Opening a Bank Account in Germany: Expat Guide 2026

A German bank account is not optional: it is the foundation of your financial life here. Without a German IBAN, you cannot receive your salary from most employers, pay rent by direct debit, sign up for utilities, or set up a phone contract. The good news: getting one is much easier than it used to be, and some banks will open an account for you before you even complete your Anmeldung.

Why you need a German bank account

Germany is still a heavily cash-based society in many areas, but the infrastructure underneath it is almost entirely bank-driven. Here is what you cannot do without a German account:

• Receive your salary. Most German employers require a domestic IBAN to process payroll. A foreign bank account often does not work in their payroll systems.
• Pay rent. Landlords in Germany almost universally require a SEPA direct debit or bank transfer from a German account. Paying rent from a UK or US account is not practical.
• Sign utility contracts. Gas, electricity, and internet providers use SEPA direct debits and will ask for your IBAN during sign-up.
• Phone contracts. Virtually all post-pay mobile contracts require a German IBAN for the monthly direct debit.
• Online shopping. Many German online shops prefer SEPA payment methods over international cards.

Traditional banks vs digital banks

You broadly have two choices in Germany: traditional branch banks and app-based digital banks. Each has real trade-offs.

Traditional banks (Filialbanken)

Banks like Commerzbank, Deutsche Bank, and Sparkasse have physical branches across Germany. This matters when you need in-person support, want to deposit or withdraw large amounts of cash, or need services like notarised documents or investment advice. Their app experience and English-language support are generally weaker than the digital banks, and fees tend to be higher.

Digital banks (Direktbanken / Neobanken)

Banks like N26, DKB, and ING operate without branches. Accounts are opened online, everything is managed through an app or website, and they are often free. Customer service is online or by phone. For most expats who do not regularly handle large amounts of cash, a digital bank works perfectly well and is significantly cheaper.

Best options compared

What documents you need

Requirements vary by bank, but here is what you should have ready before applying:

• Valid passport: always required. EU national ID cards are accepted by most banks.
• Anmeldung confirmation (Meldebescheinigung): required by DKB, ING, Commerzbank, and Deutsche Bank. Not required by N26 at opening.
• Steuer-ID: required by DKB and ING. Not required by N26. Your Steuer-ID arrives by post within 2–4 weeks of Anmeldung (see our Anmeldung guide).
• Proof of employment: not always required, but some banks ask for it. A contract or payslip works.
• German mobile number: all banks will send SMS verification codes. Get a German SIM before applying.

How to open an N26 account (step by step)

1. Download the N26 app (iOS or Android) or go to n26.com on a desktop browser.
2. Enter your email address and create a password.
3. Choose your account type. The free Standard account is sufficient for most people. N26 Smart and Metal cost €4.90/month and €16.90/month respectively; the extras are rarely worth it when starting out.
4. Enter your personal details: name, date of birth, nationality, current address. You do not need a German address at this stage.
5. Complete identity verification via Video-Ident. N26 uses a live video call with an IDnow agent. Have your passport open to the photo page. The call takes about 5 minutes. You will be asked to hold your passport up to the camera and rotate it slowly. The agent speaks English.
6. Wait for approval. Usually within a few minutes, sometimes up to 24 hours. You will receive a confirmation email.
7. Your IBAN is issued immediately after approval, visible in the app. You can share this with your employer right away.
8. Your physical Mastercard arrives by post within 5–7 business days.

The entire process from download to IBAN takes under 30 minutes on a good day. Have your passport and a well-lit room ready for the video call, as the agent needs to see the details clearly.

How to open a DKB account (step by step)

DKB requires an Anmeldung and Steuer-ID, so complete those first. Once you have both:

1. Go to dkb.de and click "Girokonto eröffnen" (open a current account). The application is in German; use your browser's built-in translation feature or follow the field labels below.
2. Fill in your personal details: name, address (must be your registered German address), date of birth, nationality, and tax residency.
3. Enter your Steuer-ID when prompted. This is the 11-digit number that arrived by post after your Anmeldung.
4. Choose Video-Ident for identity verification; it uses the same IDnow system as N26. Have your passport ready.
5. Submit the application. DKB reviews applications; expect 3–5 business days for approval.
6. Sign the contract digitally. DKB will send you a link by email.
7. Your Visa card and account details arrive by post, usually within 7–10 business days of approval.

IBAN explained

IBAN stands for International Bank Account Number. In Germany, every bank account has one. It is the standard way of identifying a bank account in Europe for transfers and direct debits.

A German IBAN looks like this: DE89 3704 0044 0532 0130 00

• DE: country code (Germany)
• 89: two check digits, used for validation
• 37040044: the bank identifier code (equivalent to a sort code)
• 0532013000: your individual account number

German IBANs are always 22 characters long. When you give someone your bank details (your employer, a landlord, a utility company), they will ask for your IBAN. Some older forms also ask for a BIC (also called SWIFT code); you will find this in your banking app alongside the IBAN.

