How can a Ukrainian refugee open a bank account and use Ukrainian bank accounts in the Netherlands

A refugee needs a bank account in the Netherlands for two reasons:

1. He receives grants.
2. You can't get a job without it. Paying salaries in cash is prohibited by law in the Netherlands.

An account opened by a Ukrainian in the Netherlands is assigned a Dutch IBAN. The card issued upon opening an account can be used in the same way as the usual cards of Ukrainian banks, that is, make transfers, pay for purchases on the Internet or in regular stores. You can use Dutch bank accounts as long as the cardholder has the legal right to stay in Holland.

For purchases and payment for services, you can also use bank cards issued in Ukraine. Although this is not particularly advantageous, as additional fees may apply. 

How to open a bank account in the Netherlands?

To open an account, you need to know the following information:

• Applicant must be at least 18 years of age.
• You will need a BSN (number assigned by the Dutch social services). This number is automatically assigned when a refugee registers with the gemeente (municipality). However, municipalities cannot cope with the influx of refugees, and registration can be expected for a long time. Therefore, it is important to know that some banks are ready to open an account for Ukrainian refugees without BSN, provided that this number is provided within 3 months.
• Depending on the particular bank, an account can be opened remotely or you will need to personally arrive at the bank branch.
• You need to be prepared for the fact that bank information is available in English and Dutch. Now the process of translating information into Ukrainian is underway, but it has not yet been completed.
• A bank card and login are not issued immediately, they are sent by mail within a few days after the account is registered. Therefore, a Ukrainian must provide a postal address and notify the bank if it changes.

Standard list of documents and information required to open an account:

• bsn,
• Passport of a citizen of Ukraine or a document replacing it,
• Last name, first name,
• Date of birth, country and place of birth, gender,
• Citizenship,
• Address of residence in the Netherlands, telephone and e-mail for communication.

Due to the fact that some of the refugees are under the age of 18 or do not have a valid Ukrainian passport, they cannot open a bank account. At the government level, the question of how to help these people is still being discussed. At the municipal level, you can get a temporary debit card that will receive benefits and pay for purchases.

How to use cards of Ukrainian banks in the Netherlands

Debit and credit cards belonging to the Visa and Mastercard payment systems, issued by Ukrainian banks, are serviced in the Netherlands without restrictions. However, restrictions on the amount of expenses, etc. can be set by the issuing banks themselves. Check this information with the bank that issued your card.

You need to be prepared for the fact that some Dutch shops and service companies do not accept card payments - in general or from debit cards. In particular, most of the supermarkets of the largest Dutch retail chain Albert Heijn do not accept debit cards.

Amsterdam banks ready to open accounts for Ukrainian refugees