Banking for Ukrainian Refugees in Germany
Rights, options and practical tips 2026
More than 1.15 million Ukrainians live in Germany under temporary protection. As of January 2026, a German bank account with IBAN is no longer optional for those receiving Bürgergeld or social assistance: it is a requirement. This guide covers your banking rights under §24 AufenthG, the fastest accounts to open, and how to send money home to Ukraine.
Your legal status in Germany and what it means for banking
Ukrainians who came to Germany after 24 February 2022 receive temporary protection under § 24 of the Aufenthaltsgesetz (AufenthG). This is a residence permit (not an asylum status) that gives you the right to live and work in Germany, access social benefits, and use public services. For banking purposes, this status is treated identically to any other legal German residence permit.
What the §24 AufenthG status gives you in 2026
Automatically extended. You do not need to apply for renewal. The permit is valid even if the printed date has passed.
Full access to the German labour market. Employers can hire you directly without additional permits.
Bürgergeld (before 1 April 2025 arrivals) or Asylbewerberleistungen (after 1 April 2025 arrivals), housing cost coverage, and health insurance.
Right to open a regular Girokonto. If refused, guaranteed Basiskonto right under ZKG § 31. Banks must accept the §24 permit as valid ID.
The automatic extension of §24 permits to 4 March 2027 means the physical plastic card may still show an earlier expiry date. This is legally valid. German law (UkraineAufenthÄndFGV) requires banks and landlords to accept these cards as valid proof of identity and residence. If a bank refuses to accept your card because of the printed expiry date, this is a refusal based on a misreading of current law, and you can cite the 2024 ordinance amendment to correct it. If necessary, request a Basiskonto and escalate to BaFin.
Citizens of countries other than Ukraine who were legally residing in Ukraine on 24 February 2022 on the basis of a valid permanent residence permit, and who also received §24 protection and whose permit was valid on 1 February 2025, also benefit from the extension to 4 March 2027. However, third-country nationals whose §24 permit expired before 1 February 2025 had a different deadline and should contact their local Ausländerbehörde (foreigners' office) for current status. If you are not a Ukrainian citizen, verify your current residence status before applying for banking products.
A German IBAN is now required to receive social payments
From 1 January 2026, all Bürgergeld and Asylbewerberleistungen (social assistance payments) in Germany are paid exclusively by bank transfer to a personal IBAN. The previous system of payments by cheque (Zahlungsanweisung zur Verrechnung, ZzV) was permanently discontinued. If you receive social assistance from a Jobcenter and do not have a German bank account with an IBAN, your payments will be stopped. Open an account as quickly as possible and submit your IBAN to the Jobcenter immediately.
Until 2025, some Bürgergeld recipients, particularly those who had difficulty opening bank accounts, received their payments via a cheque system. Postbank operated this service (called ZzV) on behalf of Jobcenters. This system was shut down completely. The last paper cheques were sent on 30 September 2025, with a final cash exchange window that closed on 31 December 2025. Since 1 January 2026, all social payments go exclusively to bank accounts.
What to do if you receive Bürgergeld and do not yet have an IBAN
N26 and bunq can be opened within 10 to 20 minutes online with just a biometric Ukrainian passport, without needing Anmeldung first. You receive a German IBAN immediately. See the account options below.
Contact your Jobcenter in person, by post, or through the Mein Jobcenter portal with your IBAN and BIC. This can be done before the account card arrives. The IBAN is available in the banking app immediately after account approval.
Under German law (ZKG), you are legally entitled to a Basiskonto at any bank that offers payment accounts to consumers. A bank cannot refuse a Basiskonto based on your refugee status or lack of Schufa history. If refused without written legal reason, escalate to BaFin. See our full Basiskonto guide.
The Jobcenter allows payments to be made to another person's IBAN temporarily (e.g. a spouse, sibling, or friend) if you put this in writing. The account holder must agree in writing, and any payment issues become their responsibility. This is a stopgap, not a permanent solution.
Ukrainians who arrived in Germany before 1 April 2025 continue to receive Bürgergeld: 563 euros per month for a single adult (full standard rate). Those who arrived on or after 1 April 2025 receive Asylbewerberleistungen: approximately 441 euros per month for a single adult. In both cases, housing costs (rent and heating) are covered separately by the responsible authority. All payments require a personal IBAN from January 2026.
