ING vs ABN AMRO for Expats in the Netherlands: Which Bank Is Better in 2026?

When I moved to the Netherlands from the UK over a decade ago, one of the first practical decisions I had to make was which Dutch bank to open an account with. I had no idea what I was doing. I walked into an ING branch in Amsterdam with my passport, my rental contract, and a hopeful expression. The lady at the desk looked at me, smiled, and immediately switched to perfect English. That interaction alone made me feel less like a fish out of water.

Over the years, I have had accounts with both ING and ABN AMRO — not at the same time, but I switched banks when my employer changed payroll requirements, and I have helped dozens of expat clients set up their banking since. So when people ask me “Sarah, should I go with ING or ABN AMRO?”, I actually have something useful to say beyond generic website comparisons.

This guide is the honest breakdown I wish someone had given me back in 2014. I will cover the account opening process, the apps, English support, fees, mortgages, and where each bank genuinely falls short. If you want a broader view of all Dutch banking options, see my guide on the best bank accounts for expats — but if you have already narrowed it down to these two, read on.

Quick Verdict: Who Should Pick Which Bank

Before getting into the details, here is my short answer:

Choose ING if:

• You want the most polished English-language app experience
• You send money abroad infrequently (or you use Wise for international transfers)
• You want a large ATM network across the Netherlands
• You are new to the Netherlands and want the easiest digital onboarding

Choose ABN AMRO if:

• You want dedicated expat support for complex financial products
• You are planning to buy a home and want mortgage guidance in English
• You are on a highly skilled migrant permit and need a bank familiar with that paperwork
• Your employer specifically pays salary through ABN AMRO (common with larger international firms)

If you are still unsure after reading this, try our Bank Account Chooser tool which asks a few quick questions and recommends the best option for your situation.

Side-by-Side Comparison Table

One thing worth flagging: both banks share the Geldmaat ATM network, so the ATM question is largely a non-issue. You are not going to find yourself stranded without cash with either of these banks.

Account Opening Process

Opening an Account with ING

ING allows you to start the account opening process entirely online. You will need:

• A valid passport or EU identity card
• Your BSN (burgerservicenummer)
• A Dutch residential address
• A Dutch mobile number

The online process takes about 15 minutes. You verify your identity with a video call or by scanning your ID through the app. In my experience helping clients, ING typically activates the account within 1–2 business days. You receive your debit card by post within 5–7 working days.

One sticking point: you must have a BSN before you can open an account with ING. If you just arrived in the Netherlands and have not registered at the gemeente yet, that is your first step. My BSN registration guide walks through exactly how to do that, including which documents you need and how long it typically takes.

If you need a bank account urgently before your BSN comes through — which does happen — your best option is a Wise account with a Dutch IBAN. It is not a full Dutch bank account, but it gives you an IBAN you can use to receive salary and make transfers while you wait for your BSN and then your proper Dutch account.

Opening an Account with ABN AMRO

ABN AMRO has a similar online process, but in my experience it feels slightly more bureaucratic. You will need the same documents: passport, BSN, Dutch address, and a mobile number. The identity verification step is also done digitally.

Where ABN AMRO differs is that it sometimes asks for additional documentation if your situation is non-standard — for example, if you are on a highly skilled migrant permit (kennismigrant) rather than an EU passport. I have had clients go through a few extra back-and-forth emails with ABN AMRO before their account was approved. It is not a dealbreaker, but it is worth being aware of.

ABN AMRO also has physical branches if you prefer to do things in person, and staff in larger cities (Amsterdam, Rotterdam, The Hague, Eindhoven) will generally be comfortable in English.

My honest take: For a clean, hassle-free account opening, ING wins. It is faster, the app-based onboarding is smooth, and there are fewer surprises for expats.

Mobile App & Online Banking

ING App

The ING app is genuinely one of the better banking apps I have used, full stop. It is available entirely in English (you set your language preference during setup), and it has stayed consistently English across all menus and notifications. That sounds like a low bar, but if you have ever used a Dutch bank app that randomly switches to Dutch for certain screens, you know how frustrating that is.

