011333752
  • ArcelorMittal LU0323134006
  • ASML NL0010273215
  • Boskalis NL0000852580
  • DSM NL0000009827
  • Galapagos BE0003818359
  • Heineken NL0000009165
  • ING Groep NL0011821202
  • KPN NL0000009082
  • NN Group NL0010773842
  • Philips NL0000009538
  • Randstad NL0000379121
  • RELX NL0006144495
  • Royal Dutch Shell GB00B03MLX29
  • SBM Offshore NL0000360618
  • Takeaway NL0012015705
  • Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield FR0000124711
  • Unilever NL0000009355
  • Vopak NL0009432491
  • Wolters Kluwer NL0000395903