Moving to the Netherlands? Opening a Dutch bank account is one of the first things you need to do. Without one, you cannot receive your salary, pay rent, or use iDEAL — the payment system that powers nearly every online transaction in the country. This guide compares all major banks, explains exactly what you need, and walks you through the process step by step.
🏦 Why You Need a Dutch Bank Account
The Netherlands runs on its own banking infrastructure. Unlike many countries where international bank accounts or credit cards can get you by, the Dutch financial system has unique features that make a local account essential.
You Need a Dutch Account For
💳 What About Credit Cards?
Credit cards are not widely accepted in the Netherlands. Most supermarkets, restaurants, and shops use debit card payments only. Your Visa or Mastercard from home will work at some places, but you will quickly run into situations where only a Dutch debit card (with Maestro or V Pay) is accepted. A Dutch bank account with a debit card is not optional — it is a necessity.
📋 What You Need to Open an Account
Requirements vary by bank, but here is what you will generally need:
✅ Standard Requirements
⚠️ The BSN Catch-22
Most traditional Dutch banks require a BSN to open an account, but getting your BSN can take 2-6 weeks after arriving. If you need a bank account immediately, Bunq and N26 let you open an account without a BSN — you can add it later. For everything about getting your BSN, read our complete BSN guide.
🏦 Bank Comparison: Which Dutch Bank Is Best for Expats?
Here is a side-by-side comparison of every bank available to expats in the Netherlands in 2026:
| Bank | Monthly Fee | English Support | Expat-Friendly | Key Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ING | €0 - €5.25 | App & website in English | ★★★★ | Largest bank in NL. Free if salary ≥€1,250/mo deposited. Dedicated expat desk. |
| ABN AMRO | €2.95 | App & website in English | ★★★★ | Strong international reputation. Good mortgage products. English phone support. |
| Rabobank | €2.50 | Limited English | ★★★ | Strong in rural areas. Cooperative bank. App in English, but website partly Dutch. |
| Bunq | €2.99 - €17.99 | Fully English | ★★★★★ | No BSN needed initially. Open account in 5 min. Multi-currency. Dutch IBAN included. |
| N26 | Free - €16.90 | Fully English | ★★★★★ | No BSN needed. German bank with EU IBAN (DE). Free basic account. No iDEAL support. |
| Revolut | Free - €13.99 | Fully English | ★★★★ | Not a full Dutch bank. Lithuanian IBAN. Great for currency exchange. Limited iDEAL. |
💡 Important Note About IBANs
Some employers and Dutch institutions specifically require a Dutch IBAN (starting with NL). N26 provides a German IBAN (DE) and Revolut a Lithuanian IBAN (LT). While EU regulations prohibit IBAN discrimination, in practice some Dutch employers and insurers still insist on an NL IBAN. ING, ABN AMRO, Rabobank, and Bunq all provide Dutch IBANs.
🎯 Best Bank by Situation
"I need an account BEFORE my BSN"
Best choice: Bunq or N26. Both allow you to open an account with just your passport and a selfie. Bunq is the better option because it gives you a Dutch IBAN immediately. N26 gives you a German IBAN, which can cause issues with some Dutch employers and services. With Bunq, you can add your BSN later when you have it — there is no deadline pressure.
"I want a traditional Dutch bank"
Best choice: ING or ABN AMRO. ING is the most popular bank in the Netherlands and has the largest ATM network. Their expat desk makes the process smooth, and the account is free if you deposit at least €1,250 per month (which most working expats will). ABN AMRO is an excellent alternative with slightly better English-language customer service by phone.
"I am a freelancer or ZZP'er"
Best choice: Bunq Business or ING Zakelijk. As a freelancer (ZZP'er) in the Netherlands, you are legally required to have a separate business bank account. Bunq Business starts at €2.99/month and is fully digital — no paperwork, no branch visits. ING Zakelijk is the traditional choice and starts at €7.30/month but gives you access to business loans and a broader financial infrastructure.
📝 Step-by-Step: Opening an Account at ING
ING is the most popular bank for expats in the Netherlands. Here is exactly how to open an account:
- Check your eligibility. You need a valid passport or EU ID, a BSN, and a Dutch residential address. You must be at least 18 years old.
