Bank Account Without Schufa
How newcomers and expats open a German account with no credit history
Most newcomers to Germany have never heard of the Schufa until a bank website asks for a credit check. If you have just arrived, you almost certainly have no Schufa record at all. This guide explains exactly what that means, why it is not the same as bad credit, and which banks will open an account for you today regardless.
No Schufa history vs. bad Schufa: a crucial difference
The most important thing to understand before reading anything else on this page: having no Schufa record is not the same as having a bad one. These two situations lead to very different outcomes when you apply for a bank account, and confusing them causes unnecessary worry for most newcomers.
No Schufa history
You simply do not exist in the Schufa database yet. There are no entries, no score, no record of any kind. This is completely normal for anyone who has recently moved to Germany from abroad.
- Treated as a neutral signal by neobanks
- N26 and C24 open accounts without any history
- Resolves automatically within 6–12 months
- Your foreign credit history is invisible to Schufa
Bad Schufa (negative entries)
You have been in Germany before and accumulated negative entries: missed payments, debt collection orders (Mahnbescheid), or insolvency proceedings. These are active records that damage your creditworthiness.
- Rejected by most traditional banks
- Also problematic for flat rentals and mobile contracts
- N26, C24, Wise still available (no Schufa check)
- Basiskonto available as a legal fallback
If you have just arrived in Germany, you almost certainly fall into the first category. Your credit history from your home country (UK, US, India, Italy, or anywhere else) is completely invisible to the Schufa. The system starts from zero. This means the banks listed below will open accounts for you without any obstacles today.
Banks that open accounts without a Schufa check
The following banks do not perform a hard Schufa inquiry when you apply for a standard current account. They open accounts for newcomers with no German credit history and, in most cases, also for people with negative Schufa entries.
N26
Best first accountN26 is the most practical first account for newcomers. The entire process is in English, identity verification takes around five minutes via VideoIdent on your smartphone, and your German DE IBAN is available immediately after approval. N26 does not perform a Schufa check when you open a standard account. It does report the account to the Schufa as a positive entry once open, which begins building your German credit history from day one.
N26 does not accept all nationalities. Check the accepted ID list on n26.com before starting your application. If your country is not listed, Wise or bunq are the next options.
C24 Bank
Best after AnmeldungC24 performs only a soft Schufa check at account opening, not a hard inquiry. A soft check does not affect your score and does not require any positive history. C24 is free, includes a Girocard (accepted at Girocard-only shops across Germany), and pays 0,5 % interest per year on your current account balance. You need an Anmeldung (Meldebescheinigung) to open a C24 account, making it the natural follow-up to N26 once you have registered your address.
Wise
Best before arrivalWise requires no Schufa check and no German address. You can open a Wise account from anywhere in the world before you even board your flight to Germany. It provides a Belgian IBAN rather than a German DE IBAN, which is accepted by most German employers and landlords. For the gap period between leaving your home country and completing your German Anmeldung, Wise is the most flexible option regardless of nationality.
Wise provides a Belgian BE IBAN, not a German DE IBAN. Most payroll systems and landlords accept this without issue. A small number of older German payroll systems specifically require a DE IBAN. If your employer raises this issue, open N26 in parallel and use that IBAN for salary.
| Bank | Schufa check | Anmeldung | IBAN type | Monthly fee | English app |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| N26 Standard | None | Not required (EU) | German DE | 0 € | Yes |
| C24 Smart | Soft only | Required | German DE | 0 € | Support only |
| Wise | None | Not required | Belgian BE | 0 € | Yes |
| DKB | Full check | Required | German DE | 0 € / 4,50 € | No |
| ING | Full check | Required | German DE | 0 € / 4,90 € | No |
| Commerzbank | Full check | Required | German DE | 0 € / 9,90 € | Opening only |
DKB: free with min. 700 € monthly income. ING: free with min. 1.000 € monthly income or under 28. Commerzbank: free with 700 € income. Full Schufa check may lead to rejection for newcomers with no German credit history.
How to build your Schufa history from zero
Once you have opened your first account, the clock starts running. Your Schufa record builds automatically through normal German financial life. No special action is required beyond using your account and paying on time. After six to twelve months, you will typically have enough history to qualify for DKB, ING, and other traditional German banks that require a positive Schufa record.
Open a Girokonto (day one)
Opening an N26 or C24 account is automatically registered with the Schufa as a new positive entry. This is the single fastest action you can take. The entry appears within a few days of account opening and remains as long as the account is active.