Features in the ING app include:

• Real-time transaction notifications
• Spending categorisation (groceries, transport, subscriptions, etc.)
• Instant SEPA transfers
• Mobile payments (Apple Pay, Google Pay)
• Savings goals (“Potjes”) — a pot system where you can earmark funds within your account
• Simple credit card management if you hold an ING credit card

The Potjes feature is something ING clients consistently love. You can create up to 20 separate savings pots within your current account — one for rent, one for holidays, one for unexpected car bills — and the money is still instantly accessible. It sounds minor, but for expats managing a household budget in a new country, it genuinely helps.

App Store rating: 4.8 on iOS. That is exceptionally high for a Dutch bank.

ABN AMRO App

The ABN AMRO app has improved significantly over the past two years. It is mostly in English and handles day-to-day tasks well: checking your balance, making transfers, viewing statements. Mobile payments via Apple Pay and Google Pay are supported.

Where ABN AMRO’s app lags behind ING is in the details. Some notifications still arrive in Dutch. Certain settings menus are in Dutch. The spending insights feature is less polished than ING’s. If you are someone who lives in their banking app, you will notice these friction points.

ABN AMRO does have an advantage in one area: if you hold multiple products with the bank (current account, savings, investment account, mortgage), they all appear in one overview in the app. For expats who plan to use ABN AMRO as a long-term full-service bank, that integrated view is useful.

App Store rating: 4.5 on iOS. Good, but noticeably below ING.

My honest take: ING’s app is better. It is more polished, more consistently English, and the Potjes feature is a genuine plus. If you use your banking app daily — and most expats do, since the Netherlands is very much a digital payment society — ING gives you a smoother experience.

English Language Support

ING English Support

ING’s telephone support line (020 22 88 888) has English-speaking staff available on weekdays during standard business hours. In my experience, you typically reach someone who speaks fluent English within a few minutes. The online chat function in the app also supports English.

The ING website (ing.nl) has a full English section covering most products and services. Some very specific pages — particularly around tax reporting or specialist products — are only in Dutch, but the core content you need as an expat is available in English.

One thing that surprised me positively: when I had an unusual question about transferring my UK ISA savings to the Netherlands, the ING telephone advisor actually knew the answer (or knew to escalate it to someone who did). That is not always a given with bank support lines.

ABN AMRO English Support

ABN AMRO has something ING does not: a dedicated International Clients desk. This team specifically handles queries from expats, internationally mobile clients, and clients with cross-border financial situations. The desk is available by phone and by appointment at select branches.

For complex questions — about mortgages for expats, the 30% ruling interaction with your salary, or investing in Netherlands-domiciled funds as a non-Dutch resident — the ABN AMRO international desk is notably better than what you get from a standard call centre. The advisors there have dealt with the specific situations expats face, and it shows.

The ABN AMRO website also has a section in English, and their “New to the Netherlands” content is thorough. They clearly invest more in expat-specific content than most Dutch banks.

My honest take: For day-to-day support, ING is fine. For anything more complex — mortgages, investments, tax situations, 30% ruling questions — ABN AMRO’s international desk is genuinely useful, and that can be worth a lot.

Fees & Pricing

Monthly Account Fees

Both banks charge €2.45 per month for a basic Betaalrekening (current account) with a standard debit card. There is no way around this — Dutch banks do not offer free current accounts for adults the way some challenger banks do.

If you want additional features, both banks offer premium tiers:

• ING Oranje Pakket: €5.99/month — includes basic insurance, travel insurance extras, and some discount deals
• ABN AMRO Comfort Pakket: €6.50/month — includes some insurance add-ons and priority service

I rarely recommend these packages to expats unless you have a specific reason to need the included insurance. The basic account does everything you need.

