Money matters

Opening a Dutch bank account

You may need a Dutch bank account while studying in the Netherlands, for example to pay the tuition fees. To speed up the procedure for opening an account, Utrecht University co-operates with the Rabobank in Utrecht. The university has an agreement with the Rabobank to open accounts for students at minimal cost, on the condition that the student will study at the university for at least one academic year.

This page includes a link to their website on which you can fill out an application form. The University will confirm your enrolment, and the bank will open the account for you. Upon arrival you then have to visit the bank with your passport to activate the account, and the bank card en relevant documents will be sent to you in the mail shortly afterwards.Please note that you  cannot open an account by going to the bank, you must fill out the form and send it by email.

Students who are already in the Netherlands and wish to open a bank account now can check the banking fact sheet for other options.

Other money matters

While it is possible for international students to open a bank account in the Netherlands, this may take a few weeks to arrange after your arrival. We therefore strongly recommend that you bring:

• a credit card (Visa or Mastercard).
• a bank card that will allow you to use an ATM (Automated Teller Machine) in the Netherlands. Cirrus and Maestro are widely available here, but check with your bank to make sure.

Another solution is traveller’s checks, as these are insured. Note however that you cannot use these in stores, you will have to exchange them for cash at a bank or change bureau first.

If you are staying in the Netherlands for less than one year, you may have to pay fees to open the account. If you are only here for a short period of time, we recommend that you use your account back home if at all possible.