ING vs Rabobank for Expats 2026: Which Dutch Bank Is Better?

I’ve had accounts at both ING and Rabobank during my time in the Netherlands. Here’s what I wish I’d known before opening either.

When I arrived, I did what most expats do: I asked colleagues which bank they used, got two completely different answers, and then spent an afternoon trying to work out the difference from two websites that seemed determined not to explain things clearly. I ended up opening ING first because the application was in English. A year later I added Rabobank because my employer used it and I wanted to understand it firsthand.

That experience — holding both accounts simultaneously, using them for different things, watching friends and clients struggle with the same decision — is the basis of this comparison. The ING vs Rabobank question comes up constantly among expats in the Netherlands, and the honest answer is more specific than most articles admit.

The short version: ING is better for most newly arrived expats. Rabobank has genuine strengths, but they are specific ones. Let me explain exactly where each bank wins and where it falls short.

ING vs Rabobank: Quick Comparison

ING: The Expat-Friendly Default

ING is the largest retail bank in the Netherlands by customer numbers, and its international footprint — with operations across Europe, Asia, and the Americas — means the bank is genuinely used to dealing with internationally mobile customers. For an expat arriving in the Netherlands, this matters more than it sounds.

Account Types and Fees

ING’s standard current account (Betaalrekening) costs €0 per month. There are no hidden fees for basic use: you get a debit card (Maestro/Visa Debit), access to online banking and the mobile app, and the ability to make Dutch and SEPA transfers at no charge.

The ING Plus account costs €4.95 per month and adds travel insurance, purchase protection, and some extras. For most expats who already have travel insurance through their employer or health insurer, the Plus account is not worth it unless you specifically want the insurance bundled.

Opening an Account

This is where ING pulls ahead for expats. The application is entirely in English, you can do it via the ING app from your phone, and identity verification is done with a video check that typically takes under 10 minutes. In my experience — and in the experience of most expats I speak to — accounts are activated within 2–3 working days.

ING has also historically been willing to start the process before you have a BSN, giving you at least limited account access while you wait for your registration appointment. This flexibility is not guaranteed, and policy can change, but it is a genuine advantage for people who arrive before they can register with their municipality.

The Mobile App

ING’s app is consistently rated among the best banking apps in the Netherlands. The English language toggle works across all core functions — payments, transfers, statements, savings. There is no feature degradation when you switch to English: everything that works in Dutch works in English too.

The app supports iDEAL (the standard Dutch payment system), scheduled transfers, savings pots, and spending categorisation. Face ID and fingerprint login work reliably. I have used it on both iOS and Android at different points and found it stable.

International Transfers

This is where both ING and Rabobank show a significant weakness. ING charges €5–€10 for SWIFT transfers outside the SEPA zone, plus an exchange rate margin that is not disclosed prominently. For a €1,000 transfer to the UK or the US, the real cost can be €15–€25 once the exchange rate spread is included.

Within the SEPA zone (EU + several neighbouring countries), ING SEPA transfers are free and fast (usually same-day or next-day). If your international transfers stay within Europe, this is not an issue. If you regularly send money to family outside Europe, or receive salary in a non-euro currency, the transfer costs add up quickly.

I use Wise for all transfers outside the SEPA zone. Wise uses the mid-market exchange rate with a transparent fee that is typically 0.4–1.5% of the transferred amount — compared to an effective 2–4% with bank transfers when the exchange rate margin is included. More on this later.

English Customer Service

ING officially supports English-language service on its phone lines and through its app chat. In practice, you will sometimes connect with an agent who defaults to Dutch, but switching to English is generally accepted without issue. For written queries through the app, English responses are reliable.

ING’s help centre (ing.nl/particulier) is available in English, which makes self-service troubleshooting much easier than with Rabobank.

Weaknesses

ING’s branch network has been shrinking steadily. If you prefer or need in-person banking — for complex document verification, mortgage discussions, or problems that cannot be resolved online — finding a convenient ING branch in smaller cities or rural areas is harder than it used to be.

The mortgage process at ING is functional but slow. Expats with complex income situations (30% ruling, international employment contracts, self-employment) sometimes report ING advisers being less experienced with these scenarios than Rabobank’s specialist advisers. See our guide to the 30% ruling in the Netherlands for context on how your tax benefit affects mortgage calculations.

Rabobank: The Cooperative with Genuine Strengths

Rabobank is a cooperative bank — meaning it is technically owned by its members — with deep roots in the Dutch agricultural and rural economy. It is the second-largest bank in the Netherlands by total assets and has a strong reputation in several specific areas that matter to some expats more than others.

Account Types and Fees

Rabobank’s standard current account costs €2.30 per month. The bank scrapped its previously free basic account in recent years, which drew criticism. There is a Premium account at around €4.75 per month that adds travel insurance and other benefits.

The €2.30 monthly fee is not a huge amount, but it is €27.60 per year for a service that ING provides free. Over multiple years, and especially when you add the generally slightly higher transaction fees for some services, Rabobank is the more expensive day-to-day option for basic banking.

Opening an Account

The Rabobank account opening process is more involved than ING’s. The website and most of the application journey are in Dutch (browser auto-translation helps, but it is not a designed-for-English experience). Non-EU applicants in particular often need to visit a branch or complete a Dutch-language video identification step.

Rabobank is also stricter about the BSN requirement upfront. If you arrive in the Netherlands and have not yet registered at your municipality, opening a Rabobank account immediately is difficult. For the ING vs Rabobank choice at the moment of arrival, this alone makes ING the practical first move.

Account activation typically takes 5–10 working days, roughly twice as long as ING in most cases.

The Mobile App

Rabobank’s app is well-designed and reliable, but it skews heavily Dutch. The English translation is incomplete — some sections remain in Dutch regardless of your language setting. For basic tasks like checking your balance, making payments, and viewing statements, you can manage with limited Dutch. For anything more complex, you may find yourself reaching for Google Translate.

The app supports iDEAL and standard SEPA transfers. It is not as polished or feature-rich as ING’s app, though it is far from unusable.

International Transfers

Rabobank’s international transfer fees are similar to ING’s: around €5–€10 for SWIFT transfers, plus an exchange rate margin. The same advice applies: use Wise for international transfers outside the SEPA zone.

Mortgage Expertise

This is Rabobank’s clearest advantage for expats. Rabobank has more specialist mortgage advisers, more branches to meet them in, and more documented experience processing mortgages for people with non-Dutch employment contracts, 30% ruling income adjustments, and international financial histories.

If you are planning to buy property in the Netherlands — especially within the first two or three years of arriving — Rabobank is worth seriously considering, or at least worth consulting alongside your regular bank. Our article on finding an expat mortgage broker in the Netherlands covers this in more detail.

Business Banking

Rabobank is genuinely strong for business banking, particularly if you are a ZZP (freelance/self-employed) professional or run a small company. Its business account infrastructure, lending relationships, and local branch support are well-regarded. If you are registering as a ZZP and want a bank that understands the Dutch business context, Rabobank deserves a look. See our guide to ZZP registration in the Netherlands for the full process.

English Customer Service

This is Rabobank’s clearest weakness relative to ING. Phone support is primarily in Dutch. Written support through the app is in Dutch. The online help centre is in Dutch. Some branches in larger cities (Amsterdam, Rotterdam, The Hague, Eindhoven) have English-speaking staff, but this is not standardised.

For expats who are not confident in Dutch, dealing with a Rabobank issue — a disputed transaction, a blocked card, a direct debit problem — can be genuinely frustrating in a way that ING avoids.

Detailed Comparison by Category

1. Account Opening Speed and Process

ING wins. Fully online, English throughout, 2–3 days to activation, flexible on BSN timing.

Rabobank: Partial online, Dutch-heavy, up to 10 days, BSN usually required upfront.

For a newly arrived expat, the practicality gap here is significant. You need a bank account within days of arrival — for salary setup, rental deposits, and iDEAL payments. ING is the better first bank for this reason.

2. Monthly Fees

ING wins. €0 for the basic account versus €2.30 at Rabobank.

Over 12 months, that is €27.60 saved. Over three years, €82.80. Not a life-changing amount, but ING provides a better feature set at zero cost.

3. Mobile App

ING wins. Full English support, consistently higher app store ratings, more features.

Rabobank: Reliable but Dutch-dominated. Manageable for basic tasks, frustrating for anything else.

4. International Transfers

Draw — both are expensive. Use Wise for non-SEPA transfers.

Both ING and Rabobank charge €5–€10 for SWIFT transfers plus an undisclosed exchange rate spread. For a regular transfer of €500 to the UK, you might pay an effective €15–€20 in combined fees and rate margin at either bank.

Wise transfers the same €500 for around €3–€8 total (depending on currency), using the mid-market rate. The saving is real and consistent. I use Wise for everything outside the SEPA zone — it is not a replacement for your Dutch current account, but a complement to it. See our full Wise review for expats for a detailed breakdown of fees and use cases.

5. Mortgage Services

Rabobank wins for expat-specific mortgage expertise, branch access, and adviser experience with international income documentation.

ING is functional but slower, and advisers are less consistently experienced with 30% ruling calculations or non-Dutch employment contracts.

If a mortgage is on your near-term horizon, this is worth factoring into your bank choice — or at minimum, worth getting a Rabobank consultation regardless of which bank handles your current account.

6. English Customer Service

ING wins clearly. English phone and chat support officially offered. Help centre available in English.

Rabobank: Dutch-first in all channels. English possible at some city branches but not reliable.

For expats in the early years of living in the Netherlands, before Dutch language skills develop, the ability to call your bank and speak English is not a trivial convenience. It is relevant when something goes wrong.

7. Debit and Credit Cards

Both banks offer Maestro/Visa Debit cards for standard accounts. Both offer credit cards at around €2/month. Debit card use within the EEA is free of charge at both banks.

Abroad (outside the EEA), both banks charge a foreign transaction fee, typically 1.75–2.5% of the transaction amount. Again, this is where having a Wise card makes sense — it comes with your Wise account and uses mid-market rates for foreign currency spending with minimal fees.

8. Savings Accounts

Both banks’ savings rates are comparable in 2026, following European Central Bank rate adjustments. ING’s Oranje Spaarrekening typically offers 1.50–1.75% AER on standard balances, with occasional promotional rates for new savers. Rabobank’s savings account is around 1.50% AER.

Neither rate is outstanding. If optimising savings interest is a priority, a platform like Raisin aggregates offers from European banks and regularly lists rates of 2.5–3.5% AER for fixed-term deposits. Your Dutch current account for spending, Raisin or similar for savings earning interest, Wise for international transfers — this three-way setup covers most expat needs efficiently.

ABN AMRO as an Alternative

ABN AMRO is the third large Dutch retail bank and deserves a mention. Its fees sit between ING and Rabobank — around €1.70/month for a basic account — and the English language experience is better than Rabobank but not quite as polished as ING. ABN AMRO has a stronger private banking offering and is often recommended for high-income expats or those with complex wealth management needs.

For standard expat banking, ABN AMRO is a reasonable choice but does not clearly outperform ING on any metric that matters for most people in the first year or two of living in the Netherlands. ING remains the practical first choice; ABN AMRO is worth revisiting if you develop more specific financial needs later.

When to Add Wise Alongside Your Dutch Bank

A Dutch bank account is not optional — you need one. iDEAL, the standard Dutch payment system for online purchases, rental deposits, and most bill payments, only works through Dutch bank accounts. This is non-negotiable.

But your Dutch bank account does not need to handle everything. Here are the cases where adding Wise is worth it:

You send money home regularly. Whether it is support to family, mortgage payments on property abroad, or investing in your home country, ING and Rabobank will cost you significantly more per transfer than Wise. On a €1,000 transfer monthly, the saving is roughly €10–€20 per month.

You receive salary in a foreign currency. Wise gives you local bank account details in multiple currencies (GBP, USD, EUR, AUD, CAD, and more). If your employer pays in sterling but you live in euros, receiving into Wise and converting at the mid-market rate beats receiving via a bank international transfer every time.

You spend money abroad frequently. The Wise debit card uses mid-market rates for foreign currency spending up to a free monthly limit (€200/month free, small fee above that). This beats both ING and Rabobank’s 1.75–2.5% foreign transaction fees.

You are still waiting for your Dutch bank account. Wise can be opened quickly with a passport, before you have a BSN, and gives you a Dutch IBAN. This is not a full current account replacement — iDEAL support is limited — but it provides an emergency payment option while you wait for your ING or Rabobank account.

Read our full Wise review for expats in the Netherlands for a detailed account of fees, limits, and how it fits into your overall financial setup here.

How Your Bank Choice Connects to Broader Financial Planning

Your current account is just one part of your financial picture in the Netherlands. A few related topics worth understanding:

Salary and purchasing power: The average salary in the Netherlands in 2026 gives useful context for what banking fees represent as a percentage of your income, and what level of mortgage you might be considering.

The 30% ruling: If you qualify, the 30% ruling tax benefit affects your net salary and how your income is treated in mortgage calculations. Rabobank is more experienced with this than ING in practice.

Pension: Understanding the Dutch pension system matters from the moment you start working here — your employer contributions, your state pension accrual, and how your banking setup fits around long-term savings.

Housing: Whether you are renting or buying, the comparison between Funda and Pararius and the mortgage broker market is closely linked to which bank relationship you build.

ZZP: If you are freelancing, ZZP registration affects your banking needs — Rabobank’s business account offering is stronger than ING’s for sole traders.

Cost of living: The full breakdown of cost of living in the Netherlands in 2026 helps you understand what your banking fees represent within your monthly budget.

City choice: If you are still deciding where to live, our Amsterdam vs Rotterdam comparison covers factors beyond banking that affect financial planning.

Explore our full suite of financial tools for expats to help with tax calculations, salary benchmarking, and cost comparisons.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which bank is easier to open as an expat — ING or Rabobank?

ING. The application is fully in English, fully online, and accounts typically activate within 2–3 working days. ING is also more flexible about starting the process before you have a BSN. Rabobank’s process is more involved, skews Dutch-language, and often takes longer.

Do I need a BSN for both ING and Rabobank?

Both technically require a BSN for full account activation under Dutch law. ING is more flexible in practice, sometimes allowing a limited account to be started before your BSN is confirmed. Rabobank generally requires your BSN upfront. If you arrive before registering with your municipality, ING is the more practical choice.

Does ING have an English app and English customer service?

Yes. ING’s app has a full English mode that works across all features. Phone and chat support can be conducted in English — not every agent will lead with it, but switching is accepted. Rabobank’s app is predominantly Dutch.

Which Dutch bank is cheapest for expats?

ING’s basic account is free (€0/month). Rabobank’s basic account is €2.30/month. For international transfers, both banks are expensive — use Wise for non-SEPA transfers regardless of which bank you choose.

Which bank is better for a Dutch mortgage as an expat?

Rabobank, particularly if you have 30% ruling income, an international employment contract, or a complex financial history. Rabobank advisers are generally more experienced with these scenarios. That said, most expats benefit from using an independent mortgage broker who can approach multiple lenders.

Can I open an ING or Rabobank account entirely online?

ING: yes, completely. Rabobank: the application starts online but many non-EU applicants need to complete a Dutch-language video check or visit a branch.

What are ING and Rabobank’s savings rates in 2026?

ING’s Oranje Spaarrekening offers approximately 1.50–1.75% AER. Rabobank’s savings account offers around 1.50% AER. Both are comparable and modest. For higher rates, consider fixed-term deposits via platforms like Raisin.

Conclusion: Which Dutch Bank Should Expats Choose?

For most expats arriving in the Netherlands, ING is the better starting point. It is free, fully English, opens quickly, and works well as a day-to-day account. The app is excellent. English customer service is available. You can open it before you have a BSN sorted. There is no meaningful reason to start with Rabobank unless you have a specific reason to.

Choose Rabobank if:

• You are buying property within the next 1–2 years and want a bank with stronger mortgage expertise
• You are running a business or freelancing and want a bank with deeper business banking experience
• You already speak reasonable Dutch and the language barrier is not a concern
• You value the cooperative ownership model or have a strong preference for their rural/local branch network

Choose ING if:

• You are newly arrived and need an account fast
• You want a free account with a great English-language app
• English customer service is important to you
• You are not buying property in the near term

In both cases: add Wise for international transfers and foreign currency spending. Neither bank offers competitive rates for non-SEPA transfers, and the savings are real and ongoing.

The ING vs Rabobank decision is less critical than expats sometimes make it. Both are reliable Dutch banks with solid infrastructure. Opening an account at ING, using Wise for international transfers, and revisiting Rabobank when a mortgage becomes relevant covers the vast majority of expat banking needs in the Netherlands.

Have questions about banking in the Netherlands? Check out our best bank account guide for expats in 2026 for a broader overview including neobanks and digital-only options.