Debit Card & ATM Fees

Both banks issue a standard Maestro/V-Pay debit card included in the monthly fee. Withdrawing cash from Geldmaat ATMs in the Netherlands is free with both banks. Withdrawing from ATMs abroad is where fees appear:

• ING: €0 for withdrawals in the EEA (EU, EEA countries), €4.50 outside the EEA
• ABN AMRO: €0 for withdrawals in the EEA, €4.50 outside the EEA

For foreign currency card payments, both banks apply the ECB exchange rate plus a small markup (typically 1.8–2.0%). If you spend frequently in currencies other than euros — for example, if you travel to the UK regularly — those fees add up. My advice is to use a Wise card for non-euro spending. You get the real mid-market rate with no markup, which on a UK trip can save you €15–€30.

International Transfer Fees

This is where both banks look bad, and I will not pretend otherwise.

SEPA transfers within Europe are free for both ING and ABN AMRO. But if you need to send money outside the SEPA zone — back to the UK, to the US, to India, to wherever your family is — you are looking at:

• A flat fee of €5–€15 per transfer
• An exchange rate that typically includes a 2–4% markup on the mid-market rate

On a £1,000 transfer, that exchange rate markup alone costs you £20–£40 more than you would pay with Wise. For expats who regularly send money home, using either bank for international transfers is expensive.

My standard recommendation: open a Wise account alongside your Dutch bank account and use it exclusively for international transfers. Wise charges a small transparent fee (often 0.4–0.8% of the transfer amount) and uses the real exchange rate. On a regular basis, that saves meaningful money.

For a full comparison of international transfer options, see my guide on Wise vs Revolut.

Credit Cards

Neither ING nor ABN AMRO includes a credit card with the basic account. You apply separately:

• ING credit card: from €2.08/month for a basic Mastercard with a €2,500 limit
• ABN AMRO credit card: from €2.25/month for a basic Mastercard

Credit limits for expats can be lower initially, particularly if you have limited Dutch credit history. Both banks typically offer a starter limit of €1,500–€2,500 and increase it after 6–12 months of responsible use. Getting a credit card in the Netherlands as an expat is also worth doing for one practical reason: many hotel and car rental bookings require a credit card (not debit) as a security deposit.

See all expat bank account options

Mortgage & Investment Products

Mortgages for Expats

If you are thinking about buying property in the Netherlands — and given how the rental market looks in 2026, many expats are considering it — then the mortgage question matters a lot when choosing a bank.

Both ING and ABN AMRO offer mortgages to expats. The requirements are broadly similar: a permanent employment contract (or a fixed-term contract with a statement of intent to renew), a Dutch residential address, and a BSN. The 30% ruling is taken into account differently by different banks — some lenders will count your full gross salary (including the 30% tax-free component) and some will not.

My 30% ruling guide goes into detail on how the ruling affects your mortgage capacity, because this is genuinely complex and varies by lender and advisor.

For mortgages specifically, ABN AMRO has an edge in the expat market. Their international desk includes mortgage advisors who are used to working with highly skilled migrants, people with income histories split across countries, and clients whose Dutch credit history is short. They understand the documentation requirements and do not panic when you hand them a foreign P60 or tax return.

ING also offers mortgages to expats, and their rates are competitive. In 2026, fixed rates for 10-year mortgages are hovering around 3.8–4.2% depending on your loan-to-value ratio and personal circumstances. ING’s online mortgage calculator is useful for a quick indication of what you might borrow.

For a thorough explanation of the Dutch mortgage process, see my Dutch mortgage guide.

Savings Accounts

Both banks currently offer a base savings rate of approximately 1.50% on standard savings accounts. This is the same across the board and follows the broader European rate environment. Neither bank is going to make you rich on savings interest, but it is a reasonable place to park your emergency fund in euros.

ABN AMRO has a slightly more developed savings product range, including fixed-term deposits if you want to lock money away for a higher rate.

Investments

Both banks offer investment accounts (beleggingsrekening) for residents of the Netherlands. ING offers its own fund range through its online investment platform (ING Beleggen), and ABN AMRO has ABN AMRO MeesPierson for more sophisticated investment products, including a range of ESG funds.