Your banking rights as a Ukrainian refugee
As a holder of a §24 AufenthG residence permit, you have the same banking rights as any other person legally residing in Germany. These rights operate on two levels: the ordinary right to open a Girokonto (which most banks will honour), and the statutory Basiskonto right (which is legally guaranteed and cannot be refused without a written legal reason).
Regular Girokonto: most banks will say yes
Ukrainian nationals with a valid §24 permit, biometric passport, or Ukrainian ID card (2015 model) qualify for a regular Girokonto at most German banks. Many Sparkassen, DKB, N26, bunq, and C24 accept Ukrainian refugees as standard customers. A regular Girokonto has no statutory restrictions: it can include overdraft potential once your credit history develops, contactless payments, Girocard for supermarket cashback, and other features.
Basiskonto: guaranteed by law if needed
If a regular account is refused for any reason, you have the absolute legal right to demand a Basiskonto at any bank that offers payment accounts to consumers, under Germany's Zahlungskontengesetz (ZKG § 31). This right explicitly covers asylum seekers, refugees, and persons without a permanent address. A bank cannot refuse the Basiskonto because of Ukrainian citizenship, refugee status, missing Schufa, or no German address. Refusals must be in writing with a specific legal reason, and BaFin can order the bank to open the account.
Documents accepted for account opening
Individual banks may require different combinations. Neobanks typically need only a passport.
| Document | Used at traditional banks | Used at neobanks | Valid for Basiskonto |
|---|---|---|---|
| Biometric Ukrainian international passport | Yes | Yes (primary) | Yes |
| Ukrainian national ID card (2015 model) | Yes | Some accept | Yes |
| §24 AufenthG residence permit card | Yes (even if date expired) | Varies | Yes |
| Ankunftsnachweis (arrival confirmation) | Sparkasse / Basiskonto | Typically not | Yes |
| Fiktionsbescheinigung (provisional document) | Some Sparkassen | Typically not | Yes |
| Anmeldung (registered address) | Required by most traditional banks | Not required at N26, bunq | Not required (postal address sufficient) |
Most Sparkassen across Germany explicitly accept Ukrainian Ankunftsnachweis, the Ukrainian national ID card (2015 model), Duldung documents, and §24 permits for account opening, including for the Basiskonto. Many have dedicated Ukraine information pages on their websites and some offer accounts in the Ukrainian language. Sparkassen also typically do not require prior Anmeldung for Basiskonto applications. A facility address or a friend's address is sufficient.
Best accounts to open as a Ukrainian refugee
Your situation determines which account is easiest to access first. The route most Ukrainians take: open N26 or bunq immediately on arrival (biometric passport only, no Anmeldung needed), then add a Sparkasse or C24 account after completing Anmeldung for a more feature-rich long-term account.
N26 is the fastest route to a German IBAN for newly arrived Ukrainians. You only need a biometric Ukrainian passport and a German delivery address (a friend's flat, a collective accommodation address, or even a hotel address works for card delivery). Video ID verification takes 5 to 10 minutes through the N26 app. Your German IBAN and a virtual Mastercard are available within minutes of approval, ready for Apple Pay and Google Pay. The physical card can be collected from a Deutsche Post branch or delivered to your address. No Schufa check for basic account opening.
Sparkassen are the most refugee-friendly option for in-person banking. They accept the widest range of Ukrainian identity documents (Ankunftsnachweis, Ukrainian ID card 2015, §24 permit, Fiktionsbescheinigung), have a legal obligation to offer the Basiskonto, and many have developed specific procedures for Ukrainian arrivals since 2022. Some Sparkassen (such as the Hamburger Sparkasse, Haspa) offered free accounts for Ukrainians for the first six months. The Sparkasse app is now available in Ukrainian. Branches are accessible with limited German, and many have staff or partners who can assist in Ukrainian or Russian.
C24 is one of the best free Girokonto options once you have completed Anmeldung. It provides a Debit Mastercard, a Girocard (required for most supermarket cashback), Apple Pay and Google Pay support, 4 free ATM withdrawals per month, and SEPA Instant transfers. No monthly fee, no minimum income. C24 requires Anmeldung for account opening but is straightforward once you have your registered address. A strong choice as the primary daily banking account after the initial N26 or Sparkasse account.
DKB offers a free Basiskonto for anyone who qualifies under ZKG, and a free regular Girokonto for account holders with at least 700 euros per month regular income. For Ukrainian refugees receiving Bürgergeld (563 euros) who may not yet meet the 700 euro threshold, the free Basiskonto at DKB is a straightforward option. The Visa Debit card enables unlimited free ATM withdrawals worldwide once the regular account status is confirmed, making DKB particularly useful for those who travel or plan a future semester abroad.
bunq opens without an Anmeldung and accepts Ukrainian biometric passports. It has a reputation for accepting customers from nationalities that other digital banks sometimes reject. The free plan is limited (no payment card), but the 3.99 euros per month Easy Bank plan provides a working Mastercard. bunq issues a Dutch IBAN (NL) rather than a German DE IBAN, which can occasionally cause issues with some German landlords or employers who insist on a German IBAN, though this constitutes IBAN discrimination under EU law. Proof of address must be submitted within 90 days.
Open bunq account| Account | Anmeldung required? | Fee | IBAN type | When to use |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| N26 Standard | No | €0 | DE IBAN | Day 1: fastest route to a German IBAN |
| Sparkasse | Not for Basiskonto | 3 to 9 €/month | DE IBAN | Branch support, widest document acceptance |
| C24 Smart | Yes | €0 | DE IBAN | Primary account after Anmeldung |
| DKB | Yes | €0 (Basiskonto or 700 €/month) | DE IBAN | Long-term, unlimited ATM worldwide |
| bunq | Within 90 days | 3.99 €/month (Easy Bank) | NL IBAN | If N26 refused; nationalities rejected elsewhere |
Sending money to Ukraine from Germany
Many Ukrainians in Germany send financial support to family remaining in Ukraine. Traditional German bank SWIFT transfers to Ukraine are possible but expensive: flat fees of 10 to 25 euros plus a 2 to 4 % exchange rate markup make them the most costly option. Specialist transfer services reduce the cost significantly.
Wise supports EUR to Ukrainian hryvnia (UAH) transfers directly to Ukrainian bank accounts. The fee is transparent (typically 0.5 to 1 % of the amount) and uses the real mid-market exchange rate with zero markup. A 500 euro transfer to Ukraine costs approximately 3 to 8 euros total with Wise, compared to 25 to 50 euros via a traditional German bank. Wise is regulated in the EU and the transfer typically arrives within hours to most Ukrainian banks.
Send with WiseWestern Union and MoneyGram enable cash pickup in Ukraine: the recipient walks to an agent location and collects cash without needing a bank account. This is useful when sending to elderly relatives, people in rural areas, or anyone whose bank is in a disrupted region. Fees and exchange rate markups are higher than Wise (typically 2 to 4 % total cost), but the cash availability option has clear value in situations where bank transfers face operational difficulties.
EU and German sanctions mean that transfers to Crimea (illegally annexed by Russia since 2014) are not possible through any regulated European financial provider. Transfers to the Russian-controlled parts of Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson oblasts face similar restrictions. Transfers to Ukrainian-government-controlled areas within these oblasts and to all other regions of Ukraine are generally possible. If you are trying to send money to a recipient in a region with uncertain status, contact your transfer provider directly for current guidance. Wise and Western Union have up-to-date information on which Ukrainian post codes and regions can receive transfers.
Practical financial tips for Ukrainians in Germany
Registering your address at the Bürgeramt (Anmeldung) is the single administrative step that opens most regular Girokonto options. You receive your Meldebescheinigung on the spot, and this document allows you to open C24, DKB, ING, and traditional bank accounts. The address registration also triggers the automatic sending of your Steuer-ID (tax identification number) to your address within 4 to 6 weeks, which is needed for employment and some banking functions. If you are in collective accommodation (Sammelunterkunft), you can and should register with the facility address.
Ukrainian refugees with §24 AufenthG status can work in Germany without any additional work permit. Your residence document already authorises employment. German employers pay salaries directly to a German IBAN. Having a German bank account is therefore also a prerequisite for receiving employment income. Open N26 or a Sparkasse account before starting a job to ensure your first salary can be paid on schedule.
Ukrainian refugees receiving Bürgergeld are automatically enrolled in public health insurance (gesetzliche