Revolut vs N26 in Austria (2026)
Updated: July 2026| Found helpful by 6 others
Updated July 2026. Both Revolut and N26 are app-based banks offering Mastercard debit and virtual cards. N26 holds an Austrian-friendly EU banking licence with clear Euro pricing, while Revolut offers more tiers (Standard to Ultra) and stronger multi-currency FX. Revolut identity verification can take up to 7 working days. N26 reserves phone support for premium customers. Both are ideal day-one cards for new arrivals before a traditional Austrian bank card arrives.
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Revolut or N26: Which Is Better in Austria?
Revolut
Revolut is an app-based bank licensed through Revolut Bank UAB (Lithuania). It offers Standard to Ultra tiers, instant virtual cards, and the best multi-currency FX available on a consumer app. Ideal for expats who travel often or earn in multiple currencies.
Why we recommend it: Best multi-currency FX and widest tier range from free Standard to Ultra, ideal for frequent travellers and multi-currency earners.
Best for: Frequent travellers, multi-currency earners, and expats who exchange money regularly
Pros
- Best multi-currency FX rates of any consumer app
- Five tiers: Standard (free), Plus, Premium, Metal, Ultra
- Instant virtual card on sign-up
- Broad SEPA coverage with LT-prefix IBAN
- Spending analytics and budgeting tools
Cons
- Identity verification up to 7 working days
- LT-prefix IBAN may not be accepted by all Austrian landlords
- Weekend FX markup on Standard tier
- Customer support primarily in-app chat on free tier
- Standard to Ultra tiers, free Standard available
- Instant virtual Mastercard debit card
- Multi-currency wallets (30+ currencies)
- Interbank FX rates within monthly limits
- Broad SEPA transfers via LT-prefix IBAN
- Spending notifications and analytics
N26
N26 is an EU-licenced app bank with a full German banking licence. It offers Standard, Smart, You, Go, and Metal tiers with Mastercard debit and virtual cards. Clear Euro pricing and a DE-prefix IBAN make it the simplest day-one account for new arrivals in Austria.
Why we recommend it: EU banking licence, clear Euro pricing, and faster ID verification make N26 the simpler day-one account for new arrivals in Austria.
Best for: New arrivals who want a simple EU-licenced account with clear Austrian pricing and fast setup
Pros
- EU banking licence with clear Euro pricing
- Faster verification: 1 to 2 working days
- Free virtual Mastercard debit on Standard
- Standard, Smart, You, Go, and Metal tiers
- Full English-language app and customer support
Cons
- Phone support on premium tiers only
- N26 Metal costs EUR 16.90 per month
- DE-prefix IBAN, not AT-prefix
- No physical branches in Austria
- Standard (free), Smart, You, Go, Metal tiers
- Free virtual Mastercard debit card on Standard
- N26 Metal: EUR 16.90 per month with travel insurance
- DE-prefix IBAN for SEPA transfers
- No foreign transaction fees on all tiers
- English-language app and support
Both Revolut and N26 are excellent day-one cards for new arrivals in Austria. N26 is simpler: one EU banking licence, straightforward Euro pricing, and faster identity verification in 1 to 2 working days. Revolut is more powerful: five tiers from Standard to Ultra, instant virtual cards, and the strongest multi-currency FX rates available on a consumer app. Most expats open both.
How Do Revolut and N26 Work in Austria?
Both Revolut and N26 are app-based banks with Mastercard debit and virtual cards. Neither has physical branches in Austria. You manage your account entirely through their mobile apps. Both support SEPA transfers, direct debit, and salary payments. N26 is licensed in Germany and supervised by BaFin and the European Central Bank. Revolut Bank UAB is licensed in Lithuania. Deposits at both are protected up to EUR 100,000 per customer, but through their home-country scheme: N26 through the German DGS, Revolut through the Lithuanian DGS, not the Austrian Einlagensicherung.
N26 issues a German DE-IBAN (e.g. DE89...). Revolut Bank UAB issues a Lithuanian LT-IBAN, and is rolling out local Austrian AT-IBANs to Austrian users during 2026. Both DE-IBANs and LT-IBANs are SEPA-legal in Austria. They are occasionally rejected by Austrian payroll or Finanzamt systems anyway. Refusing a valid EU IBAN is unlawful IBAN discrimination under the SEPA Regulation (EU No 260/2012), and you can report such refusals to the FMA. For accounts that still demand a local IBAN, a traditional Austrian account from Erste Bank, Bank Austria, or Raiffeisen is the complement.
Neither N26 nor Revolut integrates EPS (the Austrian online-banking payment rail) as of 2026. For EPS-only Austrian merchants and public portals, you need a card or SOFORT fallback. Both collect tax residency and TIN data under the Common Reporting Standard (CRS). Austrian residents must provide their Austrian Steueridentifikationsnummer (TIN). This is a standard EU legal requirement, not a red flag.
Which Has Better Customer Support?
