Moving to Europe is one of the most exciting decisions you can make — but opening a bank account shouldn't be a headache. We've compared the best options across 16 European countries so you can hit the ground running from day one.
Many expats make the mistake of relying on their existing UK bank account when they move to Europe. While this works for a short while, you'll quickly run into problems — high foreign transaction fees, ATM charges, and the inability to set up direct debits for rent and utilities in your new country.
The good news is that banking in Europe has been transformed by a new wave of digital banks that make it incredibly easy to open an account from anywhere in the world, often before you've even arrived.
Open your new European bank account at least two weeks before you move. This gives you an IBAN number to provide to your employer and landlord from day one — saving you weeks of hassle.
Multi-currency account covering 30+ currencies. No foreign exchange fees on the standard plan up to monthly limits. Available across all EU countries instantly. Excellent app with budgeting tools, savings vaults and investment features.
German digital bank fully licensed in the EU. Open an account in under 8 minutes with just your passport. Free tier available with a real German, French or Spanish IBAN. Perfect if you're settling long-term in one EU country.
Holds money in 50+ currencies simultaneously. Real exchange rates with low fees — typically 4-8x cheaper than traditional banks for sending money home. Provides local bank details in the UK, EU, US and more.
Dutch digital bank available across Europe. Plants trees with every payment, carbon neutral banking. Multiple IBANs, instant payments and a genuinely innovative app. Great for environmentally conscious expats.
Germany still has a strong culture of cash payments, but this is changing rapidly. You'll need a German IBAN (starting with DE) for your rental contract and employer. N26 and DKB are the most popular choices among expats, with DKB offering a completely free account with no minimum salary requirement.
French bureaucracy can make banking challenging for new arrivals. Boursorama is France's largest online bank with no monthly fees, but requires a French address. In the meantime, Revolut or N26 can serve as your primary account while you get settled.
ING Spain's Cuenta Naranja (Orange Account) is hugely popular with expats — no fees with no minimum salary requirement, which is rare in Spain. BBVA also has an excellent digital offering with their app considered one of the best in Europe.
Bunq is headquartered in Amsterdam making it a natural choice. ING and Rabobank are the two largest Dutch banks and both have strong English-language support for expats, which is essential in the Netherlands.
Italian banking can be slow by European standards. N26 and Revolut are the fastest to set up. For a local Italian account, Fineco Bank combines banking and investing in one platform and has good English support.
Keep your UK bank account open when you move abroad. You'll still need it for UK income, pension contributions and any remaining UK financial commitments. Most UK banks allow non-residents to keep existing accounts.
For most expats moving to Europe in 2026, we recommend starting with Revolut for your day-to-day spending and international transfers, then opening a local bank account (N26 for Germany, Boursorama for France, ING for Spain) once you have a local address for your direct debits and salary payments.
This two-account approach gives you the best of both worlds — the flexibility of a multi-currency digital bank with the legitimacy of a local account that European landlords and employers expect.
Visit our Banking comparison section to see all providers side by side for your specific country, including fees, features and current sign-up offers.