🏦 Banking 2 min read
Can I open a bank account without a BSN?
Short answer: yes, with some banks. Here are realistic options for your first weeks before your BSN arrives.
General guidance, not financial or legal advice.
Settli is an educational platform — independent, no commissions. Always confirm with the official sources linked below for your specific situation.
Banks that often accept you first
These are commonly used by newcomers without a BSN. You typically must add the BSN within a few months.
- Bunq — Dutch-licensed, English app, opens with passport
- Revolut — EU-wide IBAN, light onboarding
- N26 — German bank, EU-wide IBAN
Why this matters
Without an IBAN your employer can't pay you, and rent/utilities are hard to arrange. Don't wait for the perfect bank — open something now, switch later.
Common questions
Will my employer accept a foreign IBAN?
EU IBANs must legally be accepted for SEPA payments. In practice, a Dutch IBAN avoids confusion.