As an international student at Erasmus University Rotterdam, opening a Dutch bank account might come in handy. Sometimes your own bank account from your home country won't suffice.
You need a Dutch bank account for the following situations:
If you want to activate automatic monthly payments of your tuition fee;
(Please note: a different payment procedure applies for NON-EEA students, who have to apply for an entry visa and/or residence permit.)- If you want to get an phone plan where you fulfill the payment per month;
- or if you want your immigration deposit to get reimbursed.
Opening a Dutch bank account can be done at several banks. Please consult the table below for more information on opening a bank account and compare different banks.
| ABN Amro Student Package | Bunq | N26 Student account | Rabobank | ING Student account | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Age | 18 - 30 | 18+ | 18+ | 18 - 25 | 18 - 30 |
| BSN required | No (but US passport holders have to make an appointment in person). Download this useful document for more information. | No | No | Yes, if you stay > 4 months | Yes, or your Tax Identification Number (TIN). |
| Dutch living address required? | Yes | No | No | Yes | Yes |
| How it works | Online | App | Online or app | Online or app | Online or app |
| Account activation | Immediately | Immediately | 3 working days | 3-5 working days | Immediately |
| Fees | Visit the website here for information | Free | Free | Free | Free |
Note: when you are a student < 18 years, most of the time you’ll need a parent or guardian’s consent or approval to open a bank account. Check the website of each bank to see what rules apply.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Overall there are no huge differences between the 5 mentioned banks. Nevertheless, the banks do differ in some ways. Some examples:
- ABN AMRO provides all communication in English, in contrary to the other banks;
- On the other hand, ING Bank is able to provide you with a temporary card way faster;
- Triodos bank is focusing more on sustainability and less on profit;
- With Bunq’s Premium membership you get a choice of 3 cards (Maestro and/or Mastercard). The app is available in Dutch, German, Italian, French, Spanish and English. And real-time support is available in English. Since the last update Bunq added products especially for internationals: TransferWise in the app: 8 times cheaper international payments. Or ZeroFX: save up to 3% when using your card for other currencies.
As you can see: each bank has its own pros and cons. So what to choose then? Pick a bank either close to your accommodation (so it's easier to visit the bank during office hours) or choose a bank where registration is made quite easy.