The requirements to open a bank account in Curaçao include submitting standard documents, government-issued identification, financial information, a minimum deposit, and meeting several specific requests unique to Curaçao.
Meeting these Curaçao requirements is possible for most applicants. This includes non-residents of Curaçao, foreign residents of Curaçao, and foreign and offshore entities from outside of Curaçao.
In the following sections, we will break down the requirements for opening personal bank accounts in the island country of Curaçao, business bank accounts in Curaçao, and private bank accounts in Curaçao. Of course, we’ll also share a few of the lesser-known Curaçao-specific requirements that you should consider before applying here.
If you would like access to our free Curaçao banking series, click the link above and unlock our team’s expert take on banks in Curaçao, sending money to Curaçao, personal and business banking in Curaçao, and much more.
You can also use the table of contents and jump to the section that matches your banking needs.
Table of Contents
- Curaçao Bank Account Opening Requirements
- Frequently Asked Curaçao Banking Questions
- Ready to Open an Offshore Bank Account?
Curaçao Bank Account Opening Requirements
Curaçao bank account opening requirements include a completed account opening application form, government-issued identification, confirmation of tax residency, proof of address, proof of income and source of funds, and submitting any supplementary documents requested by the bank.
That said, the specific account opening requirements that prospective customers need to meet in Curaçao will depend on their client profile and how risky the Curaçao financial institutions think they are. This assessment of each applicant can also result in increased deposit charges and Curaçao banking costs, which makes bank selection a critical step in the account opening process.
At a minimum, applicants looking to access an overseas financial account, Curaçao offshore banking, personal banking, or business banking will need to complete a standard Know Your Customer (KYC) process, submit documents that meet Anti-Money Laundering (AML) regulations, and comply with the banking procedures in Curaçao.
Importantly, depending on the applicant’s country of citizenship and residency, additional tax reporting obligations may also need to be met. In these instances, banks in Curaçao will provide standardized documents to assist with these requirements.
In terms of the actual onboarding process, each bank in Curaçao will differ slightly. That said, there are a few general guidelines for Curaçao banks that applicants should be aware of, which include the following.
Curaçao Bank Account Opening Guidelines
- Bank accounts can be opened remotely in Curaçao
- Banks in Curaçao will conduct onboarding via video and email
- You need to articulate your desire for banking in Curaçao
- Curaçao opening deposits are usually USD 1,000 to USD 10,000
Offshore Bank Accounts in Curaçao
In Curaçao, an offshore bank account refers to an account held by a foreign non-resident individual or entity. Not surprisingly, the requirements for opening offshore bank accounts in Curaçao differ slightly from opening resident accounts.
That said, the difference between opening offshore accounts in Curaçao and resident accounts in Curaçao comes down to the applicant, the type of financial products and Curaçao banking benefits they are looking to access, and the requirements they’ll need to meet during the account opening process.
Of course, additional proofs, international documentation, and certain certifications may also be required by Curaçao banks. However, this will depend on the bank in Curaçao you are applying to.
If you would like to explore your banking options, click here to access a schedule of registered institutions and a list of banks in Curaçao prepared by our team. This list includes the major banking providers and the largest banks in Curaçao, including both foreign and domestic financial institutions.
Alternatively, if you would like to continue exploring Curaçao bank account opening requirements, read on to explore the requirements for opening personal bank accounts in Curaçao, business bank accounts in Curaçao, and private bank accounts in Curaçao for foreign non-resident individuals and entities.
Requirements to Open Personal Bank Accounts in Curaçao
Individuals looking to set up a deposit account to access Curaçao personal banking should use this link to review our detailed guide. This guide will be relevant for anyone looking to open Curaçao bank accounts, hold funds in the ANG, the currency of Curaçao), or invest locally.
In addition to providing specific requirements, this guide also provides an assessment of personal banking in Curaçao and offers unique insights you won’t find elsewhere.
On the other hand, if you are looking for exclusive financial incentives or Curaçao private banking you can click here and learn how to start the process of opening accounts.
Curaçao Personal Banking Requirements
- Government-issued identification
- Proof of residency in Curaçao (or elsewhere)
- Tax ID number from country of residence
- Reason for wanting to bank in Curaçao
- Bank reference letter (not always required)
- Proof of income
- Proof of address
- Source of funds
- Minimum required deposit
Importantly, when applying for a business bank account in Curaçao, the above requirements will be requested for each shareholder and director of the company as well. That said, there are additional documents you will also need to provide to Curaçao banks for the business, which we discuss next.