Sign a mobile phone contract (weeks 2–4)
A German mobile phone contract (Handyvertrag) with a provider such as Telekom, Vodafone, or O2 is registered with the Schufa. Paying the monthly bill on time adds a reliable positive entry each month. This is one of the three fastest routes to building Schufa history alongside a bank account.
Set up a broadband contract
An internet contract (DSL or cable) is registered with the Schufa in the same way as a phone contract. The combination of a bank account, mobile phone contract, and broadband subscription gives you three simultaneous positive data points after just one billing cycle.
Pay every direct debit on time
Rent, utilities, health insurance, subscriptions: every Lastschrift (direct debit) that runs through your Girokonto and clears without a returned payment reinforces your payment reliability. A single returned direct debit (Rücklastschrift) due to insufficient funds can generate a negative Schufa entry, so keep your account balance above zero before direct debits are due.
Apply for DKB or ING after 6–12 months
Once you have six to twelve months of positive entries, apply for DKB or ING as your primary long-term account. These banks offer unlimited free ATM withdrawals globally and better overall conditions. Keep N26 or C24 as a secondary account for the Girocard or travel use.
The Basiskonto: your legal right to a bank account
Most newcomers will never need this section because N26, C24, or Wise will work without issue. But it is important to know: German law guarantees every person legally residing in the EU the right to a basic payment account, regardless of nationality, credit history, or income.
This right is established in Section 31 of the Zahlungskontengesetz (ZKG, Payment Accounts Act), which implements the EU Payment Accounts Directive. The law applies to all retail banks in Germany that offer payment accounts, including Sparkasse, Commerzbank, Deutsche Bank, and others.
What a Basiskonto includes
Who is entitled to a Basiskonto?
The right applies broadly. Under the ZKG, the following groups are explicitly protected:
How to request a Basiskonto
Choose a bank and apply explicitly for a Basiskonto
Walk into any branch of a bank that offers retail payment accounts (Sparkasse, Commerzbank, Deutsche Bank, Postbank, or any savings bank) and explicitly state that you are requesting a Basiskonto under the Zahlungskontengesetz. Standard account applications are separate from Basiskonto applications at most banks.
Bring your identity document
A valid passport or EU ID card is sufficient. You do not need a Meldebescheinigung for a Basiskonto, though providing one speeds up the process. Non-EU nationals should also bring their residence permit.
Receive a written response within 10 business days
The bank must open the Basiskonto or provide a written refusal stating the legal reason for rejection. Grounds for refusal are narrowly defined in the ZKG and cannot include lack of income, no Schufa history, or foreign nationality alone.
If refused, escalate to BaFin
If the bank refuses without a legally valid reason, file a complaint with BaFin (the German Federal Financial Supervisory Authority) at bafin.de. BaFin can compel the bank to open the account.
N26 and C24 accept virtually all newcomers without a Schufa check. The Basiskonto route is a legal backstop for situations where someone has serious negative Schufa entries and is being rejected by every private bank. Knowing about it gives you leverage, but most expats will never need to invoke it.
What to do if you have negative Schufa entries
If you have lived in Germany before and accumulated negative Schufa entries (unpaid debts, court orders, or insolvency proceedings), you face a harder situation than a pure newcomer. Traditional banks will reject you. The following path still works.
Check your Schufa report first
Under GDPR, you are entitled to one free copy of your Schufa data per year. Request it at meineschufa.de by selecting "Datenkopie nach Art. 15 DSGVO". Check for errors: outdated entries, settled debts still marked as open, or entries that have exceeded their legal storage period. Incorrect entries can be disputed and removed.
Full Schufa guideOpen N26 or Wise immediately
Neither N26 nor Wise checks the Schufa at application. Even with active negative entries, you can open an account with one or both today. This gives you a functioning IBAN for salary and rent payments while you work on clearing the negative entries.
Settle outstanding debts where possible
Negative Schufa entries remain for three years after a debt is settled. Settling an outstanding debt starts the clock. If a debt is paid and the entry is not updated, contact the creditor and request they notify the Schufa. Keep written proof of payment.
Request a Basiskonto as fallback
If you are rejected by all private banks, invoke your right to a Basiskonto under ZKG §31. The Sparkasse in your area cannot legally refuse you solely on the basis of negative Schufa entries. Bring written evidence of any refusals received to strengthen your claim.
Frequently asked questions
Ringo Dühmke, Bankdaten.de
Having no Schufa record is not a problem, it is a blank slate. Open N26 with your passport on day one, add a German mobile phone contract in week two, and set up C24 once your Anmeldung is complete. After six months of simply living normally and paying on time, DKB and ING will accept you. The Schufa question is not an obstacle for newcomers. It resolves itself.