Difference between revisions of "Germany/Banking"
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'''Recommended bank accounts for expats''' are: | '''Recommended bank accounts for expats''' are: | ||
| − | + | * {{Link|N26|n26}}: [https://support.n26.com/en-eu/account-and-personal-details/opening-an-account/how-to-open-my-n26-account accepted documents] | |
| − | * {{Link|Vivid Money|vivid}}: German account number (IBAN), [https://help.vivid.money/en/articles/4966559-which-documents-can-i-use-to-confirm-my-identity | + | * {{Link|Vivid Money|vivid}}: German account number (IBAN), [https://help.vivid.money/en/articles/4966559-which-documents-can-i-use-to-confirm-my-identity accepted documents] |
| − | * {{Link|Revolut|revolut}}: [https://www.revolut.com/help/profile-plan/verifying-identity/what-countries-are-supported | + | * {{Link|Revolut|revolut}}: [https://www.revolut.com/help/profile-plan/verifying-identity/what-countries-are-supported accepted documents] |
* {{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] | * {{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] | ||
{{Affiliate}} | {{Affiliate}} | ||
Revision as of 16:22, 3 February 2022
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 registered address is not necessary.
This article covers accounts for individuals, also called current account or giro account (Girokonto).
For other account types, see
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is a German bank account?
In this article, German bank account are accounts that have an 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 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 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 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 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 List of German Savings Accounts.
Lists of (Giro) Bank Accounts for Individuals
Bank Accounts With English Support
- Bunq, speaks also: Dutch, French, Italian, Portuguese, Spanish
- Commerzbank (online banking, after signup)
- Deutsche Bank (online banking, after signup)
- Insha
- Lydia
- Monese, speaks also: Bulgarian, Czech, German, Estonian, Spanish, French, Italian, Lithuanian, Polish, Portuguese, Romanian, Turkish
- N26, speaks also: French, German, Italian, Spanish
- Nuri
- 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
- Tomorrow
- Vivid Money, speaks also: French, German, Italian, Spanish
- Wise, speaks also: Chinese, French, Hungarian, Indonesian, Italian, Japanese, Polish, Portuguese, Romanian, Russian, Spanish, Turkish
- Yuh
Bank Accounts With German Account Number (IBAN)
Bank Accounts With No Monthly Fees
- DKB
- Insha
- Lydia (free plan with limited features)
- Monese (Starter plan)
- N26
- Nuri
- Revolut
- Vivid Money
- Wise
- Yuh
… if you receive money on it regularly
- 1822direkt if you receive minimum €700 every month
- Commerzbank if you receive minimum €700 every month
- comdirect if you receive minimum €700 every month
- ING if you receive minimum €700 every month
- Norisbank if you receive minimum €500 every month
- O2 Banking if you receive minimum €700 every month
… for young people
- comdirect if you are under 28
- ING if you are under 28
- Norisbank if you are under 21
- O2 Banking if you are under 28 and a student, apprentice or trainee
Bank Accounts With Signup Bonuses
- Vivid Money: €10 welcome bonus + up to €100 cashback
- Commerzbank: €50 welcome bonus (conditions)
Comparisons of Bank Accounts
These finance services compare current bank accounts on the market and let you filter the list by specific features:
Bank Accounts for Individuals Compared
Bank Accounts for Students Compared
Bank Accounts Recommended for Foreigners
All listed banks also accept non-Germans. But some make it easier than others.
Bank accounts 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 bank accounts for expats are:
- N26: accepted documents
- Vivid Money: German account number (IBAN), accepted documents
- Revolut: accepted documents
- Wise: accepted documents, they initially do not ask for your address but might later