Editing Germany/Banking

{{DISPLAYTITLE:List of Banks in Germany (+FAQ)}}
When living in Germany, having a '''German Bank Account''' (or a Euro currency account) can be useful. Here's a list of accounts for people having an address in Germany. For some banks, having a [[#Banks_Recommended_for_Foreigners|registered address is not necessary]].

This article covers '''accounts for individuals''', also called '''current account''' or '''giro account''' (''Girokonto''). The list may not be complete, so feel free to add missing banks.

For other account types, see

* [[/Business|List of German Business Banks]]
* [[/Savings|List of German Savings Accounts]]
* [[/Credit_cards|List of German Credit Cards]]

<div id="faq"/>
== Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) ==

=== What is a German bank account? ===

In this article, ''German bank account'' means an account that has an account number ([https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Bank_Account_Number IBAN]) starting with ''DE…''.

=== Do I need a German or a Euro bank account? ===

To pay rent and most bills or receive salary, you usually need an account that can '''send''' and '''receive [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Single_Euro_Payments_Area SEPA transfers]''' in '''EUR'''.

So your bank account does not need to be from Germany. It must only be able to send and receive SEPA transfers in EUR. Many accounts from other [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_Economic_Area EU and EEA countries] can do that.

However, some companies and authorities have '''problems using non-German account number''' ([https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Bank_Account_Number IBAN]). This is illegal but it may happen. Then, a [[#Banks_With_German_Account_Number_.28IBAN.29|German account]] is more convenient.

=== Which type of bank account can I use for my freelancing? ===
To receive income from freelancing or your business, you usually need a [[/Business|business bank]]. Banks listed here are for individuals who want to receive their salary from being an employee, their scholarship or similar.

=== Do I get interest on my money? ===
On giro accounts in Germany, you usually do not get interests paid out. For such offers, check the [[/Savings|List of German Savings Accounts]].

=== What do I need to open a German bank account? ===

This varies from bank to bank. However, these things are common:

* You always need prove your identity, e.g. with a passport or national ID card.
* You often need give an address, so that the bank can send you a credit or debit card.
* Sometimes, you need to show your registration (''Anmeldung'')
* Some banks want to see your income and credit history. (E.g. {{Link|DKB|dkb}} is known to be picky.)

See also: [[#Banks Recommended for Foreigners|Banks Recommended for Foreigners]].

=== Which bank is the best for me? ===

A bank that

* speaks [[#Banks_With_English_Support|your language]]. There many offers with support in English or even more languages.
* has [[#Banks_With_Free_Cash_Withdrawals|free cash withdrawals]]. While all supermarkets already allow card payments, you will still need to use cash at smaller shops, cafés, restaurants or food trucks.
* has [[#Banks_With_No_Monthly_Fees|no monthly fees]]. There are so many banks even without fees, so you don't need to pick one that costs money.
* lets you [[#Banks_Recommended_for_Foreigners|sign up with our documents]]. If you don't have an registered address (''Anmeldung'') yet, this can be difficult.

See also: [[#Banks Recommended for Foreigners|Banks Recommended for Foreigners]].

== Lists of Banks for Individuals (''Girokonto'') ==

<div id="support-en"/>
=== Banks With English Support ===
* {{Link|Bunq|bunq}}, speaks also: Dutch, French, Italian, Portuguese, Spanish
* {{Link|Commerzbank|commerzbank}} (online banking, after signup)
* {{Link|Deutsche Bank|deutsche-bank}} (online banking, after signup)
* {{Link|Insha|insha}}
* {{Link|Lydia|lydia}}
* {{Link|Monese|monese}}, speaks also: Bulgarian, Czech, German, Estonian, Spanish, French, Italian, Lithuanian, Polish, Portuguese, Romanian, Turkish
* {{Link|N26|n26}}, speaks also: French, German, Italian, Spanish
* {{Link|Nuri|nuri}}
* {{Link|Revolut|revolut}}, speaks also: Bulgarian, Croatian, Czech, Danish, Dutch, Estonian, Finnish, French, German, Greek, Hungarian, Italian, Japanese, Latvian, Lithuanian, Norwegian, Polish, Portuguese, Romanian, Slovakian, Slovenian, Spanish, Swedish
* {{Link|Tomorrow|tomorrow}}
* {{Link|Vivid Money|vivid}}, speaks also: French, German, Italian, Spanish
* {{Link|Wise|wise}}, speaks also: Chinese, French, Hungarian, Indonesian, Italian, Japanese, Polish, Portuguese, Romanian, Russian, Spanish, Turkish
* {{Link|Yuh|yuh}}

