You have just landed in the Netherlands, you need to pay rent, receive your first salary, and set up utilities—but your BSN appointment may be weeks away. This is one of the most frustrating catch-22 situations for new expats: you need a bank account to function, but most banks require a BSN to open one.
The good news? Several banks now let you open an account without a BSN. Here is how.
Why the BSN Matters for Banking
The BSN (Burgerservicenummer) is your Dutch citizen service number. Dutch banks are required by law to have it, and use it for tax reporting and identity checks.
However, some banks let you open an account first and add your BSN later. bunq, ABN AMRO and ING all give you 90 days.
Banks That Accept You Without a BSN
bunq — Dutch IBAN, Fully in English
bunq is a popular choice for expats arriving without a BSN. You can download the app, verify your identity with your passport, and have a working Dutch IBAN within minutes. Key advantages:
- Fully digital onboarding in English
- Dutch IBAN number (starts with NL)
- iDEAL and Tikkie support
- No BSN required at sign-up (you must provide it within 90 days)
- Virtual card available immediately for online payments
- Physical card sent to your address
bunq has a free plan; its paid plans charge a monthly fee for extra features.
ABN AMRO — A Traditional Bank Without the Wait
ABN AMRO lets you open a personal account in its app before you have a BSN, as long as you are registered at a Dutch address. You must add your BSN within 90 days, or the account is blocked.
ING works the same way: you can open a current account without a BSN and have 90 days to provide it, online or at an ING Service Point.
Revolut — Good for Immediate Access
Revolut lets you open an account with just your passport, no BSN needed. You get instant access to a virtual card and can start making payments right away. Advantages:
- Instant account opening
- Free basic plan available
- Spending and transfers in other currencies in the same app
- Virtual and physical cards
Revolut used to give Dutch customers a Lithuanian IBAN, but has been moving them to Dutch IBANs (starting with NL). Revolut is also on the list of banks you can pay with through iDEAL (which accounts work with iDEAL and Tikkie).
N26 — Another International Option
N26 offers a similar proposition to Revolut: easy sign-up without a BSN, but with a German IBAN instead of a Dutch one. It does support iDEAL. Some employers or landlords may have difficulty paying into a non-Dutch IBAN, even though EU rules (SEPA) require them to accept any EU IBAN. See whether a company can refuse your foreign IBAN.
Step-by-Step: Opening a bunq Account Without BSN
- Download the bunq app from the App Store or Google Play
- Choose your plan — the free plan or a paid tier
- Verify your identity — Scan your passport and take a selfie for identity verification
- Provide your address
- Activate your account — You will receive a Dutch IBAN immediately
- Order your card — A physical debit card is sent to your address
- Add your BSN later — You have 90 days to provide your BSN once you receive it
If you are a US citizen, or otherwise taxable in the US, a Dutch bank will also ask for your US tax number: see bank accounts for US citizens.
What You Can and Cannot Do Without a BSN
You can:
- Open a bank account (at the banks listed above)
- Receive salary payments
- Make domestic and international transfers
- Pay bills and set up direct debits
- Use iDEAL and Tikkie
You cannot: skip the BSN for good. bunq limits your account and ABN AMRO blocks it if you have not added your BSN within 90 days, and ING requires it within the same window.
Tips for the BSN Waiting Period
- Book your gemeente appointment immediately: Waiting times for an appointment differ by municipality. Book before or right after arrival
- Ask your employer for help: Your employer may have relocation support for registering
- Keep records: Save all correspondence and receipts. You may need to prove when you arrived and when you applied for registration
- Use the waiting period wisely: Set up bunq or Revolut, start receiving salary, and research which traditional bank you want to use long-term
The BSN waiting period is temporary, but having a working bank account from day one makes everything else easier. For a comprehensive overview of your banking options, see our complete expat banking guide.