How to open a bank account in Luxembourg

In today's interconnected global economy, having a well-established and efficient banking system is paramount for residents and non-residents. Having a bank account in Luxembourg brings a multitude of advantages.

• For residents, it provides a secure platform to manage daily finances, make and receive transfers at no cost within the European Union, access a wide range of banking products, and benefit from advanced digital banking solutions.
• For non-residents, opening a bank account in Luxembourg offers a gateway to global financial opportunities, facilitating international transactions, investment diversification, and wealth management services.

Who is eligible for opening a bank account in Luxembourg

Opening a bank account in Luxembourg is accessible to anyone over 18 years of age ordinarily resident in Luxembourg or having an expatriation project. Non-residents may in certain cases open a bank account depending on the country of residence and the bank.

Where can an expat open a bank account in Luxembourg

Here we will briefly some of the largest banks to give you an idea of the main players, however, for you to decide where to open an account you should reflect on what are the most important criteria for you (security, social and ecological commitment, prices, availability of certain products, etc.) and find out how each bank is positioned concerning these parameters.

Illustration by Luxtoday

Luxembourgish banks

Spuerkeess

Banque et Caisse d'Epargne de l'Etat (BCEE) is the national savings bank of Luxembourg. As a government-owned institution, its primary objectives revolve around promoting savings, facilitating access to housing and fostering the growth of the national economy.

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Banque Internationale à Luxembourg (BIL)

Although it is a Luxembourg bank, it is majority-owned (90%) by Legend Holdings, a Chinese investment holding company. The remaining 10% is owned by the Luxembourg government.

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Banque de Luxembourg

A renowned and long-established financial institution, it has established itself as a major player in the industry, specialising in providing exceptional private banking and wealth management services tailored to meet the unique needs and aspirations of high net worth individuals, families and institutional investors.

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Banque Raiffeisen

Founded in 1925, is a cooperative and sustainable bank. Since its inception, the Bank has been driven by a vision to provide high quality products and services while prioritising environmental responsibility.

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Branches of foreign banks

BGL BNP Paribas

Formerly known as Banque Générale du Luxembourg or BGL, holds a prominent position as one of Luxembourg's largest banks, boasting a rich history spanning more than a century. In May 2009, BGL became a part of the esteemed BNP Paribas group, now it stands as the fifth-largest bank in Luxembourg and plays a significant role in the country's economy by being the second-largest employer.

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ING Luxembourg

Bank is a subsidiary of the ING Group and operates within a vast financial network with over $1.1 trillion in assets. The ING Group is one of the largest banks in the world and is recognised as one of Europe's leading companies in terms of turnover.

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Online banks

When it comes to online banks in Luxembourg, there are no specific institutions based solely in the country. However, there is a wide range of European service providers available where you can open an account. Among the most prominent options are Revolut, N26, and Wise.

Revolut

It is a global financial technology company, providing banking services to individuals and businesses around the world. It was founded in 2015 by Nikolay Storonsky and Vlad Yatsenko.

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N26

It is a German neobank headquartered in Berlin. N26 currently operates in several EU member states that are members of the Single Euro Payments Area.

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Wise

It is a financial technology company with a focus on convenient money transfers.

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These online banking platforms offer a fully digitalized experience, making them ideal for everyday financial transactions conducted conveniently through a smartphone. They also tend to provide competitive rates for certain operations.

However, it's important to note that online banks lack physical branches, which means there is no option for in-person assistance during problem situations. Additionally, their offerings are generally more limited compared to traditional banks, particularly in terms of savings products.

Banks in Luxembourg reviews

Clients of the banks are sharing a lot of emotions online about their experience with the bank they use. These might come in handy when choosing a bank account in Luxembourg or in any other country. We also added some reviews from our expat chat on Luxtoday.

Spuerkeess

our reader's review in Luxtoday chat

The Spuerkeess and only the Spuerkeess. I tried to open an account with all the big banks and only this bank was really committed to doing so. Plus they solved the issue of a bank guarantee for renting a flat quickly, everything is usually solved via the mailbox in the app or on the website, and by the time you visit the branch, it's all ready to go.

Saad from Trustpilot

The only positive thing compared to many banks, is the ebanking app. It is quite modern and easy to use. Though, Revolut or N26 have by far more modern and intuitive UI. On the negative side, BCEE is an expensive (I'd say the most expensive) bank in the market. 

Zebra packs are useless. The Miles and More credit card is interesting but expensive too. Having a "saving" account for rent deposit is also too expensive for no reason. You pay more than a hundred per year for keeping your money in a saving account... In short, why shall someone pay for service that are very standard or bellow standard if neo banks (N26, Revolut ... etc.) are taken into account.

