Editing Germany/Banking

{{Head
|Bank Accounts in Germany
|Free, English, no Anmeldung
|When living or doing business in Germany, a '''German Bank Account''' can be useful for receiving salary, paying rent & other spending. Here is a list of account offers by their features.
}}

<div class="ul-list-style-none">
* [[/Current|Current Bank Accounts]] (''Girokonto''): accounts for individuals
** <htmltag tagname="a" href="/Germany/Banking/Current#monthly-fees=no">Free Banks (no monthly fees)</htmltag>
** <htmltag tagname="a" href="/Germany/Banking/Current#languages=en">Banks with English support</htmltag>
** <htmltag tagname="a" href="/Germany/Banking/Current#no-registered-address=1">Banks with no registered address (''Anmeldung'') required</htmltag>
* [[/Business|Business Bank Accounts]]
* [[/Students|Bank Accounts for Students]]
* [[/Savings|Savings Accounts]]
* [[/Credit_cards|Credit Cards]]
* [[/Brokers|Brokers]]
</div>

{{FAQ|
{{FAQ/Item|q= Do I need a German or a Euro bank account? |a=

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.

}}{{FAQ/Item|q= What do I need to open a German bank account? |a=

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. {{AffLink|DKB|dkb}} is known to be picky.)

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

}}{{FAQ/Item|q= Which type of bank account can I use as a freelancer? |a=
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.

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

}}{{FAQ/Item|q= Which bank is the best for me? |a=

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]].
}}
}}

{{Notes}}

[[Category:Banking]]