Bank account

Upon arrival you will need to open a bank account in the Netherlands because you simply cannot get around without one. It is to keep your money safe, rent accommodation, buy a mobile phone, or for example receive the wages of your student job. Most banks are quite similar and offer good services. The largest banks in the Netherlands are ABN AMRO, Rabobank and ING bank, but of course there are other banks available as well.

To open a private bank account, you will need the following documents:

• 'proof of address'
• valid passport (if applicable with visa sticker)
• Citizen Service Number (a citizen service number is a personal identification number for all citizens, registered at the municipal personal records database). Some banks may ask for it.