This Dutch bank lets you open a bank account without a BSN (and you can use it immediately!)

Moving to the Netherlands — as exciting as it is — comes with many unexpected hurdles. One of them is opening a bank account before you have a BSN.

Your BSN (Burgerservicenummer) is your Dutch social security number, used for various administrative and governmental purposes. 

You receive this crucial nine-digit number when you register at your local municipality — but there’s a catch. During busy times, like when many international students arrive in the Netherlands, getting an appointment for that BSN can take weeks. 

This inevitably slows down tasks like opening a bank account, which delays finding a job, securing an apartment, or simply starting your new life.

Luckily, as one of the biggest banks in the Netherlands, ING has a solution: they let you open an account before you get your BSN. 

Why does it matter?

In the Netherlands, having a Dutch bank account is crucial for many everyday tasks. Whether you’re signing up for a gym membership, shopping at your local supermarket, or getting a Dutch SIM card, a local bank account makes life much easier.

On top of that, companies or housing corporations may require you to have a Dutch bank account to receive your salary or pay your rent.

There’s just one small issue: To get a bank account with most traditional banks, you’ll have to provide your BSN — that number which can sometimes take weeks to get. 

To make things even more frustrating, international cards sometimes don’t work in the Netherlands, and when they do, you might face unfavourable conversion rates, high FX fees, and charges for withdrawing cash.

That’s where ING comes in.

How to open an ING account without a BSN

So, how do you go about opening your ING account before you have a BSN? It’s simple!

You can open an ING bank account without a BSN the same way as if you had a BSN. The only difference is that you provide your BSN number within 90 days of opening the account. 

Online

Do you like to do things from the comfort of your couch? Open your brand-new Dutch bank account with just a few taps on your phone! Here’s how:

1. Download the ING app for Android or iOS.
2. Choose your preferred type of account.
3. Provide a valid form of identification, i.e. a European ID card, a resident permit, or passport, and provide some basic personal details.
   
   Note: If you are onboarding with your international passport from a non-EEA country, you may have to upload your MVV document.
4. Choose your payment package, either the normal Orange Package or the Orange Package with a discount. 
5. Get banking! You can start using your account right away, and you’ll have your debit card sent to your home within five business days.

In person

If you prefer to handle your finances in person or can’t be helped from a distance, going to an ING branch is your best bet. Here’s how:

1. Find an ING branch in your area using ING’s branch locator tool — if you haven’t already come across one while exploring your new home. Simply type in your postcode and you’re good to go.
   
   💡 Tip: Make sure you’re looking for an “ING kantoor” (office), not a service desk!
2. Make an appointment with ING using the online chat function or by contacting customer support by phone. You can call ING at 020 22 888 88 (on weekdays between 8.30 AM and 5 PM).
3. Prepare the necessary documents to take to the branch with you. You’ll need valid proof of identity, proof that you live, work, or study in the Netherlands, and (if applicable) an MVV document.
4. Head to your appointment and let ING’s experts help you set up your account.

When (and how) do you need to submit my BSN?

Although you can open an ING account before you get your BSN, you will eventually have to submit it to them. 

This is necessary because your BSN needs to be linked to your bank account since you will be paying Dutch tax.

You can inform ING of your BSN as soon as you receive it, but you’ll have a generous 90-day window to do so. 

If you fail to provide your BSN in the given timeframe, your account will, unfortunately, have to be blocked. But don’t worry, 90 days should be able time to get your municipality appointment sorted and receive that shiny new BSN. 

Once you have those nine digits in hand, you can provide them to ING by simply heading to the personal information tab in your ING app.

Thanks to ING’s new feature, there’s no more waiting for bureaucracy to drag on and on. Instead, you can get a headstart on your Dutch finances — and your new life in the Netherlands. ✨

Do you already have your BSN in the Netherlands? How long did you wait for it? Share your experience in the comments.