Q: How can I open a (student) bank account?
A: You can visit our bank branch located at Guldenstraat 12 in Groningen to set up an appointment to
open a student account. Before setting up an appointment, we will need to determine whether you
have all the required documents.
Q. What documents will I need to have in order to open a (student) bank account?
A: The documents required to open a bank account differs by university. Please visit our bank branch
located at Guldenstraat 12 in Groningen to verify which documents you will need in order to make an
appointment to open a bank account.
Q: Why do I have to make an appointment to open a (student) bank account?
A: There are large numbers of students who want to open a bank account. Working according to
scheduled appointments allows us to operate efficiently and enables us to serve more students.
Q: When can I open a bank account?
A: We open bank accounts for international students during two set periods a year. These periods
relate to when you start your courses at university:
- February / March
- September / October & November
Please note that a limited number of appointments are available. We have an agreement with Hanze
University of Applied Sciences and students of this institution are consequently given priority.
Q: I have made an appointment, but I will be unable to make it. What should I do?
A: Please visit our branch located at Guldenstraat 12 in Groningen or call us to reschedule your
appointment. It is not possible to do this by e-mail or phone.
Q: What kind of bank account will the bank open for me?
A:
- Students:
Under thirty years of age: a student bank account.
Over thirty years of age: a standard bank account (DirectPakket). This is a bank account for which you
pay a monthly fee of € 1.70.
- PhD students:
All PhD students will be provided with a standard bank account (DirectPakket). This is a bank account
for which you pay a monthly fee of € 1.70.
Q: Do I need a Dutch address to open an account?
A: Yes. You are only allowed to open a Dutch bank account if you are living in the Netherlands and
have registered with the Municipal Personal Records Database at Groningen City Hall. Your PIN
number and bank card will be sent to this Dutch address.
Q: Why does the bank need my Citizen Service Number (BSN)?
A: Everyone who will be residing in the Netherlands for four months or longer must register with the
Basisregistratie personen (BRP) (Municipal Personal Records Database) at Groningen City Hall. Be
sure to bring your original notarised birth certificate when registering with the Municipal Personal
Records Database. Please note that copies will not be accepted.
Banks are legally obligated to register your Citizen Service Number. This information must be
registered for all persons residing longer than four months in Groningen.
>More information about the procedure
>Contact information and opening hours Civil Affairs Offices
Q: When will I receive my PIN number and bank card?
A: There are two ways to receive your PIN number and bank card.
1) Your PIN number will be sent to your address within three to five working days after opening
your (student) bank account. You will receive your bank card by registered post a few days
later. You must consequently be at home to sign for receipt when the postman makes the
delivery. The postman will ask to see your identification and to sign for receiving your bank
card. In the event that you are not at home, the postman will leave a notice in your letterbox
and will deliver your bank card to the nearest post office where you can then collect it at a
later time. When you collect your bank card at the post office, you will be required to
present the postal notice and a proper form of identification.
2) If you have a Dutch mobile telephone number, the bank will be able to send you your PIN
number and bank card together within three working days. This card will be blocked until you
activate it. We will send you an activation code by SMS on your mobile phone to activate
your bank card. This means you will not have to be at home to receive your bank card.
Q: Can I change my PIN number?
A: No, it is not possible to change your PIN number due to security reasons.
Q. Do I need to activate my bank card?
A: Yes, you must activate your bank card in order to be able to use your bank account. You can
activate your bank card by making a transaction at one of our ATMs.
Q: Can I use my bank card in a foreign country?
A: You can use your banking card in the Netherlands and in Europe. If you will be travelling outside of
Europe, you will need to change your bank card settings in Rabo Internet Banking. Go to:
- Klantenservice (Customer Service)
- Passen en Cards (Cards)
- Bankpas instellen voor buiten Europa (Set bank card for outside Europe)
Q: Are there charges for using my bank card in a foreign country?
A: There are no additional charges for using your bank card in European countries in which the Euro
is the currency. If you use your card in a country where the Euro is not the official currency, you will
be charged € 2.00 per transaction + 1% currency rate.
Q: How much money can I withdraw from my bank account?
