Opening a Dutch bank account as soon as possible after arrival will allow for easier management of finances, including receiving a salary, paying rent, and making day-to-day transactions in your new country.
There are several well-known banking institutions in the Netherlands, ranging from traditional to digital banks. Here are a few options:
ABN AMRO allows foreign nationals to open a bank account without a BSN, either online or in person, provided they can supply it within 90 days after opening an account.Ā
INGĀ provides mobile and physical onboarding without a Dutch identity document, as long as a foreign national can prove they live and work in the Netherlands through other means.
RabobankĀ offers the option to create a new bank account through their mobile app, but their services are not fully accessible in English.
bunqĀ is a fully digital bank, allowing foreign nationals to open a bank account with just their phone and a valid ID.
n26 is also a fully digital bank, offering to create a new bank account with just a phone, a valid address in the Netherlands, and a valid ID.
Revolut allows foreign nationals to open an online bank account, provided they have a valid phone number and government-issued ID.
The exact steps to open a bank account will vary depending on the bank you choose. You might want to considerĀ the types of accounts offered, banking fees, ease of online banking, and customer service in your preferred language. Besides a valid passport or national ID, a Dutch address, and a BSN, some banks may also require additional documents, such as a residence permit card or proof of income. Keep in mind, if you apply for a bank account in person, it may take a few weeks before your account is fully active. You will most likely receive a confirmation, card, PIN, and other necessary documents, separately, by post.
Online and mobile banking
Whereas cash is slowly becoming less prevalent in the Netherlands, and credit cards are not widely used, online banking has spread far and wide among the Dutch. Internet banking in the Netherlands is convenient and secure, and often conducted through iDeal, OK, Payconiq, or PayPal. Mobile payments are another alternative to cash and cards, and often made using mobile apps or wallets linked to bank accounts. Since a few years, sending someone a so-calledĀ Tikkie has become rather popular in the Netherlands, asĀ thisĀ application allows users to send payment requests through other platforms like WhatsApp and Signal.Ā
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