NL

Shops & Banks

The functioning of banks and shops helps you figure out how to arrange day-to-day life in the Netherlands.

Dutch bank account

We recommend you to open a Dutch bank account while studying in the Netherlands. Most large banks (such as ING, Rabobank, ABN AMRO) will accept foreign students. The bank can charge costs for opening the bank account. You also need to pay monthly service costs to the bank. These amounts vary per bank firm.

To open a Dutch bank account you will need proof of enrolment as a student, a Dutch postal address and a citizen service number (BSN number). You will receive this from the City Hall after you register your address or your registration as a non resident (RNI).

With the online European Bunq bank you can open a bank account within 5 minutes and without a BSN number, but you will need to provide one within 90 days.

With ING bank you can also open your bank account via an app if you have a Dutch address, RNI or BRP registration (BSN number).

Please be aware that ABN AMRO will open a bank account if you study more than one semester in the Nethlerlands.

ATM

You can access your own foreign bank account via bank machines if one of the above logo's is on your card. It is advisable to find out how much your bank charges for international transactions. In many places you will not be able to access a savings account via the ATM.

You will need to make sure your pin is 4 numbers - this is standard for Europe. Do not rely on a "word" password, as most ATM machines don't have letters printed above the numbers.

Please note that you can NOT use a VISA card in the bank machines in the Netherlands.

Opening hours of shops

Monday to Saturday 9 a.m.- 6 p.m. (most larger supermarkets open at 8 a.m. to 9 or 10 p.m.). However, more and more supermarkets now have (limited) open hours on Sunday.

Note that many shops remain closed on Monday morning. Most shops in Utrecht, especially those in the city centre, are open on Thursday evening ('koopavond' until 9 p.m.) and the first Sunday of the month. Shops in the villages and some of the smaller shopping centres in the suburbs of Utrecht have their 'koopavond' on Friday evening.