When choosing a bank account that stands out from the competition, N26 accounts hold a prime position in today’s market. As a mobile bank, N26 offers an unrivalled financial management experience, directly from your phone. But as with any banking offer, it’s important to carefully consider the pros and cons of this neobank to determine whether it really suits your needs. Today, the editorial team gives its review of N26, the bank everyone’s talking about.
N26
Overall, in our opinion, the popularity of the N26 bank stems from its innovative approach, ease of use, and transparent services. As N26 is a fully digital bank, all banking operations can be carried out via a user-friendly mobile app, making everyday life easier. This neobank offers real-time expense management, instant transaction notifications, automatic expense categorization, and customizable security settings. The registration and identity verification processes are also simplified, enabling users to open an account in just a few minutes without having to physically visit a bank branch.
N26 offers convenient services for travel, such as free cash withdrawals abroad and favourable exchange rates. This makes it a great choice for frequent travellers. The standard account, which is offered at no cost, comes with a free French IBAN account and the ability to make purchases abroad free of charge. For just 4.90 euros a month, Smart account holders can get priority customer support, shared spaces, and up to ten sub-accounts.
N26 Bank Accounts
N26 offers a variety of accounts, each offered at a different rate and with different benefits:
- Standard Account
- Smart Account
- Account You
- Metal Account
We like the Standard account, which lets you pay internationally in a variety of currencies and is offered free of charge. The Smart, You and Metal accounts start at just €4.90 a month and offer even more benefits, such as insurance that travellers will love, free currency withdrawals, and priority customer service.
The N26 Business Account, offered free of charge to self-employed entrepreneurs, offers features tailored to business needs.
N26 Account Benefits and Fees
The N26 Standard account is the free basic account, which includes free payments and instant transfers and withdrawals in euros within the European Union (EU). The Smart account offers sub-accounts, while the N26 You account, offered at 9.90 euros a month, offers additional benefits, such as a customizable card, travel insurance, and discounts with partners. The N26 Metal account, the neobank’s most premium package, offers all the benefits of the N26 You account, plus exclusive features such as a stainless steel card and concierge service.
Here is an overview of the various benefits offered by N26’s four personal accounts:
Standard | Smart | You | Metal | |
Price | Free | €4.90 / month | €9.90/month | €16.90 € / month |
Free foreign payments | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Sub-accounts | 0 | 10 | 10 | 10 |
Shared spaces | – | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Free currency withdrawals | – | – | Yes | Yes |
Free euro withdrawals | 3 / month | 5 / month | 5 / month | 8 / month |
Rounded purchasing for greater savings | – | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Priority Customer Support | – | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Unique experiences | – | – | – | Yes |
As well as offering N26 account holders the chance to make free international payments, N26 provides You and Metal account holders with a range of insurance and coverage for travel and everyday life.
Standard | Smart | You | Metal | |
Global Medical Insurance | – | – | Yes | Yes |
Baggage loss insurance | – | – | Yes | Yes |
Luggage, Loss, Damage & Delay Insurance | – | – | Yes | Yes |
Travel cancellation insurance | – | – | Yes | Yes |
Travel interruption insurance | – | – | Yes | Yes |
Personal liability | – | – | Yes | Yes |
Smartphone coverage | – | – | – | Yes |
Purchase Protection | – | – | – | Yes |
N26 Standard Account
As it’s completely free, N26’s Standard account is, in our opinion, a smart choice for a convenient banking experience. It allows payments in euros and abroad at no extra charge, as well as three free withdrawals throughout the EU. Thanks to a partnership with Wise, you can even send transfers abroad in 38 currencies with no paperwork and no hidden charges. Transfers are offered at fair rates and take just a few seconds. The N26 mobile app offers an intuitive interface for easy financial management, with features such as instant transfers and spending statistics.
