N26 vs Bunq
N26 wins on simplicity and free tier. Bunq wins on power-user features (paid).
| N26 | Bunq | |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly fee | $0 | $3 |
| Card issue fee | $0 | $11 |
| FX model | card network | interbank |
| FX markup | — | — |
| Free ATM / month | 3 | unlimited |
| Multi-currency | ||
| Apple Pay | ||
| Google Pay | ||
| Virtual cards | ||
| Crypto | ||
| Joint account | ||
| Availability | EU/EEA + UK (limited) | EU/EEA |
N26, best for
- EU residents who want a primary current account
- Travellers in eurozone, no FX needed
- Couples (joint Spaces)
Weak for
- Not available in the US, Canada or Asia
- Holding multiple currencies
Bunq, best for
- Sub-account budgets and savings goals
- Frequent travellers within EU
- Shared expenses with up to 4 people
Weak for
- Free-tier users (paid plan needed for full features)
- Non-EU residents
The verdict, in plain words
Pick N26 if you're an EU resident needing a solid primary account, especially if you're not a heavy ATM user. Pick Bunq if you're a frequent traveller within the EU or want granular control over your spending with sub-accounts.
For the EU freelancer paid in USD, N26 shines. You'll likely get paid into your N26 account and can easily convert USD to EUR at a decent rate, avoiding extra steps. The free tier is a big draw here, keeping overhead low. It’s a straightforward setup for daily banking and receiving payments without fuss.
Bunq is the clear winner for the frequent traveller within the EU. Need cash in Rome? Go ahead, unlimited free ATM withdrawals mean you won't sweat the small stuff. Its sub-account structure is also perfect for a nomad trying to budget for different destinations or specific savings goals, like a new laptop or a flight home. You can create a pot for 'Portugal trip' and deposit funds there, keeping it separate from your daily spending money.
If you're on the fence, default to N26 for its simplicity and zero monthly fee, provided you don't need unlimited ATM access. The main filter for Bunq is its €3 monthly fee; if that's a deal-breaker and you're not a frequent EU ATM user, N26 is probably your better bet. Bunq's real strength lies in its budgeting tools and unlimited withdrawals, which are niche but powerful for specific nomad lifestyles.
Affiliate disclosure: we earn a small commission if you sign up via either link. We list both because both are genuinely useful.