Opening a bank account as a foreigner in Germany: how it works

New in Germany and ready for your new life? Whether you're moving to Germany to study, train, do an internship or start a new job (or perhaps for none of these reasons), you should know that continuing to use your original (foreign) bank account may not be the best idea. A German bank account is often a prerequisite for making salary and bill payments safely and easily. In this article, you will find out why exactly a German bank account is important, what requirements you need to fulfill and how you can open your account - regardless of whether you are an EU citizen or a non-EU citizen.

Why you need a German bank account

A German bank account makes your life in Germany much easier:

1. Salary payments and rent: Most employers and landlords prefer a German account to enable payments without additional fees.
2. Convenient cashless payments: With a German bank card, you have quick access to cash and can make everyday payments easily and free of charge.
3. Cheaper transfers: A German account reduces the cost of EU payments and offers fast access to online banking.
4. Easy access to additional banking services: From loans to direct debits - many services require a German account and make your everyday life easier.

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A German bank account helps you to quickly find your way around the German financial system and is an important step towards making your everyday life in Germany smoother.
A German bank account is also an advantage when looking for a job and starting work in Germany: neither your employer nor you have to pay any fees for salary transfers and there are usually no account maintenance fees if a certain amount is paid into an account each month.

For more information on finding a job in Germany and which jobs offer particularly good opportunities for foreigners, read our article on jobs in Germany as a foreigner!

Requirements and documents for opening an account in Germany

The requirements for opening an account in Germany often depend on your citizenship and residence status. In general, EU citizens usually need less proof than non-EU citizens. If you need more help with this as an EU citizen, take a look at our article on working in Germany as an EU citizen. 

In general, banks have the following requirements for opening a bank account as a foreigner:

• Residence in Germany: Official proof of residence is required to guarantee contact between you and the bank. Many banks require a registration certificate from the residents' registration office.
• Valid identity document: A valid passport or identity card is mandatory for all foreigners.
• Residence permit - residence title (for non-EU citizens): As a rule, non-EU citizens must present a valid residence permit. 

Depending on the account you want to open, you may also need to provide proof of salary (salary certificate) (source: www.make-it-in-germany.com). Some digital banks, such as N26, also allow you to open an account without a registration certificate and offer an English user interface - handy for anyone who is just learning German and doesn't want to get to grips with the technical terms of the financial sector yet!  

Which banks offer accounts?

Many banks in Germany offer extra convenient accounts for foreigners, here are some traditional and digital alternatives:

• Sparkasse and Deutsche Bank: Traditional banks with branches offer a comprehensive service, but often require various documents such as a registration certificate. 
• Commerzbank: This bank often offers free current accounts for foreigners if regular salary payments are received.
• N26: This bank makes it easy to open an account and offers an English user interface, which makes it ideal for foreigners.

Most digital banks such as N26, Revolut, Bunq, 1822mobile etc. also offer a fully digital banking experience, which is particularly useful for newcomers without any knowledge of German. You can also open German accounts here and enjoy the same benefits - but many online banks have no branches at all and can therefore only be accessed online.  

How does the account opening process work?

You can open a bank account in a branch or online:

1. Branch: Bring your documents to the bank, where your identity will be checked. After submission and verification, your account is often opened directly.
2. Online: Many digital banks offer identification via video chat. With a passport and, if necessary, a registration certificate, you can open the account in just a few minutes.

Digital banks such as N26 and Revolut are particularly popular because they simplify the opening process considerably and often do not require proof of residence.

WorkerHero: Your partner for starting your career in Germany

WorkerHero not only helps you find suitable jobs in Germany, but also provides you with helpful information on important topics such as opening an account, visa requirements and recognition of foreign qualifications. Just take a look at the articles on our website! Our platform offers targeted job offers for skilled workers in the blue-collar and gray-collar sector (professions without a degree) - ideal if you are not yet fluent in German.

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