You can share your IBAN freely: it is used for receiving money. Having your IBAN alone does not allow anyone to take money from your account without your explicit authorisation (see SEPA direct debits below).

Direct debits: SEPA Lastschriftmandat

In Germany, most recurring payments (rent, utilities, insurance, phone contracts) are collected via SEPA Lastschriftmandat (SEPA direct debit). This is an authorisation you give to a company allowing them to pull an agreed amount from your account on a set date each month.

When you sign a rental contract, utility contract, or phone contract, you will typically find a section asking you to fill in your IBAN and sign a "Lastschriftmandat" or "SEPA-Mandat." By signing, you authorise that company to collect future payments automatically.

Key things to know:

• You can reverse unauthorised direct debits. If a company pulls an incorrect amount, you can request a refund (Rückbuchung) from your bank within 8 weeks of the charge, no questions asked.
• Keep your account funded on payment dates. If a direct debit fails because of insufficient funds, you may be charged a fee by both your bank and the company.
• Rent is often paid by standing order (Dauerauftrag) rather than direct debit. This means you authorise your own bank to send a fixed amount on the same day each month. Set this up in your banking app as soon as your account is active. It gives you full control and is more reliable than manual transfers.

What to do if your application is rejected

Rejection is more common than people expect, especially for new arrivals. The most frequent reasons:

• No Steuer-ID yet. Some banks (DKB, ING) will not process applications without one. Wait for it to arrive (usually 2–4 weeks after Anmeldung) or open N26 first.
• No Anmeldung. Banks that require a registered German address will reject applications without one. Complete your Anmeldung first (see our guide).
• No Schufa entry. The Schufa is Germany's credit reference agency. New arrivals have no Schufa history at all, and some banks treat this as a risk. N26 and DKB are generally the most accommodating for new arrivals with no credit history. Traditional banks may be more conservative.
• Inconsistent details. If the name or address on your application does not exactly match your passport or Anmeldung document, the system will flag it. Double-check every field before submitting.
• Failed video ident. Poor lighting, a damaged passport, or a weak internet connection can cause verification to fail. Retry in good natural light near a window with a stable connection. Sit still and hold the passport close to the camera.

If DKB or ING rejects you, open N26 immediately: their requirements are the most relaxed of all German banks. Once you have 3–6 months of salary history and a Steuer-ID on file, reapply to DKB.

Sending money internationally: Wise vs bank transfer

Once you have a German account, you will probably want to send money abroad: to family, to pay off accounts in your home country, or to manage savings across currencies. German banks can do this, but they are expensive and slow compared to specialist services.

Wise (formerly TransferWise): recommended Open Wise account →

Wise is the standard recommendation for international transfers. It uses the mid-market exchange rate (the real rate shown on Google), charges a small transparent fee (typically 0.5–1.5%), and transfers usually arrive within 1–2 business days. You send euros from your German account into Wise via SEPA transfer, and Wise converts and sends to your destination account abroad.

• Mid-market exchange rate with no hidden markup
• Low, transparent fees shown before you confirm
• Supports 50+ currencies
• Multi-currency account available (useful if you receive income in multiple currencies)
• Regulated in Germany and the EU

Standard bank wire transfer (SWIFT)

Your German bank can send international transfers via SWIFT. This works, but the exchange rate markup is typically 2–4% above the real rate, fixed fees run €10–25 per transfer, and transfers take 3–5 business days. For large amounts above €50,000, bank transfers can be competitive on rate, but for everyday amounts, Wise almost always wins on total cost.

Other services

Revolut is popular and works well for smaller amounts, though their rates vary and some features require a paid plan. For sending money specifically to India, Pakistan, or Southeast Asia, services like Remitly or Western Union often offer competitive rates and faster delivery to local bank accounts.

Joint accounts (Gemeinschaftskonto)

If you are moving to Germany with a partner or spouse, you may want a joint bank account, called a Gemeinschaftskonto in German. Both account holders have full access and can operate the account independently.

Most major German banks offer joint accounts:

• DKB: offers a free Gemeinschaftskonto. Both account holders apply together and complete video ident separately. Both need an Anmeldung and Steuer-ID.
• ING: offers a joint account with the same requirements as individual accounts for both holders.
• N26: does not currently offer joint accounts. Each person needs their own individual N26 account.
• Commerzbank and Deutsche Bank: both offer joint accounts, available to open in branch.

For shared household expenses (rent, utilities, groceries), a joint account works well. Many couples in Germany keep their individual accounts for personal spending and use a joint account only for household costs. There is no legal requirement to merge your finances.