The best 5 international business bank accounts in the Netherlands in 2026

Key takeaways

• International business accounts differ widely in currency support, local banking capabilities, FX transparency, and integrations – factors that affect cross-border operations.

• Traditional banks work well for European payments, but businesses with suppliers or customers outside the EU often need faster local rails and more visibility over FX costs.

• Airwallex offers a comprehensive international business account built for Dutch businesses expanding or operating globally.

Managing international payments shouldn't require juggling multiple bank accounts, waiting days for transfers, or losing thousands of euros to hidden currency conversion fees. Yet, many Dutch businesses find themselves doing exactly that when they start working with overseas suppliers or customers.

Traditional banking isn't designed for businesses that routinely trade across borders. But, the alternative isn't necessarily abandoning your current bank; it's finding an international business account that handles multi-currency operations without the friction. 

This guide examines the best options for Dutch companies in 2026, from traditional banks with international services to fintech platforms built specifically for global business.

Why Dutch businesses need an international business account

A quarter of revenue growth at internationally selling companies comes directly from foreign sales, according to American Express¹. How you buy and sell from customers and suppliers impacts your future plans – global operations require a financial infrastructure designed to navigate cross-border payments efficiently. 

Maybe you’re already frustrated with your current banking setup, or you’re growing fast and now need to pay suppliers in Asia as well as collect payments from US customers. You don’t want to lose margin or waste unnecessary time because your legacy bank isn’t set up for fast, friction-free transfers.

If you’re expanding and want more info on how to set up the right cross-border payments for your business, check out our guide to going global.

The 5 best international business accounts in the Netherlands (2026)

Not all international business accounts are created equal. Some give you true multi-currency capability; others simply bolt a foreign transfer button on top of a domestic account. Here’s a run down of the five best options for Dutch companies in 2026.

Airwallex: Best for ambitious businesses scaling internationally

Airwallex is built for businesses with international ambitions. Beyond basic multi-currency accounts, it offers treasury management, FX hedging, global issuing, expense management, and APIs. 

Bunq Business: Best for those wanting local support

Some businesses prefer having their financial partner locally accessible, rather than dealing with support teams in the UK or Germany. Bunq is a Dutch-licensed bank with modern features and domestic support.

Revolut Business: Best for retail and tech micro businesses

Retail and tech startups typically handle high transaction volumes across multiple currencies, which is what Revolut Business handles well. The platform's spending controls help teams manage costs when processing international payments monthly, while the multi-currency capabilities suit most international operators.

Dutch banks (ABN AMRO, ING, Rabobank): Best for reliable European infrastructure

If most of your business happens within Europe and you prefer working within established banking relationships, traditional Dutch banks do European payments well. They may not wow you with innovative products, but they're reliable and familiar.

Wise Business: Best for cost-conscious freelancers

For solo operators or small teams who need international transfers but don't want to pay for features they won't use, Wise keeps things simple and cheap. Good exchange rates, transparent pricing, and basic multi-currency support. But, if you’re looking for more comprehensive features, take a look at the best Wise alternatives.

Comparing the best international business accounts side by side

*€0/month if you deposit at least €10k per month or hold a minimum balance of €10k

**Representative of ING and ABN AMRO, specific rates may vary

Why Airwallex is the best international business account for Dutch companies

While providers like Wise keep things simple, and Revolut works well for micro retailers, Airwallex is hard to beat for Dutch businesses with serious international ambitions. 

With cheaper platforms, you’ll still need separate providers for domestic banking, corporate cards, expenses, and your treasury operations. Some of the more modern fintechs offer good multi-currency support and additional features, but lack truly global payment infrastructure and advanced financial tools that scaling businesses need. Traditional Dutch banks handle local operations well but charge premium rates for international services and don't offer local payment rails outside Europe.

Airwallex gives you everything you need to power and simplify your financial operations. In one dashboard. 

Our full-featured international business account offers the basics for multi-currency payments plus treasury management that lets you hedge currency risk, expense management that works across multiple entities, and local bank details in markets where your competitors are still paying premium SWIFT fees.

The platform scales with you, reaching 150+ countries, offering local currency accounts in 60 markets, and incurs zero international fees to 110+ markets via local payment rails. Whether you're expanding into new markets or streamlining existing international operations, Airwallex gives you the infrastructure to grow.

Key features of the best international business accounts

So, how can you spot the difference between international business accounts built for cross-border business versus domestic banks that have bolted on international features as an afterthought? Here are the key features we recommend looking for.

Multi-currency support for payments and receipts

The best accounts let you both send and receive payments in dozens of currencies, plus hold those funds without forced conversions. Some platforms support 40+ currencies while others limit you to major markets, so it’s worth checking how extensive coverage is. 

This will help future expansion into regions where you might want to collect payments in local currencies or pay suppliers in their preferred denomination.

Local bank details in major markets

Global financial platforms can give you local account numbers in the US, UK, EU, and other key markets. This means faster payments and lower fees since money moves through local banking networks instead of expensive international wires.

Traditional banks do offer international transfers, but often you're sending money the slow and expensive way.

Transparent exchange rates 

Providers vary in how they handle FX. Some show you their exact markup above the mid-market rate, so you know how much a conversion will cost you. Others hide larger margins behind vague ‘competitive’ rate claims. 

