German Bank Account for Internationals
Discover great options for easy and safe bank accounts for internationals in Germany.
Why You Need a Bank Account in Germany
When moving to Germany, a German bank account (Girokonto) is essential for your daily life. You will need this account to pay bills, receive your income, transfer money and manage subscriptions. Without a local bank account, handling these tasks is almost impossible. That's why opening a bank account with a German IBAN (International Bank Account Number) is an important step on your journey to Germany.
How to Find the Best Bank Account for Your Stay in Germany
Your bank account will be the basis of your daily life in Germany. So, make sure to consider your options carefully before selecting a German bank account. The main aspects you should take into to consideration when choosing a bank are:
Online account opening options and identity legitimation processes
Monthly fees and cash withdrawal costs in Germany and abroad
Included banking cards (at best both a debit and a credit card)
Personal preference for customer support (e.g. multilingual or online)
Favourite German Bank Accounts for Internationals
We know that often it is easiest to follow your peers and pick a bank account that is popular among other internationals. This is what other international students have opted for:
Sparkasse
Sparkasse is a countrywide state-backed bank with a dense network of branches. You get easy access to personal advice, however they have rather higher fees and fewer digital services.
Deutsche Bank
Deutsche Bank is Germany's biggest private and internationally most well-known bank. Like Commerzbank, it combines digital and offline banking.
Commerzbank
Commerzbank is Germany's 2nd largest private bank with a good combination of digital products, local branches and supportive customer service.
WISE
One account that works in Germany as well as at home? This is the WISE multi-currency account, which can already be opened while still in your home country.
Fintiba Helps You Find the Perfect Bank Account
Trying to find the right German bank account can seem overwhelming and often depends on your individual needs and situation. Fintiba customers have access to receiving digital bank account advice within the Fintiba App – a tool created to guide you on every step of the way to Germany.
German Bank Accounts That Don’t Require Anmeldung
At times, you need a bank account in Germany even before you are able to complete your city registration. However, most banks require you to submit a city registration certificate when you open an account. Here are some options to open an account without the need for a city registration (Anmeldung):
WISE
Open your WISE multi-currency account from your home country in just a few minutes and completely free of charge. No city registration (Anmeldung) needed.
N26
N26 is a 100% mobile bank with fast account opening, where only your ID is needed. Open your account for free and enjoy no maintenance fees.
ING Basic
(Basiskonto)
ING offers a basic account without account management fees and with an additional free girocard, which allows you to withdraw money at around 1,200 ING ATMs and pay without charges in Euro.
Sparkasse Basic
(Guthabenkonto)
You can open a basic account at any local Sparkasse branch in Germany without a registration certificate. However, compared to the standard bank account, it would cost a monthly fee.
What Is a Basic Bank Account (Basiskonto) in Germany?
Some internationals encounter difficulties when opening a bank account in Germany. In this case, it is important to know that everyone entitled to live in Germany has the right to get a so-called “Basiskonto”. It might be limited in function and also higher in costs, but ensures that every person in Germany has access to German banking services.
You can open a so-called ‘Basiskonto’ (basic account) at a bank of your choice even without a registration letter. Every individual with a legitimate stay in the EU is allowed to open a basic account. This includes people with no permanent residence, asylum seekers with no residence title, people who do not have to leave due to judicial or actual reasons. More info can be found here.
Bank Accounts in Germany With Local Branches
For many, it is important to have a local bank advisor that can be visited and addressed with questions and in case of problems. The following banks provide the biggest branch networks and local support:
Sparkasse
Sparkasse is a countrywide state-backed bank with a dense network of branches. You get easy access to personal advice, however they have higher fees, fewer digital services and most services are provided in German.
Commerzbank
With currently 790 branches, Commerzbank operates a nationwide branch network. The so-called "flagship" branches are located primarily in larger cities in order to offer a full range of advisory services.
Deutsche Bank
Deutsche Bank is the largest banking group in Germany and one of the world's leading financial services providers. In addition to a large number of offices within Germany, the bank also has various branches around the world.
Volksbank
Volksbank offers cooperative banks in Germany with more than 1000 members. They also have a large network of local branches but most services are provided in German only.
Our German Bank Account Recommendations
Based on popularity with our customers and an objective assessment of the services included, we would recommend the following account providers:
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