Hey bunqers 🌈,

You can open a bunq account in just 5 minutes directly from your phone. Here's everything you need to know about getting started.

Let’s get started

Here's what you need to do before you start:

• Install the bunq app on your mobile device

• Have a valid identity document on hand: passport, national identity card (ID), residence permit, or driver's license. Check out the full list of accepted documents.

💡Tip: turn off your VPN during sign-up. VPN usage can make it appear you're outside your country of residence, which may block you from completing the process.

How do I sign up?

1. Open your bunq app and tap Get Started

2. Enter and verify your phone number

3. Tap on Sign up in 5 minutes from any tab

4. Select an account type

5. Fill in your personal information and email address

6. Agree to the T&Cs

7. Enter your residential address

8. Tap Start Verification to verify your identity: scan your ID and take a selfie

9. Wait 5 minutes while we verify your account

10. All done ✨

💼 If you’re signing up for a Business Account, we’ll ask for some additional details about your Business during your sign up.

How long does verification take?

Most applications are verified in under 5 minutes. We aim to keep it that way, but sometimes it takes a bit longer. This can happen when:

• We need extra information or documents from you

• There's an issue with a document you submitted (wrong type, missing signatures, or not supported)

• We're busier than usual. During busy periods or scheduled maintenance, processing can slow down temporarily.

• We run into a technical issue on our end.

In these cases, it can take up to 10 hours. We need to make sure everything is in place before the account is ready for you to use! You'll receive a notification once your account is verified 🚀

Why is my verification taking longer than 5 minutes?

In most cases, verification is instant. Occasionally, extra checks are needed — here's why that might happen and what to do:

• Document issues: blurry, expired, or unsupported documents can delay verification or require you to resubmit. Follow the instructions in the app to try again, and make sure your identity document is clear and valid.

• Address mismatch: if the address you entered doesn't match your device's geolocation, we may ask for proof of residence. Learn what documents we accept and how to provide them here.

• Manual review: some accounts require additional checks before they can be approved. We'll message you in the app with any next steps needed.

• Legal regulations: as a bank, we sometimes need to run extra checks to stay compliant. If this applies to your account, we'll let you know in the app with details on how to proceed.

• High demand or technical issues: during busy periods or scheduled maintenance, processing can slow down temporarily.

Why do I see a Welcome Back screen?

Fill in your phone number and see a Welcome Back screen? We’ve got you covered. This means you already have an active or previously verified account with us. Therefore, we redirect you to log into your existing account instead of creating a new one. To log back in, simply:

1. Fill in your security code

2. We’ll need to verify it’s really you - tap on Start Verification

3. Follow the verification flow

4. Welcome back to your account ✨

Forgot your Security code, or that you already have an account? No worries - it happens to the best of us. You can read up on how to recover your Security code and account in a matter of minutes here.

What’s included in my account?

Whether you open a Personal or Business account, you can enjoy 1 month of the bunq Elite plan for free.

Note for 🇧🇪 Belgium: A Savings Account isn't open by default. When you sign up, you'll immediately get a Belgian IBAN Bank Account, and you can open a Savings Account yourself straight away — here's how to create a Savings Account.

Personal Accounts

You’ll get the following by default when you open a Personal account from the sign up flow:

• 1 Payment Bank Account

• 1 Savings Account

Business Accounts

You’ll get the following by default when you open a Business Account from the sign up flow:

• 1 Business Bank Account

• 1 Business Savings Account

Since our Business Accounts require a Personal Account, you will also automatically receive:

• 1 Personal Bank Account

• 1 Personal Savings Account

All Personal Accounts opened alongside a Business Account will be defaulted to the bunq Free plan ✨

Joint Accounts

When you invite a partner during sign-up, or join bunq through a Partner invite, you’ll receive your own Personal and Savings Accounts, plus shared access to:

• 1 Joint bank account

• 1 Joint savings account

Child Accounts

You can open a free bunq Pro account for your child, which includes the following by default:

• 1 Child Savings Account, if your child is under 6 years old

• 1 Payment Bank Account if your child is between 7 and 17 years old

These are bank accounts which are open by default for you. You can then open additional Payments and Savings Accounts. Read more about how you can add a new Bank Account here.

You can also order digital and physical cards on your free bunq Elite trial. You can read more about how you can order a card here.

You’re always in control. You can always switch your bunq Plan during or after your trial. To do so, follow the steps outlined here.

5-minute-Personal account 💸

Opening a Personal account with us in 5 minutes is possible when you have all the required information at hand, so that we make the necessary checks right away and welcome you on board!

• During the verification we’ll ask you for your Identification Document, Passport, Residence Permit, or Driver's license. You can check all the accepted documents here

• Take the perfect picture! When we ask for a photo of your Identification Document, make sure to stand still and ensure the lighting is good enough so that the info on your Identification Document is readable.

You can read more about identity verification here. If you've left the verification process for later, click here to proceed with it.

5-minute-Business account 💼

In order to open a Business account in 5 minutes, it’s important you have the necessary documents at hand. Here are some pro-tips on how to prepare for the process:

• Check the accepted legal forms in advance so that we can open your account in 5 minutes. You can see all the legal forms we accept here

• Collect all the documents we need for your verification. You can see a detailed explanation on all of the necessary documentation here 👀