Best business bank account for international payments

Are you an entrepreneur from abroad, planning to start doing business in the Netherlands and becoming active here? Then you require a business (IBAN) account. Has the Netherlands Foreign Investment Agency (NFIA; an entitity of RVO, the government agency to promote entrepreneurship in the Netherlands) been actively involved in your location decision for the Netherlands since the beginning of that process, or are you as a startup working together with a facilitator formally recognised by RVO. In that case you can do the Quick Scan ‘Dutch Business Bank Account’, at this page. The bank will let you know within 5 working days if you are eligible to apply for a business account.

At this page (scroll down):

• IBAN Account
• Quick Scan Dutch Business Bank Account
• How it works
• Banks
  • ABN AMRO
  • ING
  • Rabobank
• Opening a business account in The Netherlands; how does it work? (video)
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Webinar: Financing your business in the Netherlands

IBAN account

You must have an IBAN account in order to do business in the Netherlands. This enables account holders in SEPA countries to make national and cross-border euro payments easily and securely. SEPA stands for: Single Euro Payments Area (SEPA). SEPA consists of the EU member states, plus, Iceland, Lichtenstein, Norway and Switzerland. Are you an entrepreneur currently located outside SEPA ? Do you plan to do business in or from the Netherlands? In that case, it is necessary to apply for a business account with a bank located in the Netherlands. Due to strict legislation and individual acceptance policies, the banks are required to scrutinise applications thoroughly. For example, they need to know where you obtained your investment capital. Or who the actual stakeholders in the company are. It can take quite some time for a bank to complete this kind of evaluation.

Quick Scan Dutch Business Bank Account

• Dutch banks work together in order to quickly inform a foreign entrepreneur if they are eligible to apply for an account. For that purpose, the Dutch Banking Association (Nederlandse Vereniging van Banken) has created the Quick Scan “Dutch Business Bank Account".
• The Quick Scan is intended for entrepreneurs who are already in the process of registering with the Dutch Chamber of Commerce (Kamer van Koophandel) and obtaining a residence permit.
• In the Quick Scan you have to fill in the name of your advisor from the Netherlands Foreign Investment Agency (NFIA) or your qualified start-up facilitator, and also send a digital copy of the NFIA letter of Contact or your start-up facilitator agreement.
• Complete the Quick Scan and send a scanned copy of the form, along with the requested information, to the bank of your choice. There are four Dutch banks to choose from: Rabobank, ABN AMRO and ING. The bank you select will then evaluate the responses you provided in the Quick Scan.
• Did the bank receive the Quick Scan with the requested information? Then the bank will confirm the probability of a successful application to open an account within 5 business days of receipt of the Quick Scan.
• Did the bank receive the Quick Scan without the requested information? Then the bank will send you an e-mail to inform you on what further information is needed or how you can start the regular application procedure.
• The three banks who work with the Quick Scan – if completely filled in and sent with all the requested documents - guarantee to inform you within 5 working days if you are eligible to apply for a business account with their bank.
• Please note: completing the Quick Scan is not an accelerated process for becoming a customer of a bank and obtaining an active account. Based on the information you provide, the bank determines if an application can be dealt with.
• If you are eligible to apply, the bank will begin the regular application process, during which you will have a regular contact person at the bank. You will receive a status update on your application at least once a month.
• Are you not receiving assistance from the Netherlands Foreign Investment Agency (NFIA) or from another facilitator? In that case you cannot use the Quick Scan. Please turn directly to a bank of your choice to check if you are eligible to apply for a business account.

How it works

1. Download the Quick Scan “Dutch Business Bank Account” here
2. Answer the questions and attach the requested documents
3. Mail the completed Quick Scan and the documents to the bank of your choice:

• ABN AMRO:
• ING:
• Rabobank: (also use the online application via this link)

ABN AMRO

ABN AMRO is a leading Dutch bank, headquartered in Amsterdam, that serves Retail, Private and Corporate Banking Clients. The bank’s primary focus is on The Netherlands, in addition to having strategic international presence. We offer our clients a full range of comprehensive products & services distributed through our omni-channel’s; including advanced mobile applications and internet banking. One of our core functions is delivering in-depth financial expertise and extensive knowledge throughout various business sectors.

