ING vs ABN AMRO for Expats 2026: Which Is Better?

💡 Looking for a complete banking comparison? Read Best banking for expats in the Netherlands 2026, which covers ABN AMRO, ING, bunq, Wise, Revolut and other options by expat use case.

Quick Verdict: Who Should Pick Which Bank

Both banks let you open an account before your BSN arrives: ING asks non-EEA passport holders for the BSN within 90 days, ABN AMRO asks for a Dutch address and the BSN within 120 days (ing.nl and abnamro.nl, checked 29 September 2026).

Consider ABN AMRO if:

• You want more time to provide your BSN (120 days instead of 90 days)
• You want to discuss savings, investments or pensions in English with the International Client Desk (free appointment)
• You want one simple package: EUR 4.30 a month for the BasisPakket Betalen

Consider ING if:

• You want the lowest package price of the two: ING Go costs €4.00 a month
• You want to choose between several plans (Go, More, Extra, Max), for example with a credit card included
• You want Apple Pay, Google Pay or Garmin Pay straight after opening, which ING lists on its expat page

For transfers outside the euro area, either bank works alongside a Wise account.

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

Side-by-Side Comparison Table

ING figures: ing.nl open-an-account, expat and Orange Savings Account pages; ABN AMRO figures: abnamro.nl tariff and interest pages; all checked 29 September 2026. App Store data: Apple App Store Netherlands, checked 29 September 2026 (ING 4.62, ABN AMRO 4.61). iDEAL: ideal.nl issuer list.

Both banks’ ATMs were taken over by Geldmaat in 2019, so the ATM network is the same for both.

Account Opening Process

Opening an Account with ING

ING says you can start banking in the Netherlands even before you receive your BSN, online or in the app. With a European passport or ID card you can open the account straight away if you meet its conditions; with a non-EEA passport you may need a valid MVV, and you provide your BSN (at an ING Service Point) and Dutch address within 90 days. You choose a plan when you open the account and can change it later (ing.nl, checked 29 September 2026). If you still need to register at the gemeente, see the BSN registration guide.

If you need an account for euro payments before a Dutch bank account is possible, a Wise account gives verified customers account details for receiving and sending money. Wise is not a Dutch bank: in the EU it is Wise Europe SA, an authorised payment institution supervised by the National Bank of Belgium.

Opening an Account with ABN AMRO

At ABN AMRO you can open a personal account without a BSN, as long as you have an official Dutch home address; you then provide the BSN within 120 days. ABN AMRO says opening an account online takes less than 10 minutes (abnamro.nl, checked 29 September 2026).

Mobile App & Online Banking

ING App

According to its App Store listing, the ING app lets you confirm payments on your phone, transfer money to Dutch and foreign accounts, schedule savings, send payment requests, look 35 days ahead at future transactions, set a daily limit and open an account. It is available in Dutch and English and has a rating of 4.62 on the Dutch App Store (checked 29 September 2026).

ABN AMRO App

The ABN AMRO app is also available in Dutch and English, with a rating of 4.61 on the Dutch App Store (checked 29 September 2026). ABN AMRO supports Apple Pay and Google Pay.

On ratings alone the two apps are level. Download both and look at them before you choose.

English Language Support

ABN AMRO International Client Desk

ABN AMRO runs an International Client Desk. Its advisers are fluent in English and answer questions about savings, investments and pensions in the Netherlands; an appointment is free of charge. For expats, non-residents and US persons ABN AMRO also has a phone team, on weekdays from 9 am to 5 pm on +31 (0)20 343 40 02 (abnamro.nl, checked 29 September 2026).

ING English Support

ING says the app and My ING are available in English, and that it is translating the rest of its website step by step; where the Dutch and English versions differ, the Dutch text prevails. The website has an ‘I’m an Expat’ section and an appointment page (ing.nl, checked 29 September 2026).

Fees & Pricing

Monthly Account Fees

ABN AMRO’s BasisPakket Betalen costs €4.30 a month since 1 January 2026, up from €3.70, and includes a debit card at €0. You can hold one payment package for yourself (abnamro.nl, checked 29 September 2026). ING’s cheapest plan, ING Go, costs €4.00 a month; ING More costs €7.00, Extra €15.99 and Max €44.99 (ing.nl, checked 29 September 2026). On the basic packages, ING is €0.30 a month cheaper.

Debit Card & ATM Fees

At ABN AMRO, withdrawing euros is free in the tariff class below €17,500 (above it: €5 plus 0.50% per withdrawal). Withdrawing a foreign currency costs €2.25 plus 1.2% per withdrawal, and paying by debit card in a foreign currency costs €0.15 plus a 1.2% exchange-rate markup per payment (abnamro.nl, checked 29 September 2026). ING lists free euro withdrawals on all its plans (ing.nl, checked 29 September 2026); its fees for foreign currencies are on its rates page.

Wise uses the mid-market rate for conversions, according to its pricing page. If you often spend in other currencies, compare that with your bank’s markup.

International Transfer Fees

ABN AMRO charges nothing for euro transfers within SEPA online. For an online transfer outside SEPA it charges €9 per transfer, plus an exchange-rate margin of 0.85% on currencies such as USD and GBP (abnamro.nl, checked 29 September 2026).