N26 Smart Account
The Plus account, comparable to the Easy Money offer from Bunqis available for 4.90 euros a month and offers all the same advantages as the Standard account, plus other significant benefits, such as shared spaces and the possibility of having up to 10 sub-accounts with different IBANs. The Smart account also allows you to withdraw euros free of charge five times a month, unlike the Standard account, which offers only three free withdrawals. It also allows you to round up purchases to the nearest euro and put the difference in a sub-account dedicated to savings.
N26 You Account
In addition to offering the same benefits as the Standard and Smart accounts, the You account stands out thanks to the wide range of insurance available to its holders. Holders of this account are entitled to several travel insurance policies similar to those offered by Revolut.
N26 Metal Account
For €16.90 a month, the Metal account comes with a stainless steel card and a concierge service. With more comprehensive insurance than those offered to You account holders. The Metal account insurance includes coverage for smartphones along with purchase protection, with coverage of up to 2,500 euros in the event of accidental damage to or theft of an eligible purchase. Unique experiences are also offered to cardholders.
Although the insurance benefits are enticing, American Express and Air France KLM American Expressespecially the elite American Express Gold and Air France KLM American Express Goldin comparison, offer even more beneficial ranges of insurance and benefits, such as the possibility of accumulating points. Membership Rewards and Flying Blue.
Income Requirements
Although N26 does not ask for any income requirements, certain conditions must be fulfilled simply and practically. Here’s what you need to open an N26 account in France:
- A compatible smartphone: As N26 is a mobile banking app, you’ll need a smartphone compatible with iOS or Android operating systems to access its services. You can download the app from Google Play and the App Store. Make sure your phone is compatible so you can take advantage of all the features offered by N26.
- Valid identification: For reasons of security and regulatory compliance, N26 requires its users to provide official identification, such as a national identity card or passport. This helps to validate identity and ensure a secure environment for all users.
To ensure the validity of your information, N26 will verify your identity by videoconference, during which an agent will ask you for your personal information, such as your full name, address, and date of birth. This information is necessary to comply with legal requirements and to personalize your digital experience.
General Review of N26
In France, N26 is becoming increasingly popular, in part thanks to its intuitive, high-performance mobile application and the ability to withdraw euros free of charge several times a month. Some users have nevertheless noted a few drawbacks, including sometimes slow customer service, limits on cash withdrawals and deposits, and occasional technical problems.
However, despite some inconveniences, the N26 Smart account, with its ten sub-accounts, the option to save money by rounding on every purchase, and priority customer service, proves itself to be particularly worthwhile. Not only for travellers but for anyone looking for a reliable, cost-effective banking solution with multiple possibilities.
Frequently Asked Questions About N26
Who's behind N26?
N26 is an independent bank, founded in Germany in 2013 by Maximilian Tayenthal with his friend and business partner Valentin Stalf,
Where can I withdraw money with N26?
With an N26 account, you can withdraw money free of charge from any bank and/or ATM, even if you don’t have a physical card. You can use your virtual Mastercard to withdraw cash from an ATM equipped with NFC contactless technology. Simply pass your phone over the reader to complete your transaction. All N26 account holders can set their own withdrawal limit directly in the application.
Can I receive my salary on an N26 account?
Yes If you already receive your salary in a bank account, but are considering switching to N26, the neobank offers a bank account transfer service so you can easily migrate all your transfers to your new account.
What are the advantages of an N26 account?
The benefits offered by N26 depend on the account selected. The Standard account, with no monthly fee, allows payments in euros and abroad, as well as three free withdrawals throughout the EU. The Smart account offers shared spaces and the possibility of up to 10 sub-accounts. The You account stands out thanks to the wide range of insurance products available to its holders. And finally, the Metal account comes with a stainless steel card and concierge service.
Which to choose: N26 or Revolut?
Both neobanks offer major advantages to travellers. In our opinion, N26 stands out thanks to the possibility of obtaining sub-accounts, while Revolut is a bank that travellers can’t do without, thanks to its ability to accumulate multiple currencies. It can be in your best interest to use N26 for your everyday purchases and to use Revolut when travelling. The two banks complement each other well, especially if you choose one of the free options.