A key goal within ABN AMRO’s strategy is to “re-invent the customer experience”, in addition to our strong focus on sustainability and corporate responsibility.

The international business and expat market has been continuously growing in The Netherlands. We, as ABN AMRO, want to help make the transition as easy and seamless as possible by offering care-free financial services within the boundaries set by international law and legislation. Therefore we have set up a multi-disciplinary team of specialists called “New Business International”.

New Business International
The main focus of this proposition is aimed at international companies and international private clients who are moving to the Netherlands. We make it possible for international companies and international private clients to bank with ABN AMRO.

“Corporate Non-Residents” is a specialized department within ABN AMRO, offering a range of expert services to foreign companies. This dedicated department consists of experienced relationship managers who will act as your single point of contact; to meet your banking requirements, on a best effort basis. Further easing the process, our “International Clients” department, also geared towards servicing the corporate clients’ staff, is able to provide tailor-made advice in 15 different languages. Having a professional reputation and expertise, we can help our clients find the perfect location to set up a business, a perfect home and the perfect school for their children.

We are a client-focused and data-driven organisation that cherishes the client relationship and delivers an effortless and recognisable client experience.

For further information please visit our website: abnamro.nl

ING

ING’s strengths include a well-known brand that is positively recognised in many markets, a strong financial position, our international network and omnichannel distribution strategy. Not to mention our efforts to contribute to a sustainable world. ING is among the leading banks in the Dow Jones Sustainability Index (Europe and World) and is included in the FTSE4Good index.

Our purpose is to empower people to stay a step ahead in life and in business.

Our purpose guides us in everything we do. It’s founded on our belief that ING’s role as a financial institution is to support and promote economic, social and environmental progress, and at the same time generate healthy returns for shareholders. To deliver on our purpose, we have defined our Customer Promise. These are the four ways we will empower our customers with a differentiating experience.

Clear and easy
Banking doesn’t have to be difficult and time consuming. It’s all about clear products, plain language, fair prices and simple processes that save both time and money.

Anytime, anywhere
Banking should be possible anytime and anywhere, irrespective of where and how people access our products and services.

Empower
The best financial decisions are informed decisions. Customers want relevant, up-to-date information at their fingertips. They need to understand the available choices, and their implications, both today and for the future.

Keep getting better
Life and business are about moving forward. We will keep looking for ways to improve and for new ideas, new solutions and new approaches to make things easier for our customers. That way, we can all stay a step ahead.

More information about ING Group can be found on our group website. More information on the banking services in the Netherlands can be found on our website.

Rabobank

Rabobank is a bank by and for customers, a cooperative bank, a socially-responsible bank. Our aim is to be market leader across all financial markets in the Netherlands. We are also committed to being a leading bank in the field of food and agri worldwide.

Rabobank is an international financial services provider, operating on the basis of cooperative principles. It offers retail banking, wholesale banking, private banking, leasing and real estate services. As a cooperative bank, Rabobank puts customers’ interests first in its services. It serves approximately 8.3 million clients around the world. It is committed to making a substantial contribution to welfare and prosperity in the Netherland and to feeding the world sustainably. We put the interests and ambitions of our customers and members first. With nearly two million members, we are one of the largest cooperatives in the Netherlands. And our members are more than just customers. They have a voice in deciding the bank's strategic course. Our commercially independent local Rabobanks form the most finely-meshed banking network in the Netherlands. They serve millions of Dutch retail and wholesale customers with a full range of financial services. We are market leader in the Netherlands in a number of segments.

Our cooperative identity stems back to the late 19th century when a group of farmers founded the first agricultural cooperative banks. Our strong agricultural roots mean that we have unparalleled knowledge in the food and agri industry. We are by far the largest bank in the Netherlands in this field and our ambition is to become the world’s leading food and agri bank. Based on this ambition, we are dedicated to making a contribution to bringing about global food safety and security. For more information: rabobank.nlPlease note that all applications from foreign companies are now being handled through our online application, via this link you can apply for an account at Rabobank.
We will then assess the application and when positive start the process of onboarding you as a client.

Webinar: Financing your business in the Netherlands

Business.gov.nl, The Netherlands Chamber of Commerce, the Netherlands Enterprise Agency, and the Dutch Banking Association (NVB) broadcast the webinar 'Financing your business in the Netherlands'. You can watch the video at: business.gov.nl or below:

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