How to Open a Dutch Bank Account as an Expat (2026 Guide)

When I arrived in the Netherlands, I had exactly one financial problem I hadn’t anticipated: iDEAL.

I needed to pay my first month’s rent online. My British bank card didn’t work. The landlord only accepted iDEAL. iDEAL requires a Dutch bank account. And a Dutch bank account, I was told, requires a BSN — which I wouldn’t get for another two weeks.

That circular trap is the first thing most expats hit, and nobody warns you about it before you land.

This guide walks you through the exact process of opening a bank account in the Netherlands, in the right order, without getting stuck in that loop. I’ve also added dedicated sections on the specific situations I’m asked about most often: opening an account without a BSN, opening from abroad, joint accounts, student accounts, and options for non-residents.

The Timeline at a Glance

Here is the short version, front-loaded, because that is what you actually need:

You are really opening two accounts. Wise gets you functional immediately. A traditional Dutch bank gets you fully integrated into the Dutch payment system.

If you want to know which bank to choose rather than how to open one, see the best bank accounts for expats in the Netherlands — that is a separate question, covered separately.

What You Need: Document Checklist

The document requirements differ significantly depending on which type of account you are opening.

For digital banks (Wise, Bunq, N26, Revolut)

• Valid passport or EU/EEA identity card
• A selfie or short video for identity verification
• An email address
• That is genuinely it

No BSN. No Dutch address. No proof of income. I opened my first Wise account from a coffee shop in Rotterdam on the day I arrived, using my phone.

For traditional Dutch banks (ING, ABN AMRO, Rabobank)

• Valid passport or EU identity card
• Your BSN (burgerservicenummer)
• Proof of Dutch address — typically a printed confirmation from your gemeente registration (the BRP registration document)
• Sometimes: employment contract or proof of income, particularly for ING
• Sometimes: proof of health insurance (ABN AMRO occasionally asks for this)

The key bottleneck here is the BSN. You cannot skip it for traditional banks, full stop.

Step 1: Open a Digital Account Before You Arrive

Do this before you get on the plane, or on the day you land. It solves the iDEAL problem, the salary problem, and the “I need to pay a deposit right now” problem.

Wise

Wise gives you a European IBAN that most Dutch employers and landlords accept. The account is free to open. You get a debit card (small one-time fee), can hold euros alongside other currencies, and send money internationally at real exchange rates.

How to open a Wise account:

1. Go to wise.com and click “Register”
2. Sign up with your email address
3. Complete the identity verification — upload your passport photo and take a selfie
4. Once verified, go to “Account details” and add EUR to see your European IBAN
5. Order a Wise debit card if you want one (arrives within a few days in the Netherlands)

The whole process takes between 10 and 30 minutes. Verification is usually instant but can occasionally take up to 24 hours.

Open Your Wise Account in Minutes →

Your Wise IBAN works for receiving a salary and setting up direct debits. It is not a full Dutch bank account in the traditional sense — you do not get a Dutch bank app experience, overdraft facilities, or a local branch — but for your first weeks in the country, it is exactly what you need.

For more on how Wise compares to other options, see Wise vs Revolut for expats in the Netherlands.

Bunq as an alternative

Bunq is a Dutch digital bank that also allows sign-up without visiting a branch. EU citizens can open an account remotely. It is more expensive than Wise (subscription model starting around €2.99/month), but it functions as a proper Dutch bank account with Dutch customer support. See the Bunq vs N26 comparison if you are weighing up your options.

Step 2: Register at the Gemeente and Get Your BSN

Your BSN is your citizen service number — a nine-digit identifier that unlocks most of Dutch bureaucracy, including a traditional bank account.

You get it by registering in person at your local gemeente (municipality office). In Amsterdam, Rotterdam, and The Hague, this requires booking an appointment in advance, sometimes weeks ahead. In smaller municipalities, you can often walk in.

What you need for gemeente registration:

• Valid passport or EU identity card
• Proof of address in the Netherlands (rental contract, or letter from your landlord or host)
• For non-EU citizens: valid residence permit or entry visa

Your BSN is usually issued at the appointment itself or sent to your registered address within a few days.

The full registration process, including how to book an appointment and what to bring, is covered in the BSN registration guide.