For regular transfers home, a Wise account alongside your Dutch bank account is an option. Wise lists its fees from 0.2% and converts at the mid-market rate; the total depends on the amount and currency, so check the quote before each transfer.

Open a Free Wise Account →

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

Credit Cards

Neither bank’s basic package is a credit card; you apply separately. ABN AMRO’s Credit Card costs €2.55 a month and is issued with its partner ICS (abnamro.nl, checked 29 September 2026). At ING the credit card is optional with ING Go (ING Credit Card More €2.00 a month) and included from ING More (ing.nl, checked 29 September 2026). For entry rules at Dutch card issuers, see the credit card guide.

See all expat bank account options

Mortgage & Investment Products

Mortgages for Expats

Both ING and ABN AMRO offer mortgages in the Netherlands. What a lender needs from you (contract type, income history, residence) and how it treats income under the 30% ruling differs per lender and situation, so ask before you apply. The 30% ruling guide explains how the ruling affects your income. For current mortgage rates, check the banks’ own rate pages; this guide lists none.

Both banks have English-language mortgage pages and let you make an appointment online.

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

Savings Accounts

ABN AMRO’s Direct Sparen pays a base rate of 1.25% (abnamro.nl, checked 29 September 2026). ING’s Orange Savings Account pays 1.25% on the first €10,000 and 1.00% from €10,000 to €100,000, with extra interest on the ING Extra and Max plans (ing.nl, checked 29 September 2026). Rates change regularly; see the savings account guide for a wider comparison.

Investments

Both banks offer investment accounts for residents of the Netherlands. Compare the costs with those of dedicated investment platforms before you choose.

Pros and Cons

ING

Pros:

• Account opening before the BSN arrives (BSN within 90 days with a non-EEA passport)
• Cheapest plan €4.00 a month, and a choice of four plans
• App and My ING in English, with payment requests and a 35-day forward view (App Store listing)

Cons:

• Shorter BSN deadline than ABN AMRO for non-EEA passport holders
• Not all of ing.nl is in English yet, and the Dutch text prevails

ABN AMRO

Pros:

• Account opening before the BSN arrives (Dutch address required, BSN within 120 days)
• International Client Desk with English-speaking advisers for savings, investments and pensions, free appointment
• One simple package: €4.30 a month

Cons:

• €9 per transfer outside SEPA plus an exchange-rate margin
• Only one payment package per person

Final Verdict

Both banks let you open an account before your BSN arrives and both have an English-language app, so those do not decide it. ING is the cheaper start at €4.00 a month and offers more plans, including one with a credit card. ABN AMRO gives you more time for the BSN (120 days instead of 90 days for non-EEA passport holders) and has an International Client Desk for savings, investment and pension questions in English. Choose on those points and on what you pay for transfers outside the euro area.

Whichever bank you choose, compare transfer costs before you send money outside the euro area. A Wise account alongside your bank account is one option.

Open a free Wise account for transfers →

If you are just starting your research into banking options in the Netherlands, the guide on best bank accounts for expats covers the main players including Rabobank, Bunq, and N26. If you are still early in the relocation process, the complete guide to moving to the Netherlands covers what to sort out in what order, including banking, housing, and registration.

Use the Bank Account Chooser tool

The Practical Reality of Day-to-Day Dutch Banking

A few things about Dutch banking apply regardless of which bank you choose.

Tikkie: The Dutch Payment Request App

Tikkie is a payment request app from ABN AMRO. You receive a Tikkie request as a link, open it and pay through iDEAL. That means you need an account with a bank that is an iDEAL issuer. ING and ABN AMRO are on the iDEAL issuer list, and so are Revolut Bank UAB and N26 Bank SE (ideal.nl). Wise is not on that list.

Geldmaat: Shared ATM Network

In 2019 Geldmaat took over the ATMs of ABN AMRO, ING and Rabobank (geldmaat.nl). Neither bank therefore has an ATM advantage over the other.

Payment Requests in the Bank App

The ING app has its own payment request feature (betaalverzoek), according to its App Store listing. Tikkie works across banks because it pays through iDEAL.

What to Do If Your Account Application Is Rejected

If a bank declines your application:

1. Contact the bank directly and ask for the specific reason
2. Provide additional documentation if requested (for example an employer letter, permit confirmation or rental contract)
3. Try another bank; each bank makes its own assessment
4. Use Wise or bunq in the meantime; bunq lets you start the signup before you move to the Netherlands and finish it on your moving date

Frequently Asked Questions Beyond the Basics

Can I receive my Dutch tax refund on an ING or ABN AMRO account?

The Belastingdienst pays refunds to the bank account number you give it. Check the Belastingdienst’s own rules if you want to use an account outside the Netherlands.

What happens to my Dutch bank account if I leave the Netherlands?

That depends on the bank. ABN AMRO lets you keep a current account while you live abroad, but charges a surcharge for non-residents (abnamro.nl, checked 29 September 2026). Check your bank’s terms before you move.

Which bank is better for self-employed expats (ZZP)?

Both ING and ABN AMRO offer business accounts, and so does Bunq. You need a KVK registration to open one. See our Dutch business bank account guide for ZZP freelancers for a full comparison.

Related Guides

• Best Bank Accounts for Expats in the Netherlands (2026)
• Best Savings Accounts in the Netherlands for Expats 2026
• Wise vs Revolut vs Bunq: three-way comparison
• Best way to send money from the Netherlands
• 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