Best Business Bank Accounts in the Netherlands: Complete Comparison for Entrepreneurs and Freelancers
Foreigners can open business bank accounts in the Netherlands with KVK (Chamber of Commerce) registration, with options ranging from traditional banks like ING and ABN AMRO (starting at €9.90/month) to fintech solutions like Finom (free plan available) and Revolut Business. Compare the best options for your business at ExpatsList.
Opening a business bank account is one of the first practical steps when starting a company in the Netherlands. Dutch law requires businesses to have a separate business account for financial administration, and the tax authority (Belastingdienst) expects clear separation between personal and business finances. The good news is that the Dutch banking market offers diverse options, from established traditional banks to innovative fintech providers that cater specifically to international entrepreneurs.
Requirements for Opening a Dutch Business Account
Essential Documents
Regardless of which bank you choose, you will need:
- KVK registration number — Your Chamber of Commerce extract (uittreksel), obtainable after registering your business
- Valid identification — Passport or EU/EEA national ID card
- BSN (Burgerservicenummer) — Your Dutch citizen service number, required by most traditional banks
- Proof of Dutch address — Utility bill or rental agreement (some fintech providers waive this)
- Business plan or description — Traditional banks may request a summary of your business activities
- Articles of association — For BV (private limited company) structures
Business Structure Considerations
Your business structure affects which accounts are available:
- Eenmanszaak (sole proprietorship) — Simplest to open, most banks accept readily
- VOF (partnership) — Requires all partners to be present for verification
- BV (private limited company) — Requires notarized articles and UBO registration
- Stichting (foundation) — Limited options, some banks decline these
Traditional Banks
ING Business
ING is the largest bank in the Netherlands and a popular choice for business accounts:
- Monthly fee — €9.90/month (after 6-month promotional period)
- Included transactions — 100 domestic transfers per month
- Debit card — Included, contactless payments supported
- International transfers — SEPA transfers included, non-SEPA from €6.00
- Online banking — Full-featured app and web interface in English
- Opening time — 1-2 weeks, may require in-person appointment
ING's strength is its comprehensive English-language support and wide ATM network. The mobile app is well-designed and handles most business banking needs. However, the onboarding process can be slow for non-EU citizens.
ABN AMRO Business
ABN AMRO is the second-largest Dutch bank and offers competitive business accounts:
- Monthly fee — €11.50/month for basic business package
- Included transactions — Unlimited domestic SEPA transfers
- Credit options — Business credit cards and financing available
- International transfers — SEPA included, non-SEPA from €5.50
- Added features — Accounting software integrations, invoicing tools
- Opening time — 1-3 weeks
ABN AMRO is particularly strong for businesses that need financing and credit products alongside their business account. Their business advisory services are available in English and Dutch.
Rabobank Business
Rabobank is the cooperative bank with the largest branch network in the Netherlands:
- Monthly fee — €10.50/month for basic package
- Unique advantage — Strongest branch network in rural areas
- Agricultural focus — Historically the farming bank, excellent for agri-business
- International transfers — Competitive rates for agricultural trade
- Opening time — 1-2 weeks with local branch appointment
Rabobank is ideal for businesses operating outside major cities or in agriculture-related sectors. English-language support exists but varies by branch location.
Fintech and Digital Banks
Finom
Finom has quickly become the go-to choice for freelancers and small businesses in the Netherlands:
- Monthly fee — €0/month (Solo plan), €14/month (Start), €24/month (Premium)
- Free plan includes — Dutch IBAN, unlimited SEPA transfers, 1 virtual card
- Key features — Built-in invoicing, receipt scanning, accounting integrations
- Multi-currency — EUR-focused but expanding
- Opening time — 15 minutes to 24 hours, fully online
- Cashback — Up to 3% on card spending (premium plans)
Finom's zero-cost entry point makes it particularly attractive for freelancers (ZZP-ers) and early-stage businesses. The integrated invoicing and expense management tools reduce the need for separate accounting software.
Revolut Business
Revolut Business brings its consumer banking innovation to the business market:
- Monthly fee — €0/month (Free), €25/month (Grow), €100/month (Scale)
- Multi-currency — Hold and exchange 25+ currencies at interbank rates
- International transfers — Significantly cheaper than traditional banks
- Team cards — Issue physical and virtual cards with spending limits
- Opening time — Same day, fully online
- API access — Available for tech-savvy businesses
Revolut Business excels for businesses with significant international payments. The multi-currency account eliminates conversion fees that traditional banks charge, potentially saving hundreds of euros monthly for import/export businesses.
Bunq Business
Bunq is a Dutch-born digital bank with a sustainability focus:
- Monthly fee — €9.99/month (Easy Business), €18.99/month (Easy Business Pro)
- Green banking — Plants trees with every €100 spent
- Sub-accounts — Up to 25 IBANs under one business account
- Automatic categorization — AI-powered transaction sorting
- Opening time — Minutes, fully online with video verification
Comparison Table: Monthly Costs
Here is a quick comparison to help you decide:
- Finom Solo — €0/month (best for solo freelancers)
- Revolut Free — €0/month (best for international payments)
- ING Basic — €9.90/month (best traditional bank for expats)
- Rabobank Basic — €10.50/month (best for rural businesses)
- ABN AMRO Basic — €11.50/month (best for financing needs)
- Finom Start — €14/month (best value with invoicing)
- Revolut Grow — €25/month (best for multi-currency needs)
Tips for International Entrepreneurs
If You Don't Have a BSN Yet
Some fintech providers open accounts without a BSN, using passport verification instead. This is useful if you are setting up your business before completing municipal registration (inschrijving bij de gemeente). However, you will eventually need a BSN for tax purposes, so plan accordingly.
Accounting Integration
The Netherlands requires careful financial administration. Choose a bank that integrates with popular Dutch accounting software:
- Exact Online — Most widely used for SMEs
- Moneybird — Popular with freelancers, excellent English support
- Xero — International option with Dutch tax compliance
- FreshBooks — Simpler option for solo freelancers
Switching Banks
If your first choice doesn't work out, the Netherlands has a free bank switching service (Overstapservice) that automatically redirects payments from your old account to your new one for 13 months. This makes switching relatively painless and is available for business accounts at participating banks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can foreigners open business bank accounts in the Netherlands?
What is the cheapest business bank account in the Netherlands?
How long does it take to open a Dutch business bank account?
Ever wonder if leaving London's finance scene for Amsterdam was worth it? Six years later: yes. Better work-life balance, worse weather, surprisingly good Indonesian food. I write about making the jump to the Netherlands.
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Best Business Bank Accounts in the Netherlands: A Guide for Entrepreneurs and Freelancers
Foreign entrepreneurs can open Dutch business accounts after KVK registration. Top options include Finom (free-€36 monthly), Revolut Business, and traditional banks.
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Opening a Dutch bank account requires identification, BSN, and proof of address. Choose from 96 banks with fees ranging from free to €22.25 monthly.
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Opening a Dutch bank account requires BSN, identification, and proof of residence, taking 2-5 business days with traditional banks or hours with mobile banks.
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