Sending business payments from the US to the Netherlands
A US company pays a Dutch supplier, contractor or subsidiary in euros to its IBAN as a SEPA transfer, or by SWIFT wire in euros or dollars. You need the legal name exactly as on the account and the 18-character Dutch IBAN, which starts with a 4-letter bank code.
- A Dutch IBAN has 18 characters: NL, two check digits, a 4-letter bank code and a 10-digit account number.
- There are no foreign exchange controls in the Netherlands, according to the International Trade Administration.
- Verification of payee has applied to euro transfers in euro area countries since 9 October 2025, so the name must match the account.
- Euro area banks must be able to receive instant euro payments since 9 January 2025.
- Helm pays euros by SEPA, with the conversion margin shown before you confirm.
Details to collect from a supplier in the Netherlands
The Netherlands uses the IBAN for every account. Swift's IBAN Registry lists the Dutch IBAN at 18 characters, with a 4-letter bank code after NL and the check digits; its example is NL91ABNA0417164300. Verification of payee, required at euro area banks since 9 October 2025, returns match, close match, no match or other when the name and IBAN are checked before a euro transfer.
| Detail | Format | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| IBAN | 18 characters starting NL; 4-letter bank code | Identifies bank and account |
| Beneficiary name | Legal name exactly as registered with the bank | Checked by verification of payee on euro transfers |
| Bank SWIFT/BIC | 8 or 11 characters | Needed for SWIFT wires |
| Company form | For example B.V. or N.V., as part of the legal name | Part of the name the bank checks |
| Reference | Invoice number | Lets the supplier match the payment |
Sources: Swift IBAN Registry, Release 103 (September 2026); European Central Bank. As published on 29 October 2026.
Check the 4-letter bank code in the IBAN against the BIC with our SWIFT code lookup.
Pay in euros or in US dollars?
The International Trade Administration states plainly that there are no foreign exchange controls in the Netherlands, and points to the Foreign Bankers' Association for the list of American and other non-Dutch banks operating there.
A euro invoice paid by SEPA arrives with no conversion. Dollars sent to a euro account are converted by the Dutch bank at its rate.
| Point | Position in the Netherlands |
|---|---|
| Exchange controls | None |
| Usual operating currency | Euro |
| Foreign banks | Listed by the Foreign Bankers' Association |
Sources: International Trade Administration, Netherlands. As published on 29 October 2026.
For euro values, see the USD to EUR currency page.
Rails and arrival times
The International Trade Administration points to the Foreign Bankers' Association for the list of American and other non-Dutch banks operating in the Netherlands, useful when you want to check whether a supplier's bank shares a correspondent with yours.
Dutch suppliers are paid in euros by SEPA credit transfer to their IBAN. The European Central Bank confirms that euro area banks have had to receive instant euro payments since 9 January 2025 and to run verification of payee since 9 October 2025.
SWIFT wires carry dollar payments, or euros sent from the US banking system. Swift reports that nearly 60% of gpi payments reach the beneficiary within 30 minutes.
| Route | Currency | What applies |
|---|---|---|
| SEPA to the NL IBAN | EUR | Instant receipt since January 2025; name check since October 2025 |
| SWIFT wire | USD or EUR | Nearly 60% of gpi payments within 30 minutes |
Sources: European Central Bank, Instant Payments Regulation; Swift gpi. As published on 29 October 2026.
Documents, reporting and checks
The Netherlands does not ask a foreign payer for purpose codes. The practical checks are the name and the IBAN. If the supplier trades under a brand that differs from the registered name of the B.V., remember that verification of payee compares the name with the account holder. Use the registered name from the invoice or the supplier's bank letter, not the brand on its website.
For a Dutch subsidiary or holding company in a US group, state in the reference whether the payment covers services, royalties, interest or capital.
If a SWIFT payment to a Dutch bank is returned, the amount that comes back can be lower than the amount sent, because charges apply on the way out and on the way back, and a conversion at either end adds exchange differences. Correct the detail that caused the return, confirm it with the supplier by phone, and send a new payment that quotes the original reference so both sides can match them.
On the US side, every payment to a Dutch company must pass sanctions screening: OFAC states that all US persons, including all US incorporated entities and their foreign branches, must comply with US sanctions, so the payer, the recipient and the recipient's bank are checked before the money moves.
Costs: Helm fees, intermediary deductions, SHA and OUR
Dutch banks publish their own charges for receiving payments from outside the EU; ask the supplier what its bank deducts. A euro payout by SEPA needs no correspondent bank, and PSD2 Article 62 has each side pay its own provider within the EU. For SWIFT wires, our guide to OUR, SHA and BEN charges explains the charge codes. Helm does not open accounts for businesses registered in the UK or the EEA; this page is for US companies paying them. Helm international payments show the rate, the fee and the expected arrival before you confirm, and the account manager confirms the route for each corridor.
Helm agrees pricing with each business in writing before the account opens, and shows the rate, the fee and the expected arrival before you confirm each payment. See how Helm pricing works.
Why payments to the Netherlands are delayed or returned
| Cause | Prevention |
|---|---|
| Brand name used instead of the B.V. name (no match) | Use the registered name |
| IBAN mistyped | Check it has 18 characters and starts NL |
| Dollars sent to a euro account | Pay euros, or ask for a USD account |
| SHA deductions on a SWIFT wire | Pay euros by SEPA, or send OUR |
| Missing reference | Quote the invoice number |
Sources: European Central Bank; Swift IBAN Registry; Helm Editorial Team. As published on 29 October 2026.
Checklist before you send
- Collect the registered name with B.V. or N.V., the 18-character IBAN and the BIC.
- Agree EUR or USD on the purchase order.
- Pay euros by SEPA where your provider offers it.
- Use the registered name, not the trading brand.
- Quote the invoice number in the reference.
Open a Helm account
USD, EUR and GBP accounts in your company's name, with a named account manager.
Open accountQuestions
What details do I need to pay a Dutch company?
The registered name exactly as on the account, the 18-character IBAN and, for SWIFT wires, the bank's BIC.
How long is a Dutch IBAN?
18 characters: NL, two check digits, a 4-letter bank code and a 10-digit account number, according to Swift's IBAN Registry.
Does the Netherlands have exchange controls?
No. The International Trade Administration states there are no foreign exchange controls in the Netherlands.
Why did my payment to a Dutch supplier show a name mismatch?
Verification of payee compares the name with the account holder. Use the registered B.V. name, not a trading brand.
How long does a payment to the Netherlands take?
Euro area banks must be able to receive instant euro payments since January 2025. On SWIFT, almost 100% of gpi payments are credited within 24 hours.
References
- International Trade Administration: Netherlands Country Commercial Guide, Trade Financing
- Swift: IBAN Registry, Release 103 (September 2026)
- European Central Bank: Instant Payments Regulation
- Directive (EU) 2015/2366 (PSD2), Article 62: Charges applicable
- Swift: Fast, transparent and trackable payments (gpi)
- U.S. Department of the Treasury, OFAC: Who must comply with OFAC sanctions? (FAQ 11)
This guide is general information for businesses, not financial, legal or tax advice. Rules, fees and timings were checked against the sources listed on the review date and may change.