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{{Head
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{{DISPLAYTITLE:List of Bank Accounts in Germany (+FAQ)}}
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|Banking in Germany
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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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|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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}}
 
  
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<div class="ul-list-style-none">
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This article covers '''accounts for individuals''', also called '''current account''' or '''giro account''' (''Girokonto'').
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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>
 
  
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{{FAQ|
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For other account types, see
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{{FAQ/Item|q= Do I need a German or a Euro bank account? |a=
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* [[/Business|List of German Business Bank Accounts]]
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* [[/Savings|List of German Savings Accounts]]
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* [[/Credit_cards|List of German Credit Cards]]
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== Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) ==
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=== What is a German bank account? ===
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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…''.
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=== 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'''.
  
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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.
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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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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 [[#Bank_Accounts_With_German_Account_Number_.28IBAN.29|German account]] is more convenient.
  
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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.
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=== Which bank account can I use for my freelancing? ===
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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.
  
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}}{{FAQ/Item|q= What do I need to open a German bank account? |a=
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=== Do I get interest on my money? ===
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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]].
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=== What do I need to open a German bank account? ===
  
 
This varies from bank to bank. However, these things are common:
 
This varies from bank to bank. However, these things are common:
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* You often need give an address, so that the bank can send you a credit or debit 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'')
 
* 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.)
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* Some banks want to see your income and credit history. (E.g. {{Link|DKB|dkb}} is known to be picky.)
  
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}}{{FAQ/Item|q= Which type of bank account can I use as a freelancer? |a=
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See also: [[#Bank Accounts Recommended for Foreigners|Bank Accounts Recommended for Foreigners]].
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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.
 
