First Phrases

Opening a bank account · Nederlands

Opening a bank account in Dutch: 12 survival phrases

Open an account as a newcomer: say what you want, hand over the right documents, ask about fees, cards and transfers, and find out where to sign.

Phrases, not advice. These cards only help you say what you need. They give no medical, legal, tax or financial advice. For any decision, ask the pharmacist, doctor, bank or the official office.

Register: Polite (formal is safer). "U" is the safe choice. Dutch banks normally ask for a valid passport or ID, your BSN (burgerservicenummer) and proof of address, often your registration with the municipality. A current account is a "betaalrekening" and the debit card is a "pinpas".

How to read the sounds: g and ch are a rough throat sound, written kh (like Scottish 'loch'), stronger than English h. ou/ui = 'ow'; ij/ei = 'ay' (as in 'say'); eu = a rounded 'uh' (like French 'peu'); uu = 'ew' (say 'ee' with rounded lips); oe = 'oo'. Stress is in CAPITALS.

Your recording stays on your device.

Official names used

On this card: betaalrekening, pinpas, BSN, burgerservicenummer, IBAN. Spelling checked against official sites on 2026-10-20:

12 phrases you will need

  1. 01Neutral
    Ik wil graag een bankrekening openen.
    Say it like: ik vil khrahkh ayn BANK-ray-kuh-ning OH-puh-nuh
    I'd like to open a bank account.
    Register: Polite enough.
  2. 02Neutral
    Ik ben nieuw in Nederland. Kan ik een rekening openen?
    Say it like: ik ben neew in NAY-der-lant. kan ik ayn RAY-kuh-ning OH-puh-nuh
    I'm new in the Netherlands. Can I open an account?
    Register: Neutral.
  3. 03Neutral
    Welke documenten heb ik nodig?
    Say it like: VEL-kuh doh-kew-MEN-tuh hep ik NOH-dukh
    Which documents do I need?
    Register: Neutral.
  4. 04Neutral
    Hier is mijn paspoort en mijn BSN.
    Say it like: heer is mine PAS-poort en mine bay-es-EN
    Here is my passport and my BSN (citizen service number).
    Register: BSN is said by letters: "bay-es-en".
  5. 05Neutral
    Hier is mijn huurcontract en mijn inschrijving bij de gemeente.
    Say it like: heer is mine HEWR-kon-trakt en mine IN-skhry-ving bay duh khuh-MAYN-tuh
    Here is my rental contract and my registration with the municipality.
    Register: Registering with the gemeente gives you your BSN.
  6. 06Neutral
    Zijn er kosten voor de rekening per maand?
    Say it like: zine er KOS-tuh fohr duh RAY-kuh-ning per mahnt
    Are there monthly costs for the account?
    Register: Ask before signing.
  7. 07Neutral
    Wat kosten overboekingen naar het buitenland?
    Say it like: wat KOS-tuh OH-ver-boo-king-uh nahr uht BOW-tuh-lant
    What do transfers abroad cost?
    Register: Neutral.
  8. 08Neutral
    Ik wil graag een pinpas.
    Say it like: ik vil khrahkh ayn PIN-pas
    I'd like a debit card (pinpas).
    Register: Neutral.
  9. 09Neutral
    Kan ik internetbankieren en de app gebruiken?
    Say it like: kan ik IN-ter-net-bank-EE-ruh en duh ap khuh-BROW-kuh
    Can I use online banking and the app?
    Register: Neutral.
  10. 10Polite
    Kunt u mij mijn IBAN geven?
    Say it like: kunt ew may mine EE-bahn KHAY-vuh
    Could you give me my IBAN?
    Register: IBAN starts with NL in the Netherlands.
  11. 11Neutral
    Wanneer krijg ik de pas?
    Say it like: VAH-neer krayg ik duh pas
    When will I get the card?
    Register: Neutral.
  12. 12Neutral
    Waar moet ik tekenen?
    Say it like: wahr moot ik TAY-kuh-nuh
    Where do I have to sign?
    Register: Read before you sign; ask for a copy.

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Quick answers

What do I say to start at the bank in Dutch?

Start with: "Ik wil graag een bankrekening openen." (I'd like to open a bank account.)

Should I use informal or formal Dutch at the bank?

"U" is the safe choice. Dutch banks normally ask for a valid passport or ID, your BSN (burgerservicenummer) and proof of address, often your registration with the municipality. A current account is a "betaalrekening" and the debit card is a "pinpas".

How do I ask which documents a bank needs in Dutch?

Try: "Welke documenten heb ik nodig?" (Which documents do I need?)

Same errand, another language

Español Português Français Deutsch Italiano Nederlands

Dutch, another errand

Pharmacy Doctor / GP Opening a bank account Tax office Renting a flat

All 5 × 6 survival decks · Phrases for an evening out

How it works

  1. Pick the errand and the language of the country you are in.
  2. Read the twelve phrases: each has the English meaning, an easy pronunciation guide and a register note. Tap the speaker to hear it in your device's voice, or tap Practise to record yourself and compare with the model (your recording never leaves your device).
  3. Print the card or keep it open on your phone. The official names of offices and numbers are checked against the official sites; native-speaker review is still pending.
  4. Once you are settled, open Meet & Mint to find events near you, see who else is going, join alone and chat with the group.

firstphrases.app/survival/bank/nl/ · Phrases, not advice · Meet & Mint