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March 2024

Top Banking Options for Expats

Top Banking Solutions for Expats

Europe EU – March 2024
  • Immediate account opening
  • Send money back home safely
  • Simple, low-fee, 100% app-based banking
How we rank
Customer testimonials, security level, pricing and main advantages are all considered when ranking banking service providers.
Advertiser disclosure

Advertiser disclosure

Top10MobileBanks is a free online resource meant to help users find the information they need in order to make a confident decision. We spend countless hours of research to find the most relevant content and present it in the most accessible way. However, please don’t view the information presented here as a recommendation from our end. Please note: All the information displayed in this site is completely subjective. Moreover, we have broad editorial discretion as to the content we publish on the site and due to various reasons, the information you see may be incomplete and/or inaccurate. Please don’t hesitate to double-check the information we provide. It’s okay, we won’t be offended – on the contrary, we would love to hear your feedback! We’re able to offer this completely free-of-charge online resource thanks to the referral fees we receive from our partners (some of the companies listed on this site). While this may affect the location of these companies and the content we feature on the site, it’s not possible to purchase a favorable review or a position on this site.
Pricing Card What We Like Score Open an Account
  • Free plan
  • Upgrade: €4.90+/m
  • Save & budget your money with N26 sub-accounts
  • No-fee transactions worldwide
  • Fast & cheap money transfer with Transferwise
9.8
Extra Protection
VPN Internet Security
Safe Password Vault
Additional Features
Plans & Prices
Support
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Payment Methods
  • Free Plan
  • Upgrade: €5.95+/m
  • Open a free EUR account in minutes
  • Use globally wherever you travel
  • Free and instant Monese to Monese payments
9.5
Extra Protection
VPN Internet Security
Safe Password Vault
Additional Features
Plans & Prices
Support
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Payment Methods
  • Free savings account
  • Plans: €2.99+/m
  • Free global ATM withdrawals
  • Zero FX – Save 3% when spending abroad
9.1
Try now. Pay later – 1 Month free trial
Extra Protection
VPN Internet Security
Safe Password Vault
Additional Features
Plans & Prices
Support
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Payment Methods
  • Free plan
  • Upgrade: €9.99+/m
  • Up to 20% interest on savings with X-accounts
  • No-fee transactions worldwide
8.8
Extra Protection
VPN Internet Security
Safe Password Vault
Additional Features
Plans & Prices
Support
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Payment Methods
  • From £6/mo.
  • Spend management platform for businesses
  • Customisable company cards
8.5
Extra Protection
VPN Internet Security
Safe Password Vault
Additional Features
Plans & Prices
Support
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Payment Methods
  • Free Plan
  • Fees & charges apply
  • Free SEPA payments
  • Free EU IBAN Account
8.5
Extra Protection
VPN Internet Security
Safe Password Vault
Additional Features
Plans & Prices
Support
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Payment Methods
1
Our Top Choice
Score
9.8
  • Save & budget your money with N26 sub-accounts
  • No-fee transactions worldwide
2
  • Open a free EUR account in minutes
  • Use globally wherever you travel
3
Score
9.1
  • Free global ATM withdrawals
  • Zero FX – Save 3% when spending abroad
Try now. Pay later – 1 Month free trial
4
Score
8.8
  • Up to 20% interest on savings with X-accounts
5
Best For Business
Score
8.5
  • Spend management platform for businesses
6
Score
8.5
  • Free SEPA payments

What is a Mobile Bank

Mobile-only banks are revolutionising personal banking, offering an alternative to traditional brick-and-mortar banks with fast, secure and easy to use apps for iOS and Android. Mobile banks offer competitive banking services such as current accounts, savings accounts, loans, insurance, and debit/credit cards, often at a cheaper rate than traditional banks.

Mobile-only banks, also known as digital banks or challenger banks, should not be confused with an online account from your traditional bank. Mobile-only banks are 100% app-based, offering more transparency and convenience with fewer restrictions and waiting times than your common bank. And with millions of users across Europe and the UK already using mobile banks, it is clear that mobile-only banking apps are the future for hassle-free, borderless banking.

Why Use a Mobile Bank

24/7 availability- anytime, anywhere

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No matter where you are, at home or abroad, you can access your bank account via the app, check your account balance, control your savings, get customer support, make payments and even lock your debit card if needed. In addition, get real-time notifications every time you make a transaction, so there won’t be any surprises at the end of the month. No need to make appointments, stand in line and lose working hours to manage your finances

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Get approved fast

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Opening an account with a mobile-only bank is simple, with no lengthy paperwork. Just download the app, prove your identity, top up your account and you’re ready to go. Some mobile banks, such as bunq mobile account, don’t even require credit checks, so you can open an account and get access to it in minutes.

Lower fees

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Another main reason to use a mobile bank is the low (or no!) fees. As a mobile-only platform with no physical branches, mobile banks can offer lower fees than traditional banks – especially when it comes to ATM withdrawals, money exchange/transfer and payments abroad. For example, Rewire account, one of the leading online banking services, offers great rates on all money transfers, worldwide.

Makes traveling easier

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Mobile banks = borderless banking. Low exchange rates and low/no ATM withdrawal fees worldwide make traveling a whole lot easier (and cheaper) than with traditional banks- especially in the eurozone. And for added safety, lock or unlock your debit card while you travel, directly in the app.

Go paperless

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One of the frustrating things about traditional banks is the amount of documents, contracts and letters that are sent to your mailbox. With mobile banks everything you need is in the app and all communications are sent to your app or your email. Gone are the days of rummaging through piles of paper around your house – and protecting the environment is the cherry on top.

How to Compare Mobile Banks

To compare mobile banks and find the right app for your banking needs, there are a number of factors you should consider:

Fees, including transaction & ATM withdrawal fees

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Although all mobile banks offer lower fees than traditional banks, there are still differences between each and every mobile bank. You may also wish to check other fees such as card replacement, overdraught and top-up fees before selecting your preferred mobile bank.

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Monthly Plans

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The leading mobile banks, such as Paysend Global Account, offer a free account, so you only have to pay a small fee for the services you use. Many mobile banks also offer premium plans, offering additional benefits such as free withdrawals, even lower fees, insurance and more.

Saving and budgeting tools

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Some mobile banks offer stand-alone savings accounts, while others offer nifty features such as rounding up your purchases and placing the difference in a ‘piggy-bank’ in the app as well as budgeting goals and targets.

Security

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The leading mobile banks, including those on this website, adhere to the highest safety standards, ensuring your money and data are protected 24/7. The mobile banks compared and reviewed by top10mobilebanks.com are authorised and regulated by local authorities, safeguarding their customers’ funds using a network of stable European banks.

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Payments

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All mobile banks offer a debit card for payments and withdrawals from your mobile bank account. In addition, many banking apps also offer virtual cards and e-wallets such as Google Pay or Apple Pay, making online and in-store payments even easier.