Banking in the Netherlands – The Complete Guide

As you settle in the Netherlands, you must familiarize yourself with banking in the Netherlands. This guide will provide you with what you need to know about Dutch banks during your stay.

Banking Basics

First and foremost, be aware of your options. There are plenty of banks to choose from, varying from the traditional, retail kind to the modern mobile ones. Your choice depends on what’s most important to you.

Mobile Banks

Bunq
Bunq is an app-based Dutch bank with a European reach available in English, Dutch, and other European languages such as Spanish and German. They provide an easier banking experience to save users time and money. You can set up a bank account in 5 minutes by downloading the bunq app. Offers include:

Personal:

bunq Students (Free). Students have access to the bunq Pro plan for free.
bunq Free (Free). The essentials to get you started.
bunq Core (€3.99/month). The bank account for everyday use.
bunq Pro (€9.99/month). The bank account that makes budgeting easy.
bunq Elite (€18.99/month). The bank account designed for your international lifestyle.

bunq is known for its commitment to sustainability. With every €100 spent using your bunq card, a tree is planted, allowing students to contribute to environmental conservation efforts.

Dutch Banks (The Big 3)

ABN AMRO
ABN AMRO is one of the largest banks in the Netherlands. It is most suitable for students and graduates who don’t speak Dutch, because they provide information in English. The bank offers free mobile and online banking. The Student Package is free of charge for international students. Students and graduates can open an account upon arrival once they get their BSN.

ABN AMRO offers three different kinds of credit cards (standard credit card, gold credit card, and student credit card). In case of damages or losses, you also get an insurance cover based on your credit card option.

ING Group
ING Group is a Dutch multinational bank included in the Big 3. It also allows students and graduates from all over the world to open a Dutch account upon arrival and after they get their BSN. The student account opens for free, and you get a student debit card. Facilities include Mobile Banking App and My ING account with an English version for both.

Rabobank
Rabobank is a cooperative Dutch bank with high safety ratings internationally. You can open a bank account for free and get a free credit card, as well. You need to book an appointment to set up an account. Unfortunately, the website/internet banking does not provide any information in English.

Other top banks in the Netherlands include:

SNS Bank
Triodos Bank
ASN Bank

TIP: If a Dutch bank website (or any website) doesn’t have the page available in English, right click with your mouse anywhere in the page, and select ‘translate to English’. The browser will automatically translate the page for you. Just make sure to do it every time you change a page. Note that this function only works in Google Chrome!

Opening a Dutch Bank Account

Opening a Dutch bank account offers a range of benefits while you’re in the Netherlands. If you will be staying for a while, it is highly advisable that you open a Dutch bank account to save money and make your payments easier.

Do I need a bank account?

If you are an international student or graduate who already has a bank account from your home country, you might think you don’t need to open a new one. However, a Dutch bank account allows access to more services and benefits than you can imagine, including green banking initiatives, focusing on sustainable financial practices that can positively impact the environment.

Reasons to open a Dutch bank account:

Working in the Netherlands

If you intend to work or are already working in the Netherlands, you will need a bank account to pay for your health insurance. Most health insurance providers require you to have a Dutch bank account in order to apply. Getting a Dutch health insurance is mandatory when you work in the Netherlands. Even if you are an EU/EEA citizen with a European Insurance Card, this won’t suffice.

Allowances

The Dutch government provides allowances such as housing and healthcare which supplement your income or provide a sense of financial relief to your expenses. One of the prerequisites to apply for a benefit is to have a Dutch bank account where you will receive your money.

Subscriptions

To get a mobile (sim only) subscription in the Netherlands, most Dutch mobile providers, such as Simyo, require you to have a Dutch bank account. Simyo is a Dutch mobile virtual network operator known for its affordable and flexible mobile plans. It operates on the KPN network, providing reliable coverage across the country, and offers various flexible data bundles, allowing customers to choose plans that best suit their needs without being tied to long-term contracts.

Simyo also offers a convenient eSIM option allowing you to keep your existing SIM connected while adding a Simyo eSIM, making it an attractive choice for those looking for a cost-effective and flexible mobile solution in the Netherlands.

For more information on purchasing and activating your Dutch SIM card, check out our guide on How to Buy a Dutch SIM Card in the Netherlands [2024]

Cultural Discounts

One of the perks of living in the Netherlands is the access to various cultural discounts. However, to get them, you need to have a Dutch bank account. If you want to get the well-known Cineville card for unlimited access to films across 40 art house cinemas, set up your Dutch bank account as soon as possible.

