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Netherlands SWIFT/BIC code validator
How the SWIFT/BIC code format works
- Format
- 8 or 11-character bank identifier code, country code NL in positions 5-6
- Example
- INGBNL2A
Things to watch for
- Structure: 4-letter bank code + NL (country) + 2-character location code, plus an optional 3-character branch code
- An 8-character code (or one ending XXX) refers to the bank's head office, commonly in Amsterdam or Utrecht
- No checksum digit — this is a format check only; it confirms positions 5-6 read NL, not that the bank or branch actually exists
^[A-Z]{4}NL[A-Z0-9]{2}([A-Z0-9]{3})?$A Dutch SWIFT/BIC code identifies the bank behind an international payment; the account itself is identified separately by the Dutch IBAN. Every Dutch BIC has NL fixed at positions 5-6, right after the 4-letter bank code, making the country segment part of the format rather than something to verify against an external list. The Netherlands’ three largest banks each anchor a different piece of the country’s SWIFT geography — two in Amsterdam and one, notably, in Utrecht.
Major Dutch bank BIC prefixes
| Bank | BIC | Location |
|---|---|---|
| ING Bank | INGBNL2A | Amsterdam |
| Rabobank | RABONL2U | Utrecht |
| ABN AMRO | ABNANL2A | Amsterdam |
How this validator works
This tool checks that the code is 8 or 11 characters, that the first 4 are letters, that positions 5-6 read NL, and that the location and optional branch segments only contain letters and digits — entirely in your browser, with nothing sent anywhere.
What a pass doesn’t tell you
A pass confirms the code fits the Dutch BIC pattern, not that INGB, RABO, or ABNA still names an operating bank, or that a location/branch suffix is currently in use. Because BIC codes carry no checksum, a made-up code that fits the shape passes just as easily as a genuine one.
Scope: format and country-code validation only. Dutch bank details for international transfers also require the 18-character Dutch IBAN, validated separately by its own mod-97 check digit.
SWIFT/BIC code FAQ
What's the SWIFT code format for a Dutch bank?
A Dutch BIC is 8 or 11 characters: a 4-letter bank code, NL fixed at positions 5-6, a 2-character location code, and an optional 3-character branch code — for example INGBNL2A for ING Bank's Amsterdam head office.
How do I read a Dutch BIC?
In RABONL2U, RABO identifies Rabobank, NL is the country, and 2U is the location code for Utrecht, where the cooperative bank keeps its head office — one of the few major Dutch banks not based in Amsterdam.
Does an 8-character code work for a Dutch bank?
Yes — the 8-character BIC and its 11-character form ending XXX are interchangeable and both identify the bank's head office.