Thinking of moving to the Netherlands? You might be going there to study, work or stay with some family members. Whatever may be the case, it could be handy to open a Dutch bank account.
However, as a foreigner, you might need help with choosing the right bank. That’s why we’ve created a list of banks in the Netherlands. Along with that, there’s also information on the accounts and services they offer.
Let’s kick things off with a quick overview of the banking system in the Netherlands.
Banking in the Netherlands (an overview)
There are 93 banks in the Netherlands at the moment. They offer retail, business, private and international services, to name a few.¹ In order to open a bank account in the Netherlands, you need to be a resident first.
The Dutch Banking Association (NVB) is the link between banks and the government.² Banks usually charge monthly administration fees and they’re no more than a couple of euros.³ ATMs in the Netherlands usually don’t charge a fee for withdrawing. However, independent ATMs often do charge you, so stick to banks.
Just like in other countries, banks in the Netherlands tend to charge higher fees for international transfers outside of Europe. To avoid these expensive fees, the Wise multi-currency account could be a great alternative. It’s ideal for international transactions, and could save you quite a bit of money.
Top Banks in the Netherlands
| Bank name | Operational HQ |
|---|---|
| ABN Amro | Amsterdam |
| Rabobank | Utrecht |
| ING Group | Amsterdam |
| SNS Bank | Utrecht |
| Triodos Bank | Zeist |
| NIBC Bank | The Hague |
| RegioBank | Utrecht |
| Van Lanschot | 's-Hertogenbosch |
| ASN Bank | The Hague |
ABN Amro⁴
ABN Amro is one of the leading banks in the Netherlands. They have current and business accounts, as well as additional, separate current accounts.
Their most popular current account comes in the Basic Payment Package. The monthly fees for this are €2.95 and you get a debit card along with it.⁵
You can also open a joint account for €4.35, or an account for your child free of charge.
Opening a bank account here can be quick and easy, with the help of their official app.
Rabobank
Rabobank is a Dutch cooperative bank with around 9 million clients in total. The bank is very involved in the development of local communities and the support for their agricultural clients.⁶
They have 3 basic types of checking accounts: Total Package, Basic Package and Direct Package. The Direct Package is the most affordable option at €2.95 per month, while the priciest out of the three is Total Package at € 6.50. It includes a credit card with a spending limit up to €2.500 and no fixed costs for withdrawing cash with your debit card, even abroad.⁷
ING Group
ING is a Europe-focused global bank. Some of their services include savings accounts, investments, mortgages and loans, but they also specialize in many other things.⁸
They have different current accounts available, but their basic payment account called OranjePakket has everything you might need to start. For €3.15 a month, you get an account and an in-app debit card. You can even get a discount if you do most of your banking digitally and pay only €2.70.⁹
SNS Bank
SNS Bank is part of de Volksbank and it was founded in 1817.¹⁰
Their most popular accounts are the SNS Basic and SNS Complete. SNS Complete gets you an additional debit card free of charge and, at the moment, 0.01% interest on the money in your account.¹¹ You can see the complete comparison here. They also have a Youth account that comes with no monthly charges.
Triodos Bank
Triodos Bank is an independent sustainable bank focused on societal and environmental changes. They have more than 700,000 account holders as of now.¹²
If you want to avoid going to the bank too often, their Internet Current account could be right for you. At € 5 per month for those over 25, this account allows you to keep your finances in check online. Since they don’t offer credit cards at all, we understand this bank is not for everyone, but it’s working towards a greener future.¹³
NIBC Bank
NIBC is another green bank, with a goal of reducing their negative impact on the environment. They have more than 450,000 clients and they’re known and awarded for their mortgages.¹⁴
However, they also offer savings accounts. They’re free to open and there’s no minimum investment. Unfortunately, they don’t have payment accounts.¹⁵
RegioBank
If you’re moving to a smaller town in the Netherlands, this is a good choice for you. RegioBank deliberately opens offices in smaller towns, so people could have a more intimate experience with the bank employees.¹⁶
Their Plus Pay account is their most popular service, at € 2.75 per month. You get a debit card, online and mobile banking and a PIN code you can choose. If you’re younger than 28, check out their Youth account - it’s completely free.
Van Lanschot
This bank is officially the best private bank in the Netherlands. It’s made for wealthy clients and large investments. With almost three centuries of experience and expertise, it’s clear why it’s so trustworthy.¹⁷
Besides luxury investment opportunities and mortgages, they do also have current accounts for individuals. However, they only offer this to their existing customers.¹⁸
ASN Bank
ASN Bank was founded in 1960 and one of their missions is environmental sustainability and social responsibility.¹⁹ They have accounts for all banking needs - payment, savings, investment, as well as mortgages and insurance. The basic payment account comes at €2.20 per month, which is one of the cheapest options.²⁰
Top Online bank accounts in the Netherlands
Besides traditional banks, there's also a number of digital banks to choose from in the Netherlands. This list includes:
- Bunq - the so called ‘bank of the free’ has different plans, including a free one, with a 30 day trial option for new clients.
- Knab - a Dutch digital bank made for everyone, but especially freelancers, since they offer 500 free transactions per year.
- N26 - a virtual bank that values secure transactions. There’s a couple of account options, including a free one.
Manage your money internationally? Check out the Wise multi-currency account
If you want to send money internationally, or use your debit card when you travel, you could find it expensive with a traditional Dutch bank.
Luckily, there’s a money-saving alternative available. Open a Wise multi-currency account and you can send money worldwide for low fees and fair exchange rates.
You can even get an international debit card for spending in 175 countries, including the Netherlands. It automatically converts your money to the local currency at the mid-market exchange rate.
This makes it ideal for travellers, expats, overseas students and anyone else living an international life.
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Sources used for this article:
Sources checked on 20-Apr-2023.
*Please see terms of use and product availability for your region or visit Wise fees and pricing for the most up to date pricing and fee information. This publication is provided for general information purposes and does not constitute legal, tax or other professional advice from Wise Payments Limited or its subsidiaries and its affiliates, and it is not intended as a substitute for obtaining advice from a financial advisor or any other professional. We make no representations, warranties or guarantees, whether expressed or implied, that the content in the publication is accurate, complete or up to date.