- Start your application online. Go to ing.nl and select "Open a current account" (Betaalrekening openen). The website is available in English — look for the language toggle in the top right corner.
- Fill in your personal details. Enter your name, date of birth, BSN, address, phone number, and email. You will also need to specify your nationality and tax residency.
- Upload your documents. You will need to upload a photo of your passport or EU ID card. ING uses video identification or an in-app ID scan to verify your identity.
- Choose your account type. The basic "Betaalpakket" is free if you deposit at least €1,250/month. The "Oranje Pakket" (€5.25/month) includes travel insurance and premium features.
- Wait for approval. ING typically approves applications within 1-3 business days. You will receive a confirmation email.
- Download the ING app. Once approved, download the ING Banking app, log in, and activate your debit card. Your IBAN number is visible immediately in the app.
- Receive your debit card. Your physical debit card arrives by mail within 5-7 business days. In the meantime, you can use Apple Pay or Google Pay through the app for contactless payments.
💡 ING Expat Desk
ING has a dedicated International Clients team that handles expat applications. If you run into any issues, call them at 020 22 88 100 (English-speaking). They can also help with opening a savings account, setting up a joint account with your partner, or applying for a mortgage later on.
📱 Step-by-Step: Opening an Account at Bunq
Bunq is the fastest way to get a Dutch bank account. The entire process takes about 5 minutes — no branch visit, no BSN required upfront.
- Download the Bunq app. Available on iOS and Android. You can also sign up at bunq.com.
- Start registration. Enter your email address and create a password. Bunq will send you a verification email.
- Verify your identity. Take a photo of your passport or EU ID, then take a selfie. Bunq uses AI-powered identity verification — this takes about 2 minutes.
- Choose your plan. "Easy Bank" starts at €2.99/month. "Easy Money" (€8.99/month) adds cashback and more sub-accounts. "Easy Green" (€17.99/month) plants trees with your spending.
- Your account is ready. You receive your Dutch IBAN (NL) immediately. You can start receiving transfers and making payments right away.
- Order your debit card. A physical Mastercard debit card is included. It arrives within 3-5 business days. Until then, use Apple Pay or Google Pay.
- Add your BSN later. Bunq will ask you to provide your BSN once you have it. You have a reasonable window to do this — the account works fully in the meantime.
✅ Why Expats Love Bunq
Bunq was built for international users. The app is fully in English, you can hold multiple currencies, international transfers are cheap, and you get up to 25 sub-accounts (IBANs) to organize your finances. It is also the only Dutch bank that lets you open an account before arriving in the Netherlands — useful if you want to pay a deposit on an apartment from abroad.
💳 Understanding Dutch Banking
Dutch banking works differently from what you may be used to in the US or UK. Here are the key things to understand:
iDEAL
iDEAL is the dominant online payment system in the Netherlands. When you buy something online from a Dutch webshop, you will almost always pay via iDEAL. It works by redirecting you to your bank's app or website to authorize the payment directly from your account. No credit card number needed. To use iDEAL, you need an account at a Dutch bank (ING, ABN AMRO, Rabobank, or Bunq all support it). N26 and Revolut do not support iDEAL.
Tikkie
Tikkie is the Dutch app for splitting bills and requesting payments. When friends go out for dinner, someone pays and sends everyone a "Tikkie" — a payment request via WhatsApp. It is deeply embedded in Dutch social culture. You need a Dutch bank account to use Tikkie. Not having it means awkward "I'll pay you back later" moments.
Direct Debits (Incasso)
The Netherlands uses direct debits (automatische incasso) for most recurring payments: rent, health insurance, utilities, gym memberships, phone contracts. You authorize the company to withdraw money from your account on a set date each month. You can always reverse a direct debit within 8 weeks (56 days) through your banking app — no questions asked. This is a strong consumer protection that makes the system trustworthy.
No Checks, No Cash Culture
Checks do not exist in the Netherlands. Cash is rapidly disappearing — many shops and restaurants are now "pin only" (debit card only). The Dutch use contactless debit card payments for virtually everything, from a cup of coffee to a train ticket. Make sure your debit card is set up for contactless (NFC) payments.
