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> Bank accounts themselves are not actually all that accessible; it's quite common for people to be ineligible for a bank account under random (but common) circ
by Aaargh20318 3y ago
> Bank accounts themselves are not actually all that accessible; it's quite common for people to be ineligible for a bank account under random (but common) circumstances.
Not in the Netherlands. Any adult (18 or older) resident of the EU has the right to a bank account, by law.
> an interesting loop you can get into is that you need to pay a utility bill in order to get a bank account, yet you can't pay a utility bill without a bank account.
Why would you need to pay a utility bill to get a bank account? Those two things are completely unrelated. All you need is a valid ID (either ID card, passport or drivers license) and you are required to have that anyway.
- PrimeMcFly 3y agoSurely an ID isn't required, it's just that most have one anyway.
- SergeAx 3y ago> Not in the Netherlands. Any adult (18 or older) resident of the EU has the right to a bank account, by law. For immigrants or foreign workers a process of getting EU residence status may take months and sometimes require an EU bank account, so it may become an infinite loop. We have to take worst renting deals in order to get required papers, for example.
- dijit 3y agoYou need proof of address too, it's not enough to have just an ID. A passport is good, but you should also be aware that not everyone has a passport or drivers license. (for example: I didn't when I got my first bank account). My first bank account was a deal my mother made with the bank where she acted as guarantor. having a right to a thing is not the same as actually getting it; there is a lot of anti-fraud legislation that exists and must be complied with. The bank isn't just going to fully open an account with nothing but an ID. I can say that with absolute confidence after working in financial services (albeit briefly).
- ghaff 3y agoWhen I got a RealID-compliant driver's license a few years ago in my state in the US, an existing driver's license and passport were not sufficient. I needed some document to server as proof of my current address, such as a utility bill. I don't remember what all the options were but, yes, some people--including kids getting their first driver's license or people sharing an apartment who don't have their name on a lease--can run into issues.
- Aaargh20318 3y agoIn the Netherlands, the government already keeps track of everyone’s address. If you move, you have to register your new address with the municipality within a certain time frame. (IIRC 2 weeks)
- someplaceguy 3y agoYes, and that gets really "interesting" when you don't have a stable address of residence (e.g. because you are traveling for an extended period of time, possibly in-and-out of the country). In some cases, you can get basically locked out of all essential services, including bank account closures, not being able to make payments (especially now with these laws), etc. Real fun!
- PrimeMcFly 3y agoJesus that's freaky. Talk about government overreach.
- throwaway2037 3y agoWhat country do you live in? For many highly developed democracies, this is normal and not scary.
- PrimeMcFly 3y agoCurrently the US, but formerly Australia, Ireland, Scotland, Germany and Canada. I've never had to register my address anywhere unless I have a drivers license.