Which business bank account should a startup in the Netherlands open?

For most early-stage Dutch startups—especially a BV with multiple founders or shareholders—I’d start with ABN AMRO. It accepts BV’s, offers online business banking and accounting integrations, and currently gives companies registered with the KVK for less than a year 12 months without the package fee. After that, its packages start at €9.90/month; transaction and, for a BV, customer-review fees may also apply. (abnamro.nl)

Other good fits:

• Knab — worth considering if you’re a sole proprietor, or your BV has just one director who owns 100% of it. It includes 500 transactions per year; its eligibility rules exclude many startups with multiple founders or shareholders. (knab.nl)
• bunq — a digital-first option if you value app-based banking and multiple accounts. Its business plans range from free to €23.99/month, but check that the plan and eligibility suit your company’s legal structure. (bunq.com)
• ING or Rabobank — compare these too if you expect to need more traditional banking services. The Dutch Banking Association’s business-account quick scan includes ABN AMRO, ING and Rabobank. (nvb.nl)

Bottom line: ABN AMRO is my default pick for a typical multi-founder BV; Knab may be cheaper for a qualifying solo-owned business. Before applying, compare total costs—not just the monthly fee—and check whether the bank accepts your ownership structure and business activity. If you share your legal form, number of founders, and whether you need international payments or financing, I can narrow this down.

Short answer: For most Dutch startups, a Dutch-IBAN digital bank such as bunq Business is the usual starting point. Add a traditional Dutch bank later if you need loans or branch access. The right choice still depends on your legal form and whether you need multi-currency payments.

Main options

• bunq Business (usually the default pick). One source calls it the best overall option for its Dutch IBAN, automatic VAT setting-aside, and English support. The best business bank account in the Netherlands in 2026 is Bunq Business, which combines a Dutch NL IBAN, fully online setup, AutoVAT, accounting integrations and competitive pricing. It is licensed by the Dutch central bank, which matters for deposit protection. bunq operates with an EU banking license under the Dutch central bank (DNB).
• ING or ABN AMRO (traditional banks). These suit businesses that want branches, credit, or a long-term relationship. For traditional branch-based banking, ING Zakelijk is the top pick. Their onboarding is slower. One guide says traditional banks like ING, ABN AMRO, and Rabobank take 2–6 weeks and prioritize residents.
• Revolut Business or Wise (for foreign currency). Choose these if you invoice or pay in many currencies. Revolut offers accounts in 25+ currencies and currency exchange at the interbank rate. Be aware that Revolut's IBAN is not Dutch. Revolut Business has a LT IBAN, which can matter for iDEAL-based domestic payments.
• Qonto or Finom (for teams or freelancers with admin needs). Qonto is a good choice for team management for scaling startups and SMEs. For ZZP freelancers, Finom offers a free Solo plan with built-in invoicing.

Common approach: Many advisers recommend two accounts. One guide suggests you open a bunq Business account immediately to start operations, then apply for an ING or ABN AMRO account to secure long-term credit facilities. Another suggests pairing a Wise account for international income with a Dutch euro account for daily operations.

Practical tips

• Check your legal form. A BV and a sole proprietorship (eenmanszaak) can face different rules and fees. bunq's free tier, for example, is for sole proprietors.
• Prepare your documents. Banks generally ask for your KvK registration, a Dutch business address, and details of your ultimate beneficial owners.
• Compare fees carefully. Sources disagree on current pricing. One lists bunq from €2.99 per month, while another gives its Core plan at €7.99. Confirm prices on each provider's site before you sign up.

If you tell me your legal form (BV or eenmanszaak), whether you're a resident of the Netherlands, and whether you need foreign currency or credit, I can narrow this down.

The "best" business bank account for your startup in the Netherlands depends heavily on your company's structure, international needs, and growth stage.

1. Identify Your Requirements

Before choosing, consider these three factors:

• Legal Structure: If you are forming a BV (private limited company), a business bank account is mandatory. If you are a ZZP (sole proprietorship), it is not legally required but highly recommended to separate personal and business finances for tax and accounting purposes.
• International Operations: If you trade outside the EU or manage multiple currencies (USD, GBP, etc.), traditional Dutch banks may charge high fees for international transfers. Neobanks often offer better FX rates and multi-currency support.
• Onboarding Speed: Traditional banks (ING, ABN AMRO, Rabobank) are highly regulated, risk-averse, and can take weeks or months to approve accounts, especially for international founders. Neobanks are generally much faster and offer fully remote, digital-first onboarding.

2. Top Banking Options

Most startups find a balance by choosing either a traditional bank for long-term stability or a neobank for agility and international features.

Traditional Dutch Banks (Best for stability, credibility, and future credit)

• ING: Often recommended for startups due to their "Startup Business Package," which frequently includes free banking for the first 6 months and cashback incentives.
• ABN AMRO: Known for robust SME support and a traditional banking experience; they also offer introductory fee waivers for new business registrations.
• Rabobank: Strong focus on SME and agricultural sectors, with solid support for both local and cross-border transactions.

Neobanks & Fintech (Best for speed, international focus, and ease of use)

• Bunq: A Dutch-licensed neobank with features specifically for entrepreneurs, such as "AutoVAT" (separating taxes automatically) and seamless integrations with accounting software.
• Revolut Business: Excellent for startups with global operations, offering multi-currency accounts (25+ currencies) and powerful spend-management tools.
• Wise Business: Highly recommended for international founders, especially those needing to hold and convert multiple currencies at mid-market rates. It is often used alongside a local bank account.

3. Summary Recommendation

• If you are a local startup looking for long-term growth and potential future financing: Start with a traditional bank like ING or ABN AMRO to build a relationship with a local institution.
• If you are an international founder or need immediate, low-fee international banking: Consider Wise Business or Revolut Business as your operational account.
• If you want a modern, locally-licensed Dutch option with great software features: Bunq is a strong, popular choice for tech-savvy founders.

Pro Tip: You must be registered with the Dutch Chamber of Commerce (KvK) before you can open a business account with any of these providers. If you are a foreign-owned company, look into the "Quick Scan" tool provided by the Dutch Banking Association to assess your eligibility before applying to traditional banks.

Short answer: For most Netherlands startups that are a BV or expect to hire, raise investment, or need multiple users, I’d start by comparing ING and Rabobank and choose based on your bookkeeping setup and support needs. For a freelancer/sole proprietor who wants low-cost, app-first banking, bunq is a strong option.

• ING: A practical default if you want a mainstream Dutch bank. Its starter offer is free for the first six months; after that, the standard package is listed at €9.90/month, with transaction and possibly due-diligence fees. Check the current total for your legal form and expected payment volume. ⁵¹⁵
• Rabobank: Worth considering if you value its startup support and established business-banking services. Rabobank advertises six months of free account and euro-payment costs for eligible starters; fees apply after the introductory period. ⁶¹⁴
• bunq: Best suited to digital-first businesses that value fast app-based setup and multiple accounts. Its listed plans are €7.99, €13.99 and €23.99/month; the free business plan is limited to sole proprietors. ¹⁸

My rule of thumb: choose ING or Rabobank for a BV where conventional business banking and local support matter; choose bunq for a sole proprietor prioritising convenience and predictable app-based banking. Before opening, compare the ongoing costs—not just the introductory offer—and confirm that the provider accepts your legal structure and supports the accounting software you use. Pricing and eligibility can change, so verify the bank’s current terms.