Opening a bank account for your Dutch company
A Dutch BV needs a bank account to operate. It pays tax and payroll, receives customer payments and shows the tax authorities and your counterparties that the company is a real business. For a company with foreign owners or directors, this is often the slowest step of the whole set-up.
Dutch banks screen new business clients carefully. A foreign shareholder, a foreign director or a multi-layer ownership chain triggers more questions, not fewer. This page explains what Dutch banks look for, which options exist and how to prepare an application that holds up.
No adviser can guarantee that a bank will accept a client. What we can do is help you present a complete, consistent and credible file.
Why a Dutch account matters
- Tax and payroll. Dutch tax payments, payroll providers and many Dutch payers work most smoothly with a Dutch IBAN. A non-Dutch IBAN can be used within SEPA, but some counterparties and platforms create friction with it.
- Substance. For holding, financing and IP structures, a Dutch bank account in the name of the BV supports the case that the company is genuinely run from the Netherlands.
- Credibility. Dutch customers, suppliers and public bodies expect to pay a Dutch company at a Dutch bank.
Your options
| Option | Typical profile | Points to consider |
|---|---|---|
| The three large Dutch banks (ING, ABN AMRO, Rabobank) | Operating companies, holdings and groups that need a full banking relationship | Most thorough onboarding. A non-Dutch element in the ownership makes acceptance harder, and a Dutch-resident director or clear Dutch activity helps |
| Dutch digital bank (for example bunq) | Smaller or newer companies, simple structures | Licensed Dutch bank covered by the Dutch deposit guarantee scheme up to €100,000 per depositor. Eligibility rules by country of registration and ownership apply and change, so confirm them with the bank |
| Non-Dutch bank or payment institution | Companies that mainly trade internationally | Can serve as a second account. Check whether the provider is a licensed bank or an e-money institution, because deposit protection and safeguarding rules differ |
Many international owners combine a main Dutch account with a second account elsewhere for redundancy.
The Dutch Banking Association also offers an online Quick Scan, listed on the Dutch government’s business portal, to help non-Dutch entrepreneurs check whether they are eligible for a Dutch business account.
What Dutch banks ask for
Banks apply the Dutch anti-money-laundering law (the Wwft) and their own risk policies. For a BV with foreign ownership, expect to provide:
About the company
- Recent Chamber of Commerce (KVK) extract and the deed of incorporation with articles of association
- Shareholder register, and the registers of every company in the chain up to the ultimate parent
- Ultimate beneficial owner (UBO) declaration and a structure chart down to the natural persons, matching the Dutch UBO register
- Proof of the registered address and, if you have one, the office lease
About the people
- Passports and proof of address for directors and UBOs
- Powers of attorney for anyone else who will sign
- Certified or apostilled copies of foreign corporate documents where requested
About the business
- A short description of what the company does and why it is in the Netherlands
- Expected incoming and outgoing payments, with countries and volumes
- Early contracts or invoices, and a website that matches the description
- Where a bank asks for one, a reference letter from your current bank
What makes an application stronger
- A clear commercial rationale. The bank wants to understand why a company owned abroad is in the Netherlands and what money will flow through it.
- Consistent documents. Address, activity description and UBO details should be identical across every document. Most follow-up questions arise from inconsistencies.
- Substance. Dutch-resident management, a real office and real activity make a file easier to approve, and they also support your tax position.
- A simple chain of ownership. Many layers or entities in high-risk jurisdictions lead to extra checks.
- Preparation of the people. Directors and UBOs should be reachable and able to explain the business.
How we help
- Pre-screening. We review your structure, countries and activity and tell you which banks are realistic.
- Document preparation. We help you collect, certify and align the documents.
- Introduction and follow-up. We prepare the application, answer the bank’s questions with you and, where a meeting in person is required, arrange a local representative.
- After opening. We help with access, signing authorities and the link with your accounting and tax filings.
We work with the bank’s rules, not around them. Acceptance is always the bank’s decision, and timelines depend on the bank and on how complete the file is.
Frequently asked questions
Can a non-resident open an account for a Dutch BV? Yes, it is possible, but acceptance is not automatic. Dutch banks look at the whole picture: owners, directors, activity, countries and expected flows.
Do I need a Dutch-resident director? Not by law for the BV itself. In practice a Dutch-resident director can make banking easier and also supports the tax position of the company.
Do I have to visit the bank in person? Policies differ per bank and per client profile. Some steps may require a meeting, and documents from abroad may need to be certified.
Can I use a foreign IBAN for my Dutch BV? Technically yes, within SEPA. Some counterparties, payroll providers and platforms prefer a Dutch IBAN.
How long does it take? It depends on the bank and on the completeness of your file. Complex ownership structures take longer.
Is my money protected? Deposits at licensed banks in the Netherlands are covered by the Dutch deposit guarantee scheme, up to €100,000 per depositor per bank. E-money institutions are regulated differently.
Speak to us
Tell us about your company, your owners and where your customers are. We will tell you which banking route is realistic and what to prepare.
This page is general information, not financial, legal or tax advice. Bank policies change, and each bank decides on its own criteria. Eligibility rules, fees and deposit protection should be confirmed directly with the bank.