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Business setup and support in the Netherlands Opening a bank account in the Netherlands

Yaroslav Shevel

Lawyer

E-mail

shevel@prikhodko.com.ua

Phone numbers

An expert in corporate and international corporate law. He has many years of experience in establishing and reorganizing companies, supporting M&A transactions, as well as providing legal support for opening and running a business in the EU, Asia, and North America.

Opening a bank account in the Netherlands

The banking system is headed by the Dutch Central Bank (De Nederlandsche Bank – DNB), which acts as the central bank and the main financial regulator. The DNB is responsible for supervising the activities of commercial banks, implementing monetary policy and ensuring financial stability. The second level consists of commercial banks, among which several categories can be distinguished:

Large universal banks (Grootbanken): These are the largest banks in the country, offering a full range of services for individuals and businesses. These include: ING Bank (an international group of Dutch origin); ABN AMRO Bank; Rabobank (a cooperative bank very strong in agribusiness).
Subsidiary banks of foreign groups: For example, BNP Paribas, HSBC, Citibank. They are often focused on corporate clients and international business.
Smaller and specialized banks, including neobanks (Online Banken): For example, Bunq, Knab. They offer modern digital solutions, but may have limitations for complex corporate structures.

Types of corporate accounts (Zakelijke rekeningen)

Current account (Betaalrekening) – the main account for daily transactions: receiving payments from customers, paying suppliers, paying salaries, paying taxes.
Deposit account (Spaarrekening) – intended for storing temporarily free funds with interest income.
Foreign currency accounts (Valutarekeningen) – accounts for transactions in foreign currency (USD, GBP, CHF, etc.).

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Basic requirements of banks for opening a corporate account in the Netherlands

Documents confirming the status of a legal entity

For Dutch companies (BV, NV):

Extract from the Trade Register (Uittreksel Handelsregister) from the Chamber of Commerce (Kamer van Koophandel – KvK). This document contains all the key information: name, address, scope of activity, data on the authorized capital, directors (bestuurders).
Company Articles of Association (Statuten).
Proof of registration with the Tax Service (Belastingdienst) – Tax Number (Btw-nummer).

It will also be useful: Virtual office in the Netherlands

For foreign companies (non-residents):

Legalized extract from the trade register of the country of registration with an apostille or consular certification and its certified translation into English or Dutch.
Legalized and translated statutory documents (Certificate of Incorporation, Memorandum and Articles of Association, etc.).
Proof of registration with the tax authorities of the country of registration (Certificate of Tax Residence).
Documents identifying beneficial owners (UBO) and representatives

For beneficial owners (UBO) and directors:

Copy of foreign passport (required).
Proof of address (not older than 3 months): utility bill, bank statement.
Proof of Source of Funds: Documents confirming the legal origin of funds (bank statements, purchase and sale agreements, business sale documents, tax returns, investment agreements).

Information about the company to be opened

Business Plan: Detailed description of future activities: markets, products/services, main counterparties (suppliers and buyers), projected turnover, marketing strategy.
Expected nature and volume of operations: Information on the expected amounts, frequency and geography of incoming and outgoing payments.
Official company address in the Netherlands (Bezoekadres): Banks prefer companies that have a real presence in the country, not just a virtual address.

Our specialists at Prykhodko & Partners, who have a deep understanding of the local legislative framework and internal policies of key banks (such as ABN AMRO, ING and Rabobank), help not only to collect and prepare the necessary package of documents, but also to develop a convincing business story that meets the requirements of compliance departments.

Step-by-step procedure for opening an account in the Netherlands

Bank selection and preliminary contact

Conduct market research, study tariffs and conditions.
Send a short request (initial inquiry) with a description of the company, its structure and planned activities.

Filling out questionnaires and providing documents

After preliminary approval, the bank will provide an account opening questionnaire and a final list of documents. All documents must be provided in the proper form: legalized, with an apostille, with a certified translation.

Personal presence or identification

The bank is obliged to identify the persons who will have the right to sign. This can be done:

In person at a bank branch in the Netherlands.
Through a notary in the country of residence (under certain conditions).
Using a video identification system (if the bank provides such a service).

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Compliance Check and Risk Assessment

The bank’s Compliance Department conducts a thorough check. They may ask additional questions and request additional documents. At this stage, the bank makes the final decision.

Conclusion of an agreement and account activation

After a successful check, the company signs a banking service agreement. After that, the account is activated and assigned an IBAN number.

So, opening a corporate bank account in the Netherlands is a strategically important but extremely complex process full of regulatory challenges. It is at this stage that professional support becomes critically necessary for the successful launch and operation of your business in the European Economic Area.

Our company “Prikhodko & Partners” offers comprehensive support in opening a bank account in the Netherlands, providing clients with full legal coverage of all aspects of this procedure.

We take on the organization of all communication, provide qualified translation services, and provide legal support at every stage — from choosing the most loyal bank to the successful activation of your account.

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1 question

Do you need help opening a bank account in the Netherlands?

Yes

2 question

Do you need help choosing a bank in the Netherlands?

Yes

3 question

Do you need advice on a bank account in the Netherlands?

Yes

Can a non-resident register a BV in the Netherlands?

Yes, a foreign national may be the founder and director of a Dutch BV. At the same time, the notary, bank and other institutions will verify the person’s identity, ownership structure, source of funds, business model and reasons for choosing the Netherlands as the jurisdiction for conducting business.

Can a company be registered in the Netherlands remotely?

In many cases, the main part of the procedure can be completed remotely under a power of attorney. The possibility of remote incorporation depends on the notary’s requirements, the founders’ citizenship, the complexity of the structure and the method used to identify the company participants.

Is it mandatory to appoint a Netherlands-resident director?

There is no general requirement for a BV to appoint a resident director. However, the company’s place of effective management may affect its tax residence, banking compliance and the assessment of the business’s actual presence in the Netherlands.

Does a BV need a registered office in the Netherlands?

Yes, a company needs an address in the Netherlands for KVK registration. The format of the address should correspond to the nature of the company’s activities, and a bank, tax authority or business partner may require evidence of the actual presence and management of the business.

Can a corporate account be opened remotely?

Traditional Dutch banks conduct very strict checks on foreign founders (KYC/AML procedure). Opening an account is possible, but it requires detailed confirmation of the sources of funds, the availability of a registered office and a business plan. We help prepare the company for banking compliance or offer the opening of accounts with reliable European EMIs (payment institutions).

What is the Innovation Box and who benefits from it?

The Innovation Box is a special tax regime in the Netherlands designed to encourage innovation. If your company develops software or owns patents (R&D), profits derived from these assets may be taxed at an effective reduced rate (approximately 9% instead of the standard rates).

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I contacted them because of the spread of false information on the Internet. The lawyers responded promptly and helped protect my reputation. I am satisfied with the result.

The team supported the case to protect the company’s business reputation. Everything was clear, well-reasoned, and with an understanding of the specifics of the business.

They helped resolve a conflict with an employee without going to court. Everything went as smoothly as possible and within the framework of the law. We are grateful for the professional approach and support.

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We asked for help in preparing a grant application. We received not only full support, but also valuable recommendations on the structure of the project. As a result, our business was successfully financed. Thank you very much!

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We work with the company on an ongoing basis. We especially appreciate the attention to detail and the ability to prevent risks before they arise. This is exactly the case when lawyers really help save business money.

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