Be Tree
Did your rental car company just reject your brand-new card, leaving you feeling less than impressive? Ever wish you could take control of what your bank does with your hard-earned money (after all, it’s yours, right)? If you’re tired of your savings going to causes that don’t align with your values and you’re also looking to team up with the most globally accepted bank, then get ready to fall in love with bunq, the neobank that’s got your back.
bunq is an eco-bank that plants a tree for every $100 spent and allows you to decide where your money gets invested. Not only will your actions actively contribute to a better future, but you’ll also be holding the world’s most widely accepted credit card in your hand. bunq may plant trees, but it will never leave you feeling rooted to the spot.
TL;DR
- Real credit cards accepted worldwide. CVV code present only in the mobile application for greater security
- Creation of 25 independent sub-accounts, each with its own IBAN
- The greenest bank: 1 tree planted for every €100 spent and investments in environmentally friendly industries
- Alternative to neo-banks N26, Revolut, Monese, etc.
bunq Review: 4.8/5
This review about bunq reflects our experience and tests. It is limited to this section for general information purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. The rest of this page is informative and objective (except Customers Reviews about bunq at the bottom of the page).
bunq Review
bunq is a neobank that offers a powerful, innovative banking service, while allowing its users to make a positive impact on the environment. bunq is particularly attractive to technophiles: multiple IBANs, multi-currency account, free domiciliation in the country of your choice, generous savings, cashback of up to 2%, API, payment link, and more.
Beyond the power of this mobile bank, bunq has found the right balance for the actions taken for the environment. This approach appeals to everyone and allows them to find their place at bunq.
The first versions of the application were not very user friendly, but we have to admit that it improves with each update.
Benefits
- Many game-changing features
- Real Mastercard credit card
- Positive environmental impact
- Generous cashback
Disadvantages
- Not the most user-friendly app
bunq account features
bunq offers 5 plans from €0 to €18.99/month and the option of choosing between a debit or credit card. bunq is the neobank that pushes the boundaries of personal finance. Here are the major features:
Payment methods
- Mastercard debit card or credit card accepted by all car rental companies worldwide
- Card personalization with a message on the back and the name of your choice (True Name)
- Card compatible with Apple Pay and Google Pay
- Possibility of paying up to €250 at payment terminals not connected to the Internet (offline mode): gas stations, freeway toll booths, etc.
- Cash withdrawals and deposits at thousands of stores in Germany, Italy and Austria
- Dual PIN: payment with a single card, from 2 bank accounts
- bunq.me: personal, universal and permanent payment link. It allows anyone to be paid by card.
- Cashback of up to 2% available only with Easy Money and Easy Green offers1
Current account
- Choice of accounts domiciled in France, Germany, the Netherlands, Ireland or Spain
- Multiple sub-accounts: instantly open a sub-account for all your needs
- 22 local currencies supported, including EUR, GBP, USD
- bunq +1: joint account for sharing a bank account with your spouse
- Bundled payments: pay several bills at once from your phone in the currency of your choice
- Cash deposits in over 10,000 stores in Europe
- Instant transfers
Savings and budgeting
- Customizable monthly budget to control spending
- Automatic savings
- Individual savings goal
- Shared savings goals to save money together
- Stock market investment
- Choose where your deposits are invested (mutual funds, eco-responsible industries, etc.)
- Savings yield of 1.56% in euros and a massive 3.71% interest rate on USD and GBP
- Automatic salary distribution between different sub-accounts
- Automatic (and personalized) categorization of expenses so you know how to cut costs and save money
- Joint Savings Accounts with up to 1.56% interest, paid monthly
Additional features
- Digitization and centralization of all loyalty cards. Share them with family and friends.
- Exceptional discounts with bunq partners such as Nike, Booking.com, HelloFresh, etc.
- ZeroFX: savings of up to 3% on currency transfers.
