N26 Account Creation and Everyday Use

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Creating an N26 account is a straightforward process that can be completed in just a few minutes. You can sign up on the N26 website or mobile app.

To get started, you'll need to provide some basic information, including your name, date of birth, and address. This is a standard requirement for any bank account.

Once you've entered your details, you'll be asked to verify your identity through a video call with an N26 representative. This is a secure and convenient way to ensure that you're who you say you are.

After verification, you'll be able to set up your account and start using it immediately. You can then fund your account using a debit card or bank transfer.

Benefits and Features

N26 is a great option for those who want to save money by avoiding fees.

One of the main reasons I switched to N26 was to avoid paying fees to withdraw money.

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You can enjoy zero everyday costs, including monthly fees, transfer fees, and local ATM withdrawal fees.

Their budgeting features are excellent, helping you keep track of your finances and stay on top of your spending.

N26 has also launched retailer-specific perks for their US customers, giving you a discount when you pay with your N26 card at a growing list of partners.

You can even use virtual sub-accounts, known as "Spaces", to help with savings goals and separate your spending.

Deposits are insured by FDIC up to $250,000, giving you peace of mind with your money.

Visa issues the American cards, offering you a secure and reliable payment option.

Account Creation and Management

Opening an N26 account is a straightforward process, taking just 5 minutes to complete, as you'll see when you try it out.

You can open an N26 account in the US, making it accessible to a wide range of customers.

The process is so quick and easy that it's hard to believe it's possible to get started with a bank account in such a short amount of time.

Fees

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N26 has a transparent fee structure, and one of the best things about it is that there are no monthly fees, and no minimum account balance.

You can use your N26 account without paying any monthly fees, which is a big plus in my book.

No foreign transaction fees means you won't be charged extra when shopping abroad.

N26 also doesn't charge overdraft fees, which is great news for those who might accidentally go over their balance.

There are two free ATM withdrawals per month in the US, which is a convenient feature for travelers.

Here are the details on ATM withdrawals abroad:

You can also withdraw cash from bank tellers or at supermarkets without incurring any fees.

However, if you use a N26 Maestro card to withdraw cash, you'll be charged a flat fee of €2.00 per withdrawal.

Some N26 accounts, like the N26 Standard, N26 Smart, and N26 Metal, come with a certain number of free ATM withdrawals per month.

Here's a breakdown of the free ATM withdrawals per month for each account type:

Security & Reliability

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N26 has a robust security system in place to protect your account.

Your money is insured up to €100,000 by the German government, which is a standard protection for all German banks.

You can set your daily debit card limit yourself in the N26 app, giving you more control over your spending.

You'll receive a push notification for every transaction, keeping you informed in real-time.

Logins and online purchases above a certain value require confirmation via the mobile app for added security.

You can also deactivate your card for certain transactions, providing an extra layer of protection against unauthorized use.

Customer Support and Service

N26's customer support is not always the fastest, with many users complaining about slow responses from agents. The online chat is a useful feature, but it can take a while to get help.

You can get telephone support with N26 Smart and N26 You accounts, and even a dedicated phone line if you have an N26 Metal account. The free account only offers chat and email support, which may not be ideal for everyone.

N26's service quality is generally good, but there are some limitations to be aware of. For example, you can't make foreign currency transfers in the app from a business account, and you can't transfer money to businesses either.

A fresh viewpoint: B of a Mobile Banking App

Slow Customer Support

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The N26 support can be quite slow, with online chat agents taking a long time to answer. Many users have complained about this issue.

The online chat support is still a convenient option, especially for those who don't speak German, as it's available in English.

N26 Smart and N26 You accounts have access to telephone support, which can be a faster way to get help.

N26 Metal accounts have a dedicated phone line, which might be a more reliable option for those who need urgent assistance.

The free account only has chat and email support, which might not be the most efficient way to get help, especially for those who prefer phone support.

Service Quality

N26 offers a range of simple banking services for busy people, making it a convenient option for those who want to manage their finances on the go.

N26's service is accessible through a mobile phone app or online banking service, making it easy to stay on top of your finances from anywhere.

