Bunq review (2026): the Dutch neobank for expats and locals

Quick summary

Bunq is a Dutch digital bank with a full DNB banking licence, offering personal and business accounts with a Dutch IBAN. Plans start at EUR 2.99 per month. It stands out for its sub-account system, green banking initiatives, and the fact that it is one of the few neobanks providing a genuine Dutch IBAN - making it a practical choice for expats who need local payment compatibility. Last verified: 2026-03-24.

Key facts

Detail	Info
Headquarters	Amsterdam, Netherlands
Founded	2012
Licence	Full DNB banking licence
IBAN country	NL (Netherlands)
Monthly fee	From EUR 2.99
Savings interest	1.56% p.a.
Deposit guarantee	EUR 100,000 (Dutch DGS)
App store rating	4.4
Available in	NL, DE, AT, FR, ES, IT, IE, BE
Account types	Current, savings, business, joint

What is Bunq?

Bunq is a fully licensed Dutch bank founded in 2012 by Ali Niknam. Unlike many European neobanks that operate under electronic money licences or partner bank arrangements, Bunq holds its own banking licence from De Nederlandsche Bank (DNB). This means your deposits are protected up to EUR 100,000 under the Dutch Deposit Guarantee Scheme - the same protection you get from traditional Dutch banks like ING or ABN AMRO.

Bunq positions itself as "the bank of the free" and has built a reputation for innovation, transparency, and sustainability. It was one of the first European banks to offer an API for third-party developers, and it plants trees based on customer spending through its "Green Card" programme.

Plans and pricing

Bunq offers three main personal plans:

Plan	Monthly fee	Key features
Easy Bank	EUR 2.99	1 current account, 1 savings account, Mastercard, mobile payments
Easy Money	EUR 8.99	Up to 25 sub-accounts, joint accounts, Wise integration, travel insurance
Easy Green	EUR 17.99	Everything in Easy Money plus metal card, extra tree planting, priority support

There is no free tier, which is a notable difference from competitors like N26 and Revolut. The lowest entry point is EUR 2.99 per month. For the full sub-account system and joint accounts, you need the EUR 8.99 Easy Money plan or above.

Bunq also offers business accounts starting at EUR 4.99 per month, aimed at freelancers and small businesses operating in the Netherlands and wider EU.

The Dutch IBAN advantage

This is Bunq's biggest practical advantage for expats in the Netherlands. While EU regulation (260/2012) prohibits IBAN discrimination - meaning Dutch businesses must accept any EU IBAN - the reality is that some landlords, utility companies, and automated payment systems still reject non-NL IBANs.

With Bunq, you get a Dutch IBAN that works everywhere without friction: employer salary payments, health insurance premiums, energy bills, and municipal taxes. For expats who have experienced rejection of a German or Lithuanian IBAN, this alone can justify the monthly fee.

Sub-accounts and budgeting

One of Bunq's standout features is its sub-account system. On the Easy Money and Easy Green plans, you can create up to 25 sub-accounts, each with its own IBAN. This is useful for budgeting - you can set up separate accounts for rent, groceries, savings goals, and discretionary spending.

Each sub-account can have its own card assigned to it, and you can set up automatic distributions from your main salary account. This "envelope budgeting" approach is built directly into the banking infrastructure rather than being a software overlay.

Joint accounts are available on the Easy Money plan and above, which is useful for couples managing shared expenses.

Savings

Bunq offers savings accounts with an interest rate of 1.56% p.a. as of March 2026. This is lower than what you would find at N26 (2.26%) or Revolut (2.00% on the first EUR 2,500). For expats primarily using Bunq for its Dutch IBAN and daily banking, this may not be a dealbreaker, but it is worth noting if maximising savings returns is a priority.

Savings accounts are included in all plans and benefit from the same EUR 100,000 Dutch deposit guarantee as the current accounts.

International transfers

Bunq integrates with Wise for international money transfers. This means you can send money in over 40 currencies at Wise's competitive exchange rates directly from the Bunq app. The integration is seamless, but there is a nuance: the fees for the transfer are Wise's fees, not Bunq's. You are essentially using Wise's service through Bunq's interface.

For SEPA transfers within Europe, standard transfers are free and typically settle within one business day. Instant SEPA transfers are also supported.

App and user experience

The Bunq app has a 4.4 rating on app stores. It is well-designed with a clean interface, but some users report occasional performance issues and a learning curve with the sub-account system. The app supports Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Garmin Pay for contactless payments.

Bunq was one of the first banks to offer a developer API, and it remains popular among tech-savvy users who want to automate their finances. The API supports account information, payment initiation, and webhook notifications.

Security and regulation

Bunq's full DNB banking licence is its strongest credential. It means the bank is supervised by both DNB and the European Central Bank, and must meet strict capital and liquidity requirements. Your deposits are protected up to EUR 100,000 per person under the Dutch Deposit Guarantee Scheme.

The app supports biometric login (fingerprint and face recognition), push notifications for every transaction, and the ability to instantly freeze your card from the app. Two-factor authentication is available for web access.

Who is Bunq a good fit for?

Bunq works well for expats and locals who value a Dutch IBAN, flexible sub-accounts, and a green banking ethos. It is particularly practical if you have experienced IBAN rejection from Dutch service providers when using a non-NL account.

It may be less suitable if you are looking for the highest savings rates, free banking, or a platform with a large investment product range. For investing, you would need to pair Bunq with a broker from the Capmap investing directory.

How Bunq compares

Feature	Bunq	N26	Revolut
Monthly fee	From EUR 2.99	Free (Standard)	Free (Standard)
IBAN country	NL	DE	LT
Savings rate	1.56%	2.26%	2.00%
Sub-accounts	Up to 25	Up to 10 (Spaces)	Vaults
Deposit guarantee	EUR 100,000 (NL)	EUR 100,000 (DE)	EUR 100,000 (LT)

Read the full comparison in our best banks in the Netherlands for expats guide.

The bottom line

Bunq fills a specific niche in the European neobank space: it is the go-to choice when you need a Dutch IBAN from a fully licensed bank with modern digital features. The monthly fee is the main trade-off compared to free alternatives, but for many expats in the Netherlands, the convenience of a guaranteed-accepted Dutch IBAN and strong sub-account system make it worthwhile.

This article is educational content, not financial advice. Always do your own research before making financial decisions. Fees and features may change - verify current details on the platform's official website. Last verified: 2026-03-24.

Disclaimer

This article is for educational purposes only and does not constitute financial, tax, or investment advice. Capmap.eu is an independent comparison platform — we do not provide personal recommendations. Always verify current fees, rates, and regulations with the provider or a qualified adviser before making financial decisions. Information was accurate at the time of writing but may have changed.