Belgium is not talked about enough as an ideal place of study for international students. Because of its location, there is always an opportunity to explore nearby countries like Germany, the Netherlands, France, and Luxembourg. Let’s not forget that it’s also the land of castles and premium chocolate.

So, while you get used to the beautiful sights and confectioneries as an international student in Belgium, let’s help you get settled by getting your affairs in order, starting with your finances. 

This post will discuss the five best banks in Belgium for international students and how to choose one. Whatever your financial needs are, we'll help give you the information you need to find the perfect bank to support your academic journey in Belgium. Let's get into it.

Best Banks for International Students in Belgium

Here are the top five Banks for International Students in Belgium:

KBC Group.

KBC Group's wide reach across Belgium makes it ideal for international students if you prefer walk-in visits and in-person support. It also has:

•  Student accounts that come with free debit cards and online banking.  
• You also get strong English language support.
• Student accounts come with benefits like discounts on certain services.

If you want to open an international student bank account with KBC Group in Belgium, start here.

ING Belgium.

As a digital-focused bank, ING Belgium has a user-friendly mobile app with applicable features. The mobile app and other online banking platforms owned by the bank have English language support.

As an international student in Belgium, you can access student accounts with waived maintenance fees and discounts on international money transfers.

If you want to open an international student bank account with ING Belgium, start here.

BNP Paribas Fortis.

With its international and global reach, BNP Paribas Fortis offers multilingual support to customers which also includes international students. On its student accounts, you can get some student-only benefits and waivers.

BNP Paribas Fortis provides up to three current accounts, discounted foreign transfers, and different online services which international students in Belgium can find useful. International students can easily manage their finances, thanks to several bank card options and a MasterCard Gold credit card.

If you want to open an international student bank account with BNP Paribas Fortis, start here.

Argenta Bank.

Argenta Bank has a strong local presence in Belgium and is a favourite because of its strong focus on customer service. As an international student in a foreign country, one of the things you should look out for when choosing a bank is that it has reliable customer service. This is an important tip that can help you minimize any frustrations with keeping your money in a bank.

With Argenta Bank, International students can get English language support and a feature-rich online banking platform.

If you want to open an international student bank account with Argenta Bank, start here.

N26 Bank.

N26 Bank is only available online, so it is ideal for international students in Belgium who want to conveniently do their banking on mobile apps instead of visiting a physical branch. N26 Bank also has English language support and an online app with user-friendly features.

If you want to open an international student bank account with N26, start here.

Banking in Belgium: How To Choose Your Perfect Fit as an International Student

The first step in choosing a bank that works for you is to research what each bank offers on its international student accounts. If any details are unclear, please contact the banks directly to ask any questions you might have.

Some important factors to consider when choosing a bank in Belgium as an international student are:

Account Features: The main attraction to any account type is what it has to offer. International student account offerings differ from bank to bank, so it's important to note what's important to you and look out for them. Some important account features you should consider are:

• Waived monthly fees.
• Free debit cards.
• Discounts and other benefits on student services. 
• User-friendly online and mobile banking platforms.
• Easy access to international transfers with low transaction fees.

Accessibility and Support: A huge part of choosing a banking partner is having one that is accessible and supportive whenever you need it. If you prefer to do your banking in person, consider choosing a bank with a physical location nearby. As an international student in Belgium, you might not be fluent in the local language, so choose a bank that offers strong English language support for your convenience.

Banking Fees: Many banks waive maintenance fees on their student accounts, while others charge low fees. Look into these and other potential fees on other transactions like ATM usage and transaction fees. This will help you to make an informed decision.

Mobile Banking App: Is the mobile app functional and efficient? Does it have the necessary features to satisfy your banking needs? Finding the answers to these questions is the right step to finding a suitable bank for an international student in Belgium.

Recommendations: If you can, talk to fellow international students at your university and ask them to recommend banks that have worked for them.

Wrapping Up

The Belgium banks mentioned in this post are the best five for international students to consider when it comes to opening an account. Most of these banks offer multilingual support and user-friendly mobile banking apps.  

Before choosing a bank, think about how aligns with your needs and that it has the features that work for you. If you have any further inquiries, please reach out to the banks directly to clarify any questions and be sure that their student accounts align with your priorities. 

If you’d like to send money anywhere in the world from Cyprus and you prefer fast transfers at great rates, we recommend the OhentPay money transfer service. Create an account to get started here.

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