bunq Review: The Smartest Bank for Digital Nomads?

A few years ago, I tried opening a bank account while living abroad... and it turned into a full-blown nightmare. Every bank wanted a local address, endless documents, and in-person visits I couldn’t make. That’s when I realized how broken traditional banking is for people like us.

Fast forward to today, and I came across bunq, a European neobank that claims to be built for digital nomads, remote workers, and anyone living life on the move. It promises flexibility, sustainability, and a sleek app that actually travels with you.

In this bunq review, I’ll share what it’s really like using bunq as a digital nomad: what works, what doesn’t, and whether it’s worth trusting it with your money wherever you go.

bunq: Pros and Cons

What is bunq and How It Works

bunq is a Dutch neobank launched in 2015 and licensed by the Dutch Central Bank (DNB). It’s a fully digital bank that allows you to open an account, verify your ID, and manage everything from the app or desktop, no matter where you are in the world.

Often called the “Bank of The Free”, bunq is designed for people who live and work globally, especially digital nomads, freelancers, and remote workers who need a reliable way to handle money across borders. You can create multiple sub-accounts, hold 20+ currencies, and send instant payments wherever you go.

bunq has also earned a strong reputation for trust and transparency. It now serves over 17 million users across Europe and is fully protected under the Dutch Deposit Guarantee Scheme, which covers deposits up to €100,000. On Trustpilot, it holds a 4.1-star rating from nearly 19,000 reviews, with users praising its clean design, fast transfers, and ease of use while traveling.

Unlike traditional banks that hide fees behind “free” plans, bunq runs on a clear subscription model. You pick a plan that fits your lifestyle and always know what you’re paying for. While it’s mainly available to EU/EEA residents, its multi-currency support and global usability make it one of the best banks for digital nomads to save money abroad.

bunq Key Features and Highlights

All these impressive stats and good reviews intrigued me, so I dug deeper into what bunq actually does, and how it could fit a location-independent lifestyle.

Multi-Currency Accounts and Global IBANs

bunq lets you to hold and manage 22 global currencies, plus send and receive funds across 39 currencies, all within the app. You also get international IBANs from the Netherlands, Germany, France, Spain, or Ireland. That means you can open a EUR, USD, or GBP account (and more), which is perfect if you’re freelancing, contracting, or moving between countries regularly.

Transparent FX and International Transfers

With bunq’s ZeroFX feature, you get competitive exchange rates and full transparency, so you can always see fees and rates upfront. The app supports instant SEPA transfers and international payments via SWIFT or Wise integration, making it ideal for paying coworking spaces, booking flights, or managing client payments across borders.

User-Friendly App Experience

One of the first things I look for in a digital nomad bank is how the app performs, and bunq doesn’t disappoint. The setup is seamless, with onboarding that takes just a few minutes, no branch visits or paperwork required. The interface is clean and intuitive, with quick navigation and features like instant card freeze/unfreeze, perfect if your card goes missing mid-trip. It definitely deserves a spot next to some of the best digital nomad apps I’ve tried.

Smart Budgeting and Sub-Accounts

One of bunq’s best features is its smart sub-account system (or “pots”). You can create multiple accounts for things like travel, rent, taxes, or savings, each with its own IBAN. Real-time updates, notifications, and autosave features make it easy to stay on top of your money while living on the move. It’s a built-in alternative to many of the best budgeting apps for digital nomads.

High-Interest and Multi-Currency Savings

Beyond just holding money, bunq offers Multi-Currency Savings Accounts that let you earn up to 3.01% interest in currencies like USD or GBP. So if you’re earning in one currency but living in another (say USD while spending in Asia) you can grow your savings without constant conversions.

Top-Tier Security

Security is key when you’re living remotely. bunq offers biometric login, real-time alerts, and instant card freeze options directly in the app, which is super handy if your card disappears on the road. And because bunq is a fully licensed Dutch bank, your euro deposits are protected up to €100,000 under the Dutch Deposit Guarantee Scheme.

Sustainable Banking

Since 2019, bunq users have planted over 25 million trees, offsetting more than 4 million tonnes of CO₂ through its Tree-Planting Programme. Every time you spend with your card, especially on higher-tier plans, you’re literally helping reforest the planet.

bunq Pricing and Subscription Plans

bunq works on a simple subscription model. You just pick the plan that fits your lifestyle, pay a flat monthly rate, and that’s it.