Required documents

Some Dutch banks may not require all of the documents listed below. Make sure to visit the website of your desired Dutch bank to see what they require from you. To open a bank account, most Dutch banks request that you have the following:

Valid proof of identity: your passport or ID card
Proof of Dutch address: your contract, whether it’s an apartment or student housing
BSN number: you can get your burgerservicenummer when you register at a Dutch municipality. ABN AMRO and Bunq do not require that you have it right away and, thus, you can start an account before you obtain it.
Proof of enrollment at a Dutch educational institution: applies only when you open a student bank account and not for every bank. ABN AMRO does not require this but ING Group does.

Additional required documents for Non-EU students and graduates:

Proof of registration with the Foreign Police
Resident Permit

Student bank account (studentenrekening)

Most retail banks offer a student account package for university students and graduates. The student package for ABN AMRO is specifically for students aged 18 to 30. The age range varies across different banks, but they are more or less near the same age.

Most student accounts are free of charge, and they consist of the basic services such as:

Transactions
Debit card payments
ATM Cash withdrawals (ABN AMRO is free of charge)
Transfers
Access to internet banking and mobile app.

ABN AMRO specifically offers an accompanying Student Insurance consisting of three insurance policies for the price of one. You can get liability, accident, and home insurance. Our guide to health insurance can help you decide on the kind of insurance you need.

bunq mobile banking also offers a great option for those receiving student finance with its free bunq Pro account for students. With bunq, you get free ATM withdrawals, free debit and credit cards, instant payment notifications, and innovative budgeting tools to keep your expenses under control. The account is free as long as you receive your monthly student grant, making it a cost-effective choice for handling your finances effortlessly while studying in the Netherlands.

Joint Bank Accounts

Dutch banks provide you with the option of joint bank accounts if you wish to share yours with someone else. With ABN AMRO, you can set up a joint bank account for you and another person for just €1,70/month. The price includes a debit card and online banking.

What’s next?

Once you set up an account, you will receive your debit card and PIN code via mail within a few working days. In most cases, you get each of them in two separate letters. Some banks may ask you to visit and pick up your card by yourself, but you will be informed about this when you are setting up your account at the bank.

Online Banking

Technology enables ease of access to our bank accounts and tailors to our requests with the need to physically visit a bank for money matters. This is made possible through internet banking and/or the respective bank’s mobile app.

Internet Banking

All popular Dutch banks provide internet banking services. It’s quick and far more efficient than physically visiting a local branch to make a request. You can log onto your account via the web and check your balance, bill payments, make a deposit, etc. Banks also provide online service support via chat to accommodate any questions that you may have.

Mobile Apps

Most Dutch banks provide handy mobile apps that you can use to make transfers and payment requests. You also have access to your account balance, IBAN number, your savings account and products that your Dutch bank offers to you. Moreover, information for customer service is also available to you. You can also get notified whenever a payment goes in or out.

Money Matters

Money matters include payment methods, ATM withdrawals and money transfers. Living in the Netherlands can make your experience with such basics a little different than what you might be used to.

Payments

Cash Money vs Card Payments

With the increasing number of online purchases, cash money is not a popular payment method. In fact, a lot of stores and restaurants in the Netherlands have a no cash policy. In such cases, owners make it clear with a large sign that indicates their policy.

Card payments are more widely acceptable for security reasons. Further, due to COVID-19, it is more advisable for people to limit their cash payments and adopt the card payment method instead.

Regardless, cash money is still a recognizable payment method, and its acceptance remains high.

What is iDEAL?

One of the most popular and well-known secure, online payment methods in the Netherlands is iDEAL. Every Dutch bank offers the option to use iDEAL for online purchases because of its numerous benefits:

Easy and secure
Online payment is processed immediately
You can pay using your Dutch bank’s account or via the mobile app (i.e. the ABN AMRO app)
Registration is optional
No software or app to download
Payment details are automatically filled in for you

iDEAL is also gradually gaining international popularity with more than 100,000 webshops in over 60 countries that allow payments using iDEAL. Note that iDEAL payments cannot be refunded, and you cannot use iDEAL outside the Netherlands.

Withdrawals

ATM

If you wish to withdraw cash, you can use any ATM all over the Netherlands. Keep in mind that there is a daily or weekly limit to how much money you can withdraw or spend. Additionally, you always need to use your secret PIN in order to use an ATM. You can use an ATM to change your pin, but for safety, it is recommended to use your mobile app instead.

Due to a surge of raids all over the Netherlands, the Dutch Banking Association, NVB, was forced to close ATMs at night. ABN AMRO ATMs are closed between 11pm and 7am. Also, sealbag machines are open between 6am and 6.30pm from Monday to Saturday. Check the website of your preferred dutch bank for closing hours on their ATMs.

Transfers

Money transfers can be local or international. Whether you wish to send money to your friend to pay them back for your coffee, or whether you wish to send or receive money abroad, it is crucial that you know the means to manage your money transfers.