Step 3: Open a Traditional Dutch Bank Account

Once you have your BSN, you can apply for an account with ING, ABN AMRO, or Rabobank. These are the three main retail banks in the Netherlands. For most expats, ING or ABN AMRO are the practical choices, as both have English-language apps and customer support.

ING

ING is the largest retail bank in the Netherlands and often the first recommendation for expats. Their app is good, the English support is decent, and the basic account (Betaalrekening) costs approximately €2.45/month.

How to open an ING account:

1. Go to ing.nl and select “Open an account” (there is an English option)
2. Fill in your personal details, BSN, and Dutch address
3. Upload a copy of your passport and your gemeente registration document
4. ING will review your application — this takes 5–10 business days
5. Your debit card and PIN arrive by post separately (allow an extra 3–5 days)

ING may ask for an employment contract if you do not yet have a Dutch income. If your application is rejected at this stage, ABN AMRO is worth trying — they have slightly different criteria.

ABN AMRO

ABN AMRO’s basic account is called the Betaalrekening and costs around €2.45/month. Their onboarding for expats is generally considered smoother than ING’s, particularly for people on expat packages or with non-Dutch employment situations.

How to open an ABN AMRO account:

1. Visit abnamro.nl and choose “Open a payment account”
2. Complete the identity verification using their app (you will need to download it)
3. Submit your BSN and Dutch address details
4. Processing takes 3–7 business days
5. Card and PIN arrive separately by post

ABN AMRO has physical branches across the country if you prefer to do this in person, though their staff vary considerably in how helpful they are to expats — in my experience, the branches in Amsterdam and Rotterdam are used to it, smaller towns less so.

Step 4: Set Up iDEAL and Direct Debits

Once your traditional bank account is active, spend 30 minutes getting two things right.

iDEAL

iDEAL is the Dutch online payment system used for almost everything — paying rent, buying concert tickets, topping up your OV-chipkaart, paying utility bills. It links directly to your bank account and does not use card details.

You do not set up iDEAL separately. It activates automatically once your bank account is active and you have installed the bank’s app. When you click “Pay with iDEAL” on a website, you select your bank, confirm in the app, and it is done.

This is why having a Dutch or European IBAN matters so much. Many Dutch services either only accept iDEAL or make it so heavily the default that paying any other way feels like solving a puzzle.

Automatische incasso (direct debit)

Most Dutch subscriptions, utility companies, and landlords use automatische incasso — automatic direct debit from your account. When you sign a contract, you give permission for the company to collect payments automatically each month.

Once your account is active, set up your direct debits as soon as possible: health insurance, internet, energy, and any subscriptions. Dutch companies send a SEPA mandate form (either paper or digital) — you sign it and they handle the rest.

How to Open a Dutch Bank Account Without a BSN

This is the question I get asked most often, because it is also the most urgent one. You have just landed, you have no BSN yet, and you need to pay something.

The short answer: you cannot open an account at ING, ABN AMRO, or Rabobank without a BSN. But you have three good alternatives that do not require one.

Option 1: Wise (recommended)

Wise is the most practical solution for most expats, regardless of nationality. It does not require a BSN, a Dutch address, or any Dutch documentation whatsoever.

Step-by-step: opening Wise without a BSN

1. Download the Wise app or go to wise.com
2. Register with your email address and choose a password
3. Verify your identity — upload a photo of your passport and take a selfie. The system is automated and usually approves within minutes
4. Once your account is active, navigate to “Account details” and activate EUR. You will receive a European IBAN immediately
5. Share that IBAN with your employer and landlord — it works for salary payments and direct debits across the EU

You do not need to add any money to activate the IBAN. The account is free. A physical debit card is optional and costs a small one-time fee.

Get Your European IBAN with Wise — No BSN Needed →

What Wise cannot do without a BSN: it is not a full Dutch bank account. You will not be able to apply for a Dutch mortgage, get a Dutch overdraft facility, or use some iDEAL integrations that explicitly require a traditional Dutch bank. For day-to-day payments, rent, and salary, it is sufficient.

Option 2: Bunq

Bunq is a Dutch digital bank, which means it functions as a proper NL IBAN account. For EU/EEA citizens, bunq allows remote sign-up without a BSN. Non-EU citizens may be asked for a BSN during the onboarding process — the experience varies.

The bunq Easy Money plan starts at approximately €2.99/month. If you need a Dutch NL IBAN from day one and you are an EU citizen, bunq is worth considering over Wise.

How to open bunq without a BSN (EU citizens):

1. Download the bunq app
2. Select “Open an account” and choose the Easy Money or Easy Green plan
3. Complete the identity verification with your passport
4. If prompted for a BSN, you can sometimes skip it by selecting “I don’t have one yet” — this depends on your nationality and the current version of their onboarding
5. You will receive a Dutch IBAN once the account is approved

Option 3: Revolut

Revolut also allows sign-up without a BSN. Like Wise, Revolut issues a European IBAN (Lithuanian for EU accounts). It is free to open at the standard tier, though the most useful features — higher ATM limits, multi-currency accounts, better exchange rates — are on paid plans (€2.99–€13.99/month).

Revolut is useful if you already have a Revolut account from your home country, as you can simply activate the EUR account details and start using it immediately.

Practical reality: Most expats I know — myself included — use Wise as the primary no-BSN account and add a traditional Dutch bank once the BSN arrives. Wise’s fees for international transfers are genuinely the lowest available, and the IBAN it issues is accepted by nearly every Dutch employer and landlord.

Can I Open a Dutch Bank Account from Abroad?

Yes — and I would strongly recommend doing it before you fly, not after you land.

The pre-arrival window is your most stressful financial moment. You have a signed rental contract, a flight booked, and a first payment due on arrival. Having a working European IBAN before you step off the plane takes one item off the list entirely.

What you can open from abroad

Wise is the easiest option for opening from abroad. There are no geographic restrictions — you can sign up from the UK, India, the US, anywhere. The identity verification is entirely online. Once your account is active and your EUR details are enabled, you have a working European IBAN you can share immediately.

Open Wise Before You Fly →

Bunq allows remote sign-up for EU/EEA citizens. If you are moving from within the EU and want a Dutch NL IBAN from day one, bunq is the best pre-arrival option.

Revolut allows sign-up from most countries. If you need a multi-currency account and are already familiar with Revolut from your home country, activating a European account before departure is easy.

Traditional Dutch banks (ING, ABN AMRO, Rabobank) cannot be opened from abroad. They require a BSN and a Dutch address, both of which only exist after you have physically registered in the Netherlands. There is no way around this.

Realistic pre-arrival timeline

The most common mistake I see is people waiting until after arrival to open Wise. Do it now. The application takes 20 minutes and you will have something useful waiting for you when you land.

Joint Bank Accounts in the Netherlands

If you are moving to the Netherlands as a couple — married, in a registered partnership, or simply sharing finances — you will likely want a joint account at some point.

Which banks offer joint accounts

All three main Dutch retail banks offer joint accounts:

ING — Joint accounts (gezamenlijke rekening) are available to two account holders. Both parties need a BSN and proof of Dutch address. You can apply for a joint account online or in-branch. Both parties go through the identity verification process independently.

ABN AMRO — Also offers joint accounts. The process is similar to ING. ABN AMRO’s expat desk in Amsterdam is experienced with international couples who may have arrived at different times and therefore have BSNs issued on different dates.

Rabobank — Offers joint accounts and has a cooperative model that some people prefer. Their expat support is less developed than ING or ABN AMRO.

Bunq — Does not offer traditional joint accounts, but has a “Bunq Together” feature that allows shared budgets and expense splitting between two accounts. For couples who want a digital-first solution, this works well functionally even without a formal joint account.

Wise — Does not offer joint accounts. Each Wise account is individual.

Documents needed for a joint account

• Two valid passports or EU identity cards (one per account holder)
• Two BSNs (one per account holder — both parties must have registered at the gemeente)
• Proof of Dutch address for both parties (either the same address or separate addresses)
• For ING specifically: both parties may need to be present in person or both complete the online verification independently

Practical notes for couples

The most common situation I see: one partner arrives first, registers, gets their BSN, and opens an individual account. The second partner arrives weeks later and goes through the same process. Once both have BSNs, they can add each other to an existing account or open a new joint account.

You do not both need to arrive simultaneously to open a joint account eventually — but you do both need Dutch BSNs before the joint account can be opened at a traditional bank.

