# Revolut vs N26 in Austria (2026) > Revolut vs N26 in Austria for 2026: a head-to-head on €0 Standard plans, tier fees, FX rates and verification times for new arrivals. Updated: August 3 2026 · By Jules de Bruin · URL: https://www.how-to-austria.com/banking/revolut-vs-n26 ## Revolut or N26: Which Is Better in Austria? Rank byOur overall pick below is Revolut, from Revolut. Revolut Bank UAB, Lithuania ### Revolut 4.5Best for Travel/FX. Best multi-currency FX and widest tier range from free Standard to Ultra, ideal for frequent travellers and multi-currency earners. [Open Revolut](https://revolut.com/referral/?referral-code=julesf2not!JUN1-26-AR-RPB-L1&geo-redirect)Plus€3.99/monthPremium€9.99/monthMetal€17.99/monthStandard is free. Paid tiers as of August 2026, from revolut.com/en-AT. Monthly feeFree to €17.99NetworkMastercard debitFX feeInterbank, weekend markupIBANLT-prefixPrices as of August 2026, verify on the provider site. Pros - Best multi-currency FX rates of any consumer app - Five tiers: Standard (free) to Ultra - Instant virtual card on sign-up Cons - Identity verification up to 7 working days - LT-prefix IBAN may not be accepted by all Austrian landlords Best for Frequent travellers, multi-currency earners, and people who exchange money regularly N26 Bank SE, Germany ### N26 4.4Best for Daily Banking. EU banking licence, clear Euro pricing, and faster ID verification make N26 the simpler day-one account for new arrivals in Austria. [Open N26](https://n26.com/de-at)Smart€4.90/monthGo€9.90/monthMetal€16.90/monthStandard is free. Paid tiers as of August 2026, from n26.com/en-at/plans. Monthly feeFree to €16.90NetworkMastercard debitFX feeBestNone on all tiersIBANDE-prefixPrices as of August 2026, verify on the provider site. Pros - EU banking licence with clear Euro pricing - Faster verification: 1 to 2 working days - Full English-language app and customer support Cons - DE-prefix IBAN, not AT-prefix - No physical branches in Austria Best for New arrivals who want a simple EU-licenced account with clear Austrian pricing and fast setup Both **[Revolut](https://www.revolut.com)** and **[N26](https://n26.com)** are excellent day-one cards for new arrivals in Austria. **[N26](https://n26.com)** is simpler: one EU banking licence, straightforward Euro pricing, and faster identity verification in **1 to 2 working days**. **[Revolut](https://www.revolut.com)** 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 residents open both. ## How Do Revolut and N26 Work in Austria? Both **[Revolut](https://www.revolut.com)** and **[N26](https://n26.com)** 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](https://n26.com)** is licensed in Germany and supervised by **BaFin** and the European Central Bank. **[Revolut](https://www.revolut.com) Bank UAB** is licensed in Lithuania. Deposits at both are protected up to **€100,000** per customer, but through their home-country scheme: **[N26](https://n26.com)** through the **German DGS**, **[Revolut](https://www.revolut.com)** through the **Lithuanian DGS**, not the Austrian **Einlagensicherung**. **[N26](https://n26.com)** issues a German **DE-IBAN** (e.g. DE89...). **[Revolut](https://www.revolut.com) 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](https://www.fma.gv.at). For accounts that still demand a local IBAN, a traditional Austrian account from **[Erste Bank](https://www.sparkasse.at)**, **[Bank Austria](https://www.bankaustria.at)**, or **[Raiffeisen](https://www.raiffeisen.at)** is the complement. Neither **[N26](https://n26.com)** nor **[Revolut](https://www.revolut.com)** 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](https://n26.com)** reserves **phone support for premium customers** on Smart, You, Go, or Metal plans. Standard account holders can only reach **[N26](https://n26.com)** via in-app chat. **[Revolut](https://www.revolut.com)** 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](https://www.revolut.com)**'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](https://n26.com)** also offers a dedicated support section in English at their help centre. **[Revolut](https://www.revolut.com)** has a larger community forum and more extensive self-service documentation. If phone support matters to you, budget for at least the **[N26](https://n26.com) Smart** or **[Revolut](https://www.revolut.com) Premium** tier. ## How Much Do Revolut and N26 Cost? Both **[Revolut](https://www.revolut.com)** and **[N26](https://n26.com)** 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](https://n26.com) Metal** costs **€16.90 per month**. **[Revolut](https://www.revolut.com) 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 (€0) | Standard (€0) | | Premium tier price | Metal / Ultra (varies) | [N26](https://n26.com) Metal €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](https://www.revolut.com) and [N26](https://n26.com) official pricing pages. Prices as of June 2026. ## How Do You Open an Account? Both **[Revolut](https://www.revolut.com)** and **[N26](https://n26.com)** 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](https://n26.com)**: 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](https://www.revolut.com)**: 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. ## Related Guides [### Fintech Apps in Austria N26, Revolut, bunq, and Wise compared for residents and new arrivals.](/banking/fintech-apps)[### Best Credit Cards in Austria free.at Mastercard Gold, N26 Metal, Erste Visa Gold, and more compared.](/banking/credit-cards)[### Prepaid Cards in Austria Options for spending without a bank account or credit check.](/banking/prepaid-cards)[### Open a Bank Account in Austria Step-by-step guide to opening your first traditional Austrian bank account.](/banking/open-bank-account)> What's your situation? Jump straight to the answer. [Travel and FXRevolut Free→Better rates across currencies.](#revo-revolut)[Daily bankingN26 Free→Simple EU-licenced current account.](#revo-n26)All 7 sections Getting Started - [1Revolut or N26: which is better in Austria?](#revolut-or-n26) How They Work - [2How do Revolut and N26 work in Austria?](#how-they-work) - [3Which has better customer support?](#customer-support) Costs & Application - [4How much do Revolut and N26 cost?](#costs) - [5How do you open an account?](#how-to-open) Help - [6Frequently Asked Questions](#faq) - [7Related Guides](#related-guides) Ask the author ## Have a question this guide did not answer? Send it to Jules. Questions shape what gets written next, and the most common ones become new sections on this page. Goes straight to Jules by email. No newsletter, no spam. Replies are best effort within a few days. ## 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. --- Source: https://www.how-to-austria.com/banking/revolut-vs-n26 Last updated: Updated: August 3 2026 Format: LLM-readable Markdown twin (.md) of the canonical HTML page.