Opening a Dutch bank account

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When do you need a Dutch bank account

As an international student at Erasmus University Rotterdam, opening a Dutch bank account might come in handy. Sometimes your own bank account from your home country won't suffice. You need a Dutch bank account for the following situations:

  • If you want to activate automatic monthly payments of your tuition fee;
    (Please note: a different payment procedure applies for NON-EEA students, who have to apply for an entry visa and/or residence permit.) 
  • If you want to get an phone plan where you fulfill the payment per month;
  • or if you want your immigration deposit to get reimbursed.
  • Refund of living fee (non-EU): We understand that many of you are eager to receive your living fee refund as soon as possible. For most banks, a BSN number is required to open an account. However, if you're in need of an immediate solution, we recommend opening an online bank account with BUNQ. BUNQ allows you to open an account without needing a BSN number. While it may have higher fees compared to other banks, it provides a convenient option to receive your living fee refund promptly. Once you obtain your BSN number, you can always switch to a more cost-effective bank if you wish.

Opening a bank account | Study in NL

Opening a Dutch bank account can be done at several banks. 

Find more information on opening a bank account and compare different banks. 

Information 

  • Minimum age: 18, special requirements apply to minors, see below
  • BSN required: Eventually, yes. Without BSN, you can still open a bank account, but you will have to provide a BSN within 90 days after opening bank account. This is only possible via the ABN amro app.
  • Residence permit required (if applicable to your siutation): Yes
  • Dutch living address required: Yes
  • Dutch phone number required: No
  • Fees: From just 3,25 per month
  • Physical debit card: Yes

Basic Payment Package: 3,25 per month

  • Basic Payment Package contains: a current account, a debit card and access to online banking services. It is a flexible payment package, which means you choose what you want in addition to your basic package. For example, you may want to have a credit card or an extra debit card. You only pay for what you use.
  • For US students: you can only become a client at an ABN AMRO branch. Make an appointment at one of our branches to do this by contacting them.
  • Provide extract from the Municipal Personal Records Database (BRP): You can request this yourself at your municipality. You can open the account even without the extract, but some features of your current account will not be available in this case, for example deposits and cash withdrawals.

Account activation

  • App: You will receive information about the status of your application via SMS and email within 4 hours after completing the application
  • Website:  You will receive your debit card and e.dentifier within 5 working days. You can then arrange all your banking matters in a few simple steps, such as transferring money and checking your balance: whenever and wherever you are.

How to open an account if parents can be present

  • Students must make an appointment through phone: +31 (0)20 343 40 02.
  • Parents must be present at the appointment

How to open an account if parents cannot be present

  • Students must make an appointment through phone: +31 (0)20 343 40 02.
  • Students must have a living address in the Netherlands
  • Students must have a BSN number 
  • Students must have letter (declaration of consent) letter with approval from parents, letter must be signed by parents + copy pasport of parent

Exemption for American students

  • They also need to submit a FATCA form (due to special tax obligations)

Information

  • Minimum age: 18
  • BSN required: yes
  • Residence permit required (if applicable to your situation): yes
  • Dutch living address required: yes
  • Dutch phone number required: no
  • Fees: From 2,70 per month
  • Physical debit card: yes
  • Account activation: Immediately

If you are younger than 18 years, you need to come to a branch (not an ING service point) and bring your legal representative (usually your parents or guardian) to open a Youth Current Account. There are no options for opening a bank account at ING if your legal representative is not present! 

Information

  • Age: 18
  • BSN required: no
  • Residence permit required (if applicable to your situation): yes
  • Dutch living address required: yes
  • Dutch phone number required: no
  • Fees: Easy savings, free (1 physical card for 9,99 per year), Easy bank, fees 2,99 per month (1 physical card, 1 virtual creditcard) 
  • Physical debit card: Your choice
  • Account activation: It usually takes up to 5 minutes to verify your paperwork. Make sure to check out our pro tips. As soon as your full bank account is ready, we’ll send you a notification and you’ll be able to use your bunq account right away

If you're under 18 and want to open an account with Bunq, you can complete the registration process and let them know who your parent(s) or other legal representative(s) are. You will need their approval for you to use the account. Bunq will send an approval request to your legal representative(s), who can approve it through their own Bunq account. So your legal representative must also have a bunq account. 
Opening an account for your child

Information

  • Age: >18
  • BSN required: yes
  • Residence permit required: yes
  • Dutch living address required: yes
  • Dutch phone number required: no
  • Fees: Free
  • Physical debit card: yes
  • Account activation: depending on nationality can take up to 5 weeks

To open a bank account, students can visit a Rabobank office without an appointment. They need to provide their BSN, residence permit, Dutch living address. Rabobank will forward the request to open a bank account to the wright department. Students will be contacted by phone to answer a few more questions. It can take approximately 5 weeks (depending on nationality) before bank account is active. 

If you are younger than 18 years, you need to come to a branch with your legal representative (usually your parents or guardian) to open a Rabo Youth Account. There are no options for opening a bank account at Rabobank if your legal representative is not present! 

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Frequently Asked Questions 

Overall there are no huge differences between the 5 mentioned banks. Nevertheless, the banks do differ in some ways. Some examples:
 

  • ABN AMRO provides all communication in English, in contrary to the other banks; 
  • On the other hand, ING Bank is able to provide you with a temporary card way faster;
  • Triodos bank is focusing more on sustainability and less on profit; 
  • With Bunq’s Premium membership you get a choice of 3 cards (Maestro and/or Mastercard). The app is available in Dutch, German, Italian, French, Spanish and English. And real-time support is available in English. Since the last update Bunq added products especially for internationals: TransferWise in the app: 8 times cheaper international payments. Or ZeroFX: save up to 3% when using your card for other currencies. 

As you can see: each bank has its own pros and cons. So what to choose then? Pick a bank either close to your accommodation (so it's easier to visit the bank during office hours) or choose a bank where registration is made quite easy.

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