Opening a bank account in Germany: Guide and recommendations
Everyone moving to Germany to study, work or simply enjoy German beautiful forests for a longer period of time needs a bank account for life’sbasics. In Germany you will need to open a bank account in order to get your salary, pay the rent and transfer and receive money from abroad.
Since we know that opening a bank account in Germany is one of the first obstacles for foreigners, workers and students coming to Germany, in this article we guide you through the entire application process and we will show you:
some key terms to understand German banking system
GIROMATCH is your independent credit platform. Our team guides you through German banking and financial products, writes reviews for foreigners living in Germany and provides you with important information to improve your financial situation in Germany.
Types of banks in Germany: Which options are there?
Even if the number of institutions is constantly sinking, Germany remains one of the few countries with more than 2000 banks. If you want to open an account there, you will have to choose between a Mobile Bank, an Online Bank or a Traditional Banks.
Mobile banks are banks which operate mainly through online banking or an App. They are usually modern banks such as N26, Vivid Money and bunq. The application process to open a bank account is usually quick and uncomplicated. If you are a digital native, they are a very good option for you! Besides, some of them offer a 24-hours customer service per Whatsapp or Live Chat. However, many mobile banks do not offer the entire spectrum of financial services as personal loans or mortgages. If you want to know more, you can have a look at our dedicated area.
An Online bank (in German “Direktbank”) is a bank which operates online but offers the same financial products of traditional banks. You will be able to apply for personal loans and mortgages or to invest in funds. However, you can do it only online, since online banks do not have physical branches. ING, comdirect and DKB are some of the most known.
Traditional banks are brick and mortar banks which offer every kind of financial service online and offline. If you wish to go to the physical branch and have personal support to open your bank account, you can direct to Deutsche Bank, Commerzbank, one of the Savings Banks (Sparkassen) or Cooperative Banks (“Volksbanken”).
Types of bank accounts: Choose the right option for your needs
When it comes to choose your future German bank account, you could run into difficulties. However, we simplified the process for you. First of all, you will need to look at your necessities:
you may need to open a bank account in Germany without living there
you may want to avoid paperwork and German slow bureaucracy and find the fastest way to open a bank account in Germany
you may want to open a bank account with specific features (e.g. a bank account for students, investments’ offers, saving accounts’ options)
If you are not living in Germany and wish to open a bank account online, a mobile bank could be a good option for you. In this case, you will have:
a quick application process
English speaking support (via Chat or Email)
instant access to your bank account
Mobile banks are banks which operate mainly through online banking or an App. If you are a digital nomad or still do not have a residence permit in Germany, neobanks as Monese or N26 could be perfect for your case.
Opening a bank account online
The application process
In a typical mobile bank, these are the steps to open your bank account online:
Download the bank’s app
Enter your personal data and select your account model
Confirm your identity via videocall, video or selfie
Top up your account and off you go!
Monese: Our best option to open a bank account online
Monese offers a bank account for non-resident, students an expats. When opening Monese’s free account, you will not need to show your residence permit and the application process takes only few minutes. Besides, you will have instant access to your bank account and virtual debit card, a customer service available in 14 languages and the possibilitz to tranfer money in 19 different foreing currencies.
Monese
Speed:
5/5
Account and cards:
4/5
Costs:
4.5/5
Service:
4/5
RESULT
4.3
05/2022
Speed:
5/5
Account and cards:
4/5
Costs:
4.5/5
Service:
4/5
Instant account opening in 3 minutes
Free account with real-time transactions, debit card
Instantly generate virtualcredit card
Support in 14 languages, incl. German, Turkish, Romanian, Polish and more
No address verification or credit check
International transactions in 19 different currencies
Of course, by opening a bank account online, you have a time-advantage in comparison to go to a bank branch. However, if you have a grasp of the German language and are already in Germany, you may want to go to a physical branch.
In particular, if you need some additional features for your banking experience, there you will meet your personal financial advisor, who will analyze your situation and show you the bank’s complete products’ palette.