N26 reserves phone support for premium customers on Smart, You, Go, or Metal plans. Standard account holders can only reach N26 via in-app chat. Revolut offers in-app chat on all tiers, with priority phone support on Premium and Metal plans. Neither provider has a physical branch in Austria where you can walk in. For urgent card issues, Revolut's in-app chat is available 24/7 on all plans, giving it a slight edge for Standard-tier users.
Both apps support instant card freezing and spending notifications, which reduce the need to contact support for routine issues. N26 also offers a dedicated support section in English at their help centre. Revolut has a larger community forum and more extensive self-service documentation. If phone support matters to you, budget for at least the N26 Smart or Revolut Premium tier.
How Much Do Revolut and N26 Cost?
Both Revolut and N26 offer a free Standard tier with a Mastercard debit card and virtual card. Paid tiers unlock phone support, higher FX limits, travel insurance, and premium metal cards. N26 Metal costs EUR 16.90 per month. Revolut Ultra is the highest tier at the premium end. Debit-first onboarding is easier than applying for an Austrian bank credit card.
| Feature | Revolut | N26 |
|---|---|---|
| Card type | Mastercard debit | Mastercard debit |
| Free tier | Standard (EUR 0) | Standard (EUR 0) |
| Premium tier price | Metal / Ultra (varies) | N26 Metal EUR 16.90/month |
| Virtual cards | Yes, instant | Yes, on all tiers |
| FX / multi-currency | Best-in-class, 30+ currencies | No foreign transaction fee; no multi-currency wallets |
| Phone support | Premium and Metal tiers | Premium tiers only (Smart and above) |
| Verification time | Up to 7 working days | Typically 1 to 2 working days |
| SEPA | Yes, LT-prefix IBAN | Yes, DE-prefix IBAN |
Sources: Revolut and N26 official pricing pages. Prices as of June 2026.
How Do You Open an Account?
Both Revolut and N26 are opened entirely through their mobile apps. You do not need a Meldezettel (Austrian registration) or an existing Austrian bank account to open either. You need a valid passport or EU ID, a selfie for identity verification, and an Austrian or EU phone number. Debit-first onboarding is significantly easier than applying for a traditional Austrian bank credit card, which requires a Meldezettel, a KSV1870 credit check, and minimum income proof.
For N26: download the app, enter your details, and complete a video ID check via the app. Approval typically takes 1 to 2 working days. Your virtual card is available immediately after approval. The physical card arrives by post in 5 to 10 working days.
For Revolut: download the app, enter your details, and upload photos of your ID. Verification can take up to 7 working days in Austria. Your virtual card is available as soon as your account is approved. The physical card arrives separately. To speed things up, apply as early as possible before you need the card.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Revolut or N26 better for new arrivals in Austria?
Both are strong day-one cards before you have an Austrian bank account. N26 holds an EU banking licence with clear Euro pricing, making it simpler for newcomers. Revolut offers more tiers and better multi-currency FX. Most new arrivals open both: N26 as their primary Euro account and Revolut for travel and currency exchange.
How long does Revolut verification take in Austria?
Revolut identity verification can take up to 7 working days in Austria. N26 verification is typically faster, often completing within 1 to 2 working days via video ID. If you need a card urgently, N26 is the faster option. Both issue a virtual card instantly once the account is approved.
Does N26 have phone support in Austria?
N26 reserves phone support for premium customers on Smart, You, Go, or Metal plans. Standard account holders can only reach support via in-app chat. Revolut offers in-app chat support on all tiers, with priority phone support on Premium and Metal plans.
Do Revolut and N26 collect tax residency information in Austria?
Yes. Both Revolut and N26 collect tax residency and TIN (Tax Identification Number) data under the Common Reporting Standard (CRS). Austrian residents must provide their Austrian TIN. This is a legal requirement for all EU-licenced banks, not a policy specific to either provider.
Can I use Revolut or N26 as my main bank account in Austria?
Yes. Both support SEPA transfers, direct debit, and salary payments via an Austrian-compatible IBAN. N26 provides a DE-prefix IBAN (German), which is accepted throughout Austria for SEPA purposes. Revolut provides a LT-prefix IBAN (Lithuanian) through Revolut Bank UAB. For landlords or employers requiring an AT-prefix IBAN, a traditional Austrian bank account is recommended alongside.
Does Revolut charge a weekend FX markup in Austria?
Yes. Revolut adds a 1% markup on currency exchange over the weekend, when interbank markets are closed. It applies to Standard-tier users converting non-Euro currencies from Friday evening to Monday morning. To avoid it, exchange or top up in your target currency during weekday market hours, or hold the balance in a multi-currency wallet before the weekend. Higher tiers such as Premium, Metal, and Ultra waive the weekend markup within their monthly FX limits.
Sources: Revolut and N26 official sites, EU deposit guarantee scheme rules, CRS regulations. Updated: July 2026.
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