How to open a bank account in the Netherlands: the ultimate guide

You’ve moved to the Netherlands (or maybe you will soon), and it suddenly hits you — do you need to open a Dutch bank account? In most cases, the answer is yes! 

However, finding your way around the Dutch banking world can be confusing for internationals.

READ MORE | All you need to know about banking in the Netherlands: debit cards, credit cards and online banks

Did you know, for example, that Dutchies are incredibly fond of cards and rarely use cash? But not just any card: in the Netherlands, debit cards are your golden ticket to pretty much everything. 

Here’s all you need to know about opening a bank account in the Netherlands!

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How to open a Dutch bank account

There are a few things you’ll need to have in order but once sorted, getting a Dutch bank account is super easy! Just follow these simple steps:  

1. Choose your new Dutch bank and your account types 👩‍💻

When choosing your Dutch bank, it is a good idea to do a little research to find out which bank will best suit your needs. There are three major banks in the Netherlands: ING, ABN AMRO, and Rabobank.

Of course, the best banks for Dutchies aren’t necessarily the best banks for internationals.

Both ING and ABN AMRO offer English websites.

Although neo-banks like bunq and Revolut are built for foreigners — ING and ABN AMRO also offer support for English-language support and easy international transfers.

2. Gather your identification documents and BSN 📝

To open a Dutch bank account after you’ve arrived in the Netherlands, you’ll need to find the following documents: 

Proof of ID (passport or identification card) 
Proof of address (for example, your rental contract or a utility bill)
Your Dutch residence permit or registration with the Foreign Police (If you are not an EU citizen)
Citizen service number (BSN) 

You receive your BSN (burgerservicenummer) when you register with your new Dutch municipality. If you don’t have a BSN number yet, some banks, like bunq or ABN AMRO, allow you to provide this later. 

READ MORE | At these Dutch banks, you can open an account BEFORE getting a BSN

3. Attend your bank or sign up online 🤝

Now, let’s get to the good stuff. To open your Dutch bank account, you have a few options: attend your local banking branch or use the bank’s website.

Book a meeting at a local branch

To verify your identity when first opening an account, traditional banks like ING and Rabobank require you to attend one of their offices.

You’ll need to bring:

Proper identification. You can bring a Dutch ID card, driving licence, diplomatic passport, service passport, residence document, or type W foreign national identity document.
If you do not have a Dutch ID, you’ll likely need to bring your national ID and an additional document to prove that you either live, work, study, or own a house in the Netherlands. This could be an extract from the Dutch Personal Records Database (BRP) that you received when you got your BSN, an employment contract, proof of enrollment, or an eigendomsinformatie (ownership information document).

Open your account online 

Want to open your Dutch bank account without having to change out of your pyjamas? You got it!

Some banks, like bunq and ABN AMRO, allow you to open a bank account in the Netherlands without attending the bank. 

If you have an EU passport and a BSN, you can open an account at ABN AMRO via the bank’s mobile app. 

Not from the EU? Then bunq might be your best choice! All you need to open a bank account with bunq is to download their mobile app and upload your (non-Dutch) ID — for the first three months, you don’t even need a BSN number.

4. Wait for your Dutch bank cards to arrive in the mail 📫

After opening your brand new Dutch bank account, you can sit back and wait for your card and bank account details!

Usually, it’ll take a week or so for everything to arrive (your bank card and the details you need to activate it are sent separately). They’ll typically arrive in the following order: 

1. Your bank card
2. Your PIN code
3. Your mini-scanner to use for internet banking and online shopping (if your bank uses this system — more on that below 😉).

The best Dutch banks for internationals

Okay, you know how to open a bank account in the Netherlands, now the only question is: Which bank should you choose?

As internationals who have tried and tested almost every bank around, these are the best banks for expats in the Netherlands:

ING: Our top choice for internationals, ING is one of the biggest and most reliable banks in the Netherlands. With benefits ranging from powerful credit and debit card facilities to a handy mobile app packed with features, its ease of usage and availability of information in English set it apart from other major Dutch banks.
bunq: A great choice for a digital bank, this neobank is packed full of features and is high-tech. You can open an account in five minutes, and you don’t even need your BSN beforehand.
ABN AMRO: If you prefer a traditional bank, ABN AMRO is a winner. This brick-and-mortar bank is highly trusted in the Netherlands. You can open an account online (also with no BSN yet!).
Revolut: Popular in Ireland, the UK, and now the Netherlands, Revolut is feature-packed and delightful to look at. Even though it’s international, you can get a Dutch IBAN.
N26: N26 is another neobank with incredible features. Security is at the forefront of their design, and you can use sub-accounts to organise your money like a pro.