Tikkie (Local)

Tikkie is a payment app that allows you to make payment requests. It is an initiative of ABN AMRO, but it is available for all customers of any Dutch bank. It is very simple to use, and it’s a great way to manage what you owe and what others owe you. You simply make a payment request to someone by entering the amount in the app and selecting the person you wish to receive your request. They will receive an automated WhatsApp message asking them to process the payment.

If you wish to send money, you can download the app for free (iOS or Android). You do not need a separate online bank account or an e-wallet to receive your payments. Your requested money will automatically be credited to your existing current account. Also, the recipient is not required to have the app in order to send the money.

XE (International)

Navigating the complexities of international transactions as a college student or graduate can be daunting, but XE Money Transfers steps in to simplify the process. Picture this: you need to send tuition fees in a different currency. With XE, you get competitive exchange rates, making sure you're not losing out on your hard-earned money. The user-friendly platform allows you to effortlessly convert your local currency, ensuring a smooth journey through your academic pursuits abroad.

Beyond tuition fees, XE caters to the practicalities of family connections across borders. Whether you're sending support to relatives overseas or receiving funds in a different currency from family, XE's transparent pricing and real-time exchange rate information provide a straightforward solution. No hidden fees mean you can trust that the amount you send or receive is precisely accounted for, fostering financial clarity in your family transactions. So, whether it's supporting your education or managing familial ties globally, XE empowers college students with a reliable and straightforward tool for their international financial needs.

If you're looking to send or receive money from abroad, explore how XE can help you with this.

bunq (International and Local Transfers)

For both local and international transfers, bunq mobile banking offers a seamless and cost-effective solution. With bunq, you can make seamless international transactions in over 40 different currencies directly from the app, often at better exchange rates than traditional banks. The bunq app's built-in international transfer feature allows you to send and receive money across borders without the hassle of hidden fees, ensuring that your transactions are transparent and straightforward. This makes bunq a great option for students managing finances across borders.

Credit Cards vs. Debit Cards

Cash money has grown less and less popular with the increase of card usage worldwide, including the Netherlands. In the Netherlands specifically, debit card usage increased by on average 9% per year since 2010. In 2015, the Dutch made more debit card payments than cash payments for the first time. Familiarize yourself with the different types and see what works best for you while living in the Netherlands.

Credit cards

Credit cards are ideal for making large purchases and travelling with fraud protection features. While not too popular, credit cards are slowly becoming an acceptable payment method in the Netherlands. International stores across the country such as LIDL and Primark certainly accept visa cards. However, a lot of local stores do not accept credit cards — others may not accept cards, at all! Even if you have a debit card with you, make sure you carry some cash as well when you shop at local markets.

Debit cards

Debit cards are the most commonly used type of cards in the Netherlands. Debit cards are a lot easier to obtain than credit cards, because the application process takes a lot less time. Debit cards allow you to manage your own money by only spending what you have. Without the option to borrow money, you can avoid debts.

Debit card or credit card?

Debit cards are mainly used by people in the Netherlands for their routine purchases. This includes grocery shopping, coffee, food, and other markets. People in the Netherlands use credit cards for online booking purchases such as flights, hotels and car rentals. Moreover, cash withdrawals and payments are free of any charge when you use your debit card. In some cases, you will be charged extra for withdrawals and payments via credit cards.

Note: For those looking for a convenient banking option, bunq offers free debit and credit cards as part of its mobile banking services with no hidden fees. With bunq, you can easily manage your spending using a free debit card for everyday purchases, and a free credit card for larger, planned expenses. The bunq app also provides real-time notifications for every transaction, ensuring you always have control over your finances. bunq’s cards can also be easily linked to Apple Pay and Google Pay for seamless mobile payments, making it easier to shop locally and internationally.

Bank Products & Other Services

Banks offer a lot more services than just bank accounts. Some of them include taking out loans and mortgages. Expert advice is available to customers for any services. It is best that you seek out more information and advice before making any big steps.

Loans

When you apply for a loan, you request money in exchange for gradual repayment. All loan terms and conditions are established before any money exchange takes place. Applying for loans can be made online with most banks such as ABN AMRO. You can get expert advice there if you need it, including customer support in English.

Make sure to know how much you will be repaying, and only take out a loan when it is necessary. If you are struggling with money matters, remember that the Dutch government offers health & insurance benefits to students and graduates that you can be eligible to apply for.

Mortgages

If you wish to invest in buying a house, you must be aware of the fact that there are a lot of things to consider. The process should not be rushed, so make sure to plan ahead. Consider taking this step after graduation. Home experts can assist you with buying a home in the Netherlands and inform you about Dutch regulations and legislation.