Bunq vs N26: European neobank comparison for expats (2026)

Last verified: 2026-03-22

At a glance

Bunq and N26 are two of the most popular neobanks in Europe, but they serve slightly different needs. If you want a free basic account with a German IBAN, integrated stock trading, and wide European availability, N26 is worth considering. If you prefer a Dutch IBAN, sub-accounts for budgeting, and a strong savings interest rate combined with cashback, Bunq may be more suitable. Both are fully licensed, deposit-guaranteed banks.

Feature	Bunq	N26
Cheapest plan	€3.99/month (Core)	€0/month (Standard)
Premium plan	€18.99/month (Elite)	€16.90/month (Metal)
IBAN country	Netherlands (NL)	Germany (DE)
Regulated by	DNB (Dutch Central Bank)	ECB / BaFin (Germany)
Countries available	8 European countries	16+ European countries
Savings interest rate	Up to 1.56%	Up to 2.26%
Deposit guarantee	€100,000 (Dutch DGS)	€100,000 (German DGS)
Best for	Budgeters, NL-based expats, cashback seekers	Free banking, stock trading, wider EU coverage

Introduction

Choosing the right neobank as a European expat can feel overwhelming. Two of the most talked-about options are Bunq, the Dutch challenger bank known for its green ethos and budgeting tools, and N26, the German mobile-first bank that has expanded into stock trading and crypto. Both are fully licensed banks with deposit guarantees, but they differ in pricing, features, and geographic reach.

This comparison breaks down everything you need to know to decide which neobank fits your situation. We compare their plans, fees, savings rates, features, and availability across Europe. Whether you are new to a country or simply looking for a better digital banking experience, this guide gives you the facts to make an informed choice.

All data in this article comes from Capmap's platform database and official sources. Fees and features may change, so always verify current details on the platform's official website before opening an account.

Bunq overview

Bunq was founded in 2012 and is headquartered in the Netherlands. It holds a full banking licence from De Nederlandsche Bank (DNB), meaning deposits are protected up to €100,000 under the Dutch Deposit Guarantee Scheme. Bunq is available in eight European countries: the Netherlands, Germany, Austria, France, Spain, Italy, Ireland, and Belgium.

Bunq positions itself as a bank for people who want control over their money. Its standout feature is the ability to create multiple sub-accounts (up to 25 on higher plans), each with its own IBAN, making it easy to separate savings goals, shared expenses, and everyday spending. The bank also integrates with Wise for international transfers, which keeps cross-border costs transparent.

On the sustainability side, Bunq's Elite plan plants a tree for every €100 spent, which has been a strong differentiator for environmentally conscious customers. The bank also offers competitive savings interest rates and cashback on card payments, depending on your plan tier.

Bunq provides a Dutch (NL) IBAN, which is particularly useful for expats living in the Netherlands who need a local IBAN for salary deposits, rent payments, or utility bills. The app supports Apple Pay, Google Pay, and iDEAL, the dominant payment method in the Netherlands.

N26 overview

N26 was founded in 2013 and is headquartered in Berlin, Germany. It operates under a full European banking licence supervised by the European Central Bank (ECB) and BaFin, with deposits protected up to €100,000 under the German Deposit Guarantee Scheme. N26 is available in more than 16 European countries, making it one of the most widely accessible neobanks on the continent.

N26's biggest advantage is its free Standard account. Unlike most neobanks that have moved away from free tiers, N26 still offers a fully functional current account at no monthly cost. This includes a virtual debit card, Apple Pay and Google Pay support, and basic banking features. For users who want more, paid plans add benefits like insurance packages, higher ATM withdrawal limits, and premium card designs.

Beyond banking, N26 has expanded into investing. Users can trade stocks and ETFs directly within the N26 app with no trading fees, and the Metal plan offers discounted cryptocurrency trading fees. This makes N26 an interesting option for users who want banking and investing in a single app.

N26 provides a German (DE) IBAN. While this works across all SEPA countries, some local services in non-German countries may still have issues accepting foreign IBANs, a practice known as IBAN discrimination (which is illegal under EU law but still occurs in practice). N26 does not support iDEAL, which may be a limitation for users in the Netherlands.

Fee comparison

The pricing structures of Bunq and N26 differ significantly. N26 offers a free tier, while Bunq's cheapest full current account starts at €3.99 per month. Here is a detailed comparison of what each plan costs and includes.

Fee category	Bunq	N26
Free plan	Savings-only (no current account)	Full current account (€0/month)
Entry-level plan	Core: €3.99/month	Smart: €4.90/month
Mid-tier plan	Pro: price varies	Go: €9.90/month
Premium plan	Elite: €18.99/month	Metal: €16.90/month
ATM withdrawals (domestic)	Varies by plan (6 free on Pro)	2 free (Standard) to 8 free (Metal)
ATM withdrawals (abroad)	Fee applies (varies by plan)	Unlimited free on Go and Metal
FX conversion fee	0.5% to 1.5% depending on plan	1.7% on Standard/Smart; 0% on Go/Metal
International transfers	Via Wise integration	Via Wise integration
Card fee	1 physical card included (Core)	Virtual card free; physical card on paid plans

For the budget-conscious user, N26's free Standard account is hard to beat. You get a fully functional bank account with a German IBAN, a virtual debit card, and basic features at zero cost. Bunq's free tier is limited to savings only, meaning you need to pay at least €3.99 per month for a current account.

On the premium end, Bunq's Elite (€18.99/month) and N26's Metal (€16.90/month) are comparably priced. The key difference is what you get: Bunq focuses on cashback (1% on all card payments) and sustainability features, while N26 Metal offers travel and purchase insurance, dedicated customer support, and discounted crypto trading fees.

Savings and interest rates

Both banks offer savings accounts with interest, but the rates differ.

Savings feature	Bunq	N26
Savings interest rate	Up to 1.56%	Up to 2.26%
Savings sub-accounts	Multiple (Spaces)	Up to 10 (Spaces)
Automatic savings rules	Yes (round-ups, salary sorter)	Yes (round-ups, income sorter)

N26 currently offers a higher savings interest rate at up to 2.26%, compared to Bunq's 1.56%. Both banks provide savings sub-accounts (called "Spaces") and automatic savings features like round-ups. If maximising savings interest is your primary goal, N26 has the edge based on current rates. However, interest rates change frequently, so always check the latest rates on each platform's website.

Feature comparison

Feature	Bunq	N26
Apple Pay	Yes	Yes
Google Pay	Yes	Yes
iDEAL	Yes	No
Sub-accounts	Up to 25	Up to 10
Joint accounts	Yes	No (Shared Spaces only)
Business accounts	Yes	Yes
Stock/ETF trading	No	Yes (fee-free)
Crypto trading	No	Yes (1.5% BTC, 2.5% other)
Cashback	0.5% (Pro) to 1% (Elite)	No standard cashback
Salary sorter	Yes	Yes
Insurance included	On Elite plan	On Go and Metal plans
International transfers	Via Wise	Via Wise
App Store rating	4.4/5	4.6/5
Countries available	8	16+
Deposit guarantee	€100,000 (NL)	€100,000 (DE)

The feature sets diverge in a few key areas. Bunq is stronger on budgeting: you can create up to 25 sub-accounts, set up joint accounts, and use the salary sorter to automatically distribute your income. Bunq also supports iDEAL, which is essential for anyone living in the Netherlands. Its cashback programme (0.5% on Pro, 1% on Elite) rewards everyday spending.

N26, on the other hand, has moved into investing. Fee-free stock and ETF trading is available directly in the app, and the Metal plan offers discounted cryptocurrency trading. If you want banking and investing under one roof, N26 is the only option of the two. N26 also operates in more than twice as many countries as Bunq, making it more suitable for expats who may relocate within Europe.

Regulation and safety

Both Bunq and N26 are fully licensed banks, not e-money institutions. This is an important distinction because it means your deposits are protected under the European Deposit Guarantee Scheme.

