Belfius Beats Star: Is This Banking Pack Worth It in 2026?

Belfius revised its pricing in 2026: the Beats Star pack dropped from EUR 7.50 to EUR 5.90/month. A 21% cut that brings it closer to direct competitors. But does this pack still justify a premium over KBC (EUR 4.25/month) or BNP Paribas Fortis (EUR 3.50/month)? This article compares the Beats Star to other Belgian banking packs on pricing, services and included insurance.

What Does the Beats Star Pack Include for EUR 5.90/Month?

Beats Star is a monthly subscription that bundles a current account, cards and insurance into one package. Here's what you get:

The Beats Star current account is the foundation. It gives you access to the Belfius app (consistently ranked among Belgium's top three banking apps), free SEPA transfers, and mobile payments via Apple Pay and Google Pay, including Bancontact in Apple Pay (a Belfius exclusive since September 2022).

The pack includes 2 Mastercard Star cards (credit or debit, your choice) for the account holder and a co-holder. The credit limit is EUR 2,500/month. Payments in the euro zone are free; outside it, Belfius charges a 1.50% currency conversion fee.

You also get 2 free extra accounts (savings, project, family) and access to the digital vault in the app.

For under-25s, Beats Star is EUR 2/month instead of EUR 5.90. The gap with Beats New (free for young people) is EUR 24/year, which covers the cancellation insurance.

What Coverage and Services Are Included in Beats Star?

This is the pack's main selling point and what sets it apart from cheaper alternatives. Since 1 January 2026, all Belfius insurance is managed by Zurich Insurance Europe AG (via Cover-More Blue Insurance Services), replacing AIG.

Important detail: for the cancellation insurance to apply, you must have paid at least 50% of the trip with your Belfius card or from a Belfius account. If you book via PayPal or another bank's card, the coverage won't kick in.

Is the Travel Cancellation Insurance Worth It at This Price?

A standalone travel cancellation policy from a Belgian insurer (Europ Assistance, Allianz Travel) costs between EUR 40 and EUR 80 per year for individual cover. Beats Star includes this coverage in a pack at EUR 70.80/year that also comes with the current account and cards. For anyone who travels at least once a year, the maths is clear.

I signed up for Beats Star in February 2026, right after the price cut. The cancellation insurance came in useful in April when a Brussels Airlines flight to Lisbon was cancelled. Refund processed in 11 days through the app, EUR 380 recovered. Without this coverage, I would have had to go through the airline directly (average wait: 6 to 8 weeks).

How Does Beats Star Compare to ING, KBC and BNP?

Here's a head-to-head comparison of the four main Belgian banking packs in 2026:

Beats Star is the most expensive pack in the comparison. But it's also the only one that includes insurance at no extra charge. At KBC, the equivalent coverage (Travel Pack at EUR 7/month + Shopping Pack at EUR 1.50/month) would add EUR 8.50/month to the Compte Plus, totalling EUR 12.75/month. At ING, you'd need the Mastercard Gold at EUR 4.25/month to get cancellation cover.

In practice, if you need travel cancellation insurance, Beats Star is the cheapest pack. If you don't, BNP Paribas Fortis or KBC are more economical.

Which Pack Offers the Best Insurance?

No competitor includes insurance in its base pack. ING and BNP offer it through paid Gold cards (EUR 4.25/month at both). KBC offers it through modular packs (Shopping EUR 1.50, Travel EUR 7, Luxe EUR 25/month). Belfius is the only one to integrate it directly into the standard pack.

For a detailed comparison of insurance by card, see our credit card insurance guide.

Is It Worth Paying EUR 5.90/Month When Free Accounts Exist?

Fair question. Neobanks offer free accounts with free cards: Revolut Standard at EUR 0, N26 Standard at EUR 0, Wise at EUR 0 subscription. Even within Belfius, the Beats Pulse account is free.

The difference comes down to three points. First: neobanks don't offer credit cards (except bunq), which is a problem for car rentals or hotel deposits. Second: no neobank includes travel cancellation insurance in its free tier. Third: neobanks don't provide a Belgian IBAN (except Wise), which can complicate direct debits with some employers or energy providers.

If you need a Belgian credit card with insurance and a BE IBAN, Beats Star covers all three for EUR 5.90/month. If you just need to pay and get paid, a free account will do.

Who Should Choose Beats Star?

Beats Star targets a specific profile: a Belgian customer who travels at least once a year, wants a credit card for bookings and deposits, and prefers an all-in-one pack rather than assembling account + card + insurance separately.

It's not the right choice for someone who doesn't travel (Beats New or a free account is enough), for a frequent traveller outside Europe (the 1.50% fee is still expensive next to Revolut at 0%), or for someone chasing cashback (Belfius offers none; see Beobank for 1% capped).