- Travel Assistant: everything you need to know about spending abroad
- Voice-activated bank account management with Siri (iPhone)
- Quick search for attachments and receipts
- Bank mobility: easily transfer your main account to bunq
- Instant payments: no delay between payment order and receipt of funds
- Photograph a receipt or invoice to attach to a payment made
- Transfer money worldwide with Wise, at a cost 8 times lower than with any other bank
- Forecast balance to know your purchasing capacity without being overdrawn
- bunq Pack: invite your friends to 4 Premium accounts (or 3 Premium and 1 Business) for a fixed monthly fee
- Purchase Protection and Extended Warranty on all Metal Card purchases
- Reforestation of Madagascar thanks to card spending to offset its carbon footprint in less than 2 years
- Wheel of Fortune: each user can spin the wheel at least once a day and enjoy discounts on subscriptions and more
- Multi-currency savings: in addition to EUR savings accounts, users can now easily save in several currencies! Earn 3.71% interest on personal accounts and 2.3% on business accounts in USD and GBP.
- bunq Payday: weekly summary of everything you’ve earned with bunq, including cashback, interest and trees earned.
- CO2 Insights: analysis of the categories that contribute most to the carbon footprint, so users can start shopping sustainably.
- Localized card protection: for added security, the bunq card only works within a 100 km radius of the user’s phone location.
- Tip protection: pay with your bunq card with complete peace of mind. The bunq application automatically detects an overcharged tip for the user so they can get their money back.
Insurance and assistance
| Easy Bank Pro XL | Easy Bank Pro | Easy Bank | Easy Savings | Easy Card | |
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| Assistance 24/7 par chat | |
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| Travel insurance2 | |
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| Deposit protection up to €100,000 | |
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| Instant notification of money movements on your accounts | |
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| Biometric identification (facial recognition and fingerprint identification) | |
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bunq prices
Easy Bank Pro XL
3 physical cards
26 virtual cards
6 withdrawals/month
Cash deposit
Payment link
Recurring payments
Customizable card
Travel insurance
0 exchange fees
IBAN of choice
Wise integration
Multi-currency savings
Cashback
Priority support
Joint account
Easy Bank Pro
3 physical cards
26 virtual cards
6 withdrawals/month
Cash deposit
Payment link
Recurring payments
Customizable card
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0 exchange fees
IBAN of choice
Wise integration
Multi-currency savings
Cashback
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Joint account
Easy Bank
1 physical card
1 virtual card
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Cash deposit
Payment link
Recurring payments
Customizable card
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Wise integration
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Joint account
bunq Card Limits
| Easy Bank Pro XL | Easy Bank Pro | Easy Bank | Easy Savings | Easy Card | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Payment limit | €50 000 /day | €50 000 /day | €50 000 /day | €50 000 /day | €50 000 /day |
| Daily withdrawal limit | 1000€ /day3. | 1000€ /day3. | 1000€ /day3. | 1000€ /day3. | 1000€ /day3. |
| Free withdrawal limit | 6 /month | 6 /month | – | – | – |
| Retail withdrawal limit | €200 /day | €200 /day | €200 /day | – | – |
| Cash deposit at a retailer | €999.99 /day | €999.99 /day | €999.99 /day | – | – |
| Incoming iDEAL payment | €50 000 /day | €50 000 /day | €50 000 /day | €50 000 /day | €50 000 /day |
| Outgoing iDEAL payment | €50 000 /day | €50 000 /day | €50 000 /day | €50 000 /day | €50 000 /day |
| Incoming SOFORT payment | €250 /day | €250 /day | €250 /day | €250 /day | €250 /day |
| Outgoing SOFORT payment | €50 000 /day | €50 000 /day | €50 000 /day | €50 000 /day | €50 000 /day |
| Incoming bunq.me payment by credit card | €500 /payment | €500 /payment | €500 /payment | – | – |
Ceilings are reached after 3 months of use, provided the profile has been validated.
