Compare Dutch banks and find the best account for expats based on your needs.
Moving to the Netherlands and setting up your finances is one of the first priorities once you arrive. Unlike many countries, the Dutch banking system is well-developed and largely digital — but it comes with some quirks that can catch expats off guard, especially the BSN requirement.
A BSN (Burgerservicenummer) is a Dutch citizen service number, similar to a Social Security Number. All traditional Dutch banks — ING, ABN AMRO, and Rabobank — require one before opening an account. You receive your BSN after registering at your gemeente (municipality), which you can usually do once you have a Dutch address.
This creates a catch-22 for new arrivals: you need a bank account to pay rent, but you need a Dutch address to get a BSN. The solution? Digital banks that don't require a BSN, such as bunq, N26, or Wise.
The Dutch banking market offers two very different experiences depending on whether you go traditional or digital.
Traditional banks offer the full Dutch banking experience: physical branches, ATMs across the country, mortgage services, and local customer support. ING has the largest ATM network in the Netherlands with over 3,000 machines. ABN AMRO is popular with expats because many branches have English-speaking staff.
The downside: monthly fees (typically €1.70–€3.90), BSN required, and slower account opening (1–5 business days). International transfers are expensive: €6–€7 or more for non-SEPA transactions.
Digital banks work entirely through apps. No branches, no in-person service, but also no paperwork queues. They're often faster, cheaper for international use, and fully English-first.
bunq, founded in Amsterdam, is the Netherlands' home-grown digital bank and a favourite among expats. You can open an account without a BSN using just an EU passport. N26 is a German bank with a strong presence in the Netherlands and a solid free tier. Wise is technically a money transfer service turned bank account — unbeatable for international transfers and multi-currency use.
| Bank | Basic plan | Mid-tier | BSN required |
|---|---|---|---|
| ING | €0 | €1.95 | Yes |
| ABN AMRO | €1.90 | €3.90 | Yes |
| Rabobank | €1.70 | €3.50 | Yes |
| bunq | €2.99 | €8.99 | No |
| Wise | €0 | — | No |
| N26 | €0 | €4.90 | No |
If you regularly send money home or receive salary in a foreign currency, this is the most important factor in your bank choice.
Traditional Dutch banks use their own exchange rates with spreads of 2–4%, plus a fixed transfer fee of €6–€7 for non-SEPA transfers. On a €1,000 transfer, you might lose €25–€35 in hidden costs.
Wise uses the real mid-market exchange rate (the one you see on Google) and charges a small transparent fee of 0.5–1.5% depending on currency. On that same €1,000 transfer, you'd pay €5–€15. Over the course of a year, this difference can add up to hundreds of euros.
bunq has a built-in Wise integration for international transfers, giving you access to good rates from within a full Dutch banking experience.
For more detail, see our guide: Best ways to transfer money internationally from the Netherlands.
Based on common expat experiences, here's the approach we recommend:
If you've not heard of iDEAL, you will within your first week in the Netherlands. It's the dominant online payment method used by 90%+ of Dutch webshops, rental platforms, and government services. It works directly from your Dutch bank account — no credit card needed.
All major Dutch banks support iDEAL natively: ING, ABN AMRO, and Rabobank are the most widely supported. bunq also supports iDEAL. Wise and N26 do not support iDEAL, which is one reason having a traditional Dutch bank account alongside your digital one is useful.
Good news: all six banks in this comparison support both Apple Pay and Google Pay. Contactless payments via smartphone are widely accepted across the Netherlands — in supermarkets, restaurants, and public transport. This is less of a differentiator than it was a few years ago, since even traditional Dutch banks now have full mobile payment support.
Yes — digital banks like bunq and N26 allow you to open an account with just an EU passport before you have a BSN (Burgerservicenummer). Wise also operates without a BSN. Traditional Dutch banks (ING, ABN AMRO, Rabobank) require a BSN, which you receive after registering at your municipality.
ING and ABN AMRO have the best English support among traditional banks, with full English apps, websites, and English-speaking staff. Among digital banks, Wise, N26, and bunq are entirely English-first and offer excellent English-language customer service.
Basic accounts cost between €0 and €3.90 per month. ING has a free basic account. Rabobank starts at €1.70, ABN AMRO at €1.90. Digital banks: bunq starts at €2.99, N26 is free for the standard tier. Wise has no monthly fee.
For traditional Dutch banks you need: a valid passport or EU ID card, your BSN (citizen service number), proof of address in the Netherlands (rental contract or utility bill), and sometimes proof of income or employment. For digital banks like bunq and N26, you typically only need a passport and can complete the whole process online.
Wise is the best option for international transfers. It uses the real mid-market exchange rate and charges just €0.50–€3 per transfer, far cheaper than traditional banks which charge €6–€7+ for non-SEPA transfers. bunq also has a built-in Wise integration. For SEPA transfers within Europe, all Dutch banks offer these for free.
Yes — all major Dutch banks including ING, ABN AMRO, Rabobank, bunq, Wise, and N26 support both Apple Pay and Google Pay. This is standard in the Netherlands, and contactless payments via phone are widely accepted.