Some EU employers only accept a local-country IBAN. N26 gives a German IBAN; bunq gives a local IBAN in 20+ countries. Revolut is rolling out local IBANs but Lithuanian is still the default.

Cross-currency receipts

If you're freelancing internationally or receiving transfers in GBP, USD, CHF, you need a multi-currency wallet. Wise is the best tool for this — pair it with a DGS-protected bank for the cash you don't immediately convert.

Regulatory landscape · EU

The EU rules every expat account is regulated under.

Every neobank in this ranking is regulated under one of these five EU frameworks. Cards link directly to the EUR-Lex / Commission source text.

PSD2

Payment Services Directive 2 (Directive 2015/2366)

EU directive governing payment services and PSPs; introduced Strong Customer Authentication (SCA), open banking APIs, and consumer protections. Being superseded by PSD3/PSR.

Effective: 13 January 2018
Jurisdiction: EU
Category: payments

PSD3

Third Payment Services Directive (provisional agreement)

Successor framework to PSD2. EU Parliament and Council reached provisional political agreement 27 November 2025. Extends Verification of Payee (VoP) to all credit transfers; mandates fraud-data sharing between PSPs.

Effective: 27 November 2025
Jurisdiction: EU
Category: payments

DORA

Digital Operational Resilience Act (Regulation (EU) 2022/2554)

ICT risk-management and incident-reporting framework for EU financial entities. In force since 17 January 2025.

Effective: 17 January 2025
Jurisdiction: EU
Category: consumer protection

AMLR / AMLD6

EU Anti-Money-Laundering Package: AML Regulation + 6th AML Directive + AMLA

Single AML rulebook + EU AML Authority (AMLA, HQ Frankfurt, operational 2025). 6th AML Directive transposed 2025–2027; AMLR directly applicable from July 2027.

Effective: 9 July 2024
Jurisdiction: EU
Category: data

MiCAR

Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation (EU) 2023/1114

EU framework for crypto-asset issuers + CASPs. Transitional period through end-2025; full effect from Jan 2026. Required for any neobank offering crypto trading (Revolut, Vivid Money, Lunar, Bitpanda).

Effective: 30 June 2024
Jurisdiction: EU
Category: investor protection