Fees on Exceptional Operations
| Transaction | Fees |
|---|---|
| Issuing/receiving instant transfers or sending instant payment requests | Free |
| Sending requests or payments with SOFORT or instantly with iDEAL or Bancontact | Free |
| Send requests and pay instantly with a debit or credit card | 2,5% |
| Receive instant payments via iDEAL, SOFORT, Bancontact | Free |
| Receiving bunq.me card payments | 2,5% |
| Reloading with a debit or credit card | 0,5% or 2,5% for non-EEA cards (€500 free per month) |
| Refill via iDEAL, SOFORT, Bancontact | Free |
| Issuing a transfer via Wise | Real exchange rate with Wise |
| SEPA XML batch transfers | Free |
| Deposits made via Barzahlen or viacash | 2,5% the amount deposited (€100 free deposits per month) |
| Swift transfers up to €10,000 | €5 /transaction |
| Receipt of Swift transfers between €10,000 and €100,000 | €10 /transaction |
| Receipt of Swift transfers over €100,000 | €25 /transaction |
| Order additional card | €9.99 per card + €3.49 per month per card |
| Creating additional virtual cards | €9.99 per month per batch of 5 additional cards (a maximum of 10 cards in total and 20 cards per year) |
| Ordering a replacement card | €9.99 per card (1 free replacement per year with Easy Money and Easy Green) |
| Ordering a replacement Metal Card | €129 /metal card |
| Card payments in foreign currencies (non-euro) | Mastercard exchange rate + 0.5% (network commission) |
| Cash withdrawals over the limit | €0.99. Then €2.99 per withdrawal |
| Receiving SWIFT or US Fedwire payments | €10 |
| Receiving non-SWIFT payments | €0,70 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, security is a fundamental aspect of bunq banking. For example, the 3-digit cvv code, not present on the back of the card at bunq, is renewed regularly and visible in the mobile application. It is also possible to validate transfers with a photo of your hand to make the procedure more secure. In addition, the iDIN function enables you to share your information with the bank in a safe and secure way. A new function allows you to authorize the use of your card only in the same place as yourself.
In financial terms, bunq accounts are covered by the Dutch Deposit Guarantee Scheme (DGS). This means that funds are insured up to €100,000 for all accounts in the event of bunq’s bankruptcy. Please consult our DGS fact sheet or the Netherlands Bank (DNB) for more information.
Yes. bunq offers the most widely accepted card in the world, with a choice of debit or credit card. This option is unique among neo-banks. The credit card will enable you to rent a car abroad, for example, whereas the debit card may be rejected.
The bunq card includes the term “credit”. This little detail actually hides bunq’s biggest advantage over N26, Revolut, Monese and even all the French online banks. It’s not a real credit card, because bunq won’t give you credit when you make payments. On the other hand, its behavior is similar to that of a real credit card for the establishment with which you make a purchase (car rental, for example). While a debit card will normally be rejected by the rental company, the bunq card will be accepted. To benefit from this feature, you’ll need to turn to bunq Easy Money or bunq Easy Green (metal card).
bunq works with burgopak for the design of its card packaging and favors the most environmentally-friendly transport available. To go one better, you’ll need to switch to the Easy Green card (or be under 18) and bunq will plant a tree for you for every €100 spent. Finally, bunq is a partner of Ecosia, Germany’s ecological and socially responsible search engine.
If you’re thinking of renting a car abroad, this is definitely the card for you, as bunq is the only neo-bank to offer a credit card (debit cards, with systematic authorization, are normally refused). In addition, people who want to have a positive ecological and social impact will prefer bunq to its competitors N26 and Revolut. Indeed, bunq allows you to participate in reforestation and also lets you choose where and how your money is invested. Finally, the more technophile will appreciate bunq’s high level of security, its openness to external solutions (via its API) and the many features that no other fintech offers to date.
- At less than €9, bunq Easy Money is one of the cheapest metal bank cards on the market
- Choice of country of account domiciliation, whereas N26 and Revolut only offer foreign IBANs
- Positive environmental impact
- The broadest functional coverage of all neobanks
- Best exchange rates and fees thanks to Wise integration
- Very high payment limits
- Payment link to send to contacts
- Integration with numerous payment gateways
- Credit card is very useful for car rentals
- Metal card looks great
- Personal or shared savings pay off handsomely
- There are no free accounts at bunq
- bunq’s extensive capabilities are not useful for everyone
- Mobile application less intuitive than N26’s
- Here are a few more details on cashback: Users will receive cashback directly into their account once a week on a fixed day of the week (the payday designated by the user).