A: At Rabobank: € 1,250.00 a week
At other banks: One withdrawal daily for a maximum of € 250.00
At shops: € 5,000.00 a week
In other countries: Approximately €500.00 a day, depending on the foreign bank.
Q: What should I do if my bank card is lost or stolen?
A: You can phone Interhelp 24 hours a day, 7 days a week if your bank card is lost or stolen.
They will block your bank card and also apply for a new bank card. The telephone number you can
call is 088 – 722 67 67
Tip: Save this phone number in your mobile phone!
Q: May I apply for a credit card?
A: you may apply for a credit card when you have a DirectPakket with us and a monthly income of
€1,000.00.
Q: What is a savings account?
A: A savings account usually refers to an account in which you can deposit funds to earn a small
amount of interest. The interest will be credited to your savings account on the first of January of
each year. While a bank card is not provided with a savings account, you can access the account via
online banking. You will be able to transfer funds at all times from your savings account to your
student account and vice versa.
Q: Where can I find my bank statements?
A: You can download your bank statements in Rabo Internet Banking. You must log on and go to
‘Betalen en Sparen’ (Payments and Savings), and then to ‘Rekeningafschriften’ (Account Statements).
These are official bank statements for your bank account in a PDF file. You can save them on your
computer or print them out. You will receive a bank statement each month.
Q: I need a bank statement signed by the bank, is that possible?
A: Whether you require a bank statement signed by a bank employee will depend on the matter
involved. The bank statements you can download from your Rabo Internet Banking will be sufficient
in most cases. If this is not sufficient, we will need to see documentation showing that you need a
bank statement signed by a bank employee.
Q: How can I make a cash deposit?
A: You can make deposits providing you have a PIN number and a bank card. Deposit machines are
located at the following offices: Guldenstraat, Paddepoel and Haren. You can make six deposits for
free every year. When you deposit more than six times a year each deposit will incur a charge of
€6.30.
Q: How can I use online banking?
A: You will receive a calculator (Random Reader) when you open your (student)
bank account. This device is required for using online banking. To use online banking, simply go to
the Rabobank website (www.rabobank.nl) and click on ‘Internet Bankieren’ (Internet Banking). Insert
your bank card into the Random Reader, choose ‘I’ and fill in your PIN number.
Q: Will I be able to use online banking considering that everything is written in Dutch?
A: Yes. An English demo for online banking is available on the English pages of our website.
A manual is also available on our website that will provide all the instructions you need for using
online banking.
Q: How can I make an international transfer?
A: You can make international transfers using online banking. Go to ‘Betalen en Sparen’ (Payments
and Savings) and click on ‘Nieuwe opdracht’ (New Order). You will also need the IBAN number and
address of the beneficiary.
Q: What are the applicable charges for an international transfer?
A: It depends on the country to which the funds are being transferred. There are no charges for
transfers within Europe providing you have an IBAN number.
International transfers to countries outside Europe are subject to a charge of a minimum of € 10.00.
The amount depends in part on the way the costs are divided between you and the beneficiary.
Q: Where can I find my IBAN number?
A: Your IBAN number is stated on your banking card. When using online banking, the IBAN number
can be found under ‘Rekeningafschriften’ (Account Statements).
Q: What is Rabobank's BIC code (SWIFT)? And the bank address?
A: The BIC is: RABONL2U. Our address is: Griffeweg 80, 9723 DR Groningen.
Q: I have changed addresses. Should I notify the bank?
A: Yes. You must inform the bank if you change address. If we have an incorrect address (or e-mail
address/phone number), we will be unable to reach you. Please note that if the bank does not have
your correct address, your bank account may be blocked.
Q. Do I need to notify the bank if I will be studying a semester abroad?
A: Yes, you need to notify us of your new whereabouts. It is also wise to consider giving a friend you
trust authorisation over your bank account in case of emergency. You can then cancel this
authorisation upon your return to the Netherlands.
Q: Can I keep my bank account when I leave the Netherlands and are done with my study?
A: No, it will not be possible to keep your bank account if you are living outside the Netherlands. You
will consequently need to close your account before you leave.
Q: How can I close my bank account?
A: You can visit our office in Guldenstraat to close your (student) bank account. Please ensure there
is no balance remaining in your account.