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Repair common Windows errors and clear accumulated junk for a smoother, more stable PC - no reinstall needed.Free scan · no reinstallIf you are moving to Germany, an ordinary Girokonto (current account) is the usual account for receiving salary, paying rent and handling everyday payments. Banks set their own eligibility and application requirements, so prepare common documents but confirm the selected provider’s current rules before applying. If you are refused an ordinary account, an eligible consumer may have a separate statutory right to apply for a Basiskonto, a basic payment account.
How do I open a bank account in Germany?
Start by choosing the account type and asking the bank what it requires from someone with your residence status. Germany’s government newcomer guide lists these documents as typical for opening a standard account; the exact checklist depends on the provider and account:
- A valid passport or other identity document accepted by the provider
- A residence permit, if applicable
- A Meldebescheinigung (registration certificate)
- A payslip, depending on the account type
The government guide is aimed at people setting up life in Germany; its checklist is not a guarantee that every bank will accept the same documents or application route. Ask whether the bank accepts your identity document and address evidence, and whether you must complete identification in person, by video, or another way. For the typical document list and account overview, see the German government newcomer guide to opening a bank account.
Which type of account should you consider?
Girokonto: the ordinary current account
A Girokonto is designed for routine transactions such as receiving income, paying rent, making transfers and setting up direct debits. Ordinary accounts are offered under each provider’s terms, so eligibility, charges, cards and services vary.
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Basiskonto: the statutory basic payment account
A Basiskonto is a Girokonto with essential payment functions. For consumers eligible under the Payment Accounts Act, access does not depend on creditworthiness. It must support cash deposits and withdrawals, direct debits, transfers, standing orders and card payments. The bank does not have to provide an overdraft or a credit card with it. Read the Payment Accounts Act provisions on basic accounts and BaFin’s basic-account guidance for the legal framework and eligibility details.
What should you compare before choosing a bank?
Compare the full cost and the way you expect to use the account, not just its advertised monthly maintenance charge. BaFin’s free, neutral, non-commercial account comparison portal can help you shortlist current accounts and features. Its January 2025 launch announcement reported nearly 6,900 account models from around 1,100 providers at that time; that was a dated launch inventory, not a current count. Confirm final eligibility, current terms and application steps directly with the bank.
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| What to compare | What to check |
|---|---|
| Monthly account charge | Whether a monthly fee applies, and which services it includes. A zero monthly charge does not mean all services are free. |
| Additional service fees | Charges for cash deposits, transfers and other services you expect to use. BaFin notes that extra fees may apply and included services differ between accounts. |
| Cards and payment needs | Whether a debit card is included or charged separately, and whether it fits your expected payments. A debit-style Girokarte payment is taken directly from the account; credit-card payments are commonly collected later. A hotel or rental-car deposit may require a credit card, so check with the merchant and bank. |
| Cash and branch access | Whether you need in-person help or cash deposits. Direct banks generally handle service online or by phone, while branch banks can offer in-person service and cash deposits. |
| International transfers | Fees for sending money outside Europe, which may be charged separately. |
BaFin explains fee and service differences in its current-account consumer guidance. The government newcomer guide also describes the differences between cards, direct and branch banks, and possible charges for transfers outside Europe.
What if a bank refuses a Basiskonto application?
If you qualify, apply using the statutory form and provide the required identity evidence. A bank may refuse only on specified legal grounds and must decide within ten business days. If it refuses, it generally must give written notice and information about the administrative remedy, subject to legal exceptions to providing reasons. The law also provides for an application to BaFin for an administrative procedure if the bank refuses, does not decide within ten business days, or does not open the account within the statutory period after agreement. See the Act’s basic-account provisions and BaFin’s explanation of the remedy.
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A Basiskonto need not be free. The law requires charges for covered services to be reasonable, taking market charges and the customer’s usage into account. As historical context, Verbraucherzentrale reported that its Europe-wide 2023 comparison found a German Basiskonto fee as high as €27.83 per month. That figure, published in a 2025 article, is neither a current typical price nor a legal maximum. See Verbraucherzentrale’s article on the right to a basic account for people newly arrived in Germany.
Can you open an account if you live outside Germany?
Do not assume that a German bank must open an ordinary Girokonto for a foreigner living abroad. The government’s standard-account guidance concerns people setting up life in Germany and does not establish a uniform nonresident acceptance policy. Ask the provider directly about overseas address documents, identity verification, tax-residence details and any requirement to attend in person.
There is a distinct EU right for basic payment accounts: a person legally resident in an EU country has the right to apply for one in another EU country and cannot be refused solely because they live outside the bank’s country. This rule concerns basic payment accounts, not savings accounts or every ordinary current-account application. See the European Commission’s guidance on payment accounts.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What should you know about your IBAN and deposit protection?
German IBAN format
A German IBAN has 22 characters: the country code DE, two check digits and a national account identifier made from an eight-digit bank sort code and a ten-digit account number. The Deutsche Bundesbank’s IBAN guidance explains the structure.
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Deposit compensation
BaFin says statutory deposit compensation is generally limited to €100,000 per customer per bank across accounts, not €100,000 for each account. Certain qualifying temporary balances may receive a higher limit for six months, subject to conditions. If you plan to hold a large balance, check the bank’s disclosure and the responsible deposit-protection scheme. See BaFin’s deposit-protection guidance.
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