Compare the best Belgian bank accounts for expats. Traditional banks, digital alternatives, fees, and everything you need to know about banking in Belgium. Updated March 2026.
Tax note for Belgium: Belgium applies a 30% prelevement mobilier (withholding tax) on interest and dividends. The first 1,020 EUR of savings interest per person from regulated savings accounts is tax-exempt. Belgium does not tax capital gains on shares for private investors (unless considered speculative). A 0.15% securities account tax applies to accounts above 1 million EUR. Banks automatically withhold tax on interest.
Our pick for Belgium
Wise — Real exchange rate, no hidden fees
Trusted by 16M+ people worldwide. Send, spend, and receive in 40+ currencies at the real mid-market rate. Multi-currency account with local bank details in 10+ countries. No monthly fees.
We evaluated over 10 banks available to expats in Belgium, comparing monthly fees, card costs, ATM networks, FX markups, ease of opening for non-Belgian nationals, and mobile app quality. Belgian deposit protection covers up to 100,000 EUR per person per institution under the Guarantee Fund for Financial Services.
KBC (and its French-speaking counterpart CBC) is widely considered Belgium's best bank for digital services, with an award-winning mobile app that integrates banking, insurance, and payments. Belfius is the former Dexia Bank Belgium and has the second-largest branch network.
What to look for as an expat in Belgium
Belgian IBAN (BE) -- Employers and landlords require a Belgian IBAN. KBC, Belfius, and bunq all provide BE IBANs. Interestingly, Wise also provides a BE IBAN since it is licensed in Belgium, making it one of the few countries where Wise gives a local IBAN.
Commune registration -- To open an account at KBC or Belfius, you need to be registered at your local commune (municipality). You will receive a residence card or annexe 8 (for EU citizens) after registration.
Bancontact -- Belgium's dominant payment system, used for in-store payments, online shopping, and peer-to-peer transfers via the Payconiq by Bancontact app. KBC and Belfius cards work natively with Bancontact. N26 also supports it.
Language -- Belgian banks operate in French, Dutch, and sometimes German depending on the region. KBC primarily operates in Dutch (Flanders), while CBC is its French equivalent (Wallonia). Belfius operates in both. Digital banks offer English interfaces.
Tax on securities accounts -- If your securities account (at any bank worldwide) exceeds 1 million EUR, Belgium applies a 0.15% annual tax. This affects expats with significant investment portfolios.
Calculate your Belgium salary first
Know exactly how much you take home after personal income tax, social security, and municipal surcharges before deciding how to manage your money.