<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0206</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>3</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2020-09-23</periodOfReport>

    <noSecuritiesOwned>0</noSecuritiesOwned>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0001031308</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>BENTLEY SYSTEMS INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>BSY</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001214661</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>BENTLEY GREGORY S</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>C/O BENTLEY SYSTEMS, INCORPORATED</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>685 STOCKTON DRIVE</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>EXTON</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>PA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>19341</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>Chairman, CEO &amp; President</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Class B Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>9090974</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Class B Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>92654</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>I</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value>By 401(k) Plan</value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <derivativeTable>
        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Class A Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <footnoteId id="F2"/>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <footnoteId id="F2"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <footnoteId id="F2"/>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Class B Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>1926509</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>
    </derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Includes 680 restricted shares of Class B Common Stock of the Issuer (&quot;Class B Common Stock&quot;) and 3,673,917 shares of Class B Common Stock issuable under the Issuer's deferred compensation plan.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">Each share of Class A common stock of the Issuer (&quot;Class A Common Stock&quot;) is entitled to 29 votes per share and is convertible at any time into one share of Class B Common Stock. Shares of Class A Common Stock will automatically convert into shares of Class B Common Stock upon certain transfers described in the Issuer's Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <remarks>Exhibit List: Exhibit 24 - Power of Attorney.</remarks>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ Michael T. Fischette, as Attorney-in-Fact</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2020-09-23</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
