Who is Bunq?
Bunq was founded in 2012 in Amsterdam by serial entrepreneur Ali Niknam. It received a Dutch banking licence from De Nederlandsche Bank (DNB) in 2014, making it the first new Dutch bank to receive a licence in 35 years. Bunq has positioned itself as “the bank of the free” — an app-first, user-centric bank that gives customers unprecedented control over their money.
What makes Bunq truly unique in the Dutch banking landscape is its sustainability commitment. Bunq plants one tree for every €100 you spend using your Bunq card. Since launching this initiative, Bunq users have collectively planted over 12 million trees across certified reforestation projects in countries including Tanzania, Madagascar, and Indonesia. Every tree can be tracked individually in the Bunq app.
Unlike Revolut and N26 (which operate under foreign banking licences in the Netherlands), Bunq is regulated directly by DNB under a Dutch banking licence. This means Dutch deposit guarantee rules apply directly — your money is protected up to €100,000 under the Dutch Deposit Guarantee Scheme (DGS).
Bunq cards are Mastercard-branded and use a “credit BIN” — a card number range that many rental companies and hotel systems recognise as a credit card. This practical advantage over Revolut and N26 makes Bunq especially valuable for travellers who need to block deposits at car rental agencies or hotels. Bunq does not perform a BKR credit check, as no credit is extended.
Bunq Plans & Cards in the Netherlands
Bunq Easy Money
- ✦Mastercard with credit BIN
- ✦1 tree per €100 spent
- ✦Free payments within eurozone
- ✦3 sub-accounts included
Bunq Easy Money is the entry-level plan and already includes Bunq’s key advantages: a credit BIN Mastercard, tree planting, and a Dutch banking licence. At €3.99/month it is affordable for anyone who travels occasionally and wants car rental compatibility without paying for a traditional credit card. Within the eurozone it works without any surcharges.
Bunq Easy Green
- ✦2 trees per €100 spent
- ✦Up to 10 sub-accounts
- ✦Priority customer support
- ✦Metal card option available
Bunq Easy Green doubles the tree-planting rate and unlocks more sub-accounts for sophisticated budget management. It is ideal for eco-conscious users who want to maximise their environmental impact through everyday spending, or for those who need to manage multiple financial goals simultaneously through separate account spaces.
Bunq Easy Bank Pro
- ✦Unlimited sub-accounts
- ✦3 trees per €100 spent
- ✦Business & freelance features
- ✦Advanced auto-savings rules
Bunq Easy Bank Pro is designed for power users, freelancers and small business owners who want the complete Bunq experience. Unlimited sub-accounts allow complete separation of personal, business, savings and project finances — all visible in a single app. The triple tree planting rate appeals to environmentally committed users who want maximum sustainable impact from their banking.
Why Bunq is different
The credit BIN advantage
Bunq Mastercard cards are issued with a credit-range BIN (Bank Identification Number). When a car rental company or hotel system checks the card number, it sees a BIN range associated with credit cards — even though Bunq functions as a prepaid/debit account internally. This means many car rental companies accept Bunq for deposit holds where they would reject Revolut or N26. This is Bunq’s single most practical advantage for travellers.
Dutch regulation and deposit protection
As a Dutch bank regulated by DNB, Bunq falls under the Dutch Deposit Guarantee Scheme directly — not via a passporting arrangement from another EU country like Revolut (Lithuania) or N26 (Germany). For Dutch users who prioritise domestic regulation and the familiarity of the Dutch financial supervisory framework, Bunq offers greater regulatory proximity than its international competitors.
Multiple accounts and budget management
Bunq’s sub-account system is unmatched in the Dutch neobank space. You can create separate “Spaces” for different financial goals — a holiday fund, a business account, a joint account with a partner, a rainy day fund — each with its own IBAN and Mastercard. For people who use envelope budgeting or want clear financial separation, Bunq’s account architecture provides more flexibility than any traditional Dutch bank.
Frequently Asked Questions about Bunq in the Netherlands
Are Bunq’s sustainability claims real?+
Does Bunq do a BKR credit check?+
Can I use a Bunq card for car rental?+
How does Bunq compare to Revolut and N26?+
Does Bunq offer Dutch customer service?+
Can I cancel my Bunq subscription at any time?+
Can I open multiple accounts with Bunq?+
Which Bunq plan suits you best?
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