Skip to content

Special accounts and services

In the Netherlands, there are all kinds of agreements about offering special payments accounts and services in collective payments, sometimes in addition to European directives. These agreements arise from Dutch legislation, because the government requires them, or because of a strong social need.

Recent developments in society

  • Every EU resident has a legal right to a standard payments account. The law also specifies when this right lapses, for example, if someone misuses a payments account to launder money. Because you cannot live without a payments account in the Netherlands, the so-called Basic Bank Account at a bank and payments accounts at non-bank account providers offer a second chance in such cases.
  • Entrepreneurs need a business payments account, but sometimes entrepreneurs in certain industries cannot obtain one because banks consider those industries too risky. The Dutch Banking Association (NVB) is committed to ensuring the availability and accessibility of business payments accounts. The Dutch Payments Association supports the NVB with its experience and knowledge of basic bank accounts for consumers. In addition, we can also involve non-bank providers of business payments accounts in this issue in order to find solutions.
  • Anyone who has been defrauded, for example on Marktplaats, wants to get their money back. If the police are unable to take up the case, the victim can recover the damage themselves through a civil court. To do so, the court needs the name and residential address of the recipient of the payment. If it was an account-to-account payment between two Dutch payments accounts, the victim can request that name and address details from their own bank. To this end, the Dutch Payments Association has set up a careful procedure with Dutch banks.
  • The Task Force for the Protection of Migrant Workers (ABA) makes recommendations to combat abuses involving migrant workers, such as a certification requirement for temporary employment agencies. The ABA also wants temporary employment agencies to use a so-called g-account for the safe and reliable payment of employer contributions. The Dutch Payments Association manages the agreements on mandatory g-accounts on behalf of its banking members.

Role of the Dutch Payments Association

  • The Dutch Payments Association connects members, social organizations, and governments. One example of this is the joint improvement of conditions for migrant workers. The mandatory use of a g-account by temporary employment agencies can contribute to this. We draw up joint agreements with our members, ensure support and structured implementation, and monitor progress on improvements.
  • We help to translate signals from practice into concrete improvements. For example, prisons often applied for the wrong type of account for prisoners. With our on-site information, prisons were able to submit these applications to banks more effectively. This relieves the burden on both prison staff and banks and contributes to better reintegration of prisoners.
  • The Switch Service helps people in the Netherlands to switch banks. The Dutch Payments Association monitors the quality of this joint service through continuous user research by our banking members. The results per bank are compiled in an overarching report. This allows us to monitor the development of customer satisfaction, identify bottlenecks, and further improve the Switch Service if necessary.

Our vision for the future

  • As many people as possible should have access to a payments account, including people who are not (or no longer) legally entitled to a regular payments account. This is provided for, among other things, by the collective agreements for a basic bank account(opens in new window) managed by the Dutch Payments Association. However, there is a steadily growing number of online banks and non-bank providers of payments accounts that can also help with this.
  • The PNBF (Procedure for Name and Address Details of Beneficiaries in Non-Bank Fraud) enables victims of online fraud to request the name and residential address of the recipient of a corresponding payment from their bank under strict conditions. This allows the victim to reclaim their money from that recipient through a civil court. The Dutch Payments Association advocates that in the future, the police should be able to provide the name and address details directly to victims themselves.
  • Consumer organizations see the Switch Service as a useful tool to facilitate switching to another bank. They also note that bank customers switch relatively infrequently and make little use of the Switch Service. The Dutch Payments Association is listening to suggestions for further improving the Switch Service. We encourage our members who offer payments accounts but do not yet participate in the Switch Service to do so.

Facts and figures

  • 48000 In 2024, 48,000 people used the Switch Service
    In 2024, 48,000 people used the Switch Service
  • 44000 In 2023, 44,000 people used the Switch Service
    In 2023, 44,000 people used the Switch Service
  • 45000 In 2022, 45,000 people used the Switch Service
    In 2022, 45,000 people used the Switch Service

Latest news

  • New agreements should improve access to business checking account

    • News
    • Special accounts and services
    Published on:
    Every bona fide entrepreneur and non-profit organisation should be able to get a business checking account. That is the essence of the covenant that MKB-Nederland, VNO-NCW, Goede Doelen Nederland, VrijwilligerswerkNL, the Betaalvereniging and the Nederlandse Vereniging van Banken concluded with each other today to improve…

A list of articles

  • Payment accounts: what to look out for when choosing?

    • News
    • Account-to-Account payments
    Published on:
    Choosing a current account is an important decision, both for consumers and business owners. What is on offer and how can you choose? Below, we list the main points of interest and options to consider. 1. Different types of current account providers In the Netherlands, you can turn to…
See all the news

Frequently asked questions

  • A payment service provider is not taking my complaint seriously; what can I do?

    Always try to resolve the issue with the payment service provider first. If you cannot reach an agreement, you can submit your complaint to the Financial Services Complaints Institute(opens in new window) (KiFiD).

  • Am I always entitled to a payments account?

    In principle, every EU resident is entitled to a payments account. This right may be revoked in the event of certain legal violations. For more information, visit basisbankrekening.nl(opens in new window) .

  • Can the Dutch Payments Association open a payments account for me?

    No, the Dutch Payments Association is not a bank and does not offer accounts. The Dutch Payments Association cannot open a payments account for someone else or apply for one with payment service providers that do offer payments accounts (such as a bank).

  • What do I need to arrange myself with the Switch Service?

    Visit the overstapservice.nl(opens in new window) to find out what the participating banks will arrange for you and what you need to do yourself.

  • I have been scammed by a company; how can I get my money back?

    Only companies registered with the Chamber of Commerce can enter into a contract for iDEAL, card payments, or direct debits. In the case of an account-to-account transfer, the IBAN Name Check tells you which company you are paying. With the company’s trade name, you can look up the address details yourself at the Chamber of Commerce. You can then reclaim your money through a bailiff. You should also file a complaint (online) against the company and report it to your bank. If there are multiple complaints against the company, its payment service provider may terminate all payment services.

  • I have been scammed by someone; does my bank have to give me that person’s name and address details?

    No, it is not required to do so, but under certain conditions, your bank will assist you in this matter. Here you can read how and under what conditions you can request the name and address details of someone whose IBAN you know from your own bank.

  • The Dutch Tax Administration or CJIB has debited money from my account without my permission. How can I get this money back?

    The bank must cooperate with a government claim from the Dutch Tax Administration or CJIB. Your bank cannot reverse this debit. The Dutch Tax Administration or CJIB will enforce the government claim if the citizen does not pay after receiving a reminder and a writ of execution. The amount of a single claim may be debited from your account in several smaller amounts. You cannot prevent this. You need part of your income to live on. This part may not be debited. You can check this amount at uwbeslagvrijevoet.nl(opens in new window) . If you have less than the seizure-free amount left, please call the Tax Information Line(opens in new window) .

Browse all frequently asked questions

Let's shape the future of payments together

Join the network of payment service providers working together to create a secure, reliable, accessible, and efficient payment ecosystem in the Netherlands.

  • Access to up-to-date knowledge and developments in payments
  • Influence on policy and standards in the Netherlands and Europe
  • Representing the sector to stakeholders
  • Part of the Dutch payment ecosystem