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Manage Your Money Abroad Effortlessly with bunq

Living abroad brings exciting opportunities, but managing finances across different currencies and banking systems can be challenging. With bunq’s Local IBANs, multi-currency support, and advanced budgeting tools, you can effortlessly manage your money no matter where life takes you.

November 14, 2024

Living abroad invites you to explore new cultures, forge lasting connections, and discover new sides of yourself. Whether you're an expat, digital nomad, or love experiencing life in different countries for longer stretches, your finances should keep up with the flexibility of your lifestyle.

Let’s dive into how bunq can help you navigate expat life with ease.

Local IBAN and Multi-Currency Support

One of the greatest freedoms of living abroad is exploring the world and settling in new countries. But along with that comes the challenge of managing different currencies and banking systems. That’s where bunq steps in. With 5 Local IBANs available across 22 Local Currencies, allowing you to seamlessly manage local and international expenses without the hassle of currency exchange. Whether you’re living in Europe, traveling across Asia, or even planning your next adventure, bunq ensures that you can convert, save, spend, and receive your money seamlessly.

Imagine being able to pay your rent in the Netherlands, cover your lunch in Spain, and book a flight to Japan, all with one account—without worrying about the hassle of multiple banking systems. It’s all part of bunq’s mission to make banking as flexible and global as your life.

Savings Account Tailored for Expats

Saving money while abroad is key to maintaining financial stability and building your future. With bunq’s Savings Accounts with up to 3.36% interest rate, paid weekly. This allows you to watch your savings grow consistently without lifting a finger. Whether you’re saving for future investments, building a financial cushion, or planning for spontaneous adventures, bunq’s high-interest savings accounts provide a secure and flexible way to meet your goals.

Additionally, bunq's flexibility is ideal for expats who want to keep their savings in different currencies. You can open multiple Savings Accounts (and Joint Savings Account) for different purposes, all in one place. It’s perfect for keeping your travel fund separate from your rainy-day savings—while enjoying top-tier interest rates.

Advanced Budgeting Tools

Managing your finances abroad often means keeping an eye on multiple accounts and currencies, and that’s why staying on top of your budget is crucial. Luckily, bunq’s advanced Budgeting tools make this effortless. With Instant Notifications, you can monitor your transactions as they happen, helping you maintain control over your spending.

bunq’s Budgeting feature allows you to set personalized spending limits for each currency or category. Whether you're managing travel expenses, paying rent, or saving for that dream vacation, you can set clear goals and see exactly where your money is going. Plus, you can create savings goals and track your progress easily, ensuring that no matter how busy your life abroad gets, your finances stay in check.

ZeroFX for Affordable Currency Exchange

Another advantage of using bunq is its ZeroFX feature, which offers you fair, transparent currency exchange rates with no hidden fees. Traveling often means you’ll be making international payments, and bunq’s ZeroFX allows you to do this without worrying about high currency conversion costs. Every transaction is smooth and affordable, helping you get the most out of your money no matter where you are.

Whether you're grabbing lunch at a local market in Bangkok, paying for a tour in Paris, or booking a hotel in New York, bunq’s ZeroFX makes sure your currency conversions are done at competitive rates—without the surprise fees that can eat into your budget. It's financial freedom at its finest.

Convenient Travel Insurance 

Traveling as an expat or digital nomad often comes with the need for flexible, reliable Travel Insurance. Bunq has partnered with Qover to offer comprehensive coverage for every aspect of your travel. Whether it’s medical coverage, protection for your belongings, or emergency assistance, bunq makes it easy to ensure you’re covered every step of the way.

This mean peace of mind while traveling, it’s one more way bunq takes the stress out of life abroad, allowing you to focus on your adventures.

Secure eSim Access on the Go

For those always on the move, staying connected to your bank account is essential. bunq’s eSim feature offers secure, on-the-go access to your banking, wherever your travels take you. Whether you need to transfer money, check your account balance, or pay a bill, eSim ensures you can manage your finances seamlessly from any corner of the world.

Group Expenses and Shared Accounts Made Easy

Life abroad often means making new friends, traveling in groups, or sharing expenses with roommates. We make managing shared finances easy with Tricount. Whether you’re splitting a dinner bill with friends, paying for a group vacation, or managing household expenses with roommates, Tricount ensures everyone can contribute effortlessly.

Conclusion

From seamless international transactions and advanced budgeting tools to comprehensive travel insurance and smart currency exchange, bunq is here to support you every step of your expat journey. 

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Risk indicator for all bunq B.V. accounts

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bunq B.V. is adhered to the Dutch Deposit Guarantee Fund. The maximum guaranteed amount is €100,000 per user

Personal

Business

Easy Card icon
Easy Card

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Get an international credit card in less than 5 minutes. Add it to Apple/Google Pay and start making payments today.

Easy Savings icon
Easy Savings

Free

Get a Savings Account and start growing your money faster with 3.36%* interest. No minimum deposit is required!

Easy Bank icon
Easy Bank

€3.99/month

Everything you expect from a mobile bank, and more. Open a bank account in just 5 minutes with your phone and ID.

Easy Bank Pro icon
Easy Bank Pro

€9.99/month

Enjoy full control over your money wherever you go, with true borderless banking, easy budgeting, powerful cards, and much more.

Easy Bank Pro XL icon
Easy Bank Pro XL

€18.99/month

Discover the full power of mobile banking, with worldwide Travel Insurance, priority support and more trees planted when using your card.

Find your perfect fit

Risk indicator for all bunq B.V. accounts

1
/
6

This number is indicative of product risk, with 1/6 indicating lower risk and 6/6 indicating higher risk.

bunq B.V. is adhered to the Dutch Deposit Guarantee Fund. The maximum guaranteed amount is €100,000 per user

Personal

Business

Easy Card icon
Easy Card

Free

Get an international credit card in less than 5 minutes. Add it to Apple/Google Pay and start making payments today.

Easy Savings icon
Easy Savings

Free

Get a Savings Account and start growing your money faster with 3.36%* interest. No minimum deposit is required!

Easy Bank icon
Easy Bank

€3.99/month

Everything you expect from a mobile bank, and more. Open a bank account in just 5 minutes with your phone and ID.

Easy Bank Pro icon
Easy Bank Pro

€9.99/month

Enjoy full control over your money wherever you go, with true borderless banking, easy budgeting, powerful cards, and much more.

Easy Bank Pro XL icon
Easy Bank Pro XL

€18.99/month

Discover the full power of mobile banking, with worldwide Travel Insurance, priority support and more trees planted when using your card.

Find your perfect fit

Risk indicator for all bunq B.V. accounts

1
/
6

This number is indicative of product risk, with 1/6 indicating lower risk and 6/6 indicating higher risk.

bunq B.V. is adhered to the Dutch Deposit Guarantee Fund. The maximum guaranteed amount is €100,000 per user

Personal

Business

Easy Card icon
Easy Card

Free

Get an international credit card in less than 5 minutes. Add it to Apple/Google Pay and start making payments today.

Easy Savings icon
Easy Savings

Free

Get a Savings Account and start growing your money faster with 3.36%* interest. No minimum deposit is required!

Easy Bank icon
Easy Bank

€3.99/month

Everything you expect from a mobile bank, and more. Open a bank account in just 5 minutes with your phone and ID.

Easy Bank Pro icon
Easy Bank Pro

€9.99/month

Enjoy full control over your money wherever you go, with true borderless banking, easy budgeting, powerful cards, and much more.

Easy Bank Pro XL icon
Easy Bank Pro XL

€18.99/month

Discover the full power of mobile banking, with worldwide Travel Insurance, priority support and more trees planted when using your card.

Start your 30-day free trial

Open your account in just 5 minutes, directly from your phone.

Start your 30-day free trial

Open your account in just 5 minutes, directly from your phone.

Start your 30-day free trial

Open your account in just 5 minutes, directly from your phone.