Here’s what bunq offers for personal accounts in 2025:

• Free – €0/month: A basic digital account with three IBANs and a digital card. It’s a nice entry point if you just want to test how bunq works, but it’s a bit too limited for full-time travelers or freelancers who deal with multiple currencies.
• Core – €3.99/month: A straightforward plan with up to five IBANs, one physical card, and joint accounts. It’s solid for everyday use if you’re mostly based in one country and just need something simple that works abroad, too.
• Pro – €9.99/month: This is the one I went for. It gives you up to 25 sub-accounts (super handy for budgeting and taxes), multi-currency support, and up to six free ATM withdrawals per month, which makes bunq one of the best debit cards for international travel. It feels like the right balance between flexibility and cost, especially for digital nomads who move around a lot.
• Elite – €18.99/month: The premium option, with everything from Pro plus higher limits, priority support, travel insurance, and the full sustainability perks, including tree planting for every €100 spent. It’s great if you’re on the road constantly and want an all-in-one solution.

Compared to “free” options like Revolut or Wise, bunq does cost a bit more. But that’s because it’s a fully licensed European bank with deposit protection and no surprise fees hiding in the small print. For me, paying for peace of mind, and a banking app that actually fits a nomadic lifestyle, felt worth it.

Who bunq Is Best For

After trying out bunq for a while, I started to see who it really works for... and who it probably doesn’t.

If you move around a lot, bunq just makes daily banking less of a pain. Having multiple currencies in one place means no constant conversions or surprise fees. I’ve used it in a bunch of countries now, and payments have always gone through instantly.

It's also great if you’re juggling different income streams. I like being able to keep client payments, taxes, and savings in separate sub-accounts. The built-in invoicing also saves time when I’m sending quick bills from the road.

And when I was splitting expenses with my partner, bunq’s shared accounts made it easier to track who paid for what. It’s not fancy, but it works, and that’s what matters when you’re moving fast.

Right now, however, bunq only accepts users from the EU and EEA. So if you’re based elsewhere, you’ll have to look at alternatives like Wise or Revolut instead.

bunq vs Competitors

While I’ve had a good experience using bunq, I know it might not be the perfect fit for everyone. So, here’s a quick look at some popular alternatives I’ve tried or researched.

Wise

Wise is still my go-to for quick, cheap international transfers. Their FX rates are some of the best out there, and the app is super simple for sending or receiving money abroad... But Wise isn’t actually a bank. There’s no deposit protection, and it doesn’t offer the same level of account security or features that come with bunq’s full banking license. If you only need to move money across borders, Wise is great. If you want something that feels like a complete banking setup, bunq goes further.

Revolut

Revolut is probably bunq’s closest rival. It supports more currencies and even offers a free plan, which makes it tempting if you travel a lot. I’ve used it here and there but there are a few small catches, like weekend exchange fees and a less transparent approach to pricing. Revolut also doesn’t really touch the sustainability side that bunq focuses on.

Payoneer

Payoneer is a favourite among freelancers, especially for getting paid by international clients. It’s great for invoicing and receiving money globally, and it integrates easily with freelance platforms. But it’s not really built for daily banking. You won’t get budgeting tools, sub-accounts, or any of the eco-friendly features that make bunq stand out.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is bunq safe? (EU‑regulated with deposit protection)

Yes, bunq is a licensed European bank regulated by the Dutch Central Bank (DNB). Your deposits are protected up to €100,000, which places them at the same level of safety as traditional banks.

Is bunq available outside Europe?

Currently, you can open a bunq account only if you’re a resident of an EEA country. However, once you do, you can use it worldwide. bunq supports 20+ currencies and offers European IBANs.

How does bunq’s exchange rate compare to Wise or Revolut?

Wise has the best FX rates among its competitors. bunq’s rates are still competitive, especially with the Core, Pro, and Elite plans, which have unlimited ZeroFX rates (best exchange rates abroad). Compared to Revolut, bunq’s rates don’t come with weekend fees.

What’s bunq’s environmental impact really like?

bunq is committed to being a climate-neutral bank. They invest in sustainability projects and also plant a tree for every €100 spent. Users can even track how many trees they’ve contributed directly on the app.

Can I use bunq for my business as a freelancer?

Absolutely! bunq offers business accounts with the same types of plans as their personal accounts. They also offer invoicing tools, automatic VAT sorting, and multiple IBANs for different clients or projects. It’s perfect for freelancers who need both flexibility and structure.

Does bunq work with PayPal or Apple Pay?

Yes, you can connect bunq to PayPal and Apple Pay. Payments are instant, and setup is a seamless process.

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Written by Pamela Leon

Pamela is one half of Pame & Dami, a digital nomad couple from South America. Together, they’ve built a lifestyle around traveling the world while working remotely.

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