Difference between revisions of "Germany/Banking"

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{{DISPLAYTITLE:List of Bank Accounts in Germany (+FAQ)}}
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{{Head
When living in Germany, having a '''German Bank Account''' (or a Euro account) can be useful. Here's a list of accounts for people having an address in Germany. For some banks, having a [[#Bank_Accounts_Recommended_for_Foreigners|registered address is not necessary]].
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|Banking in Germany
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|Free, English, no Anmeldung
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|When living or doing business in Germany, a '''German Bank Account''' can be useful for receiving salary, paying rent & other spending. Find here an bank for your purpose.
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}}
  
This article covers '''accounts for individuals''', also called '''current account''' or '''giro account''' (''Girokonto'').
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<div class="ul-list-style-none">
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* [[/Current|Current Bank Accounts]] (''Girokonto''): accounts for individuals
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** <htmltag tagname="a" href="/Germany/Banking/Current#monthly-fees=no">Free banks (no monthly fees)</htmltag>
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** <htmltag tagname="a" href="/Germany/Banking/Current#languages=en">Banks with English support</htmltag>
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** <htmltag tagname="a" href="/Germany/Banking/Current#cash-withdrawals=free-own">Banks with free cash withdrawals</htmltag>
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** <htmltag tagname="a" href="/Germany/Banking/Current#no-registered-address=1">Banks with no registered address (''Anmeldung'') required</htmltag>
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* [[/Business|Business Bank Accounts]]
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* [[/Students|Bank Accounts for Students]]
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** [[/Blocked|Blocked Accounts]] (''Sperrkonto'') for study or jobseeker visa application
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* [[/Savings|Savings Accounts]]
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* [[/Brokers|Brokers]]
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* [[/Credit_cards|Credit Cards]]
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</div>
  
For other account types, see
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{{FAQ|
 
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{{FAQ/Item|q= Do I need a German or a Euro bank account? |a=
* [[/Business|List of German Business Bank Accounts]]
 
* [[/Savings|List of German Savings Accounts]]
 
* [[/Credit_cards|List of German Credit Cards]]
 
 
 
== Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) ==
 
 
 
=== What is a German bank account? ===
 
 
 
In this article, German bank account are accounts that have 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'''.
 
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 necessarily 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.
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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 German account is more convenient.
 
 
 
=== Which bank account can I use for my freelancing? ===
 
To receive income from freelancing or your business, you usually need a [[/Business|business bank account]]. Regular bank accounts 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 [[/Savings|List of German Savings Accounts]].
 
 
 
== Lists of (Giro) Bank Accounts for Individuals ==
 
=== Bank Accounts 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}}
 
 
 
=== Bank Accounts With German Account Number (IBAN) ===
 
* {{Link|1822direkt|1822direkt}}
 
* {{Link|comdirect|comdirect}}
 
* {{Link|DKB|dkb}}
 
* {{Link|ING|ing.giro}}
 
* {{Link|N26|n26}}
 
* {{Link|Norisbank|norisbank}}
 
* {{Link|Nuri|nuri}}
 
* {{Link|O2 Banking|o2banking}}
 
* {{Link|Tomorrow|tomorrow}}
 
* {{Link|Vivid Money|vivid}}
 
 
 
=== Bank Accounts 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|Monese|monese}} ([https://monese.com/de/en/pricing Starter plan])
 
* {{Link|N26|n26}}
 
* {{Link|Nuri|nuri}}
 
* {{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|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
 
 
 
==== … for young people ====
 
* {{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
 
 
 
=== Bank Accounts 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#:~:text=You%20can%20add%20money%20to,your%20card%20is%20held%20in. 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]
 
  
=== Bank Accounts With A Broker ===
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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 <htmltag tagname="a" href="/Germany/Banking/Current#iban=de">German account number</htmltag> is more convenient.
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]
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}}{{FAQ/Item|q= What do I need to open a German bank account? |a=
* {{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|DKB|dkb}}: [https://www.dkb.de/privatkunden/broker/ 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|Revolut|revolut}}: [https://www.revolut.com/help/wealth/stocks more info]
 
* {{Link|Vivid Money|vivid}}: [https://vivid.money/en-eu/investments/ more info]
 
  
=== Bank Accounts With Signup Bonuses ===
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This varies from bank to bank. However, these things are common:
* {{Link|Vivid Money|vivid}}: €10 welcome bonus + up to €100 cashback
 
* {{Link|Commerzbank|commerzbank}}: €50 welcome bonus ([https://www.commerzbank.de/portal/de/privatkunden/konten-karten/produkte/kostenloses-girokonto/kostenloses-girokonto.html#startpraemie conditions])
 
  
== Comparisons of Bank Accounts ==
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* You always need prove your identity, e.g. with a passport or national ID card.
These finance services compare current bank accounts on the market and let you filter the list by specific features:
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* You often need give an address, so that the bank can send you a credit or debit card.
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* Sometimes, you need to show your registration (''Anmeldung'')
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* Some banks want to see your income and credit history. (E.g. {{AffLink|DKB|dkb}} is known to be picky.)
  
