The Netherlands is a beautiful place for international study. It has a multicultural environment and is very welcoming to international students. It has a suitable standard of living for international students. Above all, international students can get quality education in The Netherlands at an affordable rate.

As an international student in any country, you must open a bank account to help you properly navigate your new life. It helps you to control your finances and generally makes your life easier. We put this post together to introduce you to the top banks for international students in The Netherlands. These banks have the necessary features to appeal to international students looking to find their feet. By the end of this blog post, you can decide on the ideal bank for you. 

If you're considering living in other countries, you can read more about the best banks for international students here.

Top 5 Banks for International Students In The Netherlands

Here are some Dutch banks that have the best offerings for international students in the Netherlands:

ABN AMRO.

ABN AMRO has many physical branches in The Netherlands and is ideal for international students who don’t speak Dutch because it offers English language support. The student accounts in ABN AMRO do not need to pay monthly maintenance fees and also come with online banking and a free debit card.

If you want to open a personal bank account with ABN AMRO as an international student, start here.

ING.

ING has student accounts with a free debit card and a feature-rich, user-friendly mobile banking app. International students will love this because the mobile app is also available in English for those who cannot speak or understand Dutch.

If you want to open a personal bank account with ING as an international student, start here.

Rabobank.

At Rabobank, student accounts don’t have to pay maintenance fees.

The accounts also have free debit cards and a user-friendly mobile app that offers English language support, which is an advantage for international students.

If you want to open a personal bank account with Rabobank as an international student, start here.

OhentPay is a mobile app that lets you send and receive money internationally, swiftly and at the best rates.  With Ohentpay, you can send and receive money to over 190 countries, and exchange over 40 currencies. So you can send or receive support from loved ones back home without delay. 

bunq.

Bunq Bank is entirely digital (online) and is a favourite for young people. It appeals to international students because they charge zero monthly fees on their student accounts.

If you want to open a personal bank account with bunq as an international student, start here.

ASN Bank.

ASN Bank offers international student accounts with competitive fees that won't break your account. They also offer different online banking options, making them appealing to international students and locals.

If you want to open a personal account with ASN Bank as an international student, start here.

How To Open a Student Bank Account in The Netherlands

Here's a step-by-step guide on how to open a student bank account in the Netherlands as an international student

Do your research: Carefully review the options mentioned previously and compare their student accounts, fees, and features to make a choice.

Gather your documents:  As an international student in the Netherlands, you need:

• Your passport
• Residence permit 
• Proof of enrollment from your university
• Rental agreement or any other proof of address. 

Visit a branch or apply online: You can visit a branch with all your documents or opt for an online application. This depends on your chosen bank, as some banks, like bunq, have no physical locations. 

Complete the application: Fill out the application form and submit it along with any other required documents.

Wait for your account activation: Once your application has been approved, you'll be sent your bank details. This process might take a few days.

OhentPay- A Better Option for International Students in The Netherlands

If you’re an international student in The Netherlands who will need to make a lot of transactions by sending or receiving money from home, you need a better alternative. With OhentPay, you can send, receive and exchange over 40 currencies across 190 countries. It’s also 100% cheaper than using a bank and faster as you get your payments instantly - regardless of where they are coming from. 

Most importantly, you do not need a Dutch residency to open an account. You only need a valid ID card to proceed. Learn more about how OhentPay works here.

Wrapping Up

Now that you have all the information you need on the best international student banks, and how to open a bank account in the Netherlands, it’s time to get started on taking charge of your finances. Remember to research a bank's offerings, fees, and policies before deciding on it. If you have any inquiries on the banks listed, check out their websites or contact them directly.

If you’d like to send money anywhere in the world from The Netherlands and you prefer fast transfers at great rates, we recommend the OhentPay money transfer service. Create an account to get started here.

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