<div id="iban-de"/>
=== Banks With German Account Number (IBAN) ===
* {{Link|1822direkt|1822direkt}}
* {{Link|Consorsbank|consorsbank}}
* {{Link|comdirect|comdirect}}
* {{Link|DKB|dkb}}
* {{Link|Hypovereinsbank|hypovereinsbank}}
* {{Link|ING|ing.giro}}
* {{Link|N26|n26}}
* {{Link|Norisbank|norisbank}}
* {{Link|Nuri|nuri}}
* {{Link|O2 Banking|o2banking}}
* {{Link|Postbank|postbank}}
* {{Link|Targobank|targobank}}
* {{Link|Tomorrow|tomorrow}}
* {{Link|Vivid Money|vivid}}

<div id="no_monthly_fees"/>

=== Banks With No Monthly Fees ===
* {{Link|DKB|dkb}}
* {{Link|Insha|insha}}
* {{Link|Lydia|lydia}} ([https://lydia-app.com/products/plans free plan with limited features])
* {{Link|Hypovereinsbank|hypovereinsbank}}: free in the first 5 years
* {{Link|Monese|monese}} ([https://monese.com/de/en/pricing Starter plan])
* {{Link|N26|n26}}
* {{Link|Nuri|nuri}}
* {{Link|Openbank|openbank}}
* {{Link|Revolut|revolut}}
* {{Link|Vivid Money|vivid}}
* {{Link|Wise|wise}}
* {{Link|Yuh|yuh}}

==== … if you receive money on it regularly ====
* {{Link|1822direkt|1822direkt}}: if you receive minimum €700 every month
* {{Link|Consorsbank|consorsbank}}: if you receive minimum €700 every month
* {{Link|Commerzbank|commerzbank}}" if you receive minimum €700 every month
* {{Link|comdirect|comdirect}}" if you receive minimum €700 every month
* {{Link|ING|ing.giro}}: if you receive minimum €700 every month 
* {{Link|Norisbank|norisbank}}: if you receive minimum €500 every month
* {{Link|O2 Banking|o2banking}}: if you receive minimum €700 every month
* {{Link|Postbank|postbank}}: if you receive minimum €3000 every month
* {{Link|Targobank|targobank}}: if you receive minimum €600 every month

==== … for young people ====
* {{Link|Consorsbank|consorsbank}}: if you are under 28
* {{Link|comdirect|comdirect}}: if you are under 28
* {{Link|ING|ing.giro}}: if you are under 28 
* {{Link|Norisbank|norisbank}}: if you are under 21
* {{Link|O2 Banking|o2banking}}: if you are under 28 and a student, apprentice or trainee
* {{Link|Postbank|postbank}}: if you are under 22

<div id="free_cash_withdrawals"/>
=== Banks With Free Cash Withdrawals ===

==== … at bank machines worldwide ====
* {{Link|Bunq|bunq}}: [https://www.bunq.com/pricing-sheet 4 per month are free]
* {{Link|DKB|dkb}}: [https://bank.dkb.de/privatkunden/karten/bargeld minimum €50 per withdrawal] 
* {{Link|Nuri|nuri}}: [https://nuri.com/uploads/Pricing_Nuri_df406ebc86.pdf more info]
* {{Link|O2 Banking|o2banking}}: 3 per month free [https://o2money.comdirect.de/o2banking/konto.html more info]
* {{Link|Revolut|revolut}}: [https://www.revolut.com/help/making-payments/withdrawing-cash/does-revolut-charge-for-cash-withdrawal 200 EUR / 5 per month are free]
* {{Link|Wise|wise}}: [https://wise.com/help/articles/2935769/how-much-does-it-cost-to-withdraw-cash 200 EUR / 2 per month are free]