Things to know about opening a bank account in the Netherlands

You’ve opened a Dutch bank account and received your all-important debit card — now what? Here are a few handy things to keep in mind when banking in the Netherlands. 

Costs of bank accounts in the Netherlands

Most banks in the Netherlands charge a monthly or yearly fee for having an account with them. However, if you’re a student, you can usually open a Dutch bank account for free (yay!).  

READ MORE | Investing in the Netherlands: 6 great apps for getting into stocks

Other costs to consider are additional services such as insurance or a credit card. Also, keep in mind that there’s usually a small fee associated with international bank transfers. 

Savings accounts in the Netherlands

Savings accounts in the Netherlands are easily accessible online and are considered very safe due to government deposit insurance. That means that if the bank fails, your money will be returned to you up to €100,000 per person, per bank.

That being said, we’ll be honest and tell you that most traditional banks in the Netherlands, like ING and Rabobank, have fairly low interest rates on savings.

Of course, specific terms and rates may vary, so it’s best to compare options before choosing a savings account.

However, if you’re looking for a savings account in the Netherlands with good interest rates, you have a lot of options outside of traditional banks, such as neobanks like bunq, saving tools like Raisin, and independent savings platforms like Trade Republic.

Authorising payments: QR codes and scanners

After opening your Dutch bank account, the fun can begin: Shopping! To purchase things online with your Dutch bank card, you’ll need to authorise your payment.

This can be done either by scanning a QR code with the banking app on your phone or via a handy little scanner provided by your bank.

Whether you use the scanner or your phone really comes down to personal preference. Some banks, such as ABN AMRO, send you their scanner automatically and require you to use it the first time you log on to their internet banking system.

(After this, you can switch to just using QR codes!)

Other banks, such as ING, use QR codes as the default but will send you their “ING scanner” if you request it. Having a scanner is useful if you don’t have a smartphone or tablet or if you prefer not to install the banking app on your phone.

Sending money in the Netherlands: iDEAL & Tikkie

The Dutch are famous for, well, going Dutch. However, instead of everyone pulling out their separate bank cards to pay for their share of the dinner, it’s common for one person to pay everything — and then send a bill to their friends later. 

How can you do that? Simple! Send them a Tikkie.

READ MORE | Tikkie etiquette: the do’s and don’ts of asking for money in the Netherlands

Tikkie is an immediate money transfer system that uses a phone app to send a request for money. It’s probably the Dutch people’s favourite payment system, so you’ll be Tikkie-ing away in no time!

And what about when you go on an online shopping spree online or need to pay a bill? Then iDEAL is the way to go!

iDEAL is a simple way to pay online without having to enter all your card details.

Instead, the service prefills your purchase information into your internet banking environment for you to complete your purchase. All you need to do is authorise your shopping with a QR code or your bank scanner.

Sending money abroad from the Netherlands

Now that you have a Dutch bank account, you can, of course, use it to send money home from the Netherlands.

However, you’ll notice that the bank will charge you for international transfers (and sometimes a lot).

Luckily, there’s a different way for you to send money to and from the Netherlands for cheap!

Additional insurance with your Dutch bank account

When you open a bank account in the Netherlands, you’ll most likely be asked if you want to purchase any insurance policies together with your account.

READ MORE | 7 Dutch insurances you never knew you needed

Often, banks in the Netherlands offer everything from home to car to travel insurance. Take a look at what your bank has to offer and decide which (if any) are best for you! 

Opening a Dutch bank account for your child

Do your children need a Dutch bank account? No problem! In the Netherlands, bank accounts for children are usually divided into two categories: 

“Youth” or “children’s” accounts are for kids up to 12 years old, and 
“Young person’s” accounts are for those aged 12 to 18. 

The details for these account types differ a little depending on which bank you choose.

The good thing is that they’re all made to give your child some autonomy — while also giving you the ability to monitor their spending. 

Setting up a Dutch bank account for your children is similar to opening one for yourself.

You can easily open an account for them online or at a branch, provided that you have your identification documents in order.

You may also have to sign an internet banking agreement for your child. 

Joint bank accounts in the Netherlands

In the Netherlands, you can also easily open a joint account together with your partner.

Depending on your Dutch bank, you can open a joint account directly via their banking app, or you can arrange a meeting in your local branch.

Sometimes, banks offer packages to choose from when setting up a Dutch joint account, so check which services your bank provides. 

Common terms when opening a bank account in the Netherlands

Opening a bank account in the Netherlands can be a daunting task — but if you know how to do it, it’s easily manageable.

You’ll also be happy to hear that most Dutch banks have plenty of experience with expats and will know just how to help you out!

What Dutch bank will you open an account with? Tell us in the comments!

Opening a bank account in the Netherlands: Frequently Asked Questions