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You can make international money transfers through a partnership with Wise, formerly TransferWise, which is a popular currency exchange provider.

N26 currently offers transfers into 36 other currencies, but you can only view your account balance in euros.

Some banking services are not available through N26, including cash deposits, credit cards, and cash payouts outside of using an ATM.

To make free, worldwide ATM cash withdrawals, you'll need to pay a monthly fee for the 'N26 Black' service.

Free cash withdrawals from an ATM in your home country are set by N26 and vary depending on where you're located.

Reviews and Recommendations

N26 is a popular digital-only bank in Europe, and its users have a lot to say about it. N26 has a seamless banking experience in its app, with a score of 8/10 on Monito.

N26's trustworthiness is also a major plus, with a banking license from BaFin and a Monito score of 7.9/10. It's worth noting that N26 is currently only onboarding new customers from Germany and Austria.

Here are some key stats about N26:

N26's users have given it a 4.4/5 rating on Trustpilot, based on approximately 19,000 reviews.

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Monito's Recommendation

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I've been looking into N26, and it's really stood out to me as a great option for everyday banking. The bank has a seamless banking experience in its app, earning an 8/10 Monito Score for Service.

One of the things that really impressed me is how easy it is to get started with N26. Opening an account is very smooth, and you can even do it all from the mobile app.

N26 shines when it comes to low-cost everyday use, with no fees for day-to-day transactions. This is reflected in its high Monito Score for Pricing, with a score of 9.3/10.

If you're looking for a smart, digital-only alternative to traditional banks in Europe, N26 is definitely worth considering. However, it's worth noting that the bank is currently only onboarding new customers from Germany and Austria.

Here's a quick rundown of N26's key features:

What Monito Dislikes

As I've dug into N26 reviews and recommendations, I've found some downsides to this popular online bank. N26 has a 1.70% fee for foreign currency ATM withdrawals, which can add up quickly.

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Some users have also reported slow customer service, which can be frustrating when you need help with your account.

One thing that's changed over time is N26's fees and conditions. It used to be free to get a plastic Mastercard, but now it costs 10€. The free account also used to come with 5 free ATM withdrawals per month, but now it's limited to 2.

It's worth noting that these changes aren't unique to N26 - many banks have been increasing fees and limiting services in recent years. If you're looking for a bank with more traditional services, you may want to consider Commerzbank, Deutsche Bank, or Berliner Sparkasse.

Here are some key downsides to N26:

  • A 1.70% fee for foreign currency ATM withdrawals
  • Slow customer service
  • 10€ fee for a plastic Mastercard
  • 2 free ATM withdrawals per month (down from 5)
  • No local branch (so you can't just visit a branch if your phone is lost or stolen)
  • Currently limited to onboarding new customers from Germany and Austria only

Opening and Using an Account

Opening an N26 account is relatively quick, taking just 5 minutes to complete. This is true for both US and European accounts.

To open a European N26 account, you'll need a European mailing address. The account will be based in Germany or the UK, which may not be ideal for transfers or direct deposits in the US.

If this caught your attention, see: European Mobile Payment Systems Association

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However, you can have both a US and EU account at the same time, even if you're a US resident or citizen. This is possible by signing up with a different email address than your original EU-based account.

Here's a summary of the account types:

If you use Gmail, you can easily create a unique email address by adding a string to your existing email address, like [email protected] for [email protected].

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Opening a European Account

You can already open a European N26 account, but there are some caveats to keep in mind. You need to have a European mailing address.

The account will be based in Germany or the United Kingdom, so it's not practical to use for transfers or direct deposits in the US. But as a travel card, it's still useful, especially if you have income in euros or British pounds.

To open a European account, you can follow the usual account opening process. Learn about the account opening process to get started.

However, if you're planning on using the account primarily in the US or only have income in US dollars, it's probably better to sign up for a US account instead.

Everyday Use

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Opening and using an account can be a breeze, especially when it comes to everyday costs. You won't have to worry about monthly fees.

With no transfer fees, you can move money around without incurring extra charges. This is a big plus when you need to pay bills or send cash to friends and family.

Local ATM withdrawals are also free, so you can access your cash whenever you need it. No more worrying about surprise fees when you're out and about.

