What is N26?
N26 is a great alternative to the traditional banking experience, for that is exactly their vision: to adapt banking to our modern age, that should be mobile and flexible, a bank representative for the 21st century. N26 is the world’s first 100% online bank. This means that everything takes place online in this bank – and it is precisely this that has made N26 popular all over the world.
N26 was established in 2013 by longtime friends Maximilian Tayenthal and Valentin Stalf. Since the initial launch, N26 has extended their services to no less than 25 countries, thus advising more than 7 million customers on their private finances. Their team consists of more than 1,500 people of 80 nationalities. N26 has offices in Berlin, Madrid, Barcelona, Vienna, Milan, Paris, Sao Paulo, and New York.
What type of bank is N26?
N26 is a fully digital bank with a global vision to change money for the better. In 2017 the company introduced N26 Metal, which is a premium account that offers benefits to fit any and every lifestyle. Apart from Personal account, N26 also offers Business accounts.
With N26 you always have the full banking experience in your pocket. The goal of N26 is to be a bank that is as flexible and mobile as you, and they work hard for that. This means that their solutions are being constantly updated, depending on how we, humans, use and live with the technology.
The key point at the N26 is that you need to be able to walk in the bank your way. That is why N26 also focuses on being simple and transparent – and especially the simple is reflected in the possibilities you find at N26.
What are the advantages of a N26 account?
- Fast and accessible – opening the bank account only takes 8 minutes
- Simplified: no paperwork, no account fees
- Accessible from mobile or desktop 24/7
- Easy export of transaction lists and bank statements for a hassle-free tax preparation
- Reliable customer support
- 100% flexible
- Possibility of having a free account with no minimum account balance and no maintenance fees
How do i sign up for a N26 account?
In order to open a standard N26 account you have to meet certain eligibility criteria, such as:
- Minimum 18 years of age
- Be resident in one of the 25 supported countries
- Have a valid ID
- Have a compatible smartphone
If all conditions are met, you only have to download the N26 mobile app or access the N26 website and follow the indicated steps. There is no need for any paperwork, an official ID is sufficient, because of that, opening the bank account only takes a few minutes.
Is N26 safe?
N26 is as safe as any other physical bank. The bank is supervised by the Financial Markets Regulator and follows all EU regulations, which also means that if N26 should go bankrupt, you will be covered up to approx. €100,000, just as you would be in a traditional bank. Safety and security are thus far from a scarce commodity.
Online purchases are backed up by Mastercard 3D Secure and an advanced two-factor authentication. Access to the banking account is secured by biometric identification (fingerprint or Face ID). Customers also have the possibility to enable instant push notification for all account activity.
What account and fees does N26 have?
The personal account can be found in four versions:
- Free: with this account you receive a free virtual Mastercard which is accepted anywhere in the world. You can also pay contactless by linking it to your Apple Pay or Google Pay. You can have up to 3 free cash ATM withdrawals from NFC enabled ATMs. Alternatively, you can also order a physical card for a one-time delivery fee of 10€. Sending or receiving money from other N26 account is both free and instant.
- Smart: this account costs €4.90 per month and comes with a yearly subscription. With this account you get for free a Mastercard debit card of the color of your choice: Ocean, Sand, Rhubarb, Aqua or Slate. You also get 5 free ATM withdrawals and foreign transactions fees are 0 with the Smart account. You get access also to Spaces sub-account, which enables you to save more easily and have a better overview of your expenses. Within Spaces you also have Shared Spaces, which are called like that because they can be shared with other people. You have access also to special discounts or deals with partnering brands, like Lime, Blinkist or Mubi.
- You: it is a premium account, perfect for daily needs or while traveling, as it includes also a very generous package of lifestyle, mobility, and travel insurance (including COVID19 coverage). Payments can be made directly through the mobile wallet, direct debit or SEPA transfer. You can create up to 10 Spaces sub-accounts alongside the main account and you can invite up to 10 N26 users to join you in these spaces. ATM withdrawals are free, and so are the foreign currency payments. The cost for a You N26 account is €9.90 per month.
- Metal: this account offers a premium banking experience, with free unlimited ATM withdrawals (in any currency), free transfers, zero foreign transaction fees and an extensive insurance package, which also includes phone and car insurance. The contactless Mastercard is crafted in 18-grams of stainless steel and comes in three metallic shades. The design is elegant and minimalistic. It also offers access to exclusive deals, discounts and rewards from world-renowned brands. The monthly price of the exclusive Metal account is €16.90.
The business account comes in the same four versions: Free, Smart, You and Metal.
What are N26 Spaces sub-accounts:
The sub-account Spaces are a unique feature, which offers the possibility to budget, organize and save money. Shared spaces are those that can be shared with up to 10 other N26 users, and everyone can add funds when they want or have the possibility. In N26 Spaces you can also set up Rules – which are basically recurring payments, to make sure you reach the goals of your sub-account and do not skip transfers.
N26 reviews:
N26 has received over 15,000 reviews on the popular review’s platform Trustpilot and has an average of 3.9 stars out of 5. The N26 mobile app has the same number of stars on Google Play and 4.6 stars on Apple Play. This tells us that products and services of this digital bank are very valued. They are appreciated for the accounts’ accessibility, affordability, interesting features and customer support.
N26 contact:
Answers to most questions can be found in their FAQ section, which is nicely categorized, however, customers also have the possibility to get in contact with a N26 operator via e-mail, phone or via the mobile app chat support.
— from the terms of a microloan to repayment and resolution of disputes;
— selection of the most optimal loan offers;
— assistance in obtaining money with a negative credit history.
