# N26

> N26 is a German licensed neobank offering mobile-first current accounts across Europe.

Source: https://www.neobank.wiki/wiki/n26
Last updated: 2026-08-11
Categories: Financial technology, Germany neobanks, Licensed neobanks, Consumer neobanks, Companies founded in 2013

**N26** is a German [neobank](/wiki/neobank) founded in 2013 and headquartered in Berlin. It holds a full German banking licence and offers mobile-first current accounts across the European Economic Area.[^n26]

## History

Founded in 2013 by Valentin Stalf and Maximilian Tayenthal, N26 launched its banking product in 2015. It expanded across Europe and briefly operated in the United States and the United Kingdom before withdrawing from both markets to focus on the euro area.

## Founders

**Valentin Stalf** is co-founder and chief executive officer of [N26](/wiki/n26), the Berlin-based licensed [neobank](/wiki/neobank). An Austrian entrepreneur, Stalf co-founded N26 in 2013 to deliver a smartphone-only current account backed by a full German banking licence rather than a prepaid workaround. He led expansion across the European Economic Area and the company's subsequent focus on the eurozone after withdrawals from the United States and United Kingdom.

**Maximilian Tayenthal** is co-founder and long-time chief financial officer of N26. Also Austrian, Tayenthal partnered with Stalf on strategy, fundraising and financial operations as N26 grew into one of Europe's best-known mobile banks, known for Mastercard debit accounts, Spaces savings and premium subscription tiers.

## Licence and regulation

N26 AG holds a full German banking licence supervised by BaFin and the Deutsche Bundesbank, allowing it to take deposits and passport services across the European Economic Area. That licensed model differentiates N26 from partner-bank [neobanks](/wiki/neobank) such as [Chime](/wiki/chime). After withdrawing from the United States and United Kingdom, the company concentrated compliance and product effort on euro-area markets.

## Reception

N26 was an early European smartphone-bank success story and raised large venture rounds at multi-billion valuations. Commentators have praised its clean app UX while noting customer-support and AML-compliance challenges during rapid growth—issues that contributed to a sharper focus on core European markets.

## Products

N26 provides current accounts with Mastercard debit cards, spaces for saving, budgeting insights and premium subscription tiers.

## Infobox

- **Type**: Private
- **Founded**: 2013
- **Founders**: Valentin Stalf, Maximilian Tayenthal
- **Headquarters**: Berlin, Germany
- **Licence**: German banking licence

## Frequently asked questions

### What is N26?

N26 is a German licensed neobank offering mobile-first current accounts across Europe.

### When was N26 founded?

N26 was founded in 2013.

### Where is N26 headquartered?

N26 is headquartered in Berlin, Germany.

### Who founded N26?

N26 was founded by Valentin Stalf, Maximilian Tayenthal.

### What type of company is N26?

N26 is described as German banking licence in its neobank.wiki profile.


## References

[^n26]: N26 holds a German banking licence supervised by BaFin and the Deutsche Bundesbank. — https://n26.com/en-eu/about-n26