Current Account Options

N26 offers four different current accounts for private individuals, including a free existing account and three chargeable variants.

The free existing account is a great option if you're just starting out or don't need any extra features.

N26 Smart is a relatively inexpensive entry-level account with telephone support, but it's not worth it if you have no problems with the online chat function.

The N26 You account is designed for international lifestyles and offers a colourful debit card that's perfect for travellers who often withdraw cash from abroad.

The N26 Metal account is an extended version of the N26 You account with a metal debit card, but it offers relatively few additional functions for the extra cost.

If you travel a lot and often need to withdraw cash from abroad, the N26 You account can pay off.

App and User Experience

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The N26 app is designed to make managing your finances easy and convenient. You get a notification for every transaction in your bank account, which helps you keep an eye on your spending and catch unexpected transactions.

One of the features I love about the N26 app is its ability to categorize transactions automatically. You can easily search through them and see statistics for each month, but unfortunately, the statistics only show your spending, which isn't very useful if you have irregular income.

The app also supports Google Pay, so you can pay by tapping your smartphone, and I use N26 with Google Pay all the time. I rarely use my plastic card.

Here are some of the app's notable features:

  • Push notifications for every transaction
  • Automatic transaction categorization
  • Google Pay support
  • Fingerprint login and fingerprint login deactivation
  • Privacy mode to hide account balance and transaction amounts

The App

The N26 app is a game-changer for managing your finances. It has many cool features that make it easy to budget and save money.

One of the standout features is push notifications, which alert you to every transaction in your bank account. This helps you keep an eye on your spending and catch unexpected transactions.

Check this out: Online Banking Features

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The app also has a feature called Spaces, which are buckets where you can put money. You can transfer money to the "Bills" space or create a "Vacations" space with a 3,000€ savings goal.

However, Spaces is only available on paid accounts, and you can't see the money in your Spaces when you export transactions as CSV files.

The app automatically categorizes your transactions, making it easy to search through them and see statistics for each month. But, the statistics only show your spending, which isn't very useful if you have irregular income.

You can also use Google Pay and Apple Pay with the N26 app, making it easy to pay by tapping your smartphone. I use N26 with Google Pay all the time and rarely use my plastic card.

The app also has a feature called MoneyBeam, which allows you to send money instantly to friends who also have N26. This is super convenient for splitting bills or sending money to friends.

The N26 app is available in multiple languages, including English, Spanish, French, Italian, and German. However, some parts of the app may not be completely translated to English, which can be a bit frustrating.

You can also use fingerprint login to access your account, but you can deactivate this feature if you prefer.

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Bugs Fixed

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The N26 app has made significant improvements in terms of stability, with bugs that previously caused frustration now fixed.

The app's "confirm" button would sometimes not work, even when on Wi-Fi, due to poor cellphone reception.

This issue was particularly frustrating when trying to approve a transfer, with no error message to indicate what was going wrong.

Fortunately, this bug has been resolved, and users can now rely on the app to function smoothly.

The app normally works well, but the occasional glitch could be a major inconvenience.

Now that this issue is fixed, users can enjoy a seamless experience when using the app.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is N26 closed in the US?

N26 is closing its US operations due to a shift in focus to its core European business. This change affects its 500,000 American customers, who will no longer be able to use the app from January 11, 2022.

Is N26 a real bank in Germany?

Yes, N26 is a fully licensed and regulated bank in Germany, with over 1500 employees and millions of users. Your money is insured up to 100,000€ by the German government, ensuring a safe banking experience.

Is N26 better than Revolut?

N26 offers more flexible ATM withdrawal options, with unlimited withdrawals abroad and 3-8 domestic withdrawals fee-free, whereas Revolut has a monthly withdrawal limit. If you frequently use ATMs, N26 might be the better choice for you.

Angelo Douglas

Lead Writer

Angelo Douglas is a seasoned writer with a passion for creating informative and engaging content. With a keen eye for detail and a knack for simplifying complex topics, Angelo has established himself as a trusted voice in the world of finance. Angelo's writing portfolio spans a range of topics, including mutual funds and mutual fund costs and fees.

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