bunq has bumped its bonus interest rate to 3.01%, and instead of making you wait a year to cash in, the money lands in your account every week.
If you’ve got funds sitting in a savings account, earning next to nothing, consider this your nudge to chase better rates elsewhere.
Dutch neobank bunq has always been generous in the interest rate department, but a recent bump to 3.01% now makes them one of the highest-paying savings options around for anyone banking in the Netherlands.
Here’s everything to know about bunq’s new bonus interest rate, including how it works, possible limits, and what you’d actually earn on your funds.
What is a “bonus interest rate”?
The way bunq’s savings accounts are set up, you earn a base interest rate up to a certain (personal) threshold, and then a bonus interest rate on any funds above that.
As of July 2026, bunq’s base interest rate is 1.51%, and their bonus interest rate has risen from 2.01% to 3.01%.
But, we hear you ask, how is my personal threshold calculated? Well, your personal threshold is calculated based on “the highest balance held in your Savings Account during the previous 6 months.”
This threshold is recalculated twice a year on:
- January 1, based on your highest balance between July 1 and December 31
- July 1, based on your highest balance between January 1 and June 30
In other words, if you had €5,000 in your savings account between January 1 and June 30, 2026, then €5,000 would be your threshold from July 1 onwards.
If you’ve got €5,000 (or below) in your bunq savings account, an interest rate of 1.51% will apply. Should that increase to €6,000, you’ll earn 3.01% interest on the extra €1,000 over your threshold.
The more you save, the more of your money climbs above the threshold and earns the higher rate.
Good to know: If you’re curious what your personal threshold is, you can always check the bunq app. Just open your savings tab, click on “Expected Interest Earnings”, and view your personal limit under “Savings Threshold”.
Yes, free bunq users get the new rate too
The rate is open to any personal bunq account holder in the EEA, on any plan, including the free tier. This means that, unlike several other neobanks, you don’t need a paid bunq subscription to earn one of the highest interest rates in the Netherlands.
However, there are a couple of limits worth knowing.
Interest is only paid on balances up to €100,000; anything above that earns nothing, though there’s no penalty for holding more.
You can make up to two free withdrawals per month from your personal savings account, with a third free withdrawal unlocked once you’ve been saving with bunq for a full year.
Is my money safe with bunq?
When it comes to neobanks, safety is always a major consideration. Unlike traditional banks, with their brick-and-mortar branches, neobanks operate entirely online and have little to no physical presence.
With bunq, however, you can lay those worries to rest.
As a fully licenced Dutch bank, your euro savings are covered by the Depositogarantiestelsel (the Dutch Deposit Guarantee Scheme), which protects deposits up to €100,000 per account holder.
Meanwhile, if you share a joint savings account, that protection extends to a whopping €200,000 in total.
Is bunq’s savings account right for me?
If you’ve got money sitting idle that you won’t need ASAP, then yes. Setting aside funds in a bunq savings account is a simple way to make your money work harder, without locking it away long-term in a fixed deposit.
Whether you’re setting up an emergency fund, putting cash aside for a housing deposit, or simply stashing away some vakantiegeld (holiday allowance) that hasn’t found a purpose yet, that 3.01% bonus interest is a seriously attractive figure.
And, unlike many Dutch banks, which pay savings interest once a year and leave it at that, bunq calculates yours regularly and pays out interest every week.
Beyond the sweet satisfaction of watching your balance tick up more often, these regular payouts give your savings a serious boost. As your interest arrives much quicker, it starts earning interest of its own quicker, so your savings build up faster over time.
In addition to this, you can make up to two instant withdrawals a month, so your savings stay within reach if plans change. After one year of savings, you will unlock three instant withdrawals a month.
Of course, savings interest is just one part of the picture. If you’re curious about what else bunq brings to the table, take a look at our rundown of everyday bunq features that changed the way we bank.
From multiple IBANs to real-time spending insights and a Wheel of Fortune, there’s plenty going on beyond their sky-high interest rates.
How do you feel about bunq’s two-tier interest rate system? Does it encourage you to save more? Share your thoughts in the comments below!