The advantages of a traditional bank
The advantages of a traditional German bank
At a German traditional bank as Deutsche Bank or Commerzbank, you will get:
a longer application process and up to 10 days for effectively using your bank account
often a German speaking customer service
a personal financial advisor for your needs
a broader products’ palette which includes mortgage, loans and savings accounts
Documents required to open a bank account in Germany
Both in a bank branch or online, you will need some basic documents in order to be able to open a bank account in Germany:
application form (provided by the bank)
your passport or identity card, if you come from a European country
proof of residence in Germany (“Anmeldung” or “Meldebescheinigung” in German)
proof of income or
proof of your student status
Besides, according to the type of bank, you may need
an initial deposit, whose amount is determined by the bank
your SCHUFA entry (which is automatically checked by the bank once you agreed the SCHUFA clause)
GIROMATCH's Guide
Which bank is the best for you?
If you still do not know where to start when looking for your future German bank, you can have a look at our guide on Germany's best banks! There you will find a list of options at your disposal, their different account models and all advantages or disadvantages of different providers.
Why is a proof of residence required to open a bank account in Germany?
In Germany, when opening a bank account, credit institutions carry out a legitimation test, pursuant to Section 154 of the German Fiscal Code. This is intended to prevent third parties from opening an account in another name or taking out loans in the name of a non-existent person, for example, in order to obtain money illegally or to carry out transactions that violate the Money Laundering Act.
The Money Laundering Act regulates which information must be collected in order to determine your identity, this includes:
Surname and first name
Date and place of birth
Address
Nationality
Identity card’s details
As a foreigner living in Germany, your identification document may not contain your current German address, that is why you are required to show proof of your German residence (“Meldebescheinigung”). The majority of German traditional branch-based banks (in German “Filialbanken”) offer a personal application service in order to open a bank account. Your identification is therefore carried out personally by checking your documents.
However, if you still do not live in Germany and you want to open a bank account from another country, you can have a look at online or mobile banks. Some of these banks enable you to open a bank account online and identify yourself per video-call. In this case you will only need your identity document and a mobile phone number in order to pass the legitimation test. We’ve recollected a list of mobile banks where you can open a bank account without having a German residence. Try to have a look at bunq, N26, Tomorrow Bank and Vivid Money!
What you should consider when opening a bank account in Germany
Sometimes you may be in a hurry to open your bank account because you need it quickly. However, it is worth taking your time to analyze different options. A complete bank account with different features may spare you money and efforts looking for additional options somewhere else. Besides, knowing the possibilities of your bank account will turn you into a power user. Here we list some of the most important features you should consider when applying for a bank account in Germany:
Features
What you should consider
Monthly fee
Is the fee you will pay balanced with the additional features of the bank account? Does the account’s monthly fee aggravate your monthly budget for your stay in Germany? Did you consider the advantages granted by more expensive accounts such as sustainable banking? If you are applying for a free bank account: do you need a minimum monthly income or a specific status (e.g. student)?
Cash withdrawals
How much do cash withdrawals cost abroad? Is there a monthly limit for cash withdrawals? At which ATMs can you withdraw your money in Germany and abroad? Is there an additional fee to withdraw money in different currencies?
Credit cards
Are credit cards included in the bank account? What type of credit card are you granted? Does your credit card grant you a credit line or is it a debit card which you can only pay by direct debit with?
Personal loans
Does your bank offer personal loans? Do you have the possibility to apply for a charge credit card or a revolving credit card? Does your bank account have an overdraft facility in case of economic hardship? And which additional costs does it imply?
Additional features
Does your bank have a sustainability focus? Do you have an English speaking customer service at your disposal? Do you want a stocks and crypto trading account? How can you contact your bank: face-to-face, online or by telephone? Are there any offers such as cashback and bonus?
