N26 was one of the first neobanks to enter Spain (2015) and remains a leader in banking design and user interface. With over 8 million customers in 24 countries, it holds a German banking license supervised by BaFin—which gives it access to the German Deposit Guarantee Fund (€100,000).
N26 Plans for 2026
| Plan | Price | Interest | Transfers | ATMs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standard | €0/month | 0% APR | Free unlimited | 3/month free (then €2) |
| Smart | €4.90/month | 0% APR | Free unlimited | 5/month free |
| You | €9.90/month | 0% APR | Free unlimited | 5/month free |
| Metal | €16.90/month | 2.05% APR | Free unlimited | 8/month free |
N26 Standard: the best free banking app
The N26 Standard account has no fees and offers:
- Spanish (ES) or German (DE) IBAN
- Virtual Mastercard debit card (physical: €10 one-time fee)
- 3 free ATM withdrawals per month in Spain and Europe
- Unlimited free SEPA transfers
- Bizum (starting in 2023)
- App with spending analysis by category
- Foreign currency payments: 1.7% fee
What the free plan doesn’t include: interest on balance (0%), travel insurance, priority support.
N26 Metal: Is it worth the €16.90/month?
The Metal plan adds the only significant advantage: 2.05% APR on the balance through N26 Instant Savings. Is it worth it?
Example with €10,000 in Metal:
- Annual interest: €10,000 × 2.05% = €205 gross → ~€166 net
- Metal plan cost: €16.90/month × 12 = €202.80/year
- Result: you lose money with Metal just on the interest
The Metal account is only worth it if you actively use the other benefits: travel health insurance, LoungeKey (airport lounges), and cashback with partners. If you’re only interested in the interest rate, Revolut Standard offers 2.27% for free, or Openbank offers 2.02% at no cost.
Security and Regulation
N26 holds a German banking license (BaFin), not just an e-money license. This means:
- Deposits protected by the German Deposit Guarantee Fund up to €100,000
- Supervision by the Bundesbank (Europe’s most rigorous central bank)
- Requirement to maintain regulatory capital
N26 vs Revolut vs Trade Republic
| Appearance | N26 | Revolut | Trade Republic |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free plan interest | 0% | 2.27% | 2.02% |
| Paid plan fee | 2.05% (€16.90/month) | 2.27% (all plans) | 2.02% (no payment plan) |
| Type of institution | Bank (BaFin) | Bank (BdL) | Broker/bank (BaFin) |
| Investment in stocks | No | Yes (limited) | Yes (extensive) |
| Foreign exchange | 1.7% fee | Up to €1,000 free | Not applicable |
| Best for | Design/UX | Travelers | Investors |
Who should use N26?
- Those who prioritize design and usability: The N26 app remains one of the most elegant on the market
- Standard plan users who don’t travel much: A solid free account for use in Europe
- Anyone who already uses Revolut for travel: N26 as a secondary account for day-to-day use in Spain
What doesn’t make sense in 2026: paying for the Metal plan just for the interest on your balance. Use Revolut Standard for free for that.