bunq Review 2026: A Full-Featured European Neobank

Open a bunq account

bunq is an app-based EU bank founded in 2012 and licensed by De Nederlandsche Bank. Deposits are covered by the Dutch Deposit Guarantee up to €100,000.

The short version for 2026: bunq is a good fit if you want several IBANs inside one account, automation rules and a public API. There’s now a free plan with 3 IBAN Pockets, and paid plans run from €3.99 to €18.99 a month. If you want more extras for the money, such as trading and travel perks, Revolut covers more ground.

Company Background

• Founded: 2012, Amsterdam.
• License: Full EU banking license (DNB supervision).
• Coverage: available across the EEA.

Who bunq Is For

• Digital nomads and frequent travelers managing multiple currencies.
• Freelancers and entrepreneurs who want quick, flexible banking.
• Families who benefit from shared sub-accounts and spending controls.
• Developers who want API access and automation.

Account Types & Pricing

Prices are bunq’s monthly rates for Spain as of October 2026. On the Free plan, foreign-currency card spending is charged at the standard rate up to €1,000 a year, then 1.5% per transaction. Paid plans pay the Mastercard rate plus a 0.5% markup when markets are open.

Core Features

• Multi-IBAN sub-accounts: segment budgets, projects, and taxes.
• Foreign transfers: send money in 40+ currencies from your euro account, with the fee shown upfront.
• Cards: physical and virtual Mastercard; Apple Pay and Google Pay.
• Automation: rules to sort income, allocate VAT, and fund goals.
• API: public developer API for custom workflows.
• Investing (bunq Stocks): stocks and ETFs from €10, provided through Ginmon.
• Bizum support: available since May 2025 for accounts with a Spanish IBAN.

Business Banking

• Multiple IBANs to separate revenue, expenses, and tax.
• Permissions and team cards with limits per user.
• Bookkeeping integrations and export options.
• API hooks for invoices, reconciliations, and payouts.

Investing with bunq

• Stocks and ETFs from €10, provided through Ginmon.
• No trading fees for the first 3 months, then 0.99% per trade (20% off on Pro, 50% off on Elite).
• Not a pro trading platform; basic execution and analytics.

Security

• EU bank license; Dutch Deposit Guarantee up to €100,000 per depositor.
• Biometric login, instant card freeze, granular controls.
• Note: bunq has faced compliance scrutiny and an AML-related fine; the bank disputes aspects of this. Keep a backup account as standard best practice.

Crypto

You can buy/sell from the Crypto tab in the bunq app from €1. Fees start at 0.25% per trade. Trading and custody are provided by Kraken.

Staking is also available, with advertised yields of up to 8.25% a year depending on the coin.

Customer Experience

Strengths: polished app, real-time notifications, budget clarity, automation, clear pricing.

Weaknesses: reports of slow support, occasional freezes, limited help in fraud disputes.

bunq vs Competitors

• vs Revolut: Revolut excels in trading/crypto and also holds an EU bank license. bunq has stronger multi-IBAN budgeting.
• vs Wise: Wise is best for international transfers. bunq is better as a primary current account with automation.
• vs N26: N26 has strong presence in DE/ES. bunq pushes faster on features and developer tooling.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Licensed EU bank, deposit protection.
• Free plan, with 3 IBAN Pockets included.
• Multi-IBAN sub-accounts for precise budgeting.
• Open API and automation.
• Entry-level investing access.

Cons

• The best features sit on paid plans that cost more than some rivals.
• Mixed support reputation; compliance scrutiny.
• Best experience within the EEA footprint.

How Does bunq Compare?

See how bunq stacks up against other popular platforms:

• Revolut vs bunq

Conclusion

bunq is a strong pick for international users, freelancers, and small businesses who value automation and budgeting clarity. For a full comparison of the top online banks, see my best online bank accounts in Europe guide. The free plan is a cheap way to try it, and the paid toolset (more IBAN Pockets, API, rules) is worth it if you’ll use it. Use bunq as a core account and keep a secondary option for redundancy.

Try bunq today

FAQ

Is bunq a real bank?

Yes. bunq operates with an EU banking license under the Dutch central bank (DNB). Eligible deposits are protected up to €100,000.

Does bunq work in Spain and across the EEA?

Yes. bunq serves most EEA countries. If you’re based in Spain, you may also want to check out the best commission-free banks in Spain for local alternatives that pair well with bunq. You get a European IBAN and can spend globally with Mastercard.

Can bunq replace my traditional bank?

For many users, yes. You can receive salary, set up direct debits, and manage savings and budgets. Keep a backup account for resilience.

How good are bunq’s exchange rates?

Card payments abroad use the Mastercard rate plus a 0.5% markup when markets are open on paid plans. The Free plan allows €1,000 a year at the standard rate, then charges 1.5%.

Is bunq safe?

bunq includes standard security features and is covered by the Dutch Deposit Guarantee. Like any bank, it faces regulatory oversight. Maintain good account hygiene and a secondary account.

Does bunq support Apple Pay and Google Pay?

Yes. You can add bunq cards to Apple Pay and Google Pay in supported regions.

What’s special about bunq for businesses?

Multi-IBAN sub-accounts, VAT allocation, permissions, team cards, exports, and a public API for automation.

Does bunq offer investing?

Yes. bunq Stocks offers stocks and ETFs from €10 through its partner Ginmon. It’s designed for simple, long-term investing rather than active trading.

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