Savings Accounts
Dutch banks offer separate savings accounts (spaarrekening) linked to your current account. Interest rates in 2026 range from approximately 1.5% to 2.5% depending on the bank and account type. ING and ABN AMRO offer competitive savings rates. You can transfer money between your current and savings accounts instantly through the app.
💰 Fees and Costs Breakdown
Monthly Banking Costs
Additional Fees to Watch
💡 Money-Saving Tip
If you regularly send money internationally (to family back home, for example), consider using Wise (formerly TransferWise) alongside your Dutch bank account. Wise offers the real exchange rate with a small transparent fee — typically 5-10x cheaper than transferring through ING or ABN AMRO. You can link your Dutch bank account to Wise for easy transfers.
⚠️ Common Problems and Solutions
⚠️ Problem: Bank rejects your proof of address
Solution: Banks need a document showing your Dutch address. A rental contract works best. If you do not have one yet, a letter from your employer confirming your Dutch address, a municipality registration letter (BRP extract), or a utility bill in your name can work. Hotel confirmations are not accepted. If you are staying in a furnished apartment, ask your landlord for a signed declaration.
⚠️ Problem: Waiting for your BSN but need an account now
Solution: Open a Bunq account immediately — no BSN required. Use it to receive your first salary and pay initial expenses. Once you have your BSN (usually 2-6 weeks after your gemeente appointment), you can either keep Bunq as your main account or open an ING/ABN AMRO account and transfer everything over.
⚠️ Problem: International transfers are expensive
Solution: Never use your Dutch bank for large international transfers outside the EU. Use Wise for transparent, low-cost transfers at the real exchange rate. For receiving money from abroad, give the sender your Wise account details instead of your Dutch bank IBAN — this avoids incoming transfer fees and poor exchange rates.
⚠️ Problem: Employer does not accept your non-Dutch IBAN
Solution: While IBAN discrimination is technically illegal under EU regulation (EU 260/2012), some Dutch employers and payroll providers still cannot process non-NL IBANs. If this happens, ask your HR department to escalate it. In the meantime, open a Bunq account for a Dutch IBAN within minutes, or ask your employer to make a one-time manual transfer while you sort out a Dutch account.
⚠️ Problem: Account application rejected
Solution: Dutch banks can be strict with identity verification, especially for non-EU nationals. Common reasons for rejection: unclear passport photo, address mismatch, or being from a country on the bank's restricted list. Try a different bank — each has its own policies. Bunq tends to be the most flexible. If all else fails, visit a bank branch in person with all your original documents.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Can I open a Dutch bank account from abroad before I move?
Yes, with Bunq. Bunq is the only Dutch bank that allows you to open an account fully online without being in the Netherlands. You can sign up from anywhere in the world with just your passport. This is useful if you need to pay a rental deposit before arriving. Traditional banks (ING, ABN AMRO, Rabobank) require you to be in the Netherlands with a BSN.
How long does it take to open a Dutch bank account?
Bunq: 5 minutes, fully online. N26: 10 minutes, fully online. ING: 1-3 business days for online applications, or same-day at a branch. ABN AMRO: 1-5 business days online. Your physical debit card arrives separately in 3-7 business days for all banks.
Do I need to speak Dutch to open a bank account?
No. ING, ABN AMRO, Bunq, N26, and Revolut all have English-language apps and websites. ING and ABN AMRO also have English-speaking staff at their branches and phone support lines. Rabobank has more limited English support, so it is not the best choice if you do not speak Dutch.
Can I have bank accounts at multiple Dutch banks?
Yes. There is no limit on the number of bank accounts you can have. Many expats use a combination — for example, Bunq for daily spending (quick setup, no BSN needed) and ING for salary and direct debits (free with ≥€1,250/mo). Having accounts at two banks also provides a backup if one bank has technical issues.
What happens to my Dutch bank account if I leave the Netherlands?
It depends on the bank. ING and ABN AMRO allow you to keep your account if you move to another EU country, but may close it if you move outside the EU. Bunq is the most flexible — you can keep your account regardless of where you live. Notify your bank before you move to avoid your account being flagged or frozen. You may also need to update your tax residency information.
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