Published 2026-07-24
Updated 2026-07-24
Is Revolut safe in 2026? Banking licence, fund protection, and what changed
Revolut received a full UK banking licence in 2024 and holds a Lithuanian banking licence for EU customers.
Full summary
Revolut received a full UK banking licence in 2024 and holds a Lithuanian banking licence for EU customers. This guide explains what changed for fund protection, how deposits are now covered, and what risks remain.
4 min read
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Key takeaways
- Revolut's banking licences: what they mean for you
- Deposit protection: what is and is not covered
- Security features and fraud protection
In this article
Part 1
Revolut's banking licences: what they mean for you
Revolut Bank UAB has held a full banking licence from the Bank of Lithuania since 2021, covering EU/EEA customers. Revolut Ltd received a full UK banking licence from the PRA in 2024. These are significant upgrades from EMI status — a banking licence means Revolut can hold deposits and is subject to stricter capital and conduct requirements.
For EU customers, this means deposits held with Revolut Bank UAB are covered by the Lithuanian Deposit Guarantee Scheme up to € 100,000 per person — the same protection as any European bank. For UK customers, the UK banking licence brings FSCS deposit protection up to £ 85,000.
Part 2
Deposit protection: what is and is not covered
Deposit protection covers money held in your Revolut bank account (savings vaults and balances). It does not automatically cover crypto balances, trading positions, or funds held in Revolut's e-money products (used in countries where the banking product is not available). Check your Revolut app to confirm whether your account is covered by the banking product or the EMI product.
The € 100,000 / £ 85,000 limit is per depositor per institution. If you hold more than this across Revolut accounts, the excess is not covered by the guarantee scheme. Spread large balances across multiple regulated institutions if you need full protection.
Part 3
Security features and fraud protection
Revolut offers biometric login, disposable virtual card numbers, instant card freeze, spending location controls, and real-time transaction alerts. The Revolut app allows you to limit card use to specific categories, geographies, or merchants — useful for travel risk management.
Revolut's fraud team monitors transactions automatically. Unusual patterns trigger additional verification steps. If you travel frequently, enable the in-app travel mode to prevent legitimate overseas transactions from being flagged.
Part 4
What are the remaining risks with Revolut?
Account freezes remain a risk for users who make unusual transaction patterns or operate near limits. Revolut's customer support has historically been slower than traditional banks for complex issues. If your account is frozen for compliance review, resolution can take days.
Weekend FX rates on Standard and Plus plans carry a markup when currency markets are closed. Cryptocurrency and investment features carry their own market risk entirely separate from deposit protection. See Revolut review 2026 for a full feature and cost breakdown.
Part 5
Verdict: is Revolut safe in 2026?
Yes — significantly more so than in 2020. The banking licences (Lithuania for EU, UK for British customers) bring genuine deposit protection and stricter regulatory oversight. Revolut is now a regulated bank, not just an EMI, in its key markets.
Use Revolut with the same discipline as any bank: do not store more than your deposit protection limit in one institution, keep a backup card, and enable all available security controls. For everyday spending and international use, it is a safe and capable option. Related: is Wise safe, Wise vs Revolut comparison.
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Editorial review
Written and reviewed by the Favocard Editorial Team. Last reviewed on 2026-07-24.
Our editorial team verifies core claims against official provider documentation, logs source check dates, and applies one consistent scoring framework across all providers.
Methodology: we review costs, limits, usability, and support impact in the same sequence per article so comparisons remain reproducible.
FAQ
Is Revolut a real bank in 2026?
Yes. Revolut Bank UAB holds a full banking licence from the Bank of Lithuania (EU customers). Revolut Ltd received a full UK banking licence in 2024. In both markets, deposits are covered by statutory deposit guarantee schemes.
Are Revolut deposits protected?
EU customers: deposits covered up to € 100,000 by the Lithuanian DGS. UK customers: deposits covered up to £ 85,000 by the FSCS. Coverage applies to the banking product — check your app to confirm which product your account uses.
Is Revolut safe for everyday use?
Yes. Biometric login, instant card freeze, virtual cards, and transaction alerts make Revolut safe for daily spending. The main practical risk is account access issues — keep recovery options enabled.
Sources and references
- Revolut Bank UAB — Bank of Lithuania
Checked on 2026-07-24
- Revolut UK banking licence — PRA
Checked on 2026-07-24
- Lithuanian Deposit Guarantee Scheme
Checked on 2026-07-24
Provider reviews in this guide
See the linked provider reviews for current fees, limits, and product-scope context.
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