How to Open a Bank Account in Germany as a Foreigner
Your right to a basic account, the documents banks ask for, what to do if a bank refuses you and how to keep fees low when opening a German bank account as a foreigner.
A German bank account is one of the first things you need after moving. Your employer pays salary into it, your landlord expects rent from it, and many contracts, from phone plans to the broadcasting fee, are paid by direct debit (Lastschrift). Without one, everyday life gets complicated quickly.
The good news is that opening a bank account in Germany as a foreigner is easier than its reputation suggests, and in many cases you have a legal right to one. This guide explains your options, which documents banks ask for, what to do if a bank says no, and how to keep fees low.
Do you have a right to a bank account in Germany?
Yes, for a basic account. Under the German Payment Accounts Act (Zahlungskontengesetz), every consumer who is legally resident in the European Union has the right to a basic payment account (Basiskonto). According to BaFin, Germany's financial regulator, this also applies to:
- people without a permanent address,
- asylum seekers, and
- people with a temporary suspension of deportation (Duldung).
A basic account lets you receive money, make transfers, pay by debit card and set up direct debits. It is a normal current account, not a lower-class product, but it must be used privately. If you mainly want an account for business, even a side business, the right to a basic account does not apply.
Banks may charge fees for a basic account, but they must be reasonable. Banks cannot simply refuse without a valid legal reason.
Your main options
| Type | Examples of features | Good for | Consider |
|---|---|---|---|
| Traditional bank (Sparkasse, Volksbank, large private banks) | Branches, cash deposits, advisers | People who want face-to-face help in German | Monthly account fees are common |
| Direct bank / online bank | Account opened online, app-based | Most employees and students | Fewer or no branches; cash deposits can be limited |
| Mobile-first EU banks | Fast online opening, often in English | Newcomers who want quick setup | Check whether your IBAN is German (DE) and whether deposits are protected |
| Blocked account provider | Account for visa purposes | Non-EU students before arrival | Not a full current account; you will still need a normal one |
When comparing, BaFin offers a free account comparison website that lists fees for payment accounts in Germany.
Does the IBAN country matter?
Within the euro area, SEPA rules say a payer may not refuse your account just because the IBAN is from another SEPA country. In practice, a few employers or service providers still ask for a German IBAN, so it can be convenient to have one.
Documents you usually need
Requirements vary by bank, but most ask for:
- A valid passport or national ID card. Non-EU citizens may also be asked for their residence permit or visa.
- Proof of address. Many banks ask for your registration certificate (Meldebescheinigung) from the citizens' office (Bürgeramt). For a basic account, BaFin says a postal address is enough, which can be that of a relative, friend or advice centre.
- Your tax identification number (Steuer-ID). You receive it by post a few weeks after registering your address. Banks are required to record it; if you do not have it yet, you can often submit it later.
- Proof of income or student status. Some banks ask for an employment contract or university enrolment, especially for overdrafts or credit cards.
Asylum seekers can use the certificate of permission to remain (Aufenthaltsgestattung) or the arrival certificate as identification for a basic account. BaFin notes that a provisional residence document (Fiktionsbescheinigung) on its own is not sufficient as ID for this purpose.
Identity verification
Banks must verify your identity under anti-money-laundering rules. This is done either in a branch, through a video call (VideoIdent), or by a postal or online ID service. Have your passport ready and make sure your camera works if you choose video verification.
Step by step: opening your first account
- Register your address at the Bürgeramt within two weeks of moving in. You receive a Meldebescheinigung on the spot and your tax ID by post later.
- Choose your bank type based on whether you want branches, an English app or low fees.
- Apply online or in a branch, and complete identity verification.
- Receive your IBAN immediately or within a few days, then your debit card and PIN separately by post.
- Give your IBAN to your employer, landlord and insurance.
If you need an account before you have a permanent flat, ask for a basic account and use a postal address you trust.
What if a bank refuses you?
A bank can only refuse a basic account for specific reasons set out in the law, such as an existing account with that bank or certain past convictions involving the bank. If you believe you were refused unfairly:
- Ask the bank for the refusal in writing.
- Contact BaFin, which can start a free administrative procedure to check the case. You can apply using an official form available on BaFin's website.
- Alternatively, use the arbitration board (Schlichtungsstelle) of the Deutsche Bundesbank or the banking association responsible for your bank.
Consumer advice centres (Verbraucherzentralen) can also help, sometimes in several languages.
Tips to keep banking costs low
- Check the full fee list. Look at monthly fees, card fees, ATM withdrawals and fees for foreign currency payments.
- Watch foreign-currency card fees. Many German debit cards charge a percentage fee outside the euro area. If you travel or pay in other currencies, compare cards before you need them.
- Use the savers' allowance. In Germany, the first €1,000 of investment income per person per year (€2,000 for married couples filing jointly) is tax-free. Submit an exemption order (Freistellungsauftrag) to your bank so tax is not withheld on interest below this amount.
- Check deposit protection. Deposits at EU banks are protected up to €100,000 per person per bank under EU deposit guarantee rules.
Frequently asked questions
Can I open a German bank account without an Anmeldung?
Many banks ask for a registration certificate, but it is not a legal requirement for a basic account. BaFin confirms that a postal address is sufficient. Some online banks also accept other proof of address.
Can I open a bank account before arriving in Germany?
Some online banks allow this if you have an address in the EU, and non-EU students can open a blocked account from abroad. A normal German current account usually requires an address in Germany.
Can I open an account in English?
Yes. Several online banks and some large traditional banks offer English apps, websites and customer service. Contracts and legal documents may still be in German.
Is a Sparkasse account better than an online bank?
Neither is better for everyone. Sparkassen and Volksbanken have branches and cash services; online banks often have lower fees. Many people have both: a free online account for daily use and a savings account elsewhere.
What is a Schufa and do I need it to open an account?
Schufa is Germany's main credit agency. Banks usually check it when you open an account, and newcomers typically have no Schufa history yet. A missing history does not prevent you from getting a basic account. Using a German account responsibly helps you build one over time.
Once your account is open, start budgeting
Your first German bank account is the base for your whole financial life here. Next steps: set up your monthly budget with our guide to budgeting in Germany as a foreigner, and start an emergency fund with the emergency fund calculator.
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