It is likely that you have your own bank account in your home country with a corresponding bankcard. Especially non-EU students should know that it is necessary to own a debit card, with which you can PIN everywhere, as many stores don’t take signatures or credit cards. Furthermore Visa, MasterCard and American Express are not commonly used. Maestro, however, is widely accepted and therefore recommended.
It is very convenient and we advise you to open a Dutch bank account as soon as possible after your arrival. The three local banks in Middelburg where you can open a student account as a international student are ABN AMRO, ING and RaboBank (more information below).
Please look carefully at which documents you need to provide in order to open an account, because each bank has different requirements. You will definitely need your passport, your BSN (Dutch social security number, provided to international students by the municipality once you register), and sometimes a letter from UCR which proves you study there.
For international students: Most of the information regarding bank accounts is in Dutch; you can use an online translator or contact the bank’s office for more information. Be careful when you use internet banking and maybe ask a Dutch peer for a translation if you feel unsure. Below you can find short descriptions of the three banks:
It is very convenient and we advise you to open a Dutch bank account as soon as possible after your arrival. The three local banks in Middelburg where you can open a student account as a international student are ABN AMRO, ING and RaboBank (more information below).
Please look carefully at which documents you need to provide in order to open an account, because each bank has different requirements. You will definitely need your passport, your BSN (Dutch social security number, provided to international students by the municipality once you register), and sometimes a letter from UCR which proves you study there.
For international students: Most of the information regarding bank accounts is in Dutch; you can use an online translator or contact the bank’s office for more information. Be careful when you use internet banking and maybe ask a Dutch peer for a translation if you feel unsure. Below you can find short descriptions of the three banks:
ABN Amro
Address
Markt 7 Middelburg, Netherlands Telephone 0900 0024 +31 10 241 17 20 (internationally 24/7 available) Website ABN AMRO Dutch Website ABN AMRO English Website ABN offers the “’international student account”, a day-to-day (inter)national banking account, which provides you with a bank and the possibility for internet banking. The standard international student package offers a World Card with PIN code, Internet Banking, a banking application for your smartphone, and digital statements, with free PIN transactions worldwide. They will mail your card within a few days. For more information about the international student account visit this website (English). |
INGAddress
Markt 43 Middelburg, Netherlands Telephone 0118872821 (Local) 020 22 888 00 (Dutch) +31 20 22 888 88 (International) Mon – Fri 8:00 – 21:00, Sat 9:00 – 17:00 GMT+1 Website ING Dutch Website ING English Website ING offers a “student account” where you get a free account with debit card (which also supports contactless payment via NFC), and you have the option to use My ING (internet banking) and a Mobile Banking App. To open an account, you apply online. When your application is approved, you are required to go to an ING Office where you sign the contract. Your debit card will then be sent to you via mail, along with your PIN-code and access to Internet Banking. For more information about student accounts visit this website (Dutch). |
RaboBankAddress
Lange Geere 3 Middelburg, Netherlands Telephone +31 118 428 000 (Local) Rabofoon €0.15 p/m Website RaboBank Dutch Website RaboBank English Website RaboBank offers the “Rabo Student Package”; a free package for students which gives you a debit card (World Card with PIN code), access to internet banking, and you can check your balance at any time of the day with Rabo Mobile Banking and Rabo Banking App. The statements are digital. You can apply for the Rabo Student package online or in a bank office. They will mail your debet card and PIN-code within a few days and also offer the possibility of credit cards. Rabo Students Specials: offers for students can be found at this website (Dutch). |
Costs among different banks vary, however, they are within a similar range. Opening a student bank account is not expensive (within 1-10 euros) and sometimes even free.
(Parts of) this text was been written by the Red Cross Student Desk Zeeland.
(Parts of) this text was been written by the Red Cross Student Desk Zeeland.