Best Bank in The Netherlands for Foreigners

Moving to a new country involves getting a new bank account. As an expat or international student, you want an English-speaking bank in the Netherlands to use their services fully. In the end, everyone has to get paid and pay the rent & bills somehow.

Best banks for foreigners in the Netherlands are:

• Revolut
• Bunq
• ABN AMRO
• ING

You can also do all necessary transactions in the Netherlands with most European banks. So if you have a bank account in the EU, you might not need another one. Yet, to prevent excessive fees for cash withdrawals/deposits, you want also to get a Dutch bank account.

Best bank accounts for foreigners in the Netherlands

Must have for foreigner-friendly banks are:

• English speaking service
• Low or no fees
• Few requirements
• Ease of application and setting up
• No credit history required
• No need to prove the income/employment

Here are our picks for the best banks for foreigners in the Netherlands:

1. Revolut

Revolut has been my favorite bank since 2018. It’s one of the best banks in entire Europe, not only in the Netherlands. Besides, it’s the fastest-growing digital bank with a wide range of features. For everyone who is living abroad or often traveling, this is the best option. 

Revolut is based in the UK; hence, all its services run in English. Besides the Netherlands and the UK, Revolut is available for everyone residing in EEA countries, Switzerland, Australia, and even in the US.

Why Revolut? Firstly, their bank account and services are totally free. After you sign up for an account, they will send you your debit card anywhere you wish to.

If, while traveling, you pay in a different currency, they won’t charge additional fees for it, and they will convert your money at the best possible exchange rate.

Debit card and bank account with Revolut have saved me many times while living abroad but also while traveling all over the world. Here are the main benefits you get when getting a Revolut bank account: 

• Free multicurrency, international bank account 
• Free debit card – you pay only for a delivery
• Credit card is optional
• IBAN for Sepa transfers
• Free money transfers 24/7 
• Free multicurrency payments
• Free withdrawals worldwide
• Easy instant top-up
• Instant transfers/payments
• Fantastic app with a great user interface and simple navigation
• Customer support via chat 24/7

If a standard free account isn’t enough for you, you can check their premium plans. Revolut has two tiers. The first is called Premium, and it costs 7.99 EUR/6.99 GBP per month. The second is Metal and costs 13.99 EUR/12.99 GBP. Paying this monthly price will get you a beautiful metal card.

Things to keep in mind:

Cash withdrawals in the Netherlands and abroad

Withdrawing money from any ATM is free for up to 200 EUR/200 GBP per month; after that, it costs 2%.

2. Bunq

Bunq is by far the best Dutch bank for expats, international students, and all other foreigners in the Netherlands. It’s one of the few banks that provides full support in English and allows you to open & manage your account 100% online.

Bunq was founded in the Netherlands and later expanded to all European countries. Their banking offers are innovative, simple, and inexpensive. It also has cheap international transfers and interest on savings in your account.

Besides, you can use your account and card in 6 different languages and in all European countries and beyond.

Bunq offers:

• Cheap bank accounts starting from free to 2,99 EUR
• Cheap ATM withdrawals
• Dutch IBAN
• Fantastic user interface and simple navigation
• Instant transfers/payments
• Special account for freelancers
• Customer service in English, Dutch and other languages
• Earn interest on your money – 9x more than you get in other banks

You can choose between a free saving account, a cheap plan for just 2,99 EUR per month, or a premium for 8,99 EUR. With a premium account, you get:

• free ATM withdrawals
• 25 sub-accounts
• multiple debit cards, including Mastercard and Maestro
• free travel card

Moreover, Bunq offers a 1-month free trial so that you can test the product.

Feature	Price
Monthly fee	Free or 2,99 EUR
International debit card	Free
Transfers	Free and in different currencies
Cash withdrawals in the Netherlands	0,99 EUR per transaction
Cash withdrawals abroad	0,99 EUR per transaction
Payments in foreign currencies	1,5% of the transaction plus 0,5% or 0,5% depending on the package
Contactless payments	Free

In contrast to other Dutch banks, Bunq doesn’t require BSN (citizen service number) to sign up.

3. ABN AMRO

ABN AMRO is the third-largest bank in the Netherlands, and it’s a popular classical Dutch bank. They operate exceptionally in the Netherlands. To open an account with ABN, you need proof of your Dutch address together with an employment contract.

ABN AMRO also offers online banking in English, which is convenient for foreigners. They also have physical branches, which you can visit to get a consultation from a banking specialist. However, a bank account with ABN isn’t free – the basic package starts at 1,95 EUR per month.

