What people ask about this
Questions before you sign anything.
Is my money safe?
It depends on the product. Bank-licensed accounts (N26, bunq, Trade Republic via Deutsche Bank) carry a €100,000 EU deposit guarantee per account-holder. Money-market funds (Lightyear) carry a smaller €20,000 investor-protection cover and are technically not bank deposits.
Can the rate change?
Yes. Most of these rates are variable — when the ECB cuts rates, your interest drops. Fixed accounts lock the rate but you can't withdraw without losing the interest.
Do I need to pay tax on the interest?
Yes — interest counts as income in every EU country. Some accounts (Cash ISAs in the UK, PEA in France) shelter it tax-free up to limits; most don't. Always declare it in your tax return.
What's the minimum I can put in?
Almost all of these have no minimum balance. You can start with €1 and add more whenever you want.
