Opening a Dutch bank account
A Dutch IBAN makes salary, rent, and everyday life much simpler — here is what it actually takes to get one.
Why you need one fairly quickly
Most Dutch employers pay salary only to a Dutch (or SEPA) IBAN, most landlords expect rent by direct debit or transfer from one, and services like DigiD-linked insurance and utility direct debits generally assume you have one. Holding onto a foreign account for the first few months is workable but adds friction — and currency conversion costs — you will not want long-term.
What you need
- A valid passport or ID.
- Your BSN — see gemeente registration if you do not have one yet.
- Proof of a Dutch address — your rental contract or gemeente registration extract.
Most banks now let you start the application online once you have these, with a short in-person or video identity check to finish.
Which bank
The major traditional banks (ING, ABN AMRO, Rabobank) all serve internationals and have English-language support. Online-only banks such as bunq are popular specifically with internationals and expats for fast remote onboarding and English-first apps, though they are not accepted everywhere a traditional bank is (some employers or landlords still expect one of the big three). If in doubt, ask your employer or landlord whether they have a preference before committing.
Get your BSN sorted first — nearly every bank application will ask for it, and trying to open an account without one usually just means a longer, more manual process.