Legacy banks often provide the least transparency around these costs, leaving many business owners with surprising bills.

Easy integration with business platforms

Accounts that sync directly with your accounting software, expense management tools, and ERP systems can eliminate hours of manual work each month. No more downloading CSV files, categorising payments, and finding expenses to get the books to balance.

Fast settlements 

SEPA transfers within Europe usually clear within hours, but payments to markets like the US or Asia can take three to five business days through some networks. 

Some use local payment rails to speed up settlements in major markets, while others group payouts, only settle on fixed days, and still rely on slower banking relationships.

Digital-first operations

Modern international business accounts operate entirely through mobile apps and web platforms. You can open accounts, approve payments, and monitor multiple currencies remotely without branch visits and access accounts around the world.

Security and compliance

Cross-border payments are subject to various local regulations, including Anti-Money Laundering (AML) rules, Know Your Customer (KYC) protocols, and data protection laws like the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). Look for a provider that handles this without adding operational burden to your business.

How to choose the right international business account for your company

Often, the right account depends more on how you operate than on the size of your business. A consultancy making one €50,000 payment to a US contractor annually has different needs than an eCommerce business processing 500 small international customer payments daily. 

Here’s some things to look out for depending on your business:

Start with your transaction patterns and volumes. If you're only occasionally sending money abroad, your existing bank's international transfer service might work fine. But, if you're regularly collecting payments from multiple countries or paying international suppliers, you’ll benefit from multi-currency support that lets you hold dollars, pounds, and euros without forced conversions. High-volume businesses also benefit from bulk payment features and API integrations that automate reconciliation.

Consider your geographic reach. European-focused businesses can rely on providers that excel at SEPA transfers and offer local payment methods like iDEAL. But, if you're regularly dealing with suppliers in Asia or customers in the Americas, you may prefer platforms with local payment rails in those regions rather than relying on slower correspondent banking networks. 

If you’re a business expanding into the Netherlands, you may find our guide to iDEAL useful.

Currency strategy is another deciding factor. If you're converting the same currencies monthly, find a provider that lets you hold balances in those currencies. You want control over when and how you convert based on market conditions and cash flow needs, not expensive automatic conversions every time money arrives.

Consider more than ‘just’ an account. Many newer fintechs offer advanced features alongside a multi-currency account. Corporate cards, expense controls, accounting integrations, and multi-entity reporting can remove hours of monthly manual work for finance teams. They’re not essential for every business, but they matter when you’re managing spend across teams or running subsidiaries.

Check out the customer support quality and costs. International payments can get stuck in compliance, often outside business hours. Some providers offer dedicated account managers who understand your business, while others route you through general support queues or an email address. If you're processing significant volumes or operating across multiple time zones, you may want responsive support in your language.

And, when comparing costs, factor in exchange rate markups, monthly fees, and transaction charges across your typical volumes. Cheaper providers often limit currency options or settlement times, while comprehensive platforms may require minimum volumes but offer better rates and more features for growing businesses.

FAQs

What’s the difference between a regular business account and an international business account?

A standard business account is designed for domestic operations, while an international business account supports multi-currency operations. Modern platforms like Airwallex let you hold foreign balances without forced conversions and provide local account details in global markets. 

Do I need an international business account if my company only sends occasional payments overseas?

Not always. If your cross-border activity is minimal, your existing bank’s international transfer service might be enough. But as soon as you start collecting payments in foreign currencies, paying suppliers regularly, or expanding to new markets, the limitations start to show. Higher FX margins, slow transfers, and no ability to hold foreign funds becomes frustrating and expensive.

Can holding multiple currencies in one business account reduce costs?

For many Dutch companies, yes. Holding USD, GBP, or AUD can help you avoid repeated buy/sell conversions and give you control over when to convert, especially if you’re paying suppliers in the same currency you’re collecting revenue in.

Are fintech business accounts as secure as traditional bank accounts?

Licensed Electronic Money Institutions (EMIs) and Payment Institutions operating under Dutch or EU regulation must follow strict safeguarding, AML/KYC, capital and audit requirements. They can’t lend to customers, which means funds are held in segregated accounts with tier-one financial institutions. 

Sources and references

1. https://imcpa.com/international-markets-growing-source-revenue-small-medium-sized-businesses/

2. https://www.bunq.com/en-us/business-account

3. https://www.bunq.com/en-us/business-account/banking-features/foreign-currencies-and-foreign-ibans

4. https://www.bunq.com/en-us/business-account/banking-plans

5. https://www.revolut.com/en-NL/business/multi-currency-accounts/

6. https://www.revolut.com/en-NL/business/business-account-plans/

7. https://www.airwallex.com/au/campaign/comparison-revolut-vs-airwallex

8. https://www.revolut.com/en-NL/business/business-account-plans/

9. https://www.abnamro.nl/en/commercialbanking/products/foreign-currency-account/index.html

10. https://www.ing.nl/en/business/payments/business-account/foreign-currency-account

11. https://assets.abnamro.com/api/public/content/corporate-payment-charges-cic.pdf

12. https://wise.com/business/

13. https://wise.com/nl/pricing/send-money

14. https://www.airwallex.com/au/blog/wise-business-account-review