Opening a Dutch bank account before you move may sound like a bureaucratic nightmare, but having this sorted before you land is a huge advantage.
So, good news: it is possible to open a Dutch bank account before you’ve even landed in the Netherlands — but only if you pick a bank that lets you provide your citizen service number (BSN) later.
Will Dutch banks allow you to open an account from abroad?
The simple answer is that some will, some won’t.
While the sign-up process for opening a Dutch bank account is usually quite straightforward, it may involve providing documents that most newcomers won’t have.
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These documents often include:
- A valid BSN (citizen service number)
- Proof of address in the Netherlands
- A valid passport, (European) ID, or Dutch residence permit
- MVV document (an entry visa for those who require a residence permit)
And, for student accounts, banks may even request proof of enrolment at a Dutch university and in some cases, a work contract is requested.
Naturally, if you’ve just arrived in the country, you probably won’t have registered your address at a Dutch municipality or collected your BSN yet.
So, what does a poor international have to do if they desperately need a local bank account? Opt for an expat-friendly Dutch bank! With easy sign-up processes and English-language support, they’re well worth their weight in stroopwafels. 😉
No BSN? No problem, because you can cut through all the bureaucratic red tape with ING’s international-friendly bank accounts.
Just register on their banking app, and you can start using your account straight away. You’ve got a whopping 90 days to submit your BSN information, so no stress!
Why having a Dutch bank account makes your journey easier
If you’ve seen endless social media posts from internationals lamenting that Dutch shops won’t take their foreign bank cards, you probably have a good idea why getting a local bank account is a game-changer.
For one thing, you’ll save your foreign bank card from the embarrassment of being declined at every train station, supermarket, and café outside of Amsterdam. Ouch! 😬
You’ll also find that having a Dutch IBAN helps speed up the process of establishing your new life in the Netherlands.
Whether you’re registering for a mobile phone plan, setting up your gas and other utilities, or taking out an insurance plan, it’s guaranteed to be less complicated with a Dutch bank account.
And let’s not forget the most important benefit: using a Dutch bank account spares you the nasty surprise of having hefty foreign transaction fees added to your bill. 💸
How you can open a Dutch bank account remotely
Some Dutch banks allow you to open an account without a BSN, provided that you submit this information within 90 days or else it might get blocked (with 30 days to submit your BSN data and lift the block on your account).
You can usually sign up in a matter of minutes, either via the bank’s mobile app or online banking portal.
For non-EEA residents, some additional documentation might be required:
- Your Dutch residence permit (if you’re still waiting for your BSN)
- Your MVV (if you don’t have a Dutch residence permit yet)
(Note: further guidelines may apply to US citizens.)
But hey, at least you’ll walk away with a snazzy Dutch bank account a few minutes later. 😉
How straightforward did you find the process of opening a Dutch bank account? Share your thoughts in the comments below!