1. Why You Need a German Bank Account
You can’t really live in Germany without one. Your employer pays salary by bank transfer. Your landlord expects rent the same way. Signing up for a gym, internet contract, or streaming service usually means giving them a German IBAN.
The sooner you open one, the sooner everything else falls into place. It also creates your first entry in SCHUFA — Germany’s credit scoring system — which matters when you’re looking for a flat. (We’ve covered how SCHUFA works in a separate article.)
2. What Documents You Need
2. What Documents You Need
• Valid passport (or national ID for EU citizens)
• Visa or residence permit — for non-EU citizens
• Anmeldung confirmation (Meldebescheinigung) — proof of your registered address in Germany
• German tax ID (Steuer-ID) — sent to you by post after address registration; allow 2–3 weeks
Some premium account types may also ask for a payslip or proof of income.
Don’t have your Anmeldung yet? You’re not stuck — read on.
3. Which Bank Should You Choose?
The banks mentioned below came up consistently in our research as commonly used by internationals in Germany. This is not a sponsored section — we are not paid by or affiliated with any of them. These are research-based suggestions only.
There’s no single right answer. It depends on where you are in the settling-in process.
If you just arrived and don’t have your Anmeldung yet:
Go with a neobank. These are fully online, often English-friendly, and don’t require an Anmeldung or a SCHUFA check. You’ll get a real German IBAN.
• N26 — Free basic Girokonto, English app, no monthly fee. You can open it before you even land in Germany.
• bunq — English app, strong for managing money across currencies. Plans start from around €3/month; a limited free tier is also available.
• C24 Bank — Free “Smartkonto” with no conditions, free Mastercard and Girokarte. The app and website are in German only, but English support is available by chat and email. A solid option if you’re comfortable with that.
If you already have your Anmeldung and want a no-fee account:
• ING — Free if you deposit at least €700/month. German-language service. Requires EU citizenship or German permanent residence.
• DKB (Deutsche Kreditbank) — Also free with a €700/month deposit condition. German only. Same residency requirements as ING.
• Commerzbank — The most expat-accessible traditional bank, with English-language support. Monthly fee around €4.90, waived for the first three months.
• Sparkasse — A network of local community banks across Germany, not one national chain. Often free for students. Service is mostly in German and varies by location.
What about Wise or Revolut? Useful for international transfers, but they don’t report to SCHUFA. If building a German credit history matters to you — and it does — you’ll need an account with a German-entity bank.
4. How to Open It, Step by Step
For neobanks (N26, bunq, C24):
1. Download the app and fill in your details
2. Verify your identity via VideoIdent — a short video call (around 10 minutes) where you show your passport to a camera. Works in English. You can do it from outside Germany.
3. Your German IBAN is available almost immediately after verification
4. Physical Girokarte arrives in 5–7 business days
For traditional banks (ING, DKB, Commerzbank, Sparkasse):
1. Start the application online or visit a branch in person
2. Verify your identity via PostIdent — bring the bank’s application form and your ID to any Deutsche Post branch. Free of charge. You need to be physically in Germany for this.
3. Account opens within 3–5 business days
4. Card arrives by post shortly after
5. Your Legal Right: The Basiskonto
This is something many newcomers don’t know about.
Under Section 31 of the Zahlungskontengesetz (Germany’s Payment Accounts Act), every person legally residing in the EU has the right to a basic bank account — called a Basiskonto. This applies regardless of your nationality, income level, or whether you have an Anmeldung yet.
A Basiskonto lets you receive transfers, make payments, and use a debit card. It covers everything you need to get started.
If a bank refuses your application without a valid legal reason, they must explain this in writing within 10 working days. You can then file a complaint with BaFin, Germany’s financial regulator (bafin.de). In practice you probably won’t need this — but it’s good to know it exists.
6. Cash, Cards, and One More Thing
Germany still runs on cash more than you’d expect. Large supermarkets accept cards, but many smaller shops, bakeries, and market stalls don’t — or have a minimum spend. Keep some euros in your wallet, especially in the first few weeks.
Your debit card is called a Girokarte (also Girocard, or — from old habit — “EC card”). It’s included free with most German bank accounts and works everywhere that accepts card payments. Credit cards are available but come with a monthly fee and are mainly needed for hotel deposits or car rentals. For day-to-day life, the Girokarte is all you need.
Share this post:
