Open the right account, send money cheaply, invest simply.

Yes — in most EU countries you can open an account with a passport and proof of address. Germany's N26 even lets you open an account without city registration (Anmeldung). France's BoursoBank accepts EU IBANs at signup, so it works for newly arrived expats. Always check the provider's current eligibility rules before applying.

Thanks to SEPA IBAN non-discrimination rules, a German IBAN should be accepted for direct debits anywhere in the eurozone. In practice, some landlords, employers and insurers still insist on a local IBAN — so in France a real French (FR) IBAN is often worth having.

For most corridors, specialists like Wise beat traditional banks because they use the real mid-market exchange rate and charge a transparent fee. Remitly and XE can be cheaper for cash-pickup corridors or large amounts. Compare the amount that actually arrives — not just the advertised fee. See our money transfer guide.

EU banks protect deposits up to €100,000 per depositor under the statutory deposit guarantee scheme. Brokers segregate client securities, and cash is covered by deposit guarantees or investor compensation schemes (up to €20,000 for EU investment firms). Protections differ by legal entity, so check which entity holds your account.

No. Our guides are educational comparisons, not personalised financial advice. Everyone's tax residency, income and risk tolerance differ — for regulated advice, consult a licensed adviser in your country. Fees and features change often; always verify on the provider's official site before opening anything.