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Your own bank account

Dit document is afkomstig van https://www.mycoa.nl, zie https://www.mycoa.nl/en/printpdf/infosheetprint/1581

2021.09.30 - Engels - "Eigen bankrekening"

Your own bank account

To open your own bank account you need a citizen service number (BSN) and a valid W-document or a residence permit.

In the Netherlands, a separate bank account (or checking account) is indispensable. When you open a checking account at a bank branch, you will get a debit card. Just like with your MoneyCard, you can use it to pay in shops and to withdraw money from ATMs. But you can do much more when you have your own checking account!

What can you do with a checking account?

With a checking account you can:

• Withdraw cash at ATMs. • Pay in shops, hotels, restaurants, stations, at parking lots and in many other places (with your debit card). • Make electronic payments (transfer money) and receive money. • Pay for your purchases on the Internet (web shops). For example via iDEAL. • Allow companies (authorize them) to deduct certain amounts from your bank. For example, for recurring payments for rent, gas, water, light and your subscription for your mobile phone. In this way you will not forget to pay these companies on time and you will have no problems. • Internet banking and mobile banking. • For most banks, you can also use paper transfer forms and receive paper bank statements. Usually you have to pay extra for that.

Open your own bank account

In order to open your own bank account you will need a Citizen Service Number (burgerservicenummer, BSN) and a valid W-document or Residence Permit.

Do you have a Residence Permit? You can open your own checking account with your BSN at the bank of your choice. You can go to the bank yourself. If you do not speak Dutch or English well, you need to bring someone who can translate for you. If you have a Residence Permit, it's important that you open your own account soon. You need it to be able to  live in the municipality/town. The Central Agency for the Reception of Asylum Seekers (Centraal Orgaan opvang asielzoekers, COA) may impose a fine if you do not open a checking account without a valid reason.

Do you have a W-document? With your W-document and your BSN, you can open a basic bank account at a number of banks in the Netherlands. These banks are: Rabobank, ING Bank, ABN AMRO, SNS Bank and Triodos Bank. To do so, you need a special application form. You can request it from the COA or download it from www.basisbankrekening.nl (http://www.basisbankrekening.nl) [1].

Tax residency Since January 1, 2016, the banks must comply with the Common Reporting Standards (CRS). When you apply for your own checking account or a basic bank account, the bank will ask you what your tax residency is. You must fill out a form. Asylum seekers and residence Permit holders must specify "The Netherlands" as tax residency.

Links extern

Basisbankrekening [1] http://www.basisbankrekening.nl

Cost of checking account

A checking account costs money. You can ask an employee of the Central Agency for the Reception of Asylum Seekers (Centraal Orgaan opvang asielzoekers, COA) how much it is. COA will reimburse the cost of a checking account as long as you stay with COA.

Advise your bank account number to the COA

If you have your own checking account, the COA will deposit your weekly money and any other reimbursements into that account. So pass on your account number quickly to the COA! You can terminate a Moneycard yourself via the Consumer Portal (internet) and transfer the remaining balance (money) to your checking account. Or you can give a written instruction to have the balance transferred to your checking account (costs: € 7.50). Ask the daycare worker.

Your Moneycard can be used for payments and cash withdrawals up to the end date stated on the Moneycard. Your balance on the Moneycard will remain available for approximately 15 years. With an expired Moneycard and remaining balance, you can ask Rabobank to make the balance available. There are costs involved.

Move If you are going to move (also to another azc), you must pass on your new address to your bank. If you do not do this, the bank will send letters (and possibly your payment card) to your old address.