It occurs across Eurasia, from Ireland in the west to Hokkaido in the east, and is believed to be increasing its numbers in many areas of its range.

This bat was first described in 1817 by Heinrich Kuhl, who named it in honour of French naturalist Louis-Jean-Marie Daubenton.

In Lieto, Finland a male called Nestori that lives in an old water mill has been tracked since 2008 and was approximately 21 years old in 2024.

The bat is mostly found in woodlands and often chooses roosts close to water sources such as rivers or canals.

A seven-gram Daubenton's bat often returns weighing 11 grams after a one-hour feeding, increasing its body weight by 57%.