ABN AMRO offers:

• Free payments and withdrawals
• Credit card for just 1,70 EUR per month
• 24/7 support
• Mobile banking

Feature	Price
Monthly fee	1,95 EUR
International debit card	Free Mastercard
Transfers	Free
Cash withdrawals	Free
Cash withdrawals abroad	Free in EEA countries; Fee of 2,25 EUR + 1,2% commission in all non EUR countries
Payments in foreign currencies	Fee of 0.15 EUR + 1,2% commission

Things to keep in mind

1. You pay a commission of 0,5% for depositing cash into your account

Unfortunately, despite its high popularity in the Netherlands, ABN AMRO receives negative feedback from its customers, averaging 1,2 out of 5 stars. Read reviews here.

So you want to make sure to check out other options in the Netherlands before signing up with this bank.

4. ING

ING is one of the largest and oldest banks in the Netherlands, with 200 years of history. It’s the second most recommended traditional bank for foreigners.

Everyone can easily open an account with ING in a short period of time. However, you will need either to show up in one of their branches or submit scanned documents online.

That’s why we always choose a digital bank instead of brick and mortar – the ease of application and speed vary drastically.

Fortunately, its mobile app is available in English, as is the majority of its website. Like all classical banks, ING has physical branches, which you can find anywhere in the Netherlands.

Besides, students benefit from a free bank account and affordable credit card with 1,000 EUR in balance.

Bank account with ING offers:

• English speaking service
• Free bank account for students
• ING mobile app
• Credit card for just 1,55 EUR per month

Feature	Price
Monthly fee	Starts from 1,90 EUR
International debit card	Free Mastercard
Transfers	Free
Cash withdrawals in the Netherlands	Free in all Dutch ATMs
Cash withdrawals abroad	Free in EEA countries; 2,50 EUR fee + 1,2% commission in all non-EUR countries
Payments in foreign currencies	Commission of 1,2%
Contactless payments	Free

Things to keep in mind

1. Not all information is available in English
2. Charges high fees for overdrafts and overseas cash withdrawals

Similar to ABN AMRO, ING receives shockingly negative feedback from its customers.

Best free bank account in the Netherlands

Bank accounts can get expensive if you don’t pay attention to the charged fees. Fortunately, some Dutch banks provide their services for free. Moreover, students have an advantage in the Netherlands, where many banks won’t charge you for the duration of your studies.

Revolut

If you want an ultimate European bank account which is also free – Revolut is your last stop.

Bunq

Bunq provides a free digital account, but you pay 2,99 EUR for a debit card every month. So it’s an excellent free option if you only need mobile banking.

Wise – multicurrency account

Wise is originally a money transfer company, but they also offer a handy account in various currencies at zero fees. Especially if you regularly do international transfers – Wise is the best option.

Wise card is suitable for both online and offline payments and can be used to withdraw money from any ATM that accepts Visa/Mastercard. Withdraws of up to 200 EUR per month are free of charge; after that, a fee of 1,75% applies.

Can foreigners open bank account in the Netherlands?

All nationalities can open a Dutch bank account as long as they have a Dutch ID or live, work, study, and own a house in the Netherlands.

Moreover, expats, international students, and all other foreigners have several options to open an account:

• online or
• in person in the bank’s branch

Requirements for foreign citizens differ in digital banks from traditional ones. For instance, Dutch bank Bunq needs only your ID and address, while ING demands more documents.

In summary, foreign nationals are eligible to open a Dutch bank account so long as they live, work, study, or own a house in the Netherlands.

You will need to have at least a Dutch address to get a bank account in the Netherlands. Some banks accept a utility bill as proof of address, while others want to see an extract from the Dutch Personal Records Database (BRP).

Opening a Dutch bank from abroad (as a non-resident) is also possible in some online banks, e.g., Bunq. Nonetheless, you must have a residency in one of the EU countries. Some Dutch banks even offer special international accounts for non-residents.

Documents you need to open a Dutch bank account

Digital banks require a minimal set of documents; in many cases, your ID is enough; some might ask for proof of address. However, opening an account at traditional banks will take some effort and time from your side.

Dutch bank ING, for example, requires you to prove that you live, work, study, or own a house in the Netherlands. This can be done with the following documents:

1. Extract from the Dutch Personal Records Database (BRP)
2. Employment/internship statement
3. Proof of enrolment with an educational institution
4. Eigendomsinformatie (Ownership Information) document for homeowners

1. BRP – you can get the extract in person or online from the local authority where you are registered. A summary is not sufficient.
2. Eigendomsinformatie – you can get it from the Dutch registry agency (www.kadaster.nl). 

Generally, to open a bank account in the Netherlands, you will need the following:

• A valid ID – passport or identity card
• Residency permit if you come from a non-EU country
• Proof of address (i.e. a rental contract)
• Your BSN number (Burgerservicenummer) – in some cases

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