Setting up as a foreign freelancer in the Netherlands is admin-heavy enough without your business bank account making things harder; here’s why thousands of freelancers are ditching traditional banks and signing up with Revolut Business.
Between deciphering KVK forms and tackling quarterly taxes, admin tasks can add up quickly. Even worse, they can get considerably more confusing if you’re not Dutch.
Here’s what Revolut Business actually gets you.
You can pay (and get paid!) with a Dutch NL IBAN
An IBAN (International Bank Account Number) is the standardised number that identifies your bank account for payments. In simple terms, it’s what you give clients so they can transfer money to you.
Many Dutch clients, government portals, and direct debit systems still expect an NL IBAN. If you’re registered with a non-Dutch bank and have a foreign IBAN, this can cause trigger payment rejections or compatibility issues with certain local systems.
However, Revolut Business provides a Dutch NL IBAN alongside SWIFT/BIC details, so you’re set up for local payments from day one. The set-up process is also quick and easy, and can be completed online — which is ideal if you’re a freelancer with a busy schedule.
You can invoice clients directly from the app
Invoicing is included across all plans, so you needn’t opt for the priciest subscription to gain access. It’s like having a mini accountant in your pocket, where you can create, send, and track invoices without leaving your mobile app.
And it’s convenient for your clients, too. They can use any of the following payment options:
- Bank transfer,
- Card payment,
- Payment link or QR code,
- Revolut Pay, and
- Tap to Pay on iPhone.
The last option is especially handy if you’re a ZZP’er with an in-person job, such as a photographer. There’s no card reader needed, as your iPhone handles it for you!
You can hold and send money in 35+ currencies
If you have clients outside the Netherlands (such as in the UK, the US, or further afield), a single-currency account creates unnecessary friction. You either lose money on foreign currency transfers or you need to spend time shuffling funds between accounts.
In contrast, Revolut Business lets you hold and exchange 35+ currencies within one account, at the interbank rate (up to your plan’s monthly allowance). Disclaimer: Plan limits apply. Any additional fees are shown up-front. T&Cs apply.
For international ZZP’ers in the Netherlands who need to transact between currencies, this can save you a noticeable chunk of change each year.
You can sync your accounts with your bookkeeping software
Belastingaangifte (tax return) season is stressful enough without needing to add up months of transactions or toting a stack of files to your accountant.
Your Revolut Business account syncs easily with accounting integrations from Xero, QuickBooks, Zapier, and more.
And, if your accountant uses Dutch-specific software like Moneybird or e-Boekhouden, Revolut’s CSV export works cleanly with both. Your transactions are categorised and exportable when you need them.
You can reach English-language support at any time of day
As most internationals in the Netherlands can attest, traditional Dutch banks aren’t always set up to support us fluently. Navigating an issue in het Nederlands when you’re not sure what’s wrong with a payment isn’t fun.
Thankfully, Revolut Business offers 24/7 English-language customer support across all plans. The app also includes a security control centre, biometric authentication, and an account lock you can trigger instantly if something looks off.
You can set spending limits and keep business finances separate
One of the Belastingdienst’s strongest recommendations for ZZP’ers is keeping business and personal finances clearly separated. It makes your belastingaangifte (tax returns) cleaner, and it makes your records far easier to defend if you’re ever audited.
Revolut Business gives you a dedicated account with its own physical and virtual corporate cards, so your business spending never bleeds into your personal finances.
You can also set spending limits, restrict certain merchants, and track expenses, all from your mobile banking app.
You can switch plans as your business grows
If you’re just starting as a ZZP, you likely won’t need a premium business account, and there’s no reason to pay for features you won’t use for another two years.
Revolut Business offers four plans, so you can start lean and scale up as your needs change, without switching providers or redoing your onboarding. The Basic plan (€10/month) covers the essentials, from your much-needed NL IBAN to invoicing, cards, and expense management.
Once your business has found its footing and is expanding, your business bank account can grow with you.
The Grow plan (€35/month) adds bulk transfers, analytics, variable savings interest, and access to the Business API. Meanwhile, Revolut’s Scale plan (€125/month) is built for businesses handling higher volumes of international transfers.
In short, you only pay for what you actually need, when you actually need it.
Want to test the waters? Join Revolut Business before December 31, 2026, and access an exclusive €80 sign-up bonus (T&Cs apply).
Have you opened a business bank account with Revolut? Share your experience in the comments below.
Disclaimer: Sign up to Revolut Business via the link and add money to your account to receive a €80 welcome bonus. Subscription fees, Promotion, and Business T&Cs apply. Banking services provided by the Dutch branch of Revolut Bank UAB, authorised by the Bank of Lithuania and the ECB.