Automatic teller machines can be found outside most banks, at airports and most train stations. Credit cards like Visa and MasterCard/Eurocard are widely accepted, as well as cash cards that access the Cirrus network. Logos on ATMs show which cards they accept. Using an ATM can be the cheapest way to exchange your money from home – but check with your home bank for service charges before leaving. Of course, you can also use most credit cards to obtain money from an ATM. Many ATMs are usually open 24 hours per day.


Cash is still the most common way to bring and nothing beats it for convenience – or risk of theft/loss. However, lots of car agencies will probably refuse to do business if you only have cash. Cheques are becoming less common as a way of paying for things in the Netherlands, most of the restaurants don’t accept cheques as a paying method, however, major banks still allow you to withdraw money with your cheques.

JOHO Tip: Keep the equivalent of about US$ 50 separate from the rest of your money as an emergency stash.

All major credit cards are accepted widely and you will find that most hotels, restaurants, and major stores accept them. But always ask first if you have doubt. Shops often levy a 3-5% surcharge (or more) on credit cards to offset the commissions charged by card providers.

To withdraw money at a bank counter instead of from an ATM, go to a GWK branch (can be found in major train stations) with your passport.


Transferring money from your home bank will be easier if you’ve authorized somebody back home to access your account. In the Netherlands, find a large bank and ask for the international division. A commission is charged on telegraphic transfers, which can take up to a week but usually less if you’re well prepared; by mail, allow two weeks.

The Postbank is an agent for Western Union and money is transferred within 15 minutes of lodgment at the other end. The person lodging the transfer pays a commission that varies from country to country. For more details please check: www.postbank.nl; www.westernunion.nl.

GWK also offers their own money transfer program which is called "MoneyGram", for more information please check: www.gwk.nl


If you plan to stay in Holland for more than a year, it is advised to open your own bank accounts in Dutch banks. There are four major banks in Holland: ABN AMRO, Postbank, ING and Rabo bank.

1. ABN AMRO
If you want to open an account in ABN AMRO, you will have to drop by one of their branches or make an appointment through the phone. And make sure to bring the following required documents:

Identification
To open an account, you will need to bring some form of identification:
A valid passport or a Dutch driving license or an identity card* and/or residence permit.
You will also need to provide your Dutch social security (sofi) number.

(* They can only accept ID cards from the following countries as a valid means of identification: Belgium, Germany, Finland, France, Greece, Italy, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Austria, Portugal, San Marino, Spain and Switzerland.)

Addressverification
In addition to checking the identity documents they also need to verify your home address.
If your address is not listed in the phone book or Gouden Gids (Dutch yellow pages), please bring one of the following original documents (no older than three months) with you stating your Dutch home address:

• Gas, water or electricity bill
• Phone bill
• Account statement from another bank
• Tax assessment (e.g. wage withholding, income or property tax)
• Purchase or rental agreement for your home
• Extract from the municipal register (bevolkingsregister)
• Driving license
• Salary letter or pay slip

A PO Box address is not permitted as home address, though you can opt to have your mail addressed there. If necessary, they may ask you for supplementary documentation.

2. Postbank
Bring your Dutch tax number, telephone number, ID (passport), confirmation of address in Holland (for example official letter from the Dutch authorities or salary proof). For people outside European Union needs to show the permission to stay; in some cases you won’t be asked for all those documents.

You can open the account only in the Post Offices where the Advice Counter (Adviesbalie) is available. The cost for 2005 is € 9.95 per year for Giropas and € 20 opening cost if you will deposit less than € 600 per month. Otherwise it is for free.

3. ING & Rabo bank
Only possible for people who have resident permit for more than one year and has regular incomes, practical not for students and adventure seekers.