Revolut vs Bunq in Cyprus — Which Card Should You Get?
Both are recommended for newcomers. Both have affiliate links. Here's the honest difference — and why most people should get both.
The Short Answer
Get both. They cost nothing together if you use Revolut Standard (free) + Bunq Core (€4.99/month). They serve different purposes and together cover every card situation you'll encounter in Cyprus.
The Critical Difference: Credit Card vs Prepaid Card
This is the single most important distinction:
- Bunq — a true credit card (Mastercard). Accepted at car rental desks and hotels for deposit holds.
- Revolut — a prepaid/charge card. Often declined at car rental desks and hotels requiring a credit card.
This matters every time you rent a car or check into a hotel. Revolut is frequently rejected for deposit holds even when it works perfectly for payment. Bunq works because it's technically a credit card.
Head-to-Head Comparison
| Feature | Revolut (Standard) | Bunq (Core) |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly fee | €0 (free) | €4.99/mo |
| Card type | Prepaid ⚠️ | Credit card ✅ |
| Car rental deposits | Often declined ❌ | Accepted ✅ |
| Hotel deposits | Often declined ❌ | Accepted ✅ |
| FX fees | 0% | 0% |
| ATM withdrawals | €200/mo free | Free (limits apply) |
| EU IBAN | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes (multiple) |
| App quality | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Builds local credit | ❌ No | ❌ No |
| Apple/Google Pay | ✅ Both | ✅ Both |
| Opens without Cyprus address | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| Travel insurance | ❌ Standard / ✅ Premium | ❌ Core |
When Revolut Wins
- Daily spending — best-in-class app, instant notifications, budgeting tools
- Free option — Standard plan is €0/month
- Travel perks — Premium and Metal plans include insurance, lounge access
- Crypto and investments — built into the app
- Most widely used — the card everyone in Cyprus already knows
When Bunq Wins
- Car rental — the only fintech card that reliably works for deposit holds
- Hotel check-in — accepted as a credit card
- Situations requiring a credit card — online purchases, subscriptions that specifically charge to credit cards
- Multiple EU IBANs — Bunq provides IBANs in multiple countries
The Combined Cost
Revolut Standard (free) + Bunq Core (€4.99/month) = €4.99/month total.
This is cheaper than almost any local Cypriot bank credit card when you factor in annual fees plus FX charges. And you get 0% FX on both cards, which local bank credit cards don't offer.
Verdict by Situation
Our Recommendation
Open both. Start with Revolut (free, takes 5 minutes) then add Bunq (€4.99/month, takes 10 minutes). Use Revolut for everything daily; use Bunq specifically when you need a credit card — car rental, hotel deposits, and any situation where prepaid cards are declined.
Get Both — Takes 15 Minutes Total
Start with Revolut (free), add Bunq for credit card situations.