Best Savings Accounts for International Students in Belgium
The best savings accounts for international students in Belgium offer competitive interest rates, no management fees, secure deposit protection and easy access through mobile banking.
Belgian savings accounts work differently from accounts in some other countries. A regulated savings account normally pays:
- A base interest rate for each day the money remains in the account.
- A fidelity or loyalty bonus for money kept in the account for 12 consecutive months.
This means the account advertising the highest combined rate may not be the best place for emergency money you expect to withdraw quickly.
As of July 26, 2026, leading options include ING Tempo Savings, Argenta Groeirekening, BNP Paribas Fortis Boost Savings and KBC Brussels Start2Save.
Best Belgian Savings Accounts at a Glance
Our top choices are:
- ING Tempo Savings: Best current combined rate for monthly saving.
- Argenta Groeirekening: Best balance of rate, fees and branch access.
- BNP Paribas Fortis Boost Savings: Best for BNP student-account holders.
- KBC Brussels Start2Save: Best rate from August 1, 2026.
- ING Savings Account: Best for larger deposits without a monthly cap.
Interest rates can change at any time. Students should verify the latest rate directly with the bank before opening an account.
1. ING Tempo Savings
Best current rate for regular monthly saving
ING increased the rates on its regulated savings accounts on July 1, 2026. The ING Tempo Savings account now offers:
- Base interest rate: 1.60% annually.
- Fidelity premium: 1.50% annually.
- Potential combined gross rate: 3.10%.
- Maximum monthly deposit: €500.
The fidelity premium applies only when a deposit remains in the account for 12 consecutive months. Deposits made before July 1 may continue under the fidelity rate applicable when their current 12-month period began.
Why it suits international students
ING Tempo Savings can be useful for students who want to transfer a fixed amount from their scholarship, salary or monthly allowance.
It may suit those saving for:
- Tuition payments.
- A rental deposit.
- Travel expenses.
- Immigration or residence-renewal costs.
- An emergency fund.
Main limitation
The €500 monthly limit makes the account unsuitable for depositing a large lump sum immediately. Withdrawing money before the end of the 12-month period also causes you to lose the fidelity premium on the withdrawn amount.
Verdict: One of the best current options for students who can save regularly and leave the money untouched for at least one year.
2. Argenta Groeirekening
Best combination of competitive interest and no fees
The Argenta Groeirekening, or Growth Account, currently offers:
- Base interest rate: 1.50% annually.
- Fidelity premium: 1.50% annually.
- Potential combined gross rate: 3.00%.
- Maximum monthly deposit: €500.
- No opening or account-management fees.
The account can be opened through the Argenta application or at an Argenta branch. Only one Groeirekening is permitted for each unique set of account holders.
Why it suits international students
Argenta offers both digital management and branch support. This can be valuable for newcomers who prefer speaking with a bank employee when submitting foreign identity or residence documents.
The account is suitable for building savings gradually through a standing order from your Belgian current account.
Main limitations
Students should be aware that:
- Deposits cannot exceed €500 per calendar month.
- Cash deposits and withdrawals are not available for this account at a branch.
- The fidelity premium is lost on amounts withdrawn before completing 12 months.
- Foreign applicants must still satisfy Argenta’s customer-verification requirements.
Verdict: A strong choice for students who want a free account, competitive rate and access to physical branches.
3. BNP Paribas Fortis Boost Savings Account
Best for students already using BNP Paribas Fortis
The Boost Savings Account was introduced in May 2026 and currently offers:
- Base interest rate: 1.40% annually.
- Loyalty bonus: 1.50% annually.
- Potential combined gross rate: 2.90%.
- Maximum monthly deposit: €500.
- No standard opening, closing or management fees.
Money remains available for withdrawal at any time. However, withdrawing it before completing the 12-month loyalty period means losing the loyalty bonus on that amount.
Why it suits international students
BNP Paribas Fortis also provides student and expat current-account options. Therefore, students already using a Hello4You or another BNP account may find it convenient to keep their savings in the same banking application.
The Boost account may be suitable for:
- Automatically saving part of a scholarship.
- Creating a monthly emergency fund.
- Saving for the next academic year.
- Keeping daily spending and savings separate.
Main limitation
Only one Boost Savings Account may be opened for the same individual or combination of joint holders across BNP Paribas Fortis and Hello bank!.
Verdict: A convenient high-interest option for students who already bank with BNP Paribas Fortis or Hello bank!.
4. KBC Brussels Start2Save
Best upcoming rate from August 1, 2026
KBC Brussels Start2Save is a regulated savings account designed for automatic monthly saving.
On July 26, 2026, its rates are:
- Base interest rate: 0.75%.
- Fidelity bonus: 1.50%.
- Current potential combined rate: 2.25%.
KBC Brussels has announced that from August 1, 2026, the base rate will rise to 1.65%, while the fidelity bonus will remain 1.50%. This would create a potential combined gross rate of 3.15% for qualifying deposits.
Account features include:
- Maximum monthly savings of €500.
- Deposits through a monthly standing order.
- No fixed maturity date.
- Access to the money at any time.
- Management through KBC Brussels Mobile or Touch.
Why it suits international students
This account may be attractive to students already using a KBC Brussels Young Person’s Account or Plus Account.
KBC Brussels also has established services for expats and international newcomers, making it a practical option for students based in Brussels.
Main limitations
Only one Start2Save account can be opened, and deposits generally must be made through a monthly standing order. Amounts exceeding the €500 monthly limit are returned.
Verdict: Potentially the strongest monthly savings account after its announced rate increase on August 1, 2026.
5. ING Savings Account
Best for larger deposits without a €500 monthly limit
Students who want to deposit more than €500 at once may prefer the standard ING Savings Account.
From July 1, 2026, it offers:
- Base interest rate: 0.10%.
- Fidelity premium: 1.40%.
- Potential combined gross rate: 1.50%.
- No monthly deposit limit.
- No standard account-management fee.
The account rewards long-term saving more than short-term deposits because most of its potential return comes from the fidelity premium.
Who should choose it?
It may suit students who receive:
- A large scholarship payment.
- Family sponsorship funds.
- Savings transferred from another country.
- Income from a student job.
- A refund from a blocked-account arrangement.
Verdict: A better option for large balances, but less attractive when the money may need to be withdrawn within 12 months.
How Belgian Savings Interest Works
Base interest
The base rate is calculated according to how long the money remains in the account. It is normally credited annually.
Banks may change the base rate according to market conditions.
Fidelity or loyalty bonus
The fidelity bonus is awarded only when the same deposit stays in the account for 12 uninterrupted months.
For example, depositing €1,000 and withdrawing it after six months generally means:
- You may receive the applicable base interest.
- You will not receive the fidelity bonus on the withdrawn amount.
Students should therefore keep emergency money in an account with a stronger base rate rather than choosing solely according to the advertised combined rate.
Are Savings Accounts Free in Belgium?
The accounts listed above generally have no standard opening or management fee. However, charges may apply for:
- Receiving paper statements by post.
- Using assisted services at a branch.
- Transferring money internationally.
- Currency conversion.
- Maintaining a long-inactive low-balance account.
Always read the bank’s current tariff document before applying.
Tax on Savings Interest
For Belgian residents, the first €1,020 of annual interest earned from regulated savings accounts is exempt from Belgian withholding tax for income year 2026.
Interest above that exemption is generally subject to a 15% withholding tax. Married or legally cohabiting couples holding a joint account may qualify for a doubled exemption of €2,040.
International students may also have tax-reporting obligations in another country. Tax treatment depends on residence status and applicable tax agreements.
Are Belgian Savings Accounts Safe?
Eligible current, savings and term-account deposits are generally protected up to €100,000 per person per financial institution under the relevant deposit-guarantee system.
The protection applies regardless of the account holder’s nationality or residence, provided the deposit and institution meet the scheme’s conditions. All protected accounts at the same institution are combined when calculating the €100,000 limit.
Electronic-money balances are not necessarily covered by the same deposit guarantee, so students using a digital finance application should check whether their money is held as a protected bank deposit.
Documents Needed to Open a Savings Account
International students may need:
- A valid passport or EU identity card.
- Belgian residence permit or registration document.
- Proof of Belgian address.
- Home-country Tax Identification Number.
- Belgian national registration number, when available.
- University enrolment certificate.
- A Belgian current account with the same bank.
- Information about the source of the savings.
A local credit history is generally not required for a standard savings account because it does not provide a loan, overdraft or credit facility.
Final Recommendation
For regular saving, ING Tempo Savings currently offers one of the strongest combined rates. Argenta Groeirekening is a close alternative with no management fees and both app and branch access.
From August 1, 2026, KBC Brussels Start2Save is expected to become particularly competitive after its announced base-rate increase. Students already using BNP Paribas Fortis should also consider the convenient Boost Savings Account.
Do not choose based only on the total advertised rate. Consider whether you can keep each deposit untouched for 12 months, whether the €500 monthly limit fits your budget and whether the bank accepts your residence documents.
Official Sources
- ING Belgium – Savings Account Rate Changes Effective July 2026
- Argenta – Groeirekening Savings Account
- BNP Paribas Fortis – Boost Savings Account
- KBC Brussels – Start2Save Account
- Belgian Guarantee Fund – Deposit Protection System
