bunq Review 2026: The Neobank Business Account, Tested
· Updated: Jul 22, 2026
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Ideal for
- Freelancers who want taxes and reserves automatically split across sub-accounts
- Digital-first independents who prefer app banking with virtual cards over branches
- Founders who want to start on a free account and upgrade when needed
- Sustainability-minded freelancers (tree-planting program, green investments)
USP
Sub-accounts with their own IBAN (up to 25 on Pro/Elite) plus a choice of local IBANs — tax reserves and budgets separate themselves almost automatically
Free to start?
Yes — Free Business account at €0 forever, paid plans with a 30-day free trial
bunq in 30 seconds
What is bunq?
bunq is a Dutch neobank with a full banking license — not an e-money institution, but a real bank with deposit protection up to €100,000. The business account targets freelancers and small businesses who want to run everything from an app: open the account in minutes, create cards digitally, no branch and no paper.
The main reason it stands out is a feature almost nobody else builds this consistently: the sub-account architecture.
The USP: sub-accounts with their own IBAN
Depending on the plan you create 3 (Free), 5 (Core) or up to 25 sub-accounts (Pro/Elite) — each with its own IBAN. That sounds unspectacular but transforms your financial hygiene: one sub-account for VAT, one for the income tax reserve, one per major project, one for the emergency fund. The Payment Sorter splits incoming payments automatically by percentage or amount rules — the tax reserve happens on the side instead of never. Add virtual cards you create in seconds and assign to specific purposes (tool subscriptions, ad budgets), plus budgeting and savings tools in the app.
Sustainability and extras
bunq positions itself as a green bank: tree-planting program, CO₂ tracking and sustainable investment policies. How much that matters is personal — measurably, it is part of the brand. More practical day to day: multi-currency features and interest on balances (conditions change regularly — check current terms before opening).
Pricing: from free to Elite
Entry is free forever for sole proprietors (Free Business: 3 sub-accounts, pay-per-use extras). Core (€7.99/month) brings 5 sub-accounts and the savings tools — solid to start, though cash withdrawals cost €0.99–2.99 here. The full architecture sits in Pro (€13.99) and Elite (€23.99): up to 25 sub-accounts, 3 physical plus 25 virtual cards, 6 free withdrawals per month; the metal card is a one-time €99. Paid plans come with a 30-day free trial. As of July 2026.
IBAN choice: the old NL problem is solved
For years the Dutch IBAN was bunq's biggest catch for German customers — some providers rejected direct debits from non-DE IBANs. That is history: bunq now offers local IBANs from five countries (DE, NL, FR, ES, IE), and German business customers can get a German IBAN. Cash deposits work too these days — via retail partners (viacash/Barzahlen), with the first €100 per month free and 2.5% beyond that. For automatic tax features, still compare with the local specialists.
Who is bunq worth it for?
bunq suits independents who actively structure their finances and prefer app banking: the sub-account discipline is a real productivity gain, and the free tier makes trying it risk-free for sole proprietors. If you move a lot of cash, want phone support, or just need a simple account without architecture ambitions, you'll be served cheaper and simpler elsewhere.
What we like about bunq and what we don't
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Sub-accounts with their own IBAN (3/5/25 by plan) — auto-split payments via the Payment Sorter
- Free Business account forever as an entry point
- Virtual cards created in seconds — handy for tool subscriptions and team spending
- A real bank with a Dutch license, €100,000 deposit protection — and a choice of local IBANs (incl. German)
- Sustainability program (tree planting) and green positioning
Cons
- The full 25 sub-accounts require Pro/Elite (€13.99 / €23.99 per month)
- Support via app/chat only, with mixed reviews when things go wrong
- Free tier only for sole proprietors, with pay-per-use fees
- Cash deposits only via retail partners — beyond €100/month a 2.5% fee applies
Pricing
Free Business
Free
free forever — for sole proprietors
- Fully functional business account with IBAN
- 3 sub-accounts
- Pay-per-use extras
- A risk-free way to try it
Core
€7.99
per month
- 5 sub-accounts with their own IBAN
- Mastercard debit included
- Budgeting and savings tools
- Payment Sorter: split incoming payments automatically
Pro / Elite
€13.99 / €23.99
per month
- Up to 25 sub-accounts with their own IBAN
- 3 physical + 25 virtual cards
- 6 free cash withdrawals/month
- Optional metal card (one-time €99)
Prices may change — check the official website for current plans.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does the bunq business account cost?
bunq offers a Free Business account at €0 forever. Paid plans: Core €7.99/month, Pro €13.99/month, Elite €23.99/month — with a 30-day free trial. As of July 2026; check current rates at bunq.com.
Do I get a local IBAN with bunq?
Yes — bunq now offers a choice of local IBANs from five countries (DE, NL, FR, ES, IE); German business customers can get a German IBAN. The old NL-IBAN friction with German direct debits is off the table. Whether the local IBAN is available on the free tier is best checked during signup.
Is my money safe with bunq?
Yes — bunq is a fully licensed Dutch bank, and balances are protected up to €100,000 per person under the Dutch deposit guarantee scheme.
What do bunq's sub-accounts do for freelancers?
That is bunq's strongest feature: up to 25 sub-accounts, each with its own IBAN. Tax reserves, VAT, an emergency fund and project budgets stay cleanly separated — incoming payments can be split automatically by rule. Hardly any other business account at this price does it this granularly.
bunq or a local fintech — which fits freelancers better?
Local specialists like Kontist (Germany) offer deep automatic tax integration for solo freelancers. bunq counters with more account flexibility (sub-accounts with own IBANs, virtual cards, multi-currency, a choice of local IBANs) and a free entry tier. Rule of thumb: automatic tax integration = local fintech; maximum account architecture = bunq.
Verdict
bunq is the most flexible business account in our comparison: the sub-account architecture with individual IBANs is unbeatable for disciplined reserve-keeping, the now-available choice of local IBANs (including German) removes the old main objection, and the free tier makes entry risk-free for sole proprietors. The full power only unlocks on Pro/Elite — if you just want a simple account, you'd pay for architecture you don't use. For automatic tax integration, Kontist remains the specialist.
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