Glossary of terms: GIROMATCH guides you through German banking
German
English
Bankkonto
Bank account
Kontoinhaber
Account holder
Kontostand
Account's balance
Girokonto
Checking account
Sparkonto
Savings account
Bankrate
Bank rate
Bankauszug
Bank statement
Kreditkartenabrechnung
Credit card invoice
Abrechnungsperiode
Billing period
Soll
Debit
Überweisung
Bank transference
Guthaben
Balance (money you dispose of)
Bargeld
Cash
Studentenausweis
Student card, Immatrikulation letter
EC-Karte
Bank card
Auszahlung
Payment
Einzahlung
Deposit
Geldautomat
ATM (cash dispenser)
FAQs about opening a bank account in Germany
Can a bank reject opening a bank account?
From 2016, everyone in Germany has the right to own a basic bank account which enables money transfers and cashless payments. Therefore every bank has the duty to offer this possibility. However there are some cases where your application may be rejected:
you already have a functioning basic bank account
you have been convicted of an intentional criminal offense to the detriment of the institute, its employees or customers within the last three years
you owned a basic account with the institution and
you used it for unlawful purposes or you did not pay the account management fee, which leads to the termination of the account
the institution cannot fullfill its due diligence obligations under the Money Laundering Act or the German Banking Act.
How to open a bank account in Germany with bad credit?
According to German law, you cannot be rejected to open a basic bank account because of bad credit. Since everyone has the right to open a bank account in Germany, banks have the duty to grant you with a basic bank account. However, some banks may reject you in case of bad creditworthiness, if you are applying for a bank account with an overdraft facility. In that case, banks will check your creditworthiness to determine whether to grant an overdraft and its amount.
However, you can have a look a modern neobanks which do not check your credit history when opening a bank account. bunq and Vivid Money are two examples. We have also tried them out!
Can I open a bank account in Germany without address?
The majority of German traditional banks such as Deutsche Bank or Commerzbank will ask you to provide proof of residence in Germany in order to open a bank account. However, you could have a look at N26, Tomorrow Bank, bunq and Vivid Money, since these mobile banks do not require you to live in Germany to open a basic account.
Can I transfer money to an international bank account?
Once you open a bank account, you may want to transfer your money to someone else. In this case, you can either use your online banking, your telephone banking or go directly to a bank branch with the money you want to transfer. In order to do a correct transfer, you will need: the name of the bank account holder, the IBAN of the bank account where you want to transfer money to, its BIC (Bank Identifier Code), the amount of the transfer, its payment reference and your credentials.
How can I close my bank account?
As a bank account holder, you can close your account at any time without additional fees. You can use this template (in German) for your closing letter. You should send it as a certified letter to your bank.If you open a bank account remotely, you have the right to withdraw it in 14 days upon opening.
How can I open a bank account for someone else?
In Germany, you cannot open a bank account for someone else. Only in case you are the health care proxy of the person who needs a bank account, you can ask the bank a form which grants you power of attorney in order to open a bank account.
Can a minor open a bank account in Germany?
Minors of the age between 7 and 17 can open a bank account with the presence of their parents. It means that when applying for a bank account, the bank will require identity documents of both the minor and of his or her parents. If you want to open a bank account for a minor who still does not have an identity document, you will need his or her birth certificate.
How can I open a bank account in another country?
If you have a bank account in a bank which operates abroad, you can ask your bank to transfer your account to an international branch. Otherwise, you could check these mobile banks, which do not require proof of German residency: N26, Tomorrow Bank, bunq and Vivid Money.
What this an international bank account number?
The International Bank Account Number (IBAN) is a 34 alphanumeric code expressed in groups of 4 which identifies your bank account according to the international standard ISO 13616:2020. It comprises:
a country code
two check digits
the domestic bank account number with
the branch identifier
Here you have a sample of Germany’s international bank number:
Did you find this page useful and want to leave a feedback? Have you already opened a bank account and want to share your experience with us? Leave a comment, we look forward to reading your opinions!
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Did you find this page useful and want to leave a feedback? Have you already opened a bank account and want to share your experience with us? Leave a comment, we look forward to reading your opinions!