Bunq holds a banking licence from De Nederlandsche Bank (DNB), the Dutch central bank. Your deposits are covered up to €100,000 under the Dutch Deposit Guarantee Scheme. Bunq has a regulatory score of 8 out of 10 on Capmap.

N26 holds a banking licence supervised by the European Central Bank (ECB) and BaFin, the German financial regulator. Deposits are covered up to €100,000 under the German Deposit Guarantee Scheme. N26 also has a regulatory score of 8 out of 10 on Capmap.

Both banks are equally safe from a deposit protection standpoint. The choice between a Dutch and German IBAN may matter depending on your country of residence and whether local services accept foreign IBANs without issues.

Who should choose which?

The right choice depends on your priorities and where you live in Europe.

Bunq may be more suitable if you:

• Live in the Netherlands and need a Dutch IBAN with iDEAL support
• Want advanced budgeting with up to 25 sub-accounts
• Prefer cashback rewards on your everyday spending
• Need a joint account with your partner
• Value sustainability features (tree planting on Elite)

N26 may be more suitable if you:

• Want a free bank account with no monthly fees
• Plan to trade stocks, ETFs, or crypto within your banking app
• Live outside the Netherlands and want wider European coverage
• Travel frequently and want unlimited free ATM withdrawals abroad (Go/Metal)
• Prefer a higher savings interest rate

For expats in the Netherlands specifically, Bunq's Dutch IBAN and iDEAL support make daily life noticeably easier. For expats in Germany or other European countries, N26's free account and broader availability are compelling. If you are someone who moves between countries, N26's presence in 16+ markets provides more flexibility.

Frequently asked questions

Is Bunq cheaper than N26?

Not for basic banking. N26 offers a free Standard account, while Bunq's cheapest current account (Core) costs €3.99 per month. However, Bunq's Pro and Elite plans include cashback (0.5% to 1%), which can offset the monthly fee depending on your spending. At the premium end, Bunq Elite (€18.99/month) is slightly more expensive than N26 Metal (€16.90/month).

Can I use Bunq or N26 as an expat in the Netherlands?

Both banks accept customers in the Netherlands. Bunq provides a Dutch IBAN and supports iDEAL, making it better integrated with the Dutch payment ecosystem. N26 provides a German IBAN, which works for SEPA transfers but may occasionally cause issues with Dutch services that expect a local IBAN.

Do Bunq and N26 offer joint accounts?

Bunq offers full joint accounts on its paid plans. N26 does not offer traditional joint accounts but provides "Shared Spaces" where you can share a sub-account with another N26 user. This is more limited than a true joint account.

Which bank has better savings interest rates?

As of March 2026, N26 offers a higher savings rate of up to 2.26%, compared to Bunq's rate of up to 1.56%. However, interest rates change frequently and may differ by the time you read this. Check each bank's current rates before making a decision.

Can I trade stocks with Bunq or N26?

N26 offers fee-free stock and ETF trading directly in the app, along with cryptocurrency trading (1.5% fee on Bitcoin, 2.5% on other coins). Bunq does not currently offer stock or crypto trading. If investing within your banking app is important to you, N26 is the only option of the two.

Are Bunq and N26 safe?

Yes. Both are fully licensed banks (not e-money institutions) with deposits protected up to €100,000 under European deposit guarantee schemes. Bunq is regulated by DNB (Netherlands) and N26 by the ECB and BaFin (Germany). Both have a regulatory score of 8 out of 10 on Capmap.

Conclusion

Bunq and N26 are both strong neobanks, but they cater to different preferences. Bunq excels at budgeting, sub-accounts, Dutch integration, and cashback rewards. N26 stands out with its free tier, wider European availability, integrated investing, and higher savings rates. Neither is objectively better; the right choice depends on where you live, what features matter most to you, and whether you value free basic banking or are willing to pay for premium features.

For more banking platform comparisons, explore the Capmap directory. You may also find our Revolut vs N26 comparison and Revolut vs Wise comparison helpful if you are considering other neobank options.

This article is educational content, not financial advice. Always do your own research before making financial decisions. Fees and features may change, so verify current details on the platform's official website. Last verified: 2026-03-22.

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.