Best Bank Accounts for Expats in Europe (2026)

Opening a bank account is one of the first things you do when you move to a new country. It's also one of the most frustrating. Every country has its own requirements, its own paperwork, and its own quirks. Some banks are genuinely welcoming to expats. Others will send you home three times before you get the right documents together.

This guide covers the best banks for expats in seven European countries: Spain, Germany, the UK, Portugal, France, the Netherlands, and Italy. For each country, we'll cover which banks to consider, what documents you'll need, and practical tips from people who've been through the process. We've focused on banks that are either expat-friendly by design or large enough that English-speaking support is available.

One more thing: we connect to banks in all of these countries through Borderless Budget's bank connections. Once you've set up your local accounts, you can see everything in one dashboard alongside your home country accounts. No spreadsheets required.

Spain

Spain is one of the most popular destinations for expats in Europe, and the banking system reflects that. The big banks are used to dealing with foreigners, especially in cities like Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia, and along the coast. That said, the process still involves paperwork and at least one branch visit.

Top picks

• CaixaBank, The largest domestic bank in Spain, with the most ATMs and branches.¹ You'll find one everywhere. Their app is decent and they offer accounts specifically for non-residents. The downside: fees can add up, and customer service varies by branch.
• BBVA, The best digital banking experience among traditional Spanish banks. Their app is genuinely good. They offer non-resident accounts, which means you can start the process before you arrive. BBVA also tends to have English-speaking staff in major cities.
• Santander, Another solid option with non-resident accounts. Santander's international presence means they're comfortable with foreign customers. If you already bank with Santander in the UK or Latin America, you may be able to leverage that relationship.

What you need

• NIE (Número de Identidad de Extranjero), your foreigner identification number. This is non-negotiable. You can't open a standard bank account without it.
• Passport
• Empadronamiento, proof of address from your local town hall. You'll need a rental contract or utility bill to get this.
• A Spanish phone number

Expat tip

BBVA and Santander have English-speaking staff in larger cities like Madrid and Barcelona. Smaller branches and towns are almost always Spanish-only. If your Spanish isn't strong, pick a branch in a major city center and call ahead to confirm they can help you in English. Some expats bring a Spanish-speaking friend to the appointment, it speeds things up considerably.

Read our full Spain expat guide →

Germany

Germany's banking system is efficient but rigid. Traditional banks require your Anmeldung (address registration) before they'll open an account. The good news: fintech banks like N26 have made the process dramatically easier for new arrivals. The bad news: you'll still need a German bank account for almost everything, because Germany runs on direct debit and the girocard system.

Top picks

• N26, The easiest bank account to open in Germany. You don't need an Anmeldung.⁵ All you need is a passport and a video verification call. The account is free for basic use, and you can be up and running in a day. This is the go-to first account for most expats arriving in Germany.
• DKB (Deutsche Kreditbank), Free checking account with low foreign transaction fees for active customers (Aktivkunde status), which is competitive among German banks. DKB is online-only and popular with both Germans and expats. The catch: you'll need an Anmeldung, fee benefits depend on maintaining active customer status, and the application is in German, though their support team can help in English.
• Deutsche Bank, The traditional option. Good international support, branches everywhere, and experience dealing with foreign customers. Monthly fees are higher than digital banks, but the in-person support can be worth it if you prefer face-to-face banking.

What you need

• Anmeldung, registration of your address at the local Bürgeramt. Required for traditional banks. Not required for N26.
• Passport or EU ID card
• Sometimes proof of income or employment contract

Expat tip

Germany runs on the girocard (also called EC card) system. Your international Visa or Mastercard won't work at many German shops, supermarkets, or restaurants. This catches a lot of new arrivals off guard. Open a German bank account as soon as possible, ideally N26 before you arrive, then add a traditional bank once you have your Anmeldung. You'll need the girocard for daily life.

Read our full Germany expat guide →

United Kingdom

The UK's fintech revolution has made it the easiest country in Europe to open a bank account. Digital banks like Monzo and Starling let you open an account with just a passport in minutes⁶, no proof of address, no branch visit, no waiting period. If you're moving to the UK, banking is one thing you don't need to stress about.

