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Opening a bank account

You will need to have an IBAN bank account in order to arrange your day-to-day activities in the Netherlands. 

There are several options available to you. You find them on this page.

Do I need a bank account?

  • As an EU/EEA student, you do not need a Dutch bank account. 
  • If you already have an IBAN bank account in your home country, it is not necessary to open a Dutch bank account.
  • If you are a non-EU/EEA student, you need to make an appointment at a bank office in order to get a student account. You can choose between the ING bank and ABN Amro bank. Instructions on how to do this, can be found below. 

Steps when creating a student bank account

  • 1. Collect the necessary documents
    • A valid ID (passport, ID card, official residence document)
    • You will need your Declaration of Registration (DoR) from VU Amsterdam in order to open a student account. This declaration is available from the moment you are registered at our university, and can be collected digitally via the 'Complete registration' page in VUnet.
    • Your citizen service number (BSN). When you register in the BRP you will receive a BSN.  You can fill this in online. If you do not have a BSN it is often possible to provide this later on in the process.
    • For ING bank:  ING bank asks students with a foreign ID to show them their Dutch home address with an original extract from the Personal Records Database ('Basis Registratie Personen' in Dutch, or BRP). This document is available at the municipality where you are registered. If you do not have a BRP, it's best to open a bank account at ABN Amro or Bunq bank (see below).

  • 2. Open your bank account

    ABN Amro bank

    International students can open an ABN AMRO Student Package, that includes:

    • A free bank account with debit card, internet-mobile banking
    • Contract in Englisch
    • Overview of your income and expenses
    • Open in 5 minutes via your cellphone with a valid passport and your BSN (social security number)

    Unfortunately it is not possible for International Students to apply for a Credit Card. More information on how to open you account can be found in this document, or in short:

    Do you have a passport?

    1. Download the ABN AMRO app via the Apple App store or Google Play store.
    2. Click on the button for opening a new account and walkthrough all the steps in the app.
      Tip: Do you need any help with the steps in the app? Click here for an explanation. 

    Do you not have a passport?
    You will need to have an European ID-card (no drivers license) 

    1. Go to our webpage to become a customer, please use this link.
    2. Click on the button “become a customer” and walkthrough all questions and steps.
    3. When all steps are completed you will receive a confirmation off your request in your mail.

    ING bank

    1. Go to the nearest ING Service Point to open a normal Current Account first.

    Please take with you the following documents:

    • A valid ID (passport, ID card, official residence document)
    • A copy of your registration at a Dutch educational institution (full time study), so called proof of enrollment
    • An original extract from the Personal Records Database (BRP), not older than 3 months
    • Your burgerservicenummer (BSN) or, if you don't have one, your Tax Identification Number (TIN). When you register in the BRP you will receive a BSN.

    2.  Change your Current Account into a Student Account. This can be done on your telephone, via ING Mobile Banking App. You can check how to do this here.

    Bunq bank

    Bunq is an online bank.  You can easily open your account online and you only need to bring a valid ID to your appointment.

  • 3. Close your Dutch bank account before you leave

    It is very important to close your Dutch bank account before you leave. You should visit the nearest bank office and they will help you close the bank account. If you do not close your bank account, you will continue to be charged for the use of it, which could result in an unexpected bill when visiting the Netherlands in the future.

  • Exceptions

    In case you do not have your BSN yet, or if you are a minor, there are still options available. See below for more information.

Opening a bank account without a citizen service number (BSN)

  • ING bank

    It is possible to open a bank account at ING bank before having your BSN. However, you do need to hand in the BSN at a later time.

    You need to live in the Netherlands in order to open a bank account at ING bank. If you do not have your BSN yet, you need to bring your Tax Identification Number (TIN), and submit your BSN as soon as possible. The process is as follows:
    1. Go to the ING website.

    2. Fill in the online application form.

    3.  Make sure to bring the necessary documents: a valid ID, your declaration of enrolment (DoR), the extract from the Personal Records Database (BRP) and your Tax Identification Number (TIN) instead of your BSN. 


    Here you can find more detailed instructions.

  • Bunq bank

    It is possible to open a bank account before having your BSN. However, you do need to hand in the BSN at a later time.

    Bunq is an online bank. Students can open a bank account here without a BSN (but do need to submit it within 3 months) and must have an address within EEA. You can easily arrange this online and you only need to bring a valid ID.

Opening a bank account as a minor

  • ABN Amro bank

    You can make an appointment at any of the ABN Amro offices via +31 088 - 226 2635. The request via our branches can take longer than the request via our app or website.

  • Bunq bank

    When you are still a minor, it is possible to open a bank account at Bunq bank.

    1. One of your parents needs to create a account on the Bunq website.
    2. Within their own account, the parent creates a sub-account for you. 
    3. You will then receive an invitation for your bank account via SMS.