Are you an international student who newly arrived in the Netherlands? Getting a bank account must be one of the first things on your checklist. While European students can keep using their EU cards, non-EU students will need a local bank account in the Netherlands. Without a European bank, you aren’t able to take out cash, pay your bills, or, most importantly – your semester fee.
Best banks for international students in the Netherlands:
- Revolut
- Bunq
- ABN AMRO
- ING
Opening a student account in a Dutch bank is a straightforward process. You only need a valid ID and address in some cases. Most online banks don’t require any additional documents. However, conventional brick-and-mortar banks will ask for more papers, e.g., your BSN.
Bank account for international students in the Netherlands
Most retail banks in the Netherlands offer a free account for university students and graduates. To benefit from a free account at the classical Dutch bank, you need to be of a particular age and have confirmation from your university. The age range varies across different banks, but generally, the limit is 30 years old.
Most student accounts are free of charge and include consist essential services such as:
- Payment option
- Debit card
- Maestro card
- ATM cash withdrawals
- Local and international transfers
- Access to internet banking and mobile app
1. Revolut
Revolut has been my bank of choice since 2018. It’s the best bank you can find not only in the Netherlands but in entire Europe! Besides, it’s the fastest-growing digital bank with the widest range of features. For everyone who is traveling abroad, 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 living in EEA countries, Switzerland, Australia, and since March 2020 in the US as well.
Back to my experience. 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 you once go traveling and pay in a different currency, they won’t charge additional fees for it, and they will also convert your money at the best possible rate (for you!).
Honestly, having a debit card and bank account with Revolut has been a massive help for me while living abroad, but also while traveling all over the world. The main perks you get when getting a Revolut:
- 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 premium tiers. The first is called Premium, and it costs 7.99 EUR/6.99 GBP per month. The second is called Metal and costs 13.99 EUR/12.99 GBP. Paying this monthly price will get you a chick metal card.
Things to know:
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%.
Read our full review on Revolut.
2. Bunq
Bunq is a Dutch digital bank and our favorite choice for all non-dutch speakers in the Netherlands. This bank is the best for the younger generation, with no paperwork, a fantastic mobile app, great customer experience, and elegant design.
Hence, Bunq is the number one bank for all expats and international students out there. They provide all services and customer support in English, allowing you to open & manage your account 100% online.
Bunq was founded in the Netherlands and has expanded to all European countries. You can use their cards while traveling in Europe and beyond at zero additional costs. Their banking offers are innovative, simple, and inexpensive. It also provides cheap international transfers (non-EU) via Wise 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:
- Affordable bank accounts starting from free
- Cheap cash withdrawals
- Dutch IBAN
- Free Maestro and Mastercard plus virtual card
- Free transfers and incoming transfers
- International money transfers with Wise
- Interest paid on the card balance – 9x more than you get in other banks
- Deposit protection for up to 100,000 EUR
- Top up your balance with IDEAL for free
- Fantastic user interface and simple navigation
- Special account for freelancers
- Customer service in English, Dutch and other languages
- Quick card delivery
You can choose between a free saving account, a cheap account for just 2,99 EUR, or a premium for 8,99 EUR. A saving account doesn’t include a debit card, but it’s good enough if you only need mobile banking. But with a premium account, you get:
- free cash withdrawals
- 25 sub-accounts
- 3 debit cards including Mastercard and Maestro
- free travel card
- and many other perks
Moreover, Bunq offers a 1-month free trial so that you can test the product.
| Feature | Price |
|---|---|
| Monthly cost | Free to 2,99 EUR for standard features |
| International debit card | Free |
| SEPA transfers | Free and in different currencies |
| Cash withdrawals in EUR | 0,99 EUR per transaction |
| Cash withdrawals in foreign currencies | 0,99 EUR per transaction |
| Payments in EUR | Free |
| In-store card payments in foreign currencies | 1,5% of the transaction plus 0,5% or 0,5% depending on the package |
| Balance top-up | Free with IDEAL and SOFORT, otherweise 0,5% |
| Contactless payments | Free |
In contrast to other Dutch banks, Bunq doesn’t require BSN (citizen service number) to sign up; you just need your ID.
3. ABN AMRO
ABN AMRO is one of the largest banks in the Netherlands. Among traditional banking institutions, AMRO is suited best for students since they speak English and offer free student account. The student package is available for people aged 18 to 30 enrolled in Dutch universities.
AMRO also provides free mobile and online banking. Besides the bank account, students can apply for a credit card. However, you can open an account only after arrival and with BSN.
However, AMRO only operates within the Netherlands, so it might not be the best solution for frequent travelers.
ABN AMRO offers:
- Free payments and withdrawals
- Optional credit card for just 1,70 EUR per month
- 24/7 support
- Mobile banking
| Feature | Price |
|---|---|
| Monthly cost | Free for students |
| International debit card | Free Mastercard |
| SEPA transfers | Free |
| Cash withdrawals in EUR | Free |
| Cash withdrawals in foreign currencies | Fee of 2,25 EUR + 1,2% commission |
| Payments in foreign currencies | Fee of 0,15 EUR + 1,2% commission |
| Credit card | 1,70 EUR |
Things to know
- 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 for students in the Netherlands before signing up with this bank.
4. ING
ING is a Dutch multinational bank that also provides accounts for students in the Netherlands. Fortunately, their website and app have English versions. Besides, students benefit from a free bank account and affordable credit card with 1,000 EUR in balance.
You can use your free student account for up to five years; after that, a small monthly fee applies. Similar to AMRO, ING requires BSN as well as confirmation from your university.
To open an ING account, you need to visit one of their branches in the Netherlands or submit scanned documents online.
That’s why we always choose digital banks – the ease of application and speed beat all conventional institutions.
ING offers:
- Free bank account for students
- English speaking service
- Free bank account for students
- Mobile app
- Credit card for just 1,55 EUR per month
| Feature | Price |
|---|---|
| Monthly cost | Free for students |
| International debit card | Free Mastercard |
| SEPS transfers | Free |
| Cash withdrawals in The Netherlands/EUR | Free in all Dutch ATMs |
| Cash withdrawals abroad | 2,50 EUR fee + 1,2% commission |
| Payments in foreign currencies | 1,2% per transaction |
| Credit card | 1,55 EUR |
| Contactless payments | Free |
Things to know
- Not all information is available in English
- High fees for overdrafts and overseas cash withdrawals
Similar to ABN AMRO, ING receives shockingly negative feedback from its customers.
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