Top picks

• Monzo, Open an account in minutes with just your passport. The app is excellent, clear spending breakdowns, instant notifications, easy budgeting tools. Most expats in the UK start with Monzo. It's become the default first bank account for anyone arriving in London.
• Starling Bank, Very similar to Monzo in terms of ease of opening and app quality. The main advantage: Starling pays interest directly on your current account balance (Monzo offers interest through savings pots and paid plans, but not on the main current account). They also offer business accounts if you're freelancing.
• HSBC, The traditional option. HSBC is worth considering if you already bank with them in another country (especially Hong Kong, the US, or the Middle East). Their Global Money Account makes international transfers between HSBC accounts fast and cheap. For everyone else, start with Monzo or Starling.

What you need

• For digital banks: Passport and a selfie. That's it.
• For traditional banks: Passport, proof of address (utility bill or council tax letter), and sometimes proof of income or a letter from your employer.

Expat tip

Start with Monzo or Starling on your first day. You'll have a working UK bank account with a sort code and account number within hours. Use that for your salary, direct debits, and daily spending. If you need a traditional bank later, for a mortgage application, for example, you can add one once you have proof of address. But for most expats, a digital bank is all you need.

Portugal

Portugal has seen a huge influx of expats and digital nomads in recent years, especially in Lisbon and the Algarve. The banking system is catching up, but it's still more traditional than what you'll find in the UK or Germany. Expect at least one branch visit and a fair amount of paperwork.

Top picks

• Millennium BCP, The largest private bank in Portugal.² Reliable, widely available, and their app has improved significantly. They're used to dealing with foreign customers, especially in Lisbon and Porto.
• ActivoBank, The most modern option. Online-first with no monthly fees. ActivoBank is owned by Millennium BCP but operates as a separate digital brand. If you want the least painful banking experience in Portugal, this is it.
• Novo Banco, Particularly popular in the Algarve region, where many British and northern European expats settle. Good branch coverage in southern Portugal.

What you need

• NIF (Número de Identificação Fiscal), your Portuguese tax number. You'll need this for everything in Portugal, not just banking.
• Passport
• Proof of address (rental contract or utility bill)
• Proof of income (payslips, employment contract, or tax returns)

Expat tip

Most account openings in Portugal require a branch visit. Budget an afternoon for it, the process can take one to two hours. Bring every document you might need, because they will ask for something you didn't expect. ActivoBank is the most modern option and has the smoothest onboarding process, but even they may require a visit for non-EU citizens.

Read our full Portugal expat guide →

France

French banking is famously bureaucratic. The process of opening an account can feel like applying for a mortgage in other countries. But once you're through the paperwork, the system works well. And if you go digital-first with Boursorama, you can skip much of the hassle.

Top picks

• BNP Paribas, The largest bank in France by total assets.³ In Paris, you'll find branches with English-speaking staff. Outside Paris, French is usually the only option. BNP Paribas has a solid app and good international services, making it a natural choice for expats who want a traditional bank.
• Société Générale, Another major French bank with wide coverage. They offer a "Welcome" package aimed at international customers, which simplifies the account opening process. Good option if BNP Paribas isn't convenient in your area.
• Boursorama, Online-first banking with no monthly fees. Owned by Société Générale, so it's backed by a major institution. The fastest way to get a French bank account if you qualify. Their app and web interface are modern and well-designed.

What you need

• Titre de séjour (residence permit) or passport for EU citizens
• Proof of address, a utility bill, phone bill, or attestation d'hébergement if you're staying with someone
• Proof of income, payslips, employment contract, or proof of sufficient funds

Expat tip

French banks are notoriously document-heavy. They may ask for three months of bank statements from your home country, translated into French. Boursorama is the fastest option for anyone who wants to avoid the branch experience. If you need a traditional bank, BNP Paribas in Paris is your best bet for English support. Outside Paris, prepare to do everything in French.

Read our full France expat guide →

Netherlands

The Netherlands is one of the most expat-friendly countries in Europe, and banking reflects that. English is widely spoken, apps are modern, and the process is relatively straightforward, as long as you have your BSN. The main challenge is timing: getting your BSN can take a few weeks after arrival.

