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If you have just arrived in the Netherlands or are about to, one of the first things you will need is a bank account. Without it, you cannot receive your salary, pay rent, or set up direct debits for basic services. The problem is that there are several options in the Netherlands, and prices change every year — in the last three years, accounts have become 70% more expensive.
In this article, I explain which banks there are, how much each costs in 2026, which is the cheapest, and — very important for newcomers — which you can open without yet having a BSN number.
Quick comparison: banks in the Netherlands 2026
| Bank | Price/month | App in English | Without BSN | Cash withdrawal |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bunq | From €2.99 | ✅ Yes | ✅ Passport only | Depends on the plan |
| Rabobank | €3.45 | ✅ Yes | ❌ BSN required | Free (Geldmaat network) |
| ING | €4.00 | ✅ Yes | ❌ BSN required | €0.80 per withdrawal |
| ASN Bank | €4.00 | ❌ Dutch only | ❌ BSN required | Free |
| ABN AMRO | €4.30 | ✅ Yes | ✅ 90-day grace period | Free (Geldmaat network) |
All deposits are protected up to €100,000 by the Dutch deposit guarantee scheme (Depositogarantiestelsel).
Just arrived and don’t have a BSN yet?
The Burgerservicenummer (BSN) is the Dutch citizen identification number. You receive it when you register with the municipality (gemeente), but this process can take weeks if there is a waiting list. In the meantime, you need to get paid and make payments.
You have two options:
- Bunq: you can open an account with just your passport and a Dutch phone number. It is the fastest and most recommended option for newcomers.
- ABN AMRO: allows you to open an account without a BSN and gives you a 90-day grace period to provide it. This is useful if you prefer to start directly with a traditional bank.
The other banks (Rabobank, ING, ASN) require the BSN from the very beginning.
The banks in detail
Bunq — the digital option for newcomers
Bunq is a Dutch neobank, the second largest in Europe in its category. It has no physical branches, but its app is comprehensive, available in English, and works perfectly for daily life in the Netherlands.
Its main advantage: you don’t need a BSN to open an account, just your passport and a Dutch phone number.
| Detail | |
|---|---|
| Opening | Via the app, in minutes |
| Monthly cost | From €2.99/month (basic plan) |
| App in English | ✅ Yes |
| Without BSN | ✅ Passport + NL phone only |
| Deposit guarantee | ✅ Up to €100,000 |
For anyone arriving in the Netherlands and needing an account working as soon as possible, Bunq is the best entry point.
Rabobank — the cheapest among traditional banks
Rabobank started as a lending cooperative for farmers and today is one of the largest banks in the Netherlands. In 2026, it has the cheapest account among traditional banks: €3.45 per month.
| Detail | |
|---|---|
| Opening | Via the bank’s app |
| Monthly cost | €3.45 (Rabo Standaard) |
| Opening | €0 |
| App in English | ✅ Yes |
| Cash withdrawals | Free at Geldmaat network (yellow ATMs) |
| Cash deposits | €2.44 per deposit (free up to 4 times/month, €10 from the 5th) |
| Without BSN | ❌ BSN required |
Rabobank is a good option if you already have your BSN and want the most affordable traditional bank. The English service is good, and Geldmaat ATMs are all over the Netherlands.
ING — the largest bank in the Netherlands
ING is the bank with the most funds under management in the Netherlands and is also listed on the Amsterdam stock exchange. Its monthly account costs €4.00, but it has an important limitation: they charge €0.80 for each cash withdrawal. If you rarely use cash, it’s perfectly valid.
| Detail | |
|---|---|
| Opening | Via the bank’s app |
| Monthly cost | €4.00 (OranjePakket) |
| Opening | €0 |
| App in English | ✅ Yes |
| Cash withdrawals | €0.80 per withdrawal |
| Cash deposits | €6.00 per deposit |
| Without BSN | ❌ BSN required |
ING is a good option if you do everything digitally and rarely need cash.
ASN Bank — formerly SNS Bank
SNS Bank disappeared as a brand during 2025 and merged under the name ASN Bank, part of the Volksbank group (along with RegioBank). If you had an account with SNS, you are now an ASN customer.
ASN is a more local bank, with a sustainable focus, but it does not have service in English. For someone who does not speak Dutch, it can be complicated to manage.
| Detail | |
|---|---|
| Opening | Via the bank’s website |
| Monthly cost | €4.00 (ASN Bankrekening) |
| Opening | €0 |
| App in English | ❌ Dutch only |
| Cash withdrawals | Free |
| Cash deposits | €5.00 per deposit |
| Without BSN | ❌ BSN required |
I would only recommend it if you speak Dutch or don’t mind managing with an app that isn’t in English.
ABN AMRO — the best if you don’t have a BSN yet
ABN AMRO is a partially state-owned bank, listed on the Amsterdam stock exchange. It is probably the bank with the most information in English among all traditional banks, and it has a key advantage for immigrants: you can open an account without a BSN and you have 90 days to provide it.
| Detail | |
|---|---|
| Opening | Via the app, in ~10 minutes |
| Monthly cost | €4.30 (BasisPakket Betalen) |
| Opening | €0 |
| App in English | ✅ Yes, very comprehensive |
| Cash withdrawals | Free at Geldmaat network |
| Cash deposits | 0.5% of the amount per transaction |
| Without BSN | ✅ 90-day grace period to provide it |
It is the most expensive of the four traditional banks, but if you arrive without a BSN and want a large bank with good English support, ABN AMRO is the most comprehensive option.
→ Open an account with ABN AMRO
Which is the cheapest account in the Netherlands in 2026?
If you already have a BSN, Rabobank is the cheapest traditional bank at €3.45/month. If we include digital options, Bunq from €2.99 is the most economical and also doesn’t require a BSN to open.
Keep in mind that prices increase every year — in the last three years, bank accounts in the Netherlands have become 70% more expensive. It’s worth checking the costs before opening to avoid surprises.
Frequently asked questions
Can I open a bank account in the Netherlands without a BSN?
Yes. Bunq only needs your passport and a Dutch phone number. ABN AMRO also allows you to open an account and gives you 90 days to provide the BSN. The other banks (Rabobank, ING, ASN) require it from day one.
Are my savings protected in a Dutch bank?
Yes. All banks on this list have a Dutch banking license and are covered by the Depositogarantiestelsel (deposit guarantee scheme), which protects up to €100,000 per person and bank.
Which bank has an app in English?
Rabobank, ING, ABN AMRO, and Bunq have apps available in English. ASN Bank only works in Dutch.
How long does it take for the account to be activated?
With Bunq and ABN AMRO, you can have the account operational in minutes. With Rabobank and ING, the process is also quick via the app, although it may take 1-2 days to be fully active.
What are Geldmaat ATMs?
Geldmaat is the unified network of ATMs in the Netherlands (the yellow ATMs). Rabobank and ABN AMRO allow free withdrawals within this network. ING charges €0.80 per withdrawal.
The bank account comes with a debit card (betaalpas), but to rent a car, book a hotel, or make purchases outside Europe, you will also need a credit card. We explain which one suits your situation in Credit Cards in the Netherlands (2026): comparison and which suits expats.
If you want to see the investment accounts offered by these banks, we have a specific article: Investment Accounts at Dutch Banks: ABN AMRO, ING, and Rabobank.
Do you have doubts about which bank to choose based on your situation? Leave them in the comments.
📘 Do you already have your savings budget in order?
Our Savings Guide in the Netherlands covers the best accounts, how Box 3 works, and real strategies for Latin Americans in NL.
