Digital banks have transformed expat banking in the Netherlands. Where you once had to wait weeks for a traditional bank appointment, you can now open an account from your phone in minutes. But which digital bank is actually the best fit for expats? We compare the three most popular options: N26, Revolut, and bunq.
Overview
All three banks target a similar audience — internationally minded consumers who want modern, app-first banking. But they differ in important ways that matter for expats living in the Netherlands.
- N26 — German neobank, strong on simplicity and design
- Revolut — UK-founded fintech, strong on multi-currency and international features
- bunq — Dutch neobank, strong on local integration and sub-accounts
IBAN Country and iDEAL Support
This is arguably the most important difference for daily life in the Netherlands.
- bunq: Dutch IBAN (NL) with full iDEAL and Tikkie support. This is a major advantage — you can pay for everything online, split bills with friends, and receive salary payments without issues
- N26: German IBAN (DE). While SEPA regulations mean employers and landlords must accept any EU IBAN, in practice some Dutch websites, employers, and government systems still have issues with non-NL IBANs. No iDEAL support
- Revolut: Lithuanian IBAN (LT). Same IBAN discrimination issues as N26, potentially even more since LT IBANs are less recognized. No native iDEAL support (though they have been testing integration)
Verdict: bunq wins decisively here. If you only want one bank account, the Dutch IBAN and iDEAL support make everyday life significantly easier. See our expat banking guide for more on why iDEAL matters.
Monthly Fees
- N26: Standard account is free. N26 Smart is €4.90/month, N26 You is €9.90/month, N26 Metal is €16.90/month
- Revolut: Standard is free. Plus is €3.99/month, Premium is €7.99/month, Metal is €13.99/month, Ultra is €45/month
- bunq: No free tier. Easy Money is €3.99/month, Easy Savings is €2.99/month, Easy Green is €18.99/month. Joint accounts also available
Verdict: N26 and Revolut offer free tiers. bunq's cheapest plan starts at €2.99/month. If cost is your primary concern and you do not need iDEAL, N26 or Revolut's free plans win. But for most expats, bunq's €3.99/month Easy Money plan is worth the iDEAL access alone.
Foreign Exchange and International Transfers
For expats who regularly send money home or travel internationally, FX rates matter.
- Revolut: the clear leader here. Free currency exchange at interbank rates during market hours (up to monthly limits on free plans, unlimited on paid). Supports 30+ currencies with multi-currency wallets. International transfers are cheap and fast
- N26: free ATM withdrawals abroad in foreign currencies (on paid plans). International transfers through Wise integration. No multi-currency accounts on free tier
- bunq: supports multiple currencies and offers multi-currency accounts. FX rates are decent but not as competitive as Revolut. International transfers available through the app
Verdict: Revolut dominates international money features. If you regularly transfer money abroad, Revolut is hard to beat. For dedicated international transfers, also consider specialized money transfer services.
ATM Withdrawals
- N26: 3-8 free ATM withdrawals per month depending on plan (Standard allows 3 in the eurozone)
- Revolut: €200/month free ATM withdrawals on free plan, increasing with paid plans. €400 on Plus, €800 on Premium, unlimited on Metal
- bunq: ATM withdrawals included depending on plan, typically less generous than competitors. The Netherlands is very card-payment friendly, so ATM use is typically low
Verdict: N26 offers the most straightforward free ATM access. But in the Netherlands, you will rarely need cash — almost everything accepts card or mobile payments.
Savings and Interest
- N26: savings features available on paid plans. Interest rates competitive with the market
- Revolut: savings vaults with interest on paid plans. Flexible savings options. Check current rates on their app
- bunq: Easy Savings plan offers competitive interest rates. Automatic savings features like rounding up transactions. Dutch deposit guarantee applies (up to €100,000)
For serious savings, also compare with our savings account comparison — dedicated savings accounts from traditional banks often offer higher rates.
App Quality and Features
- N26: clean, minimalist design. Statistics and spending insights. Spaces (sub-accounts) for organizing money. Reliable and stable
- Revolut: feature-rich — crypto trading, stock trading, rewards, budgeting tools, travel insurance, and more. Can feel overwhelming. Frequent feature additions
- bunq: modern design with unique features like 25 sub-accounts (IBANs), automatic categorization, CO2 offsetting, shared accounts. Very customizable
Verdict: this is subjective. N26 for simplicity, Revolut for features, bunq for organization and Dutch integration.
Customer Support
- N26: in-app chat support. Can be slow during peak times. No phone support on free plan
- Revolut: in-app chat, often AI-first with chatbot before reaching a human. Priority support on paid plans. Mixed reputation but has improved
- bunq: in-app chat support with generally good response times. Phone support available. Being Dutch-based, they understand local issues well
Security and Regulation
- N26: German banking license, regulated by BaFin. Deposits protected up to €100,000 under German deposit guarantee
- Revolut: European banking license (Lithuania). Deposits protected up to €100,000 under Lithuanian deposit guarantee
- bunq: Dutch banking license, regulated by DNB and AFM. Deposits protected up to €100,000 under Dutch deposit guarantee
All three offer strong security features including biometric login, instant card freezing, and transaction notifications.
Our Recommendation
For most expats in the Netherlands: bunq is the best primary bank. The Dutch IBAN and iDEAL support are essential for daily life — paying rent, shopping online, splitting bills with Tikkie, and receiving your salary without IBAN discrimination issues.
Pair bunq with Revolut as a secondary account for international transfers, travel spending, and multi-currency needs. This combination covers virtually every financial need an expat has.
Choose N26 if you prioritize simplicity and free banking, and you already have another way to handle iDEAL payments (such as a traditional Dutch bank account from ABN AMRO or ING).