==== … at bank machines in €-zone / [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_Economic_Area EEA] ====
* {{Link|Consorsbank|consorsbank}}
* {{Link|Hypovereinsbank|hypovereinsbank}}: at UniCredit banks in 13 EU countries
* {{Link|Insha|insha}} [https://files.getinsha.com/uploads/new-pricing/insha_pricing_EN-copy-2.pdf 2 free withdrawals per month]
* {{Link|Openbank|openbank}}: 5 withdrawals free per month in €-zone or worldwide at Santander ATMs ([https://www.openbank.de/kostenlos-geld-abheben more info])

==== … at bank machines of the bank's network ====
* {{Link|1822direkt|1822direkt}}: 4 per month at [https://www.sparkasse.de/service/filialsuche.html Sparkasse group] bank machines
* {{Link|Commerzbank|commerzbank}}: at [http://www.cashgroup.de/ Cash Group] bank machines
* {{Link|Hypovereinsbank|hypovereinsbank}}: unlimited at [http://www.cashgroup.de/ Cash Group] bank machines 
* {{Link|Norisbank|norisbank}}: at [http://www.cashgroup.de/ Cash Group] bank machines
* {{Link|Openbank|openbank}}: 5 withdrawals free per month in €-zone or worldwide at Santander ATMs ([https://www.openbank.de/kostenlos-geld-abheben more info])
* {{Link|Postbank|postbank}}: at Postbank and [http://www.cashgroup.de/ Cash Group] bank machines
* {{Link|Targobank|targobank}}: at [https://www.cashpool.de/ CashPool] bank machines

==== …at shops ====

* {{Link|bunq|bunq}} with [[/Viacash|Viacash]]
* {{Link|comdirect|comdirect}} with [[/Cash-Back|Cash-Back]]
* {{Link|DKB|dkb}} with [[/Cash-Back|Cash-Back]] and [[/Viacash|Viacash]]
* {{Link|ING|ing}} with [[/Cash-Back|Cash-Back]]
* {{Link|N26|n26}} with [[/Viacash|Viacash]]
* {{Link|Norisbank|norisbank}} with [[/Cash-Back|Cash-Back]]
* {{Link|O2 Banking|o2banking}} with [[/Viacash|Viacash]]

<div id="cash_deposits"/>
=== Banks with Cash Deposits ===

These banks allow you to top-up your account with cash.

* {{Link|1822direkt|1822direkt}}: free only at Frankfurter Sparkasse branches ([https://www.1822direkt.de/service/fragen-und-antworten/girokonto more info])
* {{Link|Bunq|bunq}}: at shops with [[/Viacash|Viacash]] ([https://www.bunq.com/benefits/withdraw-deposit more info])
* {{Link|Consorsbank|consorsbank}}: minimum €1000, €7.50 fee ([https://wissen.consorsbank.de/t5/H%C3%A4ufige-Fragen/Wie-kann-ich-Bargeld-auf-mein-Girokonto-einzahlen/ta-p/111680 more info])
* {{Link|DKB|dkb}}:  shops with [[/Viacash|Viacash]]; at DKB ATMs & branches([https://bank.dkb.de/privatkunden/karten/bargeld more info])
* {{Link|Hypovereinsbank|hypovereinsbank}}: at their branches 
* {{Link|ING|ing.giro}}: for free at some of [https://www.ing.de/hilfe/geldautomatensuche/ ING's bank machines] ([https://www.ing.de/girokonto/kundenservice/ more info])
* {{Link|N26|n26}}: at shops with [[/Viacash|Viacash]] ([https://n26.com/en-es/blog/cash26 more info])
* {{Link|Norisbank|norisbank}}: at Deutsche Bank cash deposit machines ([https://www.norisbank.de/service/kontakt-und-wissen/haeufige-fragen/faq-automaten.html more info])
* {{Link|O2 Banking|o2banking}} 3 deposits per year are free at Commerzbank branches ([https://o2money.comdirect.de/o2banking/konto.html more info])
* {{Link|Postbank|postbank}}: at Postbank bank machines
* {{Link|Targobank|targobank}}: at shops with [[/Viacash|Viacash]]; at [https://www.targobank.de/de/filialen/geldautomatensuche/index.html Targobank machines]

<div id="joint"/>
=== Banks With Joint Accounts ===
Banks with joint accounts allow two or more people to own and access the same account. An alternative to this are ''shared pockets'' or ''group vaults'' where each customer has their own account but can create ''pockets/vaults'' that can be access by other users.