For most expats in the early years of living in the Netherlands, I would not rush to invest through your Dutch bank. The fee structures are not particularly competitive compared to dedicated investment platforms. But if you want everything under one roof and value simplicity, both options work.

Customer Service

ING Customer Service

ING customer service is solid for a large Dutch bank. Phone support is available weekdays 8:00–18:00, and the app’s chat function covers many routine questions. Wait times by phone are typically 5–10 minutes, occasionally longer on Monday mornings.

One thing I genuinely appreciate about ING: their automated systems are in English, so you do not end up pressing numbers on a Dutch voice menu trying to guess what option 3 means. That is a small thing, but when you are stressed about a card issue or a payment problem, it matters.

Complaints handling is standard for a Dutch bank: you submit a complaint in writing, they respond within 15 business days. ING’s complaints resolution is not exceptional but not unusually bad either.

ABN AMRO Customer Service

ABN AMRO’s general customer service line has similar hours and wait times to ING. What sets it apart for expats is the international desk, which I have already mentioned several times. The international desk has longer wait times (sometimes 15–20 minutes) but the advisors are better equipped for non-standard situations.

ABN AMRO has also invested in its in-branch experience for international clients. In Amsterdam and The Hague particularly, you can book an appointment specifically for expat or international client queries, and the branch staff assigned to those appointments typically speak good English and understand the common expat scenarios.

Pros and Cons

ING

Pros:

• Best-in-class mobile app with full English support
• Faster, smoother account opening process
• Potjes savings pots are a genuinely useful budgeting tool
• Consistent English across app, website, and telephone support
• Slightly lower premium account fee (€5.99 vs €6.50)

Cons:

• No dedicated expat/international desk
• Less suited to complex cross-border financial situations
• International transfer fees are just as expensive as ABN AMRO
• Credit card limits start low for expats without Dutch credit history

ABN AMRO

Cons:

• App is good but not quite as polished or consistently English as ING
• Account opening can involve more back-and-forth for non-EU expats
• Premium account fee is slightly higher

Pros:

• Dedicated international desk for complex questions
• Better mortgage support for expats with non-standard income situations
• More developed investment product range
• Good in-branch English support in major cities
• Strong track record with highly skilled migrant clients

Final Verdict

After more than a decade of living here and helping hundreds of expats sort out their Dutch lives, my honest recommendation comes down to this:

For most expats arriving in the Netherlands in 2026, I would start with ING. The app is better, the onboarding is smoother, and the day-to-day experience of English-language banking is more consistent. You will spend a lot of time in your banking app in the Netherlands — iDEAL payments, Tikkie requests, checking your utility direct debits — and ING’s app makes all of that pleasant rather than tolerable.

Switch to ABN AMRO, or open an ABN AMRO account as your second Dutch account, if you are planning to buy a home within the next 1–2 years or if you have a particularly complex financial situation. The international desk is worth the occasional longer hold time when you are dealing with a mortgage application or trying to understand how your 30% ruling interacts with your gross salary calculation.

And regardless of which bank you choose: open a Wise account alongside it. Both ING and ABN AMRO will charge you a significant markup for international transfers. Wise will not. This is not a criticism unique to these two banks — it is true of virtually every traditional Dutch bank — but it is a real cost that adds up over months and years.

If you are just starting your research into banking options in the Netherlands, my guide on best bank accounts for expats covers all the main players including Rabobank, Bunq, and N26, so you can make an informed choice. And if you are still early in the relocation process, my complete guide to moving to the Netherlands covers the full checklist of what to sort out in what order, including banking, housing, and registration.

Use the Bank Account Chooser tool

Related Guides

• Best Bank Accounts for Expats in the Netherlands (2026)
• BSN Registration Guide: How to Get Your Dutch Citizen Number
• Wise vs Revolut for Expats in the Netherlands
• The 30% Ruling Explained: What It Means for Your Salary and Taxes
• Dutch Mortgage Explained: A Step-by-Step Guide for Expats
• Cost of Living in the Netherlands: What to Budget in 2026
• Complete Guide to Moving to the Netherlands

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