Dutch bank account, refund living expenses, student finance and DigiD
Dutch bank account
Do I need a Dutch bank account?
If you will be staying in the Netherlands for several months, opening a Dutch bank account can make daily life easier.
In the Netherlands, debit cards are widely used, while credit cards are not accepted everywhere. Some supermarkets and shops do not accept credit cards, and cash payments are becoming less common.
Students from SEPA countries
If you have a bank account in a SEPA country and a debit card, you can usually continue using your current bank account in the Netherlands.
Requirements of opening a bank account To open a Dutch bank account, you will usually need:
- To be 18 or older
- A BSN (Citizen Service Number)
- To be studying in the Netherlands for longer than 6 months
Please note that you can only receive a BSN after registering with your municipality. This means it may take some time before you can open a Dutch bank account, so make sure you have access to sufficient funds when you arrive. Students under 18
If you are under 18, you can still open a bank account. However, a parent or legal guardian must be present during the appointment.
Recommended banks
The following banks are commonly used by international students:
You are free to choose any bank that suits your needs.
Need a bank account quickly?
Online banks can often be set up faster than traditional banks and may be useful while you are waiting to open a Dutch bank account.
Refund living expenses
Did you transfer living expenses to HZ?
Students who required a visa to enter the Netherlands were asked to transfer an amount to HZ to demonstrate sufficient financial resources to the Dutch Immigration Service (IND).
This does not apply to exchange students.
Once you have arrived in the Netherlands and opened a Dutch bank account, HZ can refund these living expenses to you.
How to request your refund
Send an email to fin@hz.nl and include the following documents:
- A copy of your Dutch bank account contract or bank statement showing your IBAN
- A copy of your bank card
- A copy of your student card
Important
You can only open a Dutch bank account after receiving your BSN (Citizen Service Number) from the municipality where you have registered.
As obtaining a BSN and opening a bank account may take several weeks, please make sure you have sufficient funds available for your first weeks in the Netherlands. In case you need help with insurance matters please contact the International Students Service Point (ISSP).
DigiD
We advise international degree students to apply for a DigiD (digital identification). This ID allows you to take care of government related issues online. Many governmental websites and other services use this way of digital identification to manage all kind of online matters (health care allowance, taxes, insurances, etc.) You can apply for a DigiD once have received your BSN number from the municipality where you have registered yourself as a resident.
Tip: Always note down your chosen username and password as the confirmation letter might take a couple of weeks to arrive.