Dutch organisations that provide current accounts are ready to handle large numbers of applications for incoming refugees.

Once they have a current account, refugees can use it for receiving their living allowance or wages, paying for their groceries, and much more. Every current account comes with an IBAN, a bank card and the possibility for the account holder to do their banking and make payments using Internet Banking or a mobile app. Foreign transfers are also possible.

Banks, the Dutch Banking Association (NVB) and the Dutch Payments Association have coordinated with supervisory authorities, the national government, local authorities, relief organisations and trade & industry organisations to streamline their processes in order to help the large numbers of refugees that are expected. Organisations that offer current accounts always require applicants to provide a valid Ukrainian biometric passport (2005, 2007 or 2015 model), a citizen service number (BSN) and an official address in the Netherlands. The local authorities will arrange for Ukrainian refugees arriving in the Netherlands to be registered here and be issued a BSN.

Temporary prepaid bank card

Refugees who are unable to open a current account, for example because they do not have a valid passport, can apply to the local authorities in the municipality where they are staying for a temporary prepaid bank card. The local authorities can then transfer the refugee’s living allowance to that card to pay for such things as groceries and other expenses.

In preparation for receiving and protecting millions of Ukrainian refugees, the European Council has adopted a special implementing decision. Authorities in charge of banking supervision have also temporarily relaxed the rules and guidelines for issuing current accounts to people from Ukraine, to speed up the process of handling the large numbers of applications that are expected.