* {{Link|Revolut|revolut}}: offers [https://www.revolut.com/en-DE/help/wealth/vaults/group-vaults/how-do-i-manage-a-group-vault group vaults])
* {{Link|Vivid Money|vivid}}: offers [https://help.vivid.money/en/articles/4453269-what-is-a-shared-pocket shared pockets] ([https://press.vivid.money/tpost/n3h3brfnj1-vivid-money-introduces-shared-pockets-ev more info])

<div id="currencies"/>
=== Banks With Multiple Currencies ===

* {{Link|Bunq|bunq}}: [https://together.bunq.com/d/45414-local-currencies/4 more info]
* {{Link|Lydia|lydia}}: [https://support.lydia-app.com/l/en/article/acvagom7kq-accepted-currencies EUR & GBP]
* {{Link|Monese|monese}}: EUR, GBP and RON (RON [https://monese.com/gr/de/blog/ron-accounts only with Romanian ID]
* {{Link|Revolut|revolut}}: [https://www.revolut.com/help/adding-money/with-card/what-cards-and-currencies-are-supported AUD, BGN, CAD, CHF, CZK, DKK, EUR, GBP, HKD, HRK, HUF, JPY, NOK, PLN, RON, SEK, USD, ZAR]
* {{Link|Vivid Money|vivid}}: [https://help.vivid.money/en/articles/4692421-which-currencies-can-i-have-on-my-vivid-money-account up to 105 currencies], but can be topped up [https://help.vivid.money/en/articles/4970992-how-can-i-transfer-money only in EUR]
* {{Link|Wise|wise}}: [https://wise.com/help/articles/2897238/which-currencies-can-i-add-keep-and-receive-in-my-wise-account 50+ currencies]
* {{Link|Yuh|yuh}}: [https://www.yuh.com/en/pricing CHF, USD, EUR, GBP, JPY, AUD, CAD, SEK, HKD, NOK, DKK, AED, SGD]

<div id="broker"/>
=== Banks With A Broker ===
These accounts allow you to trade shares and funds / ETFs. The term in German is usually ''Depot''.

* {{Link|1822direkt|1822direkt}}: [https://www.1822direkt.de/anlegen-depot/wertpapierdepot/ more info]
* {{Link|Commerzbank|commerzbank}}: [https://www.commerzbank.de/portal/de/privatkunden/sparen-anlegen/produkte/depotmodelle/depot-eroeffnen/depot-eroeffnen.html more info]
* {{Link|comdirect|comdirect}} [https://www.comdirect.de/depot/comdirect-depot.html more info]
* {{Link|Consorsbank|consorsbank}}: [https://www.consorsbank.de/ev/Wertpapierhandel/Depot-Software/Wertpapierdepot more info]
* {{Link|DKB|dkb}}: [https://www.dkb.de/privatkunden/broker/ more info]
* {{Link|Hypovereinsbank|hypovereinsbank}}: [https://www.hypovereinsbank.de/hvb/privatkunden/geldanlage/depotmodelle more info]
* {{Link|ING|ing.giro}}: [https://www.ing.de/sparen-anlegen/direkt-depot/ more info]
* {{Link|Norisbank|norisbank}}: [https://www.norisbank.de/geldanlage/wertpapiere/depot.html more info]
* {{Link|O2 Banking|o2banking}}: [https://o2money.comdirect.de/anlegenundsparen.html more info]
* {{Link|Openbank|openbank}}: [https://www.openbank.de/aktien-kaufen more info]
* {{Link|Postbank|postbank}}: [https://www.postbank.de/privatkunden/produkte/wertpapiere-sparen/wertpapiere/depot-eroeffnen.html more info]
* {{Link|Revolut|revolut}}: [https://www.revolut.com/help/wealth/stocks more info]
* {{Link|Targobank|targobank}}: [https://www.targobank.de/de/vermoegen/depot-modelle.html more info]
* {{Link|Vivid Money|vivid}}: [https://vivid.money/en-eu/investments/ more info]
* {{Link|Yuh|yuh}}: [https://www.yuh.com/en/features/invest more info]

<div id="crypto"/>
=== Banks With Crypto Currencies ===
These accounts allow you to trade '''Bitcoin''' etc.

