Do I have to have a credit history at the Dutch BIK (BKR) when taking a mortgage?

No, banks don’t look at your credit history. A client who is unknown in the BKR will not receive a consumer loan, because they are not known in the system (BKR onbekend). It is important to ask for a minimum debit on your account when you open it, i.e. a “roodstaan” up to the maximum amount of €1000, including a credit card.