A Dutch bank account is the key that unlocks the rest of your life here: rent, salary, iDEAL payments, everything. And yet opening one trips up newcomers constantly, usually on the BSN and a confusing bank phone call. Here is the clear path, the route for each kind of bank, and the Dutch to get it done.
The usual requirements
Most Dutch banks want three things, as the government explains on whether you need a BSN to open an account:
- a BSN (if you live and pay tax here),
- a valid identiteitsbewijs (ID) or residence permit, and
- to be living here and registered in the BRP.
That BSN requirement is what catches people, because the BSN itself comes from registering at the gemeente, the process in managing your BSN gemeente appointment. The good news: not every bank makes you wait for it.
The BSN flexibility (the key hack)
Here is the part newcomers wish they knew sooner. As bunq’s own guide notes, some banks let you open the account first and supply the BSN later, typically within about 90 days. The picture bank by bank, per 2026 comparisons for newcomers:
| Bank | BSN | IBAN | Opening |
|---|---|---|---|
| bunq | later, within about 90 days | Dutch (NL) | in the app, minutes |
| ABN AMRO | grace period to supply it | Dutch (NL) | app or branch, a few days |
| ING | upfront | Dutch (NL) | call International Clients or a branch |
| Rabobank | upfront | Dutch (NL) | app or branch |
| N26 | later | German (DE) | in the app, minutes |
| Revolut | later | Lithuanian (LT) | in the app, minutes |
The IBAN column matters more than it looks. EU rules forbid IBAN discrimination, but some Dutch employers, landlords and insurers still insist on an NL IBAN for salary, rent or direct debits, so a German or Lithuanian account can leave you opening a second one anyway. For a first account, bunq (Dutch licence, NL IBAN, no BSN yet) is the path of least friction; add a traditional bank later if you want branches or a mortgage.
App bank vs. traditional bank
The two routes feel very different:
| App bank (e.g. Bunq) | Traditional bank (e.g. ING) | |
|---|---|---|
| Setup | Upload ID in-app, identity check | Phone call or branch appointment |
| Speed | Often 1 to 2 days | Can be slower |
| BSN | Sometimes a grace period | Usually upfront |
| Branches | No | Yes |
As comparison guides for opening a Dutch account confirm, app banks are usually set up within a day or two by uploading documents, while traditional banks can take longer, especially if you must visit for an afspraak (appointment). For ING specifically, a brand-new customer often has to call the International Clients department to get started.
The Dutch for the call and forms
Whether you call or fill a form, these words carry you:
| Dutch | English |
|---|---|
| betaalrekening | current/checking account |
| identiteitsbewijs | ID document |
| afspraak | appointment |
| aanvragen | to apply |
| rekeningnummer (IBAN) | account number |
| pinpas | debit card |
A useful opener on the phone: “Goedemiddag, ik wil graag een betaalrekening openen. Ik ben nieuw in Nederland.” (Good afternoon, I’d like to open a current account. I’m new in the Netherlands.) If they switch to English, that is fine, but leading in Dutch sets a good tone.
Where it connects
The account is the hinge for most Dutch admin: toeslagen are paid into it and tax bills out of it. Moving in with someone adds the en/of joint account, and going freelance adds a business account.
The bottom line
Opening a Dutch account needs a BSN, ID, and BRP registration, but app banks (Bunq, and others) often let you start first and supply the BSN within ~90 days, while traditional banks (ING) may need a call to International Clients or a branch afspraak. App banks are fastest; traditional banks add branches. Learn betaalrekening, identiteitsbewijs, and afspraak, have your documents ready, and the key to Dutch daily life turns smoothly.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a BSN to open a Dutch bank account?
Not always at the moment you open it. bunq and ABN AMRO open the account and give you around 90 days to supply the BSN; N26 and Revolut open with a passport and let you add it later; ING and Rabobank want it upfront. Most banks also expect you to live in the Netherlands and be registered in the BRP, with a valid ID or residence permit. Register at the gemeente as early as you can regardless, because the grace period is not indefinite and your employer needs the BSN for payroll.
How do I open a bank account in the Netherlands as a newcomer?
Pick your route. App-based banks (like Bunq) often let you open in a day or two by uploading ID and doing an identity check in the app, sometimes before your BSN arrives. Traditional banks (like ING) may require a phone call to their International Clients department or an in-branch appointment, and generally want your BSN, ID and BRP registration upfront. Have your documents ready either way.
Which is easier for expats, an app bank or a traditional bank?
App-based banks are usually faster and more flexible for newcomers: quick online setup, document upload, and sometimes a grace period for the BSN. Traditional banks offer branches and the familiarity some people want, but often need an appointment or a call and stricter upfront paperwork. Many newcomers start with an app bank to get going, then add a traditional account later if they need one.
Do I need a Dutch IBAN, or is a German or Lithuanian one enough?
Legally a euro IBAN from any EU country must be accepted (IBAN discrimination is banned), but in practice some Dutch employers, insurers and landlords still refuse a non-NL IBAN for salary and direct debits. To avoid the argument, open an account with a Dutch IBAN: bunq, ABN AMRO, ING or Rabobank. N26 gives a German IBAN and Revolut a Lithuanian one.
How long does it take to open a bank account in the Netherlands?
Minutes to a couple of days with an app bank (bunq, N26, Revolut): upload your passport, take a selfie, done. Traditional banks take longer: ING often needs a phone call to its International Clients desk or a branch appointment, and card delivery adds a few days. The real wait is the BSN, which takes weeks after registering, unless you pick a bank with a grace period.
