Smart Money Moves for Expats: Save, Spend, and Settle in Fast

New country, new everything—except your financial to-do list. Whether you’ve just landed or have been here a while, setting up your money the right way makes life smoother. From paying rent to splitting dinner with new friends, here’s how to stay on top of your finances without the usual expat hassle.

May 27, 2025
Woman holding ice cream and smiling while walking near a lake with a man in the background.
Woman holding ice cream and smiling while walking near a lake with a man in the background.

Open an account before you land

Forget long lines and paperwork. With bunq, you can open your European bank account in just 5 minutes—even before you arrive. No local tax number? No problem. You’ll have 90 days to sort it out, so you can start receiving your salary and paying rent right away.

Skip the hidden fees

Currency conversion charges can eat into your budget fast. That’s why bunq offers ZeroFX: spend or withdraw money abroad without paying extra on the exchange rate. Ideal if you’re earning in one currency and spending in another—or just love to travel around the world.

Organize your money your way

Living abroad means juggling expenses: rent, groceries, flights home, weekend getaways. With bunq, you can open up to 25 separate Bank Accounts, each with its own IBAN. Set one up for each goal and track where your money’s going without thinking twice.

Save without trying

No complicated spreadsheets. Just turn on AutoSave and let your spare change do the work. Every time you buy something, we’ll round up your payment and stash the rest. You can even round up to the nearest €2 or €5 if you’re feeling ambitious.

Sort your salary automatically

Once payday hits, bunq’s Salary Sorter splits your income across your accounts in seconds. Set fixed amounts or percentages—it’s up to you. That means your rent, savings, and fun money are exactly where they need to be, with zero effort.

Stay in the loop

Laws, tax rules, inflation—things change fast when you live abroad. Keep an eye on local news, join expat forums, and follow trusted financial sources so you’re not caught off guard.

Why expats choose bunq

bunq makes it easy to bank in your own language, avoid hidden fees, and stay in control—whether you're settling in or planning your next move. From ZeroFX to AutoSave, we’re here to help you manage your money with confidence, from day one.

Share this article

Black chain link icon, symbolizing a hyperlink or connection, on a light background.
Black chain link icon, symbolizing a hyperlink or connection, on a light background.
Simple black envelope icon, commonly used to represent email, messages, or communication.
Simple black envelope icon, commonly used to represent email, messages, or communication.
Black LinkedIn logo with “in” letters in white on a black square, symbolizing the professional networking platform.
Black LinkedIn logo with “in” letters in white on a black square, symbolizing the professional networking platform.
Black stylized “X” logo, representing the rebranded Twitter platform, formerly known as Twitter.
Black stylized “X” logo, representing the rebranded Twitter platform, formerly known as Twitter.
Black WhatsApp logo with a phone icon inside a speech bubble, representing messaging and calling.
Black WhatsApp logo with a phone icon inside a speech bubble, representing messaging and calling.
Black circular Facebook icon with lowercase white “f,” representing the Facebook social network.
Black circular Facebook icon with lowercase white “f,” representing the Facebook social network.

Find your perfect fit

bunq Free

Free

The essentials to get you started.

bunq Core

€3.99/month

The bank account for everyday use.  

bunq Pro

€9.99/month

The bank account that makes budgeting easy.

bunq Elite

€18.99/month

The bank account designed for your international lifestyle.

Find your perfect fit

bunq Free

Free

The essentials to get you started.

bunq Core

€3.99/month

The bank account for everyday use.  

bunq Pro

€9.99/month

The bank account that makes budgeting easy.

bunq Elite

€18.99/month

The bank account designed for your international lifestyle.

Find your perfect fit

bunq Free

Free

The essentials to get you started.

bunq Core

€3.99/month

The bank account for everyday use.  

bunq Pro

€9.99/month

The bank account that makes budgeting easy.

bunq Elite

€18.99/month

The bank account designed for your international lifestyle.

Start your 30-day free trial

Open your account in just 5 minutes, directly from your phone.

Start your 30-day free trial

Open your account in just 5 minutes, directly from your phone.

Start your 30-day free trial

Open your account in just 5 minutes, directly from your phone.