Bank system

As salaries are paid directly in your bank account, it is essential to open a bank account as soon as you secure a job. The banks normally require a copy of your contract and your passport in order to open an account. There are several high street banks and the Postbank, which operates from the Post Office. Money transfers between banks normally take 2 days, and the Postbank can take 3 – 4 days. The Postbank remains popular as many of their services such as bank statements are free of charge.

In order to work in The Netherlands you must register with the Tax Office (Belastingdienst) and obtain your tax number (Sofi number). Without this number you cannot be paid, therefore you need to ensure that you have this number before you start working.

However, having a sofi number does not make you automatically eligible to work in the Netherlands.

The Central Tax Office information number is: 0800-0543.