Bunq Review 2026: Plans, Local IBANs and Tree Planting

Is bunq a good bank? For people living in Europe — especially expats — yes. Bunq is a Dutch-licensed bank regulated by De Nederlandsche Bank, deposits are protected up to €100,000, and it offers local IBANs from the Netherlands, Germany, France, Spain, Ireland and Italy, which helps where a landlord or utility refuses a foreign account number. Plans run from free to €18.99 a month, with up to 25 bank accounts on bunq Pro. The green angle is real but smaller than often claimed: bunq says it plants a tree for every €1,000 spent with a bunq card. This review covers plans, IBANs, sustainability and who should skip it.

Bunq at a Glance

Read on bunq's website on 30 September 2026. Plans and perks change — check the current line-up in the app before subscribing.

What Is Bunq?

Bunq is a licensed Dutch bank operating across Europe, built mobile-first and positioned around freedom and sustainability. Holding a Dutch banking licence means eligible deposits are protected up to €100,000 under the deposit guarantee scheme. What distinguishes bunq is a feature set well suited to people who live international lives: several bank accounts, each with its own IBAN, and local IBANs from six countries. For where bunq fits among Europe's banks, see our best banks in Europe guide.

Bunq Tree Planting: How It Works

Bunq's sustainability page states: "For every €1000 spent with your bunq Card, we plant a tree." Older coverage of bunq — including an earlier version of this review — described a tree for every €100 spent; bunq's current page says €1,000, so check it before you rely on the figure. Bunq also highlights tools aimed at reducing your CO2 impact and says it gives you more choice over where your savings are held and which investment options you use, pointing readers to its ESG report for details. If your interest in values-led banking is faith-based rather than environmental, our guide to how Islamic banking works explains the contracts and how deposits are protected.

The honest summary: tree planting is a small bonus tied to card spending, not a reason on its own to switch banks. Judge bunq on its banking first.

The Banking Features

Several accounts, each with an IBAN — bunq Free includes 3 bank accounts, Core 5 and Pro 25. Separate accounts are powerful for budgeting, shared expenses, and ring-fencing money for bills or tax.

Local IBANs — If you live in the Netherlands, Germany, France, Spain, Ireland or Italy, bunq connects you to an IBAN that matches where you live. If you live elsewhere, bunq's International Bank Accounts let you open an account with a Belgian, German, French, Spanish, Irish or Italian IBAN.

Quick opening — bunq says you can open an account in about five minutes in the app with a valid ID and a video verification step.

24/7 support — bunq advertises round-the-clock support in several languages.

Business accounts — bunq also offers business accounts with payment and accounting tools.

Who Is Bunq Best For?

Bunq is best for people living in Europe who want a flexible digital bank, and particularly for expats who need a local IBAN for salary, rent and direct debits. Heavy budgeters benefit from multiple accounts, and people who care about sustainability get a modest extra. Expats should also read our best bank accounts for expats guide.

Who Should Skip Bunq?

If you do not live in a country bunq serves, check eligibility before you plan around it — our best neobanks of 2026 roundup covers other regions. If you want the cheapest international transfers, a transfer specialist may beat bunq — compare them in our Wise vs Revolut transfers guide. And if you just want the simplest free account, bunq's paid plans may be more than you need.

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Dutch banking licence with deposit protection up to €100,000
• Local IBANs from six countries — useful for expats
• Up to 25 bank accounts on bunq Pro, each with its own IBAN
• Free plan available; paid plans from €3.99 a month
• Tree planting tied to card spending

Cons

• The most useful features sit on paid plans
• Transfer specialists can be cheaper for large currency conversions
• Tree planting is modest (one tree per €1,000 spent)
• Feature depth has a learning curve

Fees and Plans

Bunq lists four personal plans: bunq Free (free), bunq Core (€3.99 a month), bunq Pro (€9.99 a month) and bunq Elite (€18.99 a month); bunq says Pro is available at no cost to qualifying students. Perks such as the number of accounts scale with the plan. Match the plan to how you actually bank before paying for a higher tier, and check bunq's current pricing sheet for exchange and ATM fees. Our hidden bank fees guide covers the charges worth checking at any bank.

How Bunq Compares to Other European Neobanks

Against Revolut and N26, bunq carves out a distinct niche. Revolut wins on breadth of features; N26 on simplicity and its German licence. Bunq's edge is expat-friendly plumbing — local IBANs in six countries and many accounts — plus a sustainability angle. Many Europeans combine a licensed primary account (bunq or a domestic bank) for salary and direct debits with a transfer specialist for large FX moves.

Tips to Get the Most From Bunq

Pick the plan that matches your real usage before paying for a higher tier. Set up accounts that mirror your budget categories from day one. Expats should activate a local IBAN early to avoid direct-debit problems. And judge bunq on the fundamentals — licence, deposit protection, fees — before the green features. Our neobank safety guide covers what to check.

The Verdict

Bunq is a solid, fully licensed European bank with unusually good tools for expats: local IBANs in six countries and up to 25 accounts. The tree planting is a small bonus rather than the headline. If you live in Europe and need a flexible account that matches where you live, bunq is worth a close look. Not sure it is the right fit? Try our free bank finder.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is bunq a real bank?

Yes. Bunq holds a Dutch banking licence and is regulated by De Nederlandsche Bank; deposits are protected up to €100,000.

Does bunq really plant trees?

Yes, but less often than older reviews say. Bunq's sustainability page states that it plants a tree for every €1,000 spent with a bunq card.

Is bunq good for expats?

Yes. Local IBANs from the Netherlands, Germany, France, Spain, Ireland and Italy help with salary, rent and direct debits, and multiple accounts make managing money across borders easier.

How much does bunq cost?

bunq Free costs nothing; Core is €3.99, Pro €9.99 and Elite €18.99 a month. Check bunq's pricing sheet for current fees.

How many accounts can I have with bunq?

bunq lists 3 bank accounts on Free, 5 on Core and 25 on Pro.

This is general information, not financial advice. Eligible bunq deposits are protected under the deposit guarantee scheme up to €100,000 — confirm the current limit and what it covers before relying on it.