The Ultimate Expat Financial Checklist: From Banking to Budgeting

Arrive in a new country with ease. Whether you’re new to expat life or a seasoned traveler, bunq makes financial management abroad simple, giving you everything you need to bank confidently and seamlessly in your new home.

1. Bank Like a Local

Open your bunq account in just 5 minutes and start banking like a local—even before you arrive. No need for a local TIN (Taxpayer Identification Number) for the first 90 days, so you’re all set to go. With a Foreign IBAN, you can easily pay bills, receive your salary, and handle all your finances digitally from your phone—no branch visits required.

2. Effortless International Payments and Currencies

Manage your money like a local—without the hassle or hidden fees. Perfect for settling into life abroad smoothly.

• ZeroFX: Skip hidden fees with zero foreign exchange fees on card payments.

• Foreign Currencies: Pay directly in local currencies to avoid extra conversion fees and spend just like a local.

• Credit Card: Get a prepaid credit card with no interest, annual fees, or hidden charges—available with every plan.

3. Smarter Budgeting and Real-Time Expense Management

bunq’s easy-to-use tools make it simple for expats to stay on top of their finances:

• Stay on Track: We automatically categorize your spending for you. You just tell us how much you want to spend per category every month, and we'll let you know when you've hit your limit.

• Easy Budgeting: When you pay with your card, bunq will automatically determine which of your bank accounts should be charged!

• Personalized Budgeting Insights: Let Finn give you fun and surprising insights on your daily, weekly, and monthly spending.

4. Tips for Expat Life with bunq

Make the most of bunq’s expat-friendly features:

• Travel Insurance: Get worldwide travel insurance with the bunq Elite plan, covering medical emergencies, lost baggage, cancellations, and more. Family members are also covered, so you don’t need separate policies.

• eSim: Save up to 90% on roaming costs with bunq’s eSIM. Stay connected worldwide and enjoy 4 x 2GB of free data each year on bunq Elite.

Conclusion

Navigating finances abroad doesn’t have to be complicated. With bunq, you’ll have all the tools you need to handle international expenses, stay on top of your budget, and even explore long-term options like mortgages for settling down.