OPENING A BANK ACCOUNT Once you have registered yourself at your Dutch address, you can open a Dutch bank account. You will need to bring a proof of enrolment at university and a valid identification document. Before you open a bank account, it is important to choose carefully which bank you will go to. In the Netherlands there are may banks to choose from. The three large ones are: ING, ABN AMRO and Rabobank. All banks have different application methods, so it important that you do your research and find the bank that fits you. Once you have decided which bank you want to open an account at and you have completed the application procedure, you will receive a letter with a debit card and your personal identification number (PIN). Dutch banks use internet and mobile banking through which you can manage your digital payments. A Dutch bank account is also useful if you opt to pay your tuition fees in multiple instalments. Plenty of Dutch universities cooperate with the three leading banks of the Netherlands, and it is very likely that your university does as well. GETTING A DUTCH TELEPHONE NUMBER Once you have registered yourself at the municipality and opened a Dutch bank account, you can purchase a Dutch SIM card with a prepaid tariff or a subscription. Before you buy a prepaid number, it is important to find out whether your own provider has a lucrative offer or can offer you an alternative in the Netherlands. Some of the affordable prepaid cards are Lebara and Lykamobile. Other providers with a subscription are KPN, Tele 2, T-Mobile and Vodafone. You can even buy these cards in supermarkets and bookstores, so you don’t need to worry about losing touch with your loved ones at home. PAGE 15
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