Starting uni can be stressful financially, but it doesn’t have to be. With an N26 bank account, you’ll have your finances at your fingertips.
6 min read
Ready or not, back-to-school season is upon us. That’s right: It’s time to pack up your sun hat and bermuda shorts and get ready to hit the books. And though many of us mourn the end of summer, getting back in the swing of school has its perks — including seeing all your mates (and meeting new ones), diving into interesting topics, and racking up credits that get you one step closer to graduation. Financially speaking, however, heading back to uni can feel like a real drag. There’s books to buy and semester fees to pay, not to mention the costs of maintaining a vibrant social life. All these money matters can pile up quickly, and before you know it, school is off to a stressful start.So why not opt for a student bank account that fits your lifestyle? N26 Standard and Smart accounts are packed with clever money-management features to help you manage your money like a pro. Read on to learn how you can streamline your finances this semester in just a few taps.
Pay instantly with virtual cards
Need to pay for lunch but left your wallet at home? With N26 virtual cards, you can make payments online and in stores directly from your smartphone. It’s simple, secure, and as mobile as you are. Simply connect your N26 virtual card to Apple Pay or Google Pay. You’ll be able to pay in stores in just a few taps. You can even use your virtual card to withdraw cash at NFC-enabled ATMs. And if you’re shopping online, using your virtual card means you’ll never need to share your card details with online merchants. N26 Standard customers get one virtual card, and Smart customers get up to six! Choose from a selection of signature designs and link each card to the account of your choosing. It doesn’t get much simpler.
Keep your budget on track with Insights
Staying within budget is challenging for anyone, but perhaps especially for students. With busy class schedules, internships, and part-time jobs, most of us don’t have time to pour over receipts or bank statements to figure out a solid financial plan. Don’t worry: We’ve got a feature for that!With N26 Insights, you’ll get an automatic breakdown of your spending by categories, like shopping, groceries, friends, and much more. This way, you can see where you’re spending the most, and adjust it accordingly. Track your spending against your three-month average, and review upcoming regular payments to avoid nasty surprises. To get even more granular, use Monthly Wrap-Up to review what you spent at the end of each month and spot opportunities to cut back.
The bank you'll love
✓ 100% mobile ✓ No hidden fees ✓ No paperwork ✓ Free virtual Mastercard ✓ Investment tools
When you’re studying, every penny counts. That’s why you don’t want to be waiting around for someone to pay or reimburse you for expenses — or vice versa. But IBAN transfers can take up to several days to process, and swapping cash in an increasingly digital world is anything but ideal. MoneyBeam lets you send, receive, and request money from your N26 contacts in a matter of seconds. Simply enter your contact’s email address or phone number, specify the amount, and tap ‘Send.’ It’s the perfect way to pay for group gifts, manage common expenses, and much more. Speaking of getting paid instantly: Did you know that you’ll get free instant transfers 24/7 by upgrading to N26 Smart? Kiss late fees goodbye for good — send payments at lightning speed (even on weekends) and ensure your bills are always settled on time.
Scrap the math with Split the Bill
Whether you’re a physics or education major, uni will give you plenty of chances to solve complex math problems. Few of us want to crunch numbers outside the classroom — especially after a nice dinner with friends. Thanks to Split the Bill, you can forget the complex late-night calculations. Easily split payments made with your N26 card right in your banking app. Divide things up evenly, or assign custom amounts to everyone. It’s ideal for sharing grocery bills, rent payments, subscription fees — anything you like! Simply tap the transaction, choose how you want to split up the bill, and send the payment request to your contacts — regardless of whether they bank with N26.
Save the smart way with Spaces
No matter where you are on your financial journey, staying organized is never a fault. In fact, for students, it can be extra helpful to set aside money for different purposes, such as a new laptop, a trip with friends, or even a rainy-day fund for when you need extra cash in a pinch. That’s why we created Spaces sub-accounts — available with all our premium accounts. These handy virtual piggy banks sit alongside your main account, allowing you to create up to 10 savings categories and stash money in them whenever you choose. The best part? With N26, you can automate your savings so you never have to think about moving money back and forth. Enable Round-Ups to round each purchase up to the nearest euro and save the extra change in a Space of your choosing. Try Income Sorter to automatically divide your income between your main account, joint account, and Spaces. Then there’s Shared Spaces — perfect for pooling funds for shared expenses among family and friends. Plus, you can get a unique IBAN for any Space and spend directly from there. It’s fast, flexible, and easy as pie.
Block your card in seconds for peace of mind
Nothing can ruin a semester like losing your debit card. In the best case, it’s waiting for you at the restaurant from last night, stuck in the folds of your wallet, or jammed in your jean shorts. If not, you may need to check your bank account pronto for nefarious activity.But thanks to 100% mobile banking, you can block your N26 card right from your smartphone in seconds. This will prevent anyone who has your card (or your card details) from making a purchase. If you don’t find your card or if your details have been compromised, you can order a new card right from your home with our in-app Customer Support. Found your card after all? Simply unlock it in your banking app and be on your merry way. With N26, you’ll never have to sacrifice security for convenience. As a fully-licensed German bank, your funds are insured up to €100,000 by the German Deposit Protection Scheme. Plus, with 3D Secure Payments, Dark Mode for banking in public, and instant push notifications for each transaction, you can rest assured that your money is in good hands. Learn more about security at N26 here.
Your Money at N26
Managing your money as a student doesn’t have to be rocket science. Luckily, N26 gives you the tools you need to monitor your daily spending, saving, and budgeting — right from your smartphone. You’ll enjoy free ATM withdrawals, flexible overdraft options when you need it most, and absolutely no hidden fees. Want to benefit from deals that fit your lifestyle while staying in budget? With N26 Perks, you’ll benefit from dozens of deals from partner brands designed to make your money go further. Sign up in minutes and discover modern banking that’s designed with you in mind.
Culture, courses, people and places: studying abroad comes with a host of benefits to help you grow as a person. Check out our online guide on 10 fantastic places to study around the world.
This guide takes a closer look at the main options students in Europe have to pay for college and the eligibility requirements for each one. It includes links to databases for scholarships and grants.
Culture, courses, people and places: studying abroad comes with a host of benefits to help you grow as a person. Check out our online guide on 10 fantastic places to study around the world.
This guide takes a closer look at the main options students in Europe have to pay for college and the eligibility requirements for each one. It includes links to databases for scholarships and grants.
