There is not enough talk about Belgium as an ideal location for foreign students to study. Due to Belgium’s situation, it is always possible to visit the nearby countries of Germany, the Netherlands, France and Luxembourg. Switzerland should also be remembered for its many castles and first-rate chocolate. 

A digital display in front of a building that reads, "Personal Banking"

The top banks for international students in Belgium

Let’s look at the best five banks for International Students in Belgium.

KBC Group

If you need on-site help, international students will value that KBC is readily available all over Belgium. It also includes:  A campus offers debit cards, as well as the convenience of online banking, for all students. Help with your English language abilities is also provided.

Student accounts offer students access to cheaper services.

ING Belgium

Because it is an online-focused bank, ING Belgium offers a convenient mobile app with all the useful functions you need. Both the bank’s mobile app and all of its other online platforms have English support. In Belgium, international students have access to student accounts that are free of all maintenance fees and give them discounts on sending money abroad.

BNP Paribas Fortis 

Since BNP Paribas Fortis works across borders, it supports customers and international students in many languages. You may take advantage of some special student offers and waivers on your student account. BNP Paribas Fortis offers three current accounts, encourages students to send money abroad at a lower cost and provides a variety of useful online banking tools. Managing money is simpler for international students because of the numerous bank cards and a MasterCard Gold credit card available to them.

Argenta Bank

With its local offices in Belgium, Argenta Bank is well-liked for its excellent customer service. Being an international student abroad, you should make sure that the bank you choose offers good customer service. This prompt will help you avoid many issues with saving your money in a bank. Argenta Bank ensures that International students receive help in English and enjoy a well-equipped online banking service.

N26 Bank

Since N26 Bank operates solely online, it suits international students in Belgium who prefer to handle their banking from their phones. Users can rely on English language help when using N26 Bank’s online app.

Selecting a bank in Belgium: How an International student can find the best option

Your initial task should be to investigate the features provided by each bank for international students. Should any details not make sense to you, you can ask the banks for clarification.

There are a few things to think about before choosing a bank in Belgium as an international student.

The main thing you look at in an account is the features it provides. As international student accounts vary among banking institutions, you should decide on your needs and search for them. Certain account features to keep in mind are:

  • Charges for monthly fees have been cut by banks.
  • You can use a free cash card.
  • Special discounts and favours on services for students. 
  • The bank offers simple online and mobile banking services for users.
  • Simple and affordable means of sending money to other countries.

It is important to work with a bank that is always available when you require its assistance. If visiting a bank office is important to you, opt for a bank that has a branch close by. Given your possible lack of Dutch, having a bank that provides help in English makes things easier for you. Many banks reward students by not collecting the usual maintenance fees from their student accounts, and the rest charge at a low rate. Always review the information about fees related to ATMs and bill payments. Using this method can assist you in making a good choice.

Mobile App: Is it easy and convenient to do banking through the app? Can you use this bank for all your banking tasks? If you have a chance, connect with students from different countries in your university and seek their advice on which banks they have used.

Take away

This post highlights the best five Belgian banks that international students should consider when opening a new account. Most of these banks provide support in several languages and have easy-to-use mobile apps. Select a bank that fits your needs and has the services you prefer. 

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