* {{Link|Nuri|nuri}}: [https://nuri.com/cryptocurrency/ more info]
* {{Link|Revolut|revolut}}: [https://www.revolut.com/help/wealth/cryptocurrencies more info]
* {{Link|Vivid Money|vivid}}: [https://vivid.money/en-eu/investments/crypto/ more info]
* {{Link|Yuh|yuh}}: [https://www.yuh.com/en/features/invest more info]

<div id="bonuses"/>
=== Banks With Bonuses ===

These accounts will pay you for signing up.

* {{Link|1822direkt|1822direkt}}: €25 or €75 bonus (depending on account type) if you receive 3 salary payments of min. €1000 each within the first 6 months ([https://www.1822direkt.de/fileadmin/Home/Dokumente/PDF/Girokonto/Teilnahmebedingungen_fuer_die_Girokonto-Praemien.pdf conditions])
* {{Link|Commerzbank|commerzbank}}: €50 welcome bonus if you send or receive 5 payments per month of min. €25 (salary, providers etc.) and agree to sales calls ([https://www.commerzbank.de/portal/de/privatkunden/konten-karten/produkte/kostenloses-girokonto/kostenloses-girokonto.html#startpraemie conditions])
* {{Link|Consorsbank|consorsbank}}: €50 welcome bonus if you receive 3 payments of min. €700 within the first 6 months ([https://www.consorsbank.de/ev/Girokonto/-/Girokonto#Freetrades more info])
* {{Link|Norisbank|norisbank}}: €50 welcome bonus if you use their account switching service ([https://www.norisbank.de/girokonto/privatkunden/top-girokonto.html?kid=e.8.10.28.14.3&wt_financeads=1&s_id=723442754X28143C12710649TShttps://berlincheap.com/bonus-banking/#kontowechselservice more info])
* {{Link|Vivid Money|vivid}}: €20 welcome bonus + up to €90 cashback, if you top up and spend €20 within the first 90 days

<div id="comparisons"/>

== Comparisons of Banks ==
These finance services compare current banks on the market and let you filter the list by specific features:

=== Banks for Individuals Compared === 
* [[/Comparison|Bank Comparison on ExpatWiki]]
* [https://vergleiche.financequality.net/12857/22391/ Accounts compared by FinanceQuality]*

=== Banks for Students Compared ===
* [[/Students|Student Bank Account Options Compared]]

<div id="recommended"/>

== Banks Recommended for Foreigners ==

All listed banks also accept non-Germans. But some make it easier than others.

Banks suitable for expats:

* have support in English (or even more languages)
* do not require you to have a registered address (''Anmeldung'')
* accept many foreign passports and identity cards for opening

Recommended banks for expats are:

=== {{Link|Vivid Money|vivid}} ===

* [https://help.vivid.money/en/articles/4159457-how-do-i-verify-my-identity-and-what-document-can-i-use accepts many documents for account opening]
* support in 5 languages
* free / no monthly fees
* free Visa debit card if topped up with €200
* IBAN from Germany 🇩🇪
* €20 signup + €70 Cashback bonus via {{Link|this link|vivid}}

=== {{Link|Revolut|revolut}} ===
* [https://www.revolut.com/help/profile-plan/verifying-identity/what-countries-are-supported accepts many documents for account opening]
* support in 24 languages
* free / no monthly fees
* Visa debit card for [https://www.revolut.com/de-DE/legal/standard-fees €5.99 one-time delivery fee]
* IBAN from Lithuania 🇱🇹

=== {{Link|Wise|wise}} ===
* [https://wise.com/help/articles/2949801/how-does-wise-verify-my-identity accepts many documents for account opening]
* support in 13 languages
* free / no monthly fees
* Mastercard debit card for [https://wise.com/de/multi-currency-account/pricing €8 one-time delivery fee]
* IBAN from Belgium 🇧🇪

{{Affiliate}}

[[Category:Banking]]