  
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}}{{FAQ/Item|q= Do I get interest on my money? |a=
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=== Which bank account is the best for me? ===
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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]].
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A bank account that
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* speaks [[#Bank_Accounts_With_English_Support|your language]]. There many offers with support in English or even more languages.
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* has [[#Bank_Accounts_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
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* has [[#Bank_Accounts_With_No_Monthly_Fees|no monthly fees]]. There are so many bank accounts even without fees, so you don't need to pick one that costs money
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* lets you [[#Bank_Accounts_Recommended_for_Foreigners|sign up with our documents]]. If you don't have an registered address (''Anmeldung'') yet, this can be difficult.
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== Lists of (Giro) Bank Accounts for Individuals ==
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=== Bank Accounts With English Support ===
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* {{Link|Bunq|bunq}}, speaks also: Dutch, French, Italian, Portuguese, Spanish
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* {{Link|Commerzbank|commerzbank}} (online banking, after signup)
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* {{Link|Deutsche Bank|deutsche-bank}} (online banking, after signup)
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* {{Link|Insha|insha}}
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* {{Link|Lydia|lydia}}
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* {{Link|Monese|monese}}, speaks also: Bulgarian, Czech, German, Estonian, Spanish, French, Italian, Lithuanian, Polish, Portuguese, Romanian, Turkish
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* {{Link|N26|n26}}, speaks also: French, German, Italian, Spanish
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* {{Link|Nuri|nuri}}
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* {{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
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* {{Link|Tomorrow|tomorrow}}
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* {{Link|Vivid Money|vivid}}, speaks also: French, German, Italian, Spanish
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* {{Link|Wise|wise}}, speaks also: Chinese, French, Hungarian, Indonesian, Italian, Japanese, Polish, Portuguese, Romanian, Russian, Spanish, Turkish
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* {{Link|Yuh|yuh}}
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=== Bank Accounts With German Account Number (IBAN) ===
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* {{Link|1822direkt|1822direkt}}
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* {{Link|comdirect|comdirect}}
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* {{Link|DKB|dkb}}
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* {{Link|ING|ing.giro}}
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* {{Link|N26|n26}}
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* {{Link|Norisbank|norisbank}}
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* {{Link|Nuri|nuri}}
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* {{Link|O2 Banking|o2banking}}
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* {{Link|Tomorrow|tomorrow}}
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* {{Link|Vivid Money|vivid}}
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=== Bank Accounts With No Monthly Fees ===
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* {{Link|DKB|dkb}}
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* {{Link|Insha|insha}}
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* {{Link|Lydia|lydia}} ([https://lydia-app.com/products/plans free plan with limited features])
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* {{Link|Monese|monese}} ([https://monese.com/de/en/pricing Starter plan])
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* {{Link|N26|n26}}
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* {{Link|Nuri|nuri}}
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* {{Link|Revolut|revolut}}
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* {{Link|Vivid Money|vivid}}
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* {{Link|Wise|wise}}
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* {{Link|Yuh|yuh}}
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==== … if you receive money on it regularly ====
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* {{Link|1822direkt|1822direkt}} if you receive minimum €700 every month
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* {{Link|Commerzbank|commerzbank}} if you receive minimum €700 every month
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* {{Link|comdirect|comdirect}} if you receive minimum €700 every month
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* {{Link|ING|ing.giro}} if you receive minimum €700 every month
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* {{Link|Norisbank|norisbank}} if you receive minimum €500 every month
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* {{Link|O2 Banking|o2banking}} if you receive minimum €700 every month
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==== … for young people ====
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* {{Link|comdirect|comdirect}} if you are under 28
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* {{Link|ING|ing.giro}} if you are under 28
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* {{Link|Norisbank|norisbank}} if you are under 21
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* {{Link|O2 Banking|o2banking}} if you are under 28 and a student, apprentice or trainee
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=== Bank Accounts With Free Cash Withdrawals ===
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==== … at all bank machines worldwide ====
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* {{Link|Bunq|bunq}}: [https://www.bunq.com/pricing-sheet 4 per month are free]
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* {{Link|DKB|dkb}}: [https://bank.dkb.de/privatkunden/karten/bargeld minimum €50]
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* {{Link|Nuri|nuri}}: [https://nuri.com/uploads/Pricing_Nuri_df406ebc86.pdf more info]
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* {{Link|O2 Banking|o2banking}}: 3 per month free [https://o2money.comdirect.de/o2banking/konto.html more info]
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* {{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]
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* {{Link|Wise|wise}}: [https://wise.com/help/articles/2935769/how-much-does-it-cost-to-withdraw-cash 200 EUR / 2 per month are free]
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==== … at all bank machines in [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_Economic_Area EEA] ====
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* {{Link|Insha|insha}} [https://files.getinsha.com/uploads/new-pricing/insha_pricing_EN-copy-2.pdf 2 free withdrawals per month]
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==== … at bank machines of the bank's network ====
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* {{Link|1822direkt|1822direkt}}: 4 per month at [https://www.sparkasse.de/service/filialsuche.html Sparkasse group] bank machines
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* {{Link|Commerzbank|commerzbank}}: unlimited at [https://www.norisbank.de/dienste/cash-group-geldautomat.html Cash Group] bank machines
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* {{Link|Norisbank|norisbank}}: unlimited at [https://www.norisbank.de/dienste/cash-group-geldautomat.html Cash Group] bank machines
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==== …at shops ====
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Some bank cooperate with shops: You can go to the checkout of one branch and withdraw money from your bank account, using your card. There are 2 systems:
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* [[/Cash-Back|Cash-Back]] (do not confuse with [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cashback_reward_program Cashback]): you need to spend a minimum amount at the shop
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* [[/Viacash|Viacash / Barzahlen.de]]: here you don't even need to buy something
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===== Cash-Back =====
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* {{Link|comdirect|comdirect}}
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* {{Link|DKB|dkb}}
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* {{Link|ING|ing}}
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* {{Link|Norisbank|norisbank}}
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===== Viacash =====
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* {{Link|bunq|bunq}}
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* {{Link|DKB|dkb}}
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* {{Link|N26|n26}}
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* {{Link|O2 Banking|o2banking}}
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=== Bank Accounts With Multiple Currencies ===
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* {{Link|Bunq|bunq}}: [https://together.bunq.com/d/45414-local-currencies/4 more info]
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* {{Link|Lydia|lydia}}: [https://support.lydia-app.com/l/en/article/acvagom7kq-accepted-currencies EUR & GBP]
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* {{Link|Monese|monese}}: EUR, GBP and RON (RON [https://monese.com/gr/de/blog/ron-accounts only with Romanian ID]
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* {{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]
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* {{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]
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* {{Link|Wise|wise}}: [https://wise.com/help/articles/2897238/which-currencies-can-i-add-keep-and-receive-in-my-wise-account 50+ currencies]
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* {{Link|Yuh|yuh}}: [https://www.yuh.com/en/pricing CHF, USD, EUR, GBP, JPY, AUD, CAD, SEK, HKD, NOK, DKK, AED, SGD]
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=== Bank Accounts With A Broker ===
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These accounts allow you to trade shares and funds / ETFs. The term in German is usually ''Depot''.
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* {{Link|1822direkt|1822direkt}}: [https://www.1822direkt.de/anlegen-depot/wertpapierdepot/ more info]
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* {{Link|Commerzbank|commerzbank}}: [https://www.commerzbank.de/portal/de/privatkunden/sparen-anlegen/produkte/depotmodelle/depot-eroeffnen/depot-eroeffnen.html more info]
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* {{Link|comdirect|comdirect}} [https://www.comdirect.de/depot/comdirect-depot.html more info]
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* {{Link|DKB|dkb}}: [https://www.dkb.de/privatkunden/broker/ more info]
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* {{Link|ING|ing.giro}}: [https://www.ing.de/sparen-anlegen/direkt-depot/ more info]
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* {{Link|Norisbank|norisbank}}: [https://www.norisbank.de/geldanlage/wertpapiere/depot.html more info]
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* {{Link|O2 Banking|o2banking}}: [https://o2money.comdirect.de/anlegenundsparen.html more info]
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* {{Link|Revolut|revolut}}: [https://www.revolut.com/help/wealth/stocks more info]
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* {{Link|Vivid Money|vivid}}: [https://vivid.money/en-eu/investments/ more info]
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* {{Link|Yuh|yuh}}: [https://www.yuh.com/en/features/invest more info]
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=== Bank Accounts With Crypto Currencies ===
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These accounts allow you to trade '''Bitcoin''' etc.
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* {{Link|Nuri|nuri}}: [https://nuri.com/cryptocurrency/ more info]
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* {{Link|Revolut|revolut}}: [https://www.revolut.com/help/wealth/cryptocurrencies more info]
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* {{Link|Vivid Money|vivid}}: [https://vivid.money/en-eu/investments/crypto/ more info]
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* {{Link|Yuh|yuh}}: [https://www.yuh.com/en/features/invest more info]
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=== Bank Accounts With Bonuses ===
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These accounts will pay you for signing up.
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* {{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])
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* {{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])
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* {{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])
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* {{Link|Vivid Money|vivid}}: €20 welcome bonus + up to €90 cashback, if you receive top up and spend €20 within the first 90 days
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== Comparisons of Bank Accounts ==
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These finance services compare current bank accounts on the market and let you filter the list by specific features:
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=== Bank Accounts for Individuals Compared ===
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* [https://tools.financeads.net/girokontorechner.php?tp=dif&wf=35819&ntpl=responsive&h=1 Accounts compared by FinanceAds]*
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* [https://vergleiche.financequality.net/12857/22391/ Accounts compared by FinanceQuality]*
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=== Bank Accounts for Students Compared ===
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* [https://tools.financeads.net/studentenkontorechner.php?tp=dif&wf=35819&ntpl=responsive&h=1 Student bank accounts compared by FinanceAds].
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== Bank Accounts Recommended for Foreigners ==
  
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}}{{FAQ/Item|q= Which bank is the best for me? |a=
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All listed banks also accept non-Germans. But some make it easier than others.
  
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A bank that
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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.
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* have support in English (or even more languages)
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* 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.
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* do not require you to have a registered address (''Anmeldung'')
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* 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.
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* accept many foreign passports and identity cards for opening
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* 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.
 
  
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}}
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'''Recommended bank accounts for expats''' are:
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}}
 
  
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{{Notes}}
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* {{Link|Vivid Money|vivid}}: [https://help.vivid.money/en/articles/4159457-how-do-i-verify-my-identity-and-what-document-can-i-use accepted documents], IBAN from Germany 🇩🇪
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* {{Link|Revolut|revolut}}: [https://www.revolut.com/help/profile-plan/verifying-identity/what-countries-are-supported accepted documents], IBAN from Lithuania 🇱🇹
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* {{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], IBAN from Belgium 🇧🇪
  
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[[Category:Banking]]
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