Requirements to Open Business Bank Accounts in Curaçao
Individuals looking to set up a corporate account to access Curaçao business banking should use this link to review our detailed business banking guide. The guide provides a more detailed assessment of business banking in Curaçao and shares important information that could impact your entity’s banking choices. Additionally, this guide will provide details on the types of businesses that are eligible to open accounts in Curaçao, including certain high-risk businesses.
Curaçao Business Banking Requirements
- Certificate of incorporation
- Certificate of good standing (if older than one year)
- Tax identification number
- Proof of address in the country of operation
- Description of ties to Curaçao
- Financial statements (or similar)
- Bank reference letter
- Commercial reference letter
In addition to the documents Curaçao banks require, businesses also need to supplement their application with the following information.
Additional Business Information Required by Banks in Curaçao
- Detailed description of business activities
- List of clients and suppliers
- Expected transaction activities
- Clear rationale for banking in Curaçao
After the account is opened, businesses may be asked to provide even more documents as well. Examples of these documents include invoices supporting transfers and money sent to Curaçao or for expenses being paid abroad.
In the following section, we’ll take a look at the requirements for opening a private bank account in Curaçao for foreign non-residents.
Requirements to Open a Private Bank Account in Curaçao
When opening a private bank account in Curaçao, prospective customers need to provide the same documents, identification, and proof that Curaçao banks require for personal accounts.
That said, depending on the deposit, banks in Curaçao may put a stronger emphasis on the source of wealth and the individual’s reason for wanting to bank in Curaçao. That said, Curaçao is not a traditional private banking jurisdiction so it’s possible that there will be less emphasis on this than elsewhere.
Here’s another look at the requirements that applicants will need to meet to open private bank accounts in Curaçao.
Private Banking Requirements in Curaçao
- Government-issued identification
- Proof of residency in Curaçao (or elsewhere)
- Tax ID number from country of residence
- Reason for wanting to bank in Curaçao
- Bank reference letter (not always required)
- Proof of income
- Proof of address
- Source of funds
- Resume or CV (supporting source of wealth)
- Qualifying deposit (varies by bank in Curaçao)
Like elsewhere, Curaçao banks do require higher deposits to access private banking over personal banking. However, unlike most jurisdictions that require several hundred to several million dollar deposits, you can access basic “private banking” services with an initial deposit of USD 10,000.
When it comes to banking in Curaçao, we consider USD 10,000 to be reasonable when considering the level of account opening assistance and Curaçao banking services offered. That said, this is generally only true for individuals struggling to open elsewhere or who have a clear reason for banking in Curaçao.
With this in mind, if you are looking for private banking and wealth management, you should consider all available jurisdictions. And, when comparing jurisdictions you should also look at the threats in the financial sector and risks of banking in Curaçao and how they compare to banking elsewhere.
Of course, if you have a specific reason for wanting to open a private bank account in Curaçao, you can use our free Curaçao insights to navigate your options.
Alternatively, if you want access to the elite financial establishments and the best banks in Curaçao and unlock expert insights on how to quickly and affordably open Curaçao accounts, join GlobalBanks IQ using the link below.
Frequently Asked Curaçao Banking Questions
Below are a few of the most common questions we receive from people exploring bank account opening requirements in Curaçao. If you have further questions you would like answered, don’t hesitate to contact us directly.
Can Foreigners Open a Bank Account in Curaçao?
Yes, foreigners can open a bank account in Curaçao. In fact, most foreigners can open accounts in Curaçao 100% remotely. That said, not all banks in Curaçao accept foreign non-residents. With this in mind, bank selection is an important factor to consider when choosing where to open an account.
What Proof Do You Need to Open a Bank Account?
Most banks require government-issued proof of identification, proof of residency, proof of address in your country of residency, proof of income, proof of source of wealth, and more.
Can I Open an Account in Curaçao?
Yes, you can open an account in Curaçao. That said, in order to open an account in Curaçao you will need to meet the account opening requirements, deposit requirements, and have a suitable client profile. That said, most applicants can either open personal, business, or private bank accounts in Curaçao.
Ready to Open an Offshore Bank Account?
If so, you can access GlobalBanks Insider and start the process of applying for an offshore account in a few clicks.
GlobalBanks Insider is a dedicated account opening solution that involves direct support from our team and direct introductions to the banks of your choosing. It gives you instant access to the…
+ Direct support from a team of banking experts
+ Direct introductions to your desired banks
+ Answers to your most pressing questions and challenges
+ Expert insights on which banks to choose & why
+ Plus, FULL access to our entire suite of account opening tools and intelligence!
And “yes!” GlobalBanks Insider is designed to help foreign and non-resident individuals and companies open bank accounts.
Use this link to see how GlobalBanks Insider can help you successfully open accounts.