=== Bank Accounts for Individuals Compared ===  
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}}{{FAQ/Item|q= Which type of bank account can I use as a freelancer? |a=
* [https://tools.financeads.net/girokontorechner.php?tp=dif&wf=35819&ntpl=responsive&h=1 Accounts compared by FinanceAds]*
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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.
* [https://vergleiche.financequality.net/12857/22391/ Accounts compared by FinanceQuality]*
 
  
=== Bank Accounts for Students Compared ===
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}}{{FAQ/Item|q= Do I get interest on my money? |a=
* [https://tools.financeads.net/studentenkontorechner.php?tp=dif&wf=35819&ntpl=responsive&h=1 Student bank accounts compared by FinanceAds].
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On giro accounts in Germany, you usually do not get interests paid out. For such offers, check the [[/Savings|List of German Savings Accounts]].
  
== Bank Accounts Recommended for Foreigners ==
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}}{{FAQ/Item|q= Which bank is the best for me? |a=
  
All listed banks also accept non-Germans. But some make it easier than others.
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A bank that
  
Bank accounts suitable for expats:
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* speaks <htmltag tagname="a" href="/Germany/Banking/Current#languages=en">your language</htmltag>. There many offers with support in English or even more languages.
 +
* has <htmltag tagname="a" href="/Germany/Banking/Current#cash-withdrawals=free-own">free cash withdrawals</htmltag>. While nearly all supermarkets already allow card payments, you will still need to use cash at smaller shops, cafés, restaurants or food trucks.
 +
* has <htmltag tagname="a" href="/Germany/Banking/Current#monthly-fees=no">no monthly fees</htmltag>. There are so many banks even without fees, so you don't need to pick one that costs money.
 +
* lets you sign up with our documents. If you <htmltag tagname="a" href="/Germany/Banking/Current#no-registered-address=1">do not have an registered address (''Anmeldung'')</htmltag> yet, this can be difficult.
  
* have support in English (or even more languages)
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}}
* do not require you to have a registered address (''Anmeldung'')
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}}
* accept many foreign passports and identity cards for opening
 
  
'''Recommended bank accounts for expats''' are:
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{{Notes}}
* {{Link|N26|n26}}: [https://support.n26.com/en-eu/account-and-personal-details/opening-an-account/how-to-open-my-n26-account accepted documents], you get a German account number (IBAN), no monthly fees
 
* {{Link|Vivid Money|vivid}}: [https://help.vivid.money/en/articles/4966559-which-documents-can-i-use-to-confirm-my-identity accepted documents], you get a German account number (IBAN), no monthly fees
 
* {{Link|Revolut|revolut}}: [https://www.revolut.com/help/profile-plan/verifying-identity/what-countries-are-supported accepted documents], no monthly fees
 
* {{Link|Wise|wise}}: [https://wise.com/help/articles/2949801/how-does-wise-verify-my-identity accepted documents], they initially do not ask for your address [https://wise.com/help/articles/2949804/how-does-wise-verify-my-address but might later], no monthly fees
 
  
{{Affiliate}}
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[[Category:Banking]]

Latest revision as of 00:01, 1 August 2022

When living or doing business in Germany, a German Bank Account can be useful for receiving salary, paying rent & other spending. Find here an bank for your purpose.

Questions & Answers[edit]

Do I need a German or a Euro bank account? [edit]

To pay rent and most bills or receive salary, you usually need an account that can send and receive 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 EU and EEA countries can do that.

However, some companies and authorities have problems using non-German account number (IBAN). This is illegal but it may happen. Then, a German account number is more convenient.

What do I need to open a German bank account? [edit]

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. DKB[1] is known to be picky.)

Which type of bank account can I use as a freelancer? [edit]

To receive income from freelancing or your business, you usually need a 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? [edit]

On giro accounts in Germany, you usually do not get interests paid out. For such offers, check the List of German Savings Accounts.

Which bank is the best for me? [edit]

A bank that

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

Notes[edit]

  1. This is an affiliate link. If you click on it and then buy something or sign up for a service, we may earn a commission which covers our expenses. This does not change the price for you.