Banking in the Netherlands
Find the quickest and easiest way to arrange banking in the Netherlands depending on your situation.
Why is this important?
Will you receive a scholarship from Leiden University or have you transferred funds for your visa or residence permit? It is essential that you have an account via which you can receive your funds.
Even if you aren’t receiving payments from the university, it makes life simpler if you can arrange day-to-day transactions quickly and easily.
Which options are available to you?
Answer the questions below to find out which option is best for you.
1. Do you have a bank account in a SEPA country (EEA member state, Monaco or Switzerland)?
- You can continue using your account for day-to-day transactions in the Netherlands.
- Check the settings of your debit card to make sure you can use it in the Netherlands. You can change the settings via your bank if necessary.
Go to question 2.
2. Will you stay longer than 90 days and be registered at a Dutch address?
Open a SEPA bank account.
Online or traditional?
- You can open an account with an online bank quickly and easily – as long as you are registered at a European address. It can take much longer with a traditional bank.
- A traditional bank has physical branch offices that you can visit.
Recommended banks
Go to question 3.
3. Are you from the US, Canada, Australia, Brazil, Japan, Malaysia, the Philippines, New Zeeland or Singapore?
Use the Wise payment platform.
- For day-to-day transactions as well as payments from the university.
- Cheaper and often quicker than bank transfers.
- Debit card that works in the Netherlands.
Go to question 4.
4. Are you unable to access international transactions due to sanctions against your home country, or other circumstances beyond your control?
- In this situation you can receive payments from Leiden University in cash. This special arrangement is only available if you are unable to access international transactions due to circumstances beyond your control.
- Notify the Leiden University department(s) in question that you do not have a SEPA bank account and cannot open a WISE account.
Use your own (non-SEPA) bank account.
- You will receive payments from Leiden University via international Swift transfer.
- Check the settings of your debit card to make sure you can use it in the Netherlands. You can change the settings via your bank if necessary.
Questions
- Do you have questions about a specific account or banking service? Contact the bank or platform in question.
- Not sure which situation applies to you or have other questions? Contact the Service Centre International Staff.