- Maximum €1,000 cashback per calendar year [↩]
- Travel insurance offered with Qover, travel insurance is automatically included in the Easy Bank Pro XL plan. [↩]
- Withdrawal of money from a merchant: the default limit is 250€ per day if the account is less than 3 months old and 1000€ per day if the account is more than 3 months old. The customer’s account must be verified in all cases [↩] [↩] [↩] [↩] [↩]
Alban Dupont –
The price for branded card can look a bit overestimated, but keep in mind you not only receive a piece of plastic, but also jave a whole ecosystem of the company, including mobile application, which very handy.
Mael Cools –
It looks very attractive. I like the description of the possibilities that each card offered by this bank opens.
I guess that in the near future, I will go to the official website of this bank to verify the accuracy of the information written in this article. And then I will be able to decide to start using one of the cards.
Wenzel Hentschel –
It seems to me that not all clients of this bank understand the advantages of local IBAN.
Thanks to the system that bunq uses, I do not feel discredited by IBAN.
In all the countries I’ve been to, I’ve used services as if I’ve always lived in that country or opened an account there.
No fees or restrictions. For those who travel between countries, it is a great advantage. This saves a lot of money. And it allows me to use banking services to the maximum extent.
If I understand how the banking system works, I know that in every country I am in, a separate account is opened for me which can be used for transactions. This creates a situation in which I am banking as a local.
Bruno Castro –
The bunq Easy Green metal card is not just any ordinary travel card. In fact, this exceptional piece of technology provides an infinite number of services and exclusive features that elevate one’s daily life experience. This financial partner offers unmatched convenience and security with a stylish metal design. Perfect for those who value quality.
Mael de Clercq –
This bank has become my friend, a really good friend. I am using it 24/7 and it’s totally fine. I have never experienced a problem with bunq and I hope I never will. It is not the most popular bank in the world but I am going with the idea that one day it will become and it will be beneficial for all of us. It has everything to conquer the banking sector of the world’s economy. The idea is really promising and I really do believe in those guys. They show me their professionality.
Lukas Verhoeven –
I have recommended this bank to all of my friends and I will ensure that they join this bank. Life is much more convenient now that many of my friends are using the bank. There are too many advantages
Noah C –
The bank is one of my best finds really. For every type of transaction, it is swift.
Stefano –
I think I’ll stay with the Easy bank for now. It covers all my need at the moment, but it’s great to know that I can upgrade my plan if needed.
Bertrand G-t –
Comparing bunq to other banks which we have nowadays, then there are lots of strong sides about it.
I didn’t use many banks in my life, but there was a disgusting service at those I had a chance to be a client.
I mean not only the way how client support team treats you, but also services were vague and unclear for perception.
Little did I know that such banks as bunq existed, where everything is okay with the service, where is a comprehensive help center which introduces new clients to each of the available function and where is such a high interest rate. Approved and recommended. 😎👍
heinrich Lang –
After I figured out how app works I realized that it’s pretty handy.
To be honest, I didn’t expect to be able to perform any operation with app.
I need to get used to it. But I’m glad that now all banking services are more accessible.
Guarino Zetticci –
It is definitely a must-have app on your phone wherever you go!
David Braun –
Easy savings is my choice, because it’s way better to stack up money here rather than using other traditional banks. There’s an odor of modernity while you work with bunq, I like it.
bastian graf –
bunq app’s cool with this freedom of choice thing, lets ya pick where ur money goes. its like the united states of america of banking. like, freeeedooom! kidding tho
anyways, slice groups thingy also comes in very handy for splitting bills and stuff. I also love autosaving which rounds up ur spends and saves the change. neat, right?
Security’s also tight, but no regular bank stuff like loans. Still, pretty solid for daily banking. cant go wrong with them.
manel n –
the freedom and convenience bunq provides is unmatched, totally enjoying it 😀