Top picks

• ING, The most expat-friendly bank in the Netherlands. Their app and website are fully available in English. Customer support is in English. The account opening process is smooth. ING is the default recommendation for expats in the Netherlands, and for good reason.
• ABN AMRO, Another major Dutch bank with good English support. ABN AMRO has a solid app and wide branch coverage. A good alternative if ING doesn't work for your situation.
• Bunq, A digital-first Dutch bank that doesn't require a BSN to open an account initially. This makes Bunq ideal as a bridge account while you wait for your BSN to arrive. You'll need to provide it later, but you can start banking immediately.

What you need

• BSN (burgerservicenummer), your citizen service number. You get this when you register at your local municipality. It can take a few weeks.
• Passport or EU ID card
• Proof of address (rental contract)

Expat tip

ING is the go-to for expats. English support is excellent across all channels, app, phone, and branches. If you haven't received your BSN yet, open a Bunq account first. Bunq lets you start banking immediately and add your BSN later. Once you have your BSN, open an ING or ABN AMRO account as your primary bank and keep Bunq as a backup.

Read our full Netherlands expat guide →

Italy

Italian banking is the most old-school experience in Western Europe. Branch visits are mandatory. Paperwork is extensive. The process is slow. But Italy is also one of the most rewarding places to live, so you push through it. Here's how to make it as painless as possible.

Top picks

• Intesa Sanpaolo, The largest bank in Italy by total assets.⁴ Branches everywhere, solid app, and they're used to dealing with foreign customers in major cities. If you want the safety of a major institution, Intesa is the choice.
• UniCredit, Strong international presence, which helps if you're coming from a country where UniCredit also operates (Germany, Austria, Eastern Europe). Good English support in Rome, Milan, and Florence.
• Fineco, The most modern banking experience in Italy. Fineco is digital-first with a good app and competitive fees. They also offer investment accounts. If you want to avoid the traditional Italian banking experience as much as possible, Fineco is your best option.

What you need

• Codice fiscale, your Italian tax code. You can get this from the Agenzia delle Entrate (tax office). It's free and relatively quick.
• Passport
• Proof of address (residenza) , you'll need to register your residence at the local commune

Expat tip

Expect branch visits and paperwork. Italian banking moves at its own pace, and trying to rush the process won't help. Bring every document you can think of, plus copies. Fineco is the most modern option and the closest thing Italy has to the digital banking experience you'd get in the UK or Germany. If you're in a smaller city or southern Italy, Intesa Sanpaolo has the widest coverage.

Read our full Italy expat guide →

Bridge accounts: Wise and Revolut

While you're setting up local banking, waiting for your NIE, BSN, Anmeldung, or whatever your country requires, you still need a way to pay for things. That's where multi-currency accounts from Wise and Revolut come in.

These aren't replacements for a local bank account. Many landlords require rent payments from a local bank. Employers often need a local account for salary deposits. Direct debits for utilities usually require a domestic bank account. But as a bridge while you get set up, they're invaluable.

Wise gives you local account details in multiple currencies (USD, EUR, GBP, and more). You get the mid-market exchange rate plus a small, transparent fee. No markups, no hidden charges. It's the best option for sending money between countries.

Revolut offers free currency exchange up to a monthly limit (the limit depends on your plan). Above that limit, a small markup applies. Revolut's app is feature-rich, budgeting, crypto, stock trading, though some of those features are gimmicky. For basic multi-currency spending and transfers, it works well.

Both are useful for traveling within Europe too. Instead of paying foreign transaction fees on your local bank card when you visit a neighboring country, use Wise or Revolut for those trips.

Connecting everything

Once you've opened accounts in one or two European countries, plus whatever you still have back home, the real challenge starts. You have money in multiple banks, in multiple currencies, across multiple time zones. Checking your total balance means logging into three or four apps and doing mental math.

That's the problem we built Borderless Budget to solve. Connect your bank accounts from the US, Canada, and EU. See all your balances, transactions, and spending in one dashboard. Everything is converted automatically using daily exchange rates, so you always know where you stand, in any currency you choose.

No more spreadsheets. No more logging into four different banking apps. No more guessing whether you're over budget because you actually overspent or because the exchange rate moved.

Related reading:

• The Complete Expat Personal Finance Guide
• How to Budget Across Multiple Currencies
• 7 Budgeting Mistakes Expats Make (and How to Fix Them)
• The Complete Guide to Multi-Currency Budgeting