Bank referral : up to €300 offered in 2026

Changing banks can now yield several hundred euros. Driven by intense competition between online banks and neobanks, the bank referral bonuses are reaching unprecedented amounts in 2026, with offers sometimes exceeding €250 for the new customer. An overview of the best current offers and the precautions to know before getting started.

Bonuses rising at online banks

The principle remains simple: an existing customer (the referrer) sends a code or a link to a relative (the referred customer), who opens an account and fulfills certain activity conditions. Both parties then receive a bonus. According to updated comparisons of banking offers, Hello bank! offers the most generous referred-customer bonus on the market, up to €300 when opening an account, along with an offer on account maintenance fees. Monabanq follows with an offer that can reach €280 for the referred customer, while Fortuneo offers €250 and BoursoBank around €150 to €160 depending on the card chosen and the promotional period.

On the referrer side, amounts are generally more modest: between €20 and €80 depending on the institution, paid once the referred customer has met the eligibility conditions (direct deposit of income, minimum card spending, account holding period). BforBank, for its part, is betting on a combined offer with an interest-bearing savings account, for a total approaching €260 for a new customer.

Conditions to read before getting started

These attractive amounts are never automatic. Most banks require an effective bank domiciliation, regular use of the card for several months, or a minimum spending amount before unlocking the bonus. Some offers are also time-limited or reserved for a limited number of referrals per tax household.

• Check the offer's deadline before opening an account
• Compare the actual amount after conditions are met, not just the “up to” display
• Anticipate taxation: bank referral bonuses are in principle taxable as income if their amount exceeds certain thresholds
• Beware of offers shared by unofficial sites that do not adhere to the codes of the banks concerned

A market driven by competition from neobanks

This inflation of bonuses is explained by the battle between traditional banks, 100% online banks and neobanks to capture new customers in a context of unattractive regulated savings rates. Referral programs remain, for these institutions, a customer acquisition lever that is significantly less costly than a traditional advertising campaign, while relying on trust between relatives. For the consumer, it's an opportunity to make real savings provided they seriously compare the current offers, which change almost every month.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Are bank referral bonuses taxable?

Yes, beyond certain amounts, the tax authorities may consider them taxable income. It is recommended to inquire with your bank or an advisor before accumulating multiple referrals in the same year.

Can you combine multiple bank referral offers?

It depends on the institutions: some banks limit the number of referrals per household or per period, others allow it without restriction as long as each referred customer is a different person.

How can you be sure that a referral offer is legitimate?

It is better to use a link or code sent directly by a relative, or consult the official “referral” page of the bank concerned, rather than an offer shared on an unverified third-party site.

Sources

• MoneyVox — news of banking offers 2026
• Detective Banque — comparison of referral bonuses 2026
• Primebanque — guide to bank referrals in 2026

This article was written with the help of artificial intelligence. Editorial policy