If you want a shared account before both of you have BSNs, the bunq Together feature or a shared Revolut space are the most workable temporary solutions.

Dutch Bank Accounts for International Students

If you are coming to the Netherlands as an international student, your banking situation is slightly different from that of a working expat.

The student BSN question

Students who are studying in the Netherlands for more than four months need to register with the gemeente and receive a BSN, just like working expats. Some universities help with group registration appointments. If your university offers this, use it — it is usually faster than booking independently.

Students staying for fewer than four months register with the Registratie Niet-Ingezetenen (RNI) at designated municipalities rather than their local gemeente.

ING Student Account

ING offers a dedicated student account (Studentenrekening) that is specifically designed for students aged 18–27. The monthly fee is typically lower than the standard Betaalrekening, or waived entirely depending on the current promotion. You need a BSN, a Dutch address, and proof that you are enrolled as a student (a letter from your university or a student card).

The ING student account works exactly like the standard account — you get iDEAL, a debit card, and access to the full ING app. It is the most widely used student banking option in the Netherlands.

Bunq for students

Bunq’s Easy Money plan at €2.99/month is used by a significant number of international students, particularly those who want an English-language app and do not want to deal with the ING application process. Bunq does not have a specific student discount, but EU students can often open the account without a BSN during the first weeks before their registration is complete.

University partnerships and on-campus banking

Some Dutch universities have partnerships with specific banks. Delft (TU Delft), Amsterdam (UvA), and Eindhoven (TU/e) all have relationships with one or more banks that can speed up the account opening process for enrolled students. Check your university’s international student services page — they sometimes have dedicated application links that bypass the normal queue.

Practical recommendation for students

1. Open Wise before you arrive — it covers you immediately for receiving stipends, paying rent, and managing money from your home country
2. Register at the gemeente (or use your university’s group registration if available) and get your BSN
3. Open an ING Student Account once your BSN arrives — it is the most practical long-term option for a Dutch student
4. Keep Wise open for international transfers, especially if you are receiving money from your home country

For a more detailed comparison of banking options for students and young expats, see the best Dutch bank accounts for students and young expats.

Dutch Bank Accounts for Non-Residents

This is one of the harder banking questions for the Netherlands. If you do not live in the Netherlands — either because you have not yet moved, you are a frequent visitor, or you are a foreign business owner with Dutch clients — your options are more limited than for residents.

What “non-resident” means in Dutch banking

Dutch banks define residency based on your BRP registration (inschrijving in de Basisregistratie Personen). If you are not registered in the Netherlands, you are a non-resident for banking purposes. This rules out traditional bank accounts with ING, ABN AMRO, and Rabobank — all require a Dutch registration address.

Wise: the realistic non-resident option

For most non-residents, Wise is the only practical account that genuinely works. You can:

• Hold and send EUR with a European IBAN
• Pay Dutch suppliers, landlords, and services
• Receive payments in EUR from Dutch clients
• Use iDEAL via the Wise card in some contexts (though full iDEAL integration varies)
• Hold multiple currencies simultaneously

Wise does not require a Dutch address, a Dutch BSN, or any Dutch documentation. It is available to residents of over 180 countries.

Open a Wise Account as a Non-Resident →

Revolut for non-residents

Revolut is similarly accessible to non-residents and works well for spending in the Netherlands, paying Dutch invoices, and holding EUR. Its business account option is useful if you are a non-resident running a business with Dutch activity.

N26 and bunq limitations for non-residents

Both N26 and bunq require an EU/EEA residential address. If you do not have a registered address in an EU/EEA country, you cannot open an account with either. If you do have an EU address in another country (such as Germany or Belgium), N26 and bunq may be options — but they issue accounts tied to your registered EU country, not the Netherlands specifically.

Non-residents running Dutch businesses

If you are a non-resident operating a registered Dutch business (eenmanszaak, BV, or similar), you will likely need a Dutch business bank account eventually. This is a specialist area — see the non-resident business bank account guide for the Netherlands for the full picture, including which banks accept non-resident business clients.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Waiting until after you have a BSN to open anything. Those first two weeks without a functioning European IBAN are genuinely difficult. Open Wise before you arrive. It takes 20 minutes.

Not having proof of address ready. Traditional banks require a BRP registration document from your gemeente. A rental contract alone is usually not enough. Make sure you have registered at the gemeente and have the confirmation document in hand before applying.

Applying to multiple traditional banks simultaneously. Each application triggers an identity check. If one bank rejects you and you have three other applications open, it can complicate things. Apply to one, wait for the outcome, then try another if needed.

Using a foreign bank for your salary. Some Dutch employers will pay to a foreign account, but many will not, and some payroll systems only accept NL IBANs. Sort out a European or Dutch IBAN before your first pay date.

Underestimating the BSN delay. In Amsterdam, gemeente appointments can be booked out 3–4 weeks. In smaller cities, it is faster. Book your appointment on the day you arrive, or before if you can. The BSN planner tool shows typical waiting times by municipality.

Which Bank Should You Open First?

This depends on your situation:

Just arrived, no BSN yet: Open Wise today. It is the only sensible option at this stage.

EU citizen, want a full Dutch bank from day one: Bunq allows remote sign-up for EU citizens and functions as a proper Dutch bank account. More expensive, but fully Dutch.

Have your BSN, want a standard Dutch bank: ING Betaalrekening costs approximately €2.45/month. Good app, English support. Apply online.

Have your BSN, want English-first experience: ABN AMRO tends to have a slightly more expat-friendly onboarding. Also approximately €2.45/month.

International student: ING Student Account once you have your BSN, with Wise covering you in the meantime.

Non-resident or moving from abroad: Wise is your primary option until you have Dutch residency registered.

On an expat package: Many expat packages include a referral to ABN AMRO or ING’s expat desk. Ask your relocation contact.

For a full side-by-side comparison of every major option, use the bank account comparison tool — it filters by your situation, fee tolerance, and whether you need a BSN or not.

The longer read, covering which bank wins on fees, app quality, and customer support, is the best bank accounts for expats in the Netherlands.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I open a Dutch bank account without a BSN? Yes — but not with a traditional Dutch bank. ING, ABN AMRO, and Rabobank all require a BSN. Wise is the most reliable pre-BSN option: it gives you a European IBAN within 30 minutes and no BSN is required at any point. Bunq and Revolut also work without a BSN for most nationalities. The standard approach is to use Wise for your first weeks and add a traditional bank once your BSN arrives.

Can I open a Dutch bank account from abroad before moving? Yes. Wise can be opened from anywhere in the world before you have a Dutch address or BSN. The process takes under 30 minutes online. Bunq also allows EU citizens to sign up remotely. Traditional Dutch banks require in-person verification in the Netherlands and cannot be opened from abroad.

Do Dutch bank accounts have sort codes? No. The Netherlands uses IBAN and BIC/SWIFT codes. Dutch IBANs start with “NL” followed by two check digits, a four-letter bank code, and the account number. When someone in the Netherlands asks for your bank details, give them your IBAN. There is no sort code equivalent.

Can I receive my salary in a Wise account in the Netherlands? Yes, for most employers. Wise gives you a European IBAN and Dutch employers are generally required to accept any valid EU IBAN for salary payments. A small number of employers — particularly in the public sector — may require a Dutch NL IBAN specifically. Confirm with HR before your first pay date if you are unsure.

Are Dutch savings account interest payments taxable? Savings interest in the Netherlands is not taxed as direct income. It falls under Box 3 (savings and investments) in your annual Dutch tax return. The tax authority applies a deemed return on assets above approximately €57,000 (2026 figure) and you pay 36% on that deemed return, not on actual interest received. For modest savings, the tax impact is often zero. A Dutch tax advisor can clarify your specific situation.

Conclusion

The process of opening a bank account in the Netherlands is not difficult, but it has a specific order that matters.

Open Wise first — before you need it, ideally before you fly. Get registered at the gemeente as early as possible to unlock your BSN. Then apply for a traditional Dutch bank and set up iDEAL.

If I were doing my own arrival over again, I would open Wise the week before I flew, book my gemeente appointment the day I signed my rental contract, and apply for ING the morning my BSN confirmation arrived.

My practical tip: screenshot your Wise IBAN before you land. Your letting agent, your employer’s HR department, and probably your health insurance provider will all ask for it within the first 48 hours.

Looking for more on managing money as an expat in the Netherlands? See the complete guide to moving to the Netherlands and the best international money transfer services.