- Revolut Standard and N26 Standard are free — perfect to try out.
- 0% exchange fees at all neobanks (vs 1.5% at traditional banks).
- Wise is the best choice for multi-currency international transfers.
- Neobanks don't offer real credit — these are prepaid debit cards.
Our ranking of neobank cards
We compared the 6 main neobank cards available in Belgium.
🏆 Best free all-rounder
Excellent for daily use
🏆 Best for expats
If you travel often
Niche, not for everyone
Most comprehensive insurance
Neobank vs traditional bank: the real comparison
Neobanks don't fully replace a traditional bank. Here are the strengths and weaknesses of each.
Neobank traps you should know about
Neobanks aren't perfect. Here's what they don't always tell you.
Free withdrawal limit: Revolut Standard caps at €200/month. Beyond that, expect 2% fees. N26 Standard: 2 free withdrawals, then €2 per withdrawal.
No real credit: neobank cards are debit (prepaid) cards. You can't spread repayments like with a real bank credit card.
Limited customer service: no physical counter in Belgium. Support is chat or email only. In case of disputes, delays can be long.
Deposit protection: European neobanks (N26, Bunq) are covered by the European deposit guarantee (€100,000). Revolut holds a Lithuanian banking licence.
Compare traditional bank cards →Frequently asked questions
Revolut or N26: which to choose in Belgium?
Revolut offers more features (crypto, premium cashback, budgets) and a higher free exchange limit. N26 is simpler and offers 2 free withdrawals/month (vs €200/month at Revolut). For travellers, Revolut. For simplicity, N26.
Are neobanks safe in Belgium?
Yes. N26 and Bunq hold a European banking licence with €100,000 deposit guarantee. Revolut holds a Lithuanian banking licence. Wise is regulated as a payment institution.
Can you use Revolut as a main account in Belgium?
It's possible but not recommended. Direct debits (energy, telecom) work with a Revolut IBAN but some Belgian employers prefer a Belgian IBAN (BE). Ideally, keep a Belgian account + Revolut as a supplement.
Is Wise a good card for travel?
Wise is unbeatable for payments in foreign currencies thanks to the real exchange rate. Fees are 0.35 to 0.55%. For withdrawals, it's limited (€200/month free). Excellent as a supplement, not as a sole card.
Do neobanks offer cashback?
Very little. Revolut Premium offers 0.1% in Europe. Bunq offers selective cashback with certain partners. For real cashback in Belgium, the Beobank Visa Extra (1%) remains unbeatable — but it's a traditional bank.
Sophie Laurent spent eight years in retail banking, first as a credit adviser and then in customer relations, before going independent in 2021 and settling in Louvain-la-Neuve. She compares Belgian credit cards, from the traditional banks (ING, BNP Paribas Fortis, KBC, Belfius) to the neobanks (Revolut, N26, Wise), starting from the official fee schedules: annual fee, currency-conversion charges, borrowing rate, limits and bundled insurance. Her rule: a free card is never really free, the cost hides in foreign payments and revolving credit. She saw too many clients sign up for cashback that didn't even cover the annual fee, and she says so.