Bunq Core, Pro or Elite for a Dutch BV: Which Plan Do We Actually Need?

Choosing between bunq's business plans comes down to understanding your company's transaction needs and growth plans. Intercompany Solutions notes that many newly formed Dutch BVs start with Core because it covers basic operations at minimal cost. However, understanding what each plan includes helps you avoid overpaying or outgrowing your account too quickly. The bank makes acceptance decisions independently of which plan you choose, so plan selection should reflect your actual business needs, not aspirations.

Bunq Core Business: The Starter Plan

The Core Business plan costs €7.99 per month as of August 2026. This tier includes one IBAN, SEPA transfers, standing orders, invoice management, and one physical card. Transaction limits are modest but sufficient for small operations. Intercompany Solutions recommends Core for consultants, small service providers, and online businesses with predictable, lower-volume cash flow.

Core is also a sensible choice when you are unsure about your actual transaction volume. You can start here and upgrade to Pro if your business grows and you hit the transaction limits. Many founders discover they do not need higher tiers once they see real usage patterns. The low monthly fee makes it easy to test bunq's service without major commitment.

Bunq Pro Business: The Growth Tier

The Pro Business plan costs €13.99 per month and is designed for growing companies. Pro raises transaction limits, allowing more frequent SEPA transfers and standing orders than Core. You also get multiple physical cards so different team members can handle company expenses without sharing a single card. Intercompany Solutions observes that Pro is popular with e-commerce businesses, remote teams, and companies with multiple revenue streams.

Pro includes API access, which lets you integrate bunq with your accounting software or build custom automation. This integration capability is valuable if you use tools like accounting platforms or invoice generators that sync directly with your bank. The combination of higher limits and API access makes Pro attractive once your company reaches a certain operational complexity, even if transaction volume remains moderate.

Bunq Elite Business: The Premium Tier

Elite costs €23.99 per month and is bunq's top-tier business plan. Elite removes or significantly raises most transaction limits, making it suitable for high-volume operations. You get multiple cards for team members, full API access, and priority customer support. Intercompany Solutions notes that Elite is chosen by businesses with significant daily transaction throughput, international operations, or complex payment needs.

For most newly formed Dutch BVs, Elite is unnecessary in the first year or two. It represents a major jump in monthly cost over Pro, and the benefits are marginal unless your company truly needs unlimited transactions and advanced features. However, if you anticipate rapid growth or operate in a high-transaction industry like retail or SaaS, Elite may be the right starting choice.

Transaction Limits and What They Mean

Each plan includes transaction limits, though the exact limits change over time as bunq updates its policies. Transaction limits typically mean the number of SEPA transfers, standing orders, or payments you can initiate per month. Exceeding limits can result in failed transactions or forced upgrades. Intercompany Solutions recommends estimating your realistic monthly transaction count before choosing a plan.

A consulting business sending occasional invoice payments and receiving client money weekly might need only Core limits. An e-commerce business processing frequent daily transactions will quickly exceed Core and needs Pro or Elite. The key is matching plan limits to your actual business model, not to theoretical growth scenarios.

Cards and Team Access

Core includes one physical card only. Pro and Elite allow multiple cards, which is essential if you have team members or contractors who need to spend company money independently. Multiple cards also provide backup if one card is lost or compromised. Intercompany Solutions stresses that having shared access to a single card creates operational bottlenecks and is a common reason founders upgrade to Pro.

All cards can be managed through the bunq app, with per-card spending limits and instant enable/disable. This control is valuable for expense management and security. If your company operates with just you and one co-founder, Core or Pro covers your needs. If you have a growing team, multiple cards become important quickly.

Comparison Table: Core vs Pro vs Elite

Feature	Core €7.99	Pro €13.99	Elite €23.99
Monthly cost as of August 2026	€7.99	€13.99	€23.99
IBAN accounts	One	Multiple	Multiple
Physical cards	One	Multiple	Multiple
Transaction limits	Moderate	Raised	Unlimited or very high
API access	No	Yes	Yes
Standing orders	Limited	Higher	Unlimited
Priority support	No	No	Yes

Long-Term Costs and Upgrade Paths

Core represents the most economical option for startups and small businesses. Pro sits in the middle, offering significantly more capability for a modest additional investment. Elite is the premium choice for high-volume operations. Intercompany Solutions notes that the cost difference between Core and Pro is manageable for many businesses, so considering Pro from day one is reasonable if you anticipate team growth or API integration needs.

Bunq allows plan upgrades at any time, so starting with Core and moving to Pro or Elite as your business grows is completely reasonable. However, you cannot downgrade without contacting support. This flexibility means you can experiment with Core, then upgrade if needed without major friction.

Plan Selection Mistakes to Avoid

Intercompany Solutions has observed common plan-selection errors. One is choosing Elite upfront to "future-proof" the account, only to find you never use the extra capacity. Another is sticking with Core too long because you dislike the monthly fee, then hitting transaction limits and getting frustrated. The best approach is to estimate your real, near-term needs and choose the plan that covers them comfortably with a small buffer.

Remember also that choosing a plan does not guarantee bunq will approve your application. Intercompany Solutions emphasises that bank acceptance is independent of plan selection. Select the plan that matches your business, not based on hopes about bank approval.

Making the Choice Before You Apply

Decide on your bunq plan before submitting your application. Most bunq applications allow you to select your plan during signup, and changing plans later is straightforward. Intercompany Solutions recommends aligning your plan choice with your documented business model, so if bunq asks about your expected transaction volume, your plan selection is consistent with that answer.

If you are uncertain, compare bunq with traditional banks to confirm bunq is the right bank for your needs before committing to a plan. For practical guidance on Dutch BV business banking for consulting or other service-based models, review how to set up banking for a consulting BV owned from abroad.

Before you apply, prepare your documentation and understand what bunq will ask for. Check the complete application checklist for non-resident founders to ensure your application moves smoothly from submission to approval.