Best Digital Banks for International Students in Denmark

The best digital banks for international students in Denmark offer online applications, mobile account management, debit cards and low-cost international payments. However, students must distinguish between a Danish digital bank account and a foreign multi-currency account.

A Danish account is generally easier for receiving salary, SU and public payments through NemKonto. Foreign accounts can also be registered as NemKonto, but this may require a separate official registration process.

Best Digital Banks in Denmark for International Students

1. Lunar Light: Best Overall Danish Digital Bank

Lunar is the strongest overall digital-bank option for international students who already have MitID.

The free Light package currently includes:

• DKK 0 monthly subscription fee
• Danish bank account
• Free digital Visa card
• English-language mobile app
• Apple Pay and Google Pay
• Ability to register the account as NemKonto
• English-language customer support

Lunar specifically accepts applications from expats, non-citizens and international students. Applications are completed through the mobile app using MitID and valid personal identification. A CPR number is helpful but is not formally required to submit the application.

Students who need more features can upgrade to:

• Standard: DKK 39 per month
• Plus: DKK 79 per month
• Unlimited: DKK 149 per month

Standard includes three accounts, physical and digital cards, budgeting tools and 0.25% variable interest on eligible balances up to DKK 100,000. Plus includes six accounts, travel insurance and no Lunar withdrawal or currency fees.

Lunar is licensed as a Danish bank and supervised by the Danish Financial Supervisory Authority. Eligible deposits are protected up to €100,000, approximately DKK 750,000, through the Danish Guarantee Fund.

Best for: Students seeking a genuine Danish mobile bank that can function as their primary account and NemKonto.

2. Revolut Standard: Best for Travel and Multiple Currencies

Revolut is particularly useful for exchange students, frequent travellers and students who receive money in different currencies.

The Standard plan currently provides:

• No monthly maintenance fee
• Free virtual cards
• Multi-currency balances
• International transfers
• Mobile spending notifications
• A physical card with a delivery charge
• Apple Pay and Google Pay support

The first Standard physical card is provided without a card-issuance charge, but delivery fees apply. Revolut’s Danish fee-information document currently lists DKK 59.99 for standard local delivery.

Standard users can exchange up to DKK 7,500 per month without a fair-usage fee during qualifying weekday periods. A 1% fair-usage fee applies above that allowance.

ATM withdrawals are free for up to five withdrawals or DKK 1,500 per rolling month, whichever limit is reached first. Revolut then charges 2% of the withdrawal, subject to a minimum fee of DKK 10. The ATM owner may impose an additional charge.

Revolut Bank UAB deposits are protected up to €100,000 by Lithuania’s deposit-insurance scheme. Students should check the account details displayed in the app before using Revolut for salary or local payments, as available local and international details can differ by currency.

Best for: Travel, foreign-currency spending and transfers between students in different countries.

3. N26 Standard: Best Free Euro Account

N26 is a German mobile bank available to residents of Denmark.

Its Standard account includes:

• No opening fee
• No monthly maintenance fee
• Virtual Mastercard debit card
• Mobile banking and instant notifications
• Two free monthly ATM withdrawals
• No minimum deposit or minimum income requirement

A physical Mastercard currently costs a one-time €10 issuance or delivery fee. Applicants must be at least 18, live in an eligible country, have a supported identity document and use a compatible smartphone.

N26 card payments abroad do not carry a separate foreign-transaction fee. Standard and Smart customers generally pay a 1.7% fee when withdrawing money in a currency outside the eurozone.

N26 provides a euro account rather than a traditional Danish current account. It may therefore be less convenient for Danish account-number payments or services designed around a domestic bank. Denmark does allow residents to register a qualifying foreign account as NemKonto, but separate registration and a CPR number are required.

Eligible N26 deposits are protected up to €100,000 under the German deposit-protection scheme.

Best for: Students who receive euros, travel within the eurozone or want a free secondary European bank account.

4. Wise: Best for International Transfers

Wise is not a conventional bank. It is a regulated payment institution offering a multi-currency account and debit card to residents of Denmark.

Current Wise fees include:

• No account-registration fee
• No monthly subscription fee
• Physical debit card for DKK 55
• Free digital card
• Currency conversion from approximately 0.41%
• Free card spending when no currency conversion is needed

Wise currently allows up to DKK 1,800 in monthly ATM withdrawals without a Wise withdrawal charge. A 2.69% fee applies to the amount exceeding that allowance, while ATM operators may add their own fees.

Wise is particularly useful for:

• Receiving family support from abroad
• Paying tuition internationally
• Holding several currencies
• Converting money transparently
• Receiving eligible domestic payments in supported currencies

Wise safeguards European customer money separately from its operating funds. Because Wise Europe is not a bank, ordinary balances are not covered by the Belgian bank deposit-guarantee scheme.

Best for: International transfers and currency conversion rather than use as the student’s only Danish bank account.

Do Students Need CPR and MitID?

Requirements depend on the provider.

Lunar

Lunar requires valid personal identification and MitID. Its official international-customer page says a CPR number is not required to submit an application, although CPR is necessary to establish a NemKonto.

Revolut, N26 and Wise

These providers use their own digital identity-verification systems. Applicants generally need:

• Valid passport or supported identity card
• Residential address in an eligible country
• Smartphone and mobile number
• Tax-residency information
• Selfie or video verification when requested

Approval is not automatic, and the provider may request evidence of address or the source of deposited money.

Which Digital Account Can Be Used as NemKonto?

Lunar is the easiest option because it provides a Danish account and allows customers to assign it as NemKonto through the app.

A foreign account from another provider may also be used as NemKonto. Denmark’s official newcomer portal confirms that residents can choose either a Danish or foreign account, but they must have a CPR number and complete the required registration.

What Should International Students Compare?

Before opening a digital account, compare:

1. Monthly subscription fee
2. Danish account and NemKonto support
3. MitID and CPR requirements
4. Physical-card and delivery charges
5. Currency-conversion allowance
6. ATM withdrawal fees
7. International transfer costs
8. Deposit insurance or safeguarding
9. English-language customer support
10. Availability of branches when verification fails

Students should avoid depending entirely on an international payment app until they confirm that their employer, university, landlord and Danish public authorities can use the account details provided.

Final Verdict

Lunar Light is the best overall digital bank for international students in Denmark because it offers a free Danish account, digital card, English app and direct NemKonto support.

Revolut Standard is the strongest secondary account for travel and multi-currency spending, while N26 Standard is useful for students who want a free euro-denominated bank account.

Wise is the best option for international transfers and tuition payments, but it is a payment institution rather than a bank. The most practical setup for many students is Lunar or another Danish bank for local payments, combined with Revolut or Wise for international transactions.

Official Sources

• Lunar: Free Danish account for international students
• Lunar: Account packages and current prices
• Revolut Denmark: Standard account fees
• Revolut Denmark: Deposit-insurance information
• N26: Standard free bank account
• Wise Denmark: Account, card and ATM prices
• Wise: Safeguarding of European customer funds
• Life in Denmark: Danish and foreign NemKonto registration