Independent guides, comparisons and reviews from Comparer Banque.
Interest on a Belgian regulated savings account is tax-exempt up to €1,020 per person in 2026, then subject to 15% withholding tax (précompte mobilier). Each bank applies the threshold account by account: with two banks, declaring the excess is up to you. Rates checked on 3 October 2026.
Bankswitching, Belgium's interbank mobility service, received 111,745 requests in 2025. Set against the country's 20 million or so current accounts, that is one account in three hundred. The figures, the service's blind spots and the debate on account number portability.
Belgian banks stopped issuing Maestro cards on 1 July 2023 and the network winds down at the end of 2027. Debit Mastercard or Visa Debit: what eight banks chose, checked on 10 October 2026.
N26 Standard costs €0 a year in Belgium, Smart €58.80, Go €118.80 and Metal €202.80. The IBAN is still German, so it must be reported to the National Bank, and savings pay 0.30% gross. Prices checked on 5 October 2026, with the sums that show when paying makes sense.
Moving a Belgian savings account to another bank forfeits the loyalty bonus in progress, to the day. On €20,000 deposited in January, leaving on 5 October 2026 costs €180 in bonus for €34 of extra interest. Rates recorded on 3 October 2026.
A Belgian bank may refuse you an ordinary account, but not the basic banking service: an answer within ten working days and a maximum of €20.34 a year since 1 January 2026. Conditions, prices at six banks and remedies, checked on 2 October 2026.
Paying €150 in dollars costs €0 to €4.70 depending on your Belgian bank, withdrawing the same amount €0 to €10.54. Seven banks checked against their fee schedules on 29 September 2026.
After a death, the bank blocks the accounts of the deceased and those of the surviving spouse. Unblocking takes a free certificate of inheritance, issued in about four weeks. Estate file fees of 50 to 151.25 € per bank, checked on 29 September 2026.
Since 2025, Revolut has issued Belgian IBANs through its Brussels branch. Salaries and direct debits go through, the current account no longer has to be reported to the National Bank, but deposit protection remains Lithuanian. Fees and rules checked on 26 September 2026.