BIL

Our reader's review in Luxtoday chat

About the disadvantages: lame app, credit card without IBAN and the ability to recharge it. And sometimes it can take a long time to get an answer from manager. Otherwise, it's fine, maybe because my employer has a contract with the bank.

Alex from Trustpilot

Very easy to work with. Easy banking and innovative. Mobile banking is super easy to use. Excellent remote support, you rarely need to visit branches as most things can be done via e-mail and online.

ING

our reader's review in Luxtoday chat

I feel really bad about ING, it's a painful topic 😡 We ended up filing a formal complaint asking to change our manager, and our family account has been blocked for a month (even though we have been their clients for a year, my husband has a wage account there and we've submitted all the supporting documents several times), it took us 6 weeks to get our credit card, they requested our titres de sejour three times, then lost them and asked again 🤦‍♀

I honestly envy people who are fine with this bank 😭 they have lost more documents and attachments in a year than all other banks in 20 years put together.

our reader's review in Luxtoday chat

We have only had 3 change of managers in 20 years at ING and all three have been wonderful.

Edouard Tricot from Facebook

Good bank overall and I recommend it. A few technical problems with the apps, but nothing serious in the end. More than made up for by really attentive customer service.

Documents required for opening a bank account for foreigners

When opening a bank account in Luxembourg as an expat, it is important to have the following documents prepared:

How to open a bank account in Luxembourg

There is a standard procedure, that can still vary, depending on the bank and your situation. Here are the consecutive steps, you are required to go through in order to have a bank account in Europe and in Luxembourg.

How to open an account in a traditional bank

1. Choose a bank that offers the best options for your case

   Think about your needs and what is important to you: security, the social and ecological commitment of the bank, prices, availability of certain products, customer service, etc. There are many points to consider and each bank positions itself differently on each of them. It is important that you define your priorities and do your research.

2. Identify and print the documents required by your bank

   You can take as a basis the documents we have mentioned in the previous section, however, we recommend you visit the bank's website or call them directly to make sure you have all the documents for your case.

3. Bring your documents to a local bank branch

   Sometimes it is necessary to make an appointment, so we recommend that you call the bank beforehand. If you have not yet arrived in the country but want to open an account, you can probably send the documents by mail or do the process online, we recommend you check with the bank in question to see what options they offer.

4. Answer the questions asked by the bank and sign the required documents

   During the appointment at the bank, answer all the questions they may ask you and sign the account opening contract.

5. Wait for the bank to process the application

   The bank usually needs a few days to open your online services space and to send you your card and PIN code by post.

How to open an account in online bank in Luxembourg

The opening process for online accounts is generally much simpler. Keep in mind, that currently, online banks request identity verification and a European residence permit in some cases, depending on your nationality.

1. Choose a bank that offers the best options for your case

   Some good options for European residents are Revolut or N26, while non-European residents can turn to Wise.

2. Visit the bank's website or open its mobile application

   Once there follow the opening process, generally you will have to fill out a form with your personal information and answer some questions.

3. Verify your identity

   When opening an online bank account, it is always necessary to verify your identity. The platform you are using will guide you through the whole process, usually, you will need to take photos of your ID and take some selfies.

4. Subscribe to the services you want and ask for a physical card if you want it

   Online banks generally offer free services, but they also offer paid services with greater benefits, check the services you are interested in and subscribe to them. Generally, these banks offer both virtual cards and physical cards, if you want a physical card you will have to request it and wait for it to arrive at your home.

What types of bank accounts are available

There is a range of options available to cater to different financial objectives and needs. While savings accounts are common, there are also accounts designed for specific purposes, such as housing savings accounts and pension plan-dictated accounts.

• The housing savings account is dedicated to saving for your primary residence. By setting aside a predetermined amount each month, this account not only allows tax deductions but also provides a state guarantee for your mortgage after three years.
• Another option is the pension plan account, which involves monthly contributions. These funds are invested in bonds and the stock market, offering annual tax deductions and helping you build your retirement savings.

There are more types of accounts, so we recommend that you check with your bank to find out what type of accounts they offer and what their characteristics are. In addition to various types of bank accounts, you can also subscribe to different types of cards, there are debit cards and credit cards.

• Debit cards are linked directly to your bank account, allowing you to make purchases and withdraw cash within the available balance.
• Credit cards allow you to make purchases on credit, with the amount spent to be repaid later. Credit cards offer flexibility and often come with additional benefits such as reward programs and insurance coverage, but it's important to use them responsibly to avoid debt accumulation.

What are the costs of a bank account in Luxembourg

When opening a bank account in Luxembourg, it's important to consider the associated costs, as they can vary depending on the bank, account type, and services subscribed.

To provide an overview of the costs involved, the following table presents a selection of popular banks and their associated fees, but we recommend visit the page of each of the banks you want to compare.