Revolut or Wise in Belgium: Which One to Choose in 2026?

Revolut and Wise come up in the same conversations in Belgium. Both offer a Belgian IBAN, near-zero-fee currency payments, and a well-designed mobile app. But behind these similarities, two different models coexist: Revolut plays the financial super-app card, Wise the fair-price currency specialist. This comparison settles the points that matter for Belgian residents.

Which IBAN do Belgian residents get?

This is often the first criterion. A foreign IBAN complicates life in Belgium: some employers refuse to pay salaries to a non-Belgian IBAN, and direct debits fail regularly.

Revolut has been issuing Belgian IBANs (BE) since May 2025. Older accounts can migrate from their Lithuanian IBAN. This BE IBAN works for SEPA transfers, direct debits, and salary payments.

Wise also provides a Belgian IBAN (BE) through Wise Europe SA, registered in Belgium. In addition to the euro IBAN, Wise offers local account details in USD (routing number), GBP (sort code), and AUD (BSB), a clear advantage for freelancers invoicing in those currencies.

On this point, it's a draw for everyday Belgian use. Wise takes the edge if you receive payments in foreign currencies. If you're also considering N26, check our Revolut vs N26 comparison for Belgium.

How much do currency conversion fees cost?

This is where Wise and Revolut diverge most clearly.

Wise always charges a conversion fee — between 0.33% (EUR→GBP) and 0.57% (exotic currencies), but guarantees the real interbank rate with no markup, regardless of the day of the week (source: Wise, card pricing 2026).

Revolut offers free exchange on weekdays up to EUR 1,000 per month on the Standard plan. Beyond that, a 0.5% fee applies. The trap is weekends: the 1% Standard markup turns a EUR 500 conversion into EUR 5 in extra fees.

In practice: for a EUR 2,000 transfer to dollars on a Tuesday, Revolut costs EUR 5 (0.5% on the EUR 1,000 excess) and Wise roughly EUR 7 (0.35%). But the same transfer on a Saturday costs EUR 15 at Revolut (1% on the full amount) versus still EUR 7 at Wise. Wise is more predictable, Revolut cheaper for small amounts on weekdays.

ATM withdrawals: who offers more?

Both offer free withdrawals, but with different limits.

Wise raised its threshold to EUR 250 in May 2026 and removed the EUR 0.50 fixed fee per withdrawal (source: Wise, May 2026). Revolut remains at EUR 200 or 5 withdrawals per rolling month, whichever is reached first.

For moderate use (two or three withdrawals of EUR 50–100 while travelling), both are sufficient. If you exceed the limits, Revolut is cheaper per withdrawal (2% vs 2.69%) but the lower threshold triggers fees sooner. For a detailed comparison of withdrawal fees across Belgian banks, see our credit card ATM withdrawal guide.

Fund protection: a major difference

This is where the two diverge most, and it's a point most comparisons overlook.

Revolut holds a Lithuanian banking licence. Eligible deposits are protected up to EUR 100,000 by the Lithuanian deposit guarantee scheme, in line with the European directive. This is the same level of protection as a traditional Belgian bank (source: Revolut, depositor information Belgium 2026).

Wise is not a bank. It is an authorised payment institution supervised by the National Bank of Belgium. Your funds are held in segregated accounts: Wise cannot use them to make loans or invest. Maximum protection reaches EUR 20,000 through the Estonian guarantee fund (source: Wise, EU fund protection 2026).

The difference is significant: if you keep EUR 10,000 in your account, both protect you. Above EUR 20,000, only Revolut offers deposit insurance. If you use Wise as a transfer tool (money passing through but not staying), the risk is marginal. If you store your savings there, the protection is five times lower than with Revolut.

How much does it cost per month?

Wise has no paid plans. You pay EUR 7 for the card, then only conversion fees when you change currencies. No subscription, no account maintenance fee.

Revolut Standard is free, but paid plans unlock perks: unlimited free exchange (Premium), travel insurance (Premium/Metal), cashback (Metal/Ultra), higher free withdrawal limits. The question is whether these extras are worth EUR 4–18 per month for your usage.

Who should choose Revolut?

Revolut suits those looking for an all-in-one app. Joint accounts for couples, Pockets for holiday budgets, integrated crypto and trading, travel insurance from the Premium plan onwards. The ecosystem is rich and the EUR 100,000 deposit guarantee reassures those keeping a significant balance.

Revolut is also the better choice if you convert small amounts on weekdays (under EUR 1,000/month): exchange is then entirely free.

Who should choose Wise?

Wise is the better choice for regular international transfers. The real interbank rate, 7 days a week, with no weekend markup and transparent, predictable fees — it's unbeatable for sending money abroad or receiving payments in foreign currencies.

Wise also suits minimalists: no subscription, no superfluous services, a single product that does its job well. And local account details in USD, GBP, and AUD are a genuine plus for international freelancers. For expats looking for a credit card alongside their neobank, our expat credit card guide covers the options by bank.

Our verdict

If you can only keep one: Wise for expats, international freelancers, and frequent travellers who want the fairest rate. Revolut for those who want a complete secondary account with crypto, trading, and insurance — plus the peace of mind of a EUR 100,000 deposit guarantee.

Using both makes perfect sense: Revolut as an everyday account with a Belgian IBAN, Wise as a conversion and international transfer tool. Total monthly cost: EUR 0. And for paying abroad with a traditional credit card, check our guide to foreign payment fees.

FAQ