Bank account

If you stay in the Netherlands for a longer period, receive a regular salary and have to pay rent, it is advisable to open a bank account at a bank.

To open a bank account you need to bring along an identity card or passport, your BSN or Sofinumber, work permit (if applicable) and a proof of your residence address in the Netherlands.

Your bank will send you an EC card (electronic cash card) by post for your account and under separate cover a PIN number (personal identification number) which you need to withdraw money at an ATM (cashpoint). With the card you can also get bank statements there and in some cases even make transfers. Withdrawing money at an ATM is free at branches of your bank or banks in the “Cash Group” association of banks. However, using ATMs at other banks will incur additional costs. Transfers abroad can also be expensive. The best course of action is to ask the bank in your own country whether it has a cooperation agreement with a Dutch financial institution. You can set up standing orders for regular payments such as rent, and it is also possible to provide authorisation for direct debits, i.e. regular but variable amounts (for example for insurance or telephone) are automatically debited from your account.

As well as the EC card, there are also credit cards that you can use to make cash-free payments. They can also be used to make withdrawals at ATMs, although this carries an extra cost. The most widely used credit cards in the Netherlands are the Eurocard/Mastercard and Visa card. The EC card is more commonly used to make payments in Dutch shops, but sometimes there is a minimum amount for purchases.

There are several banks in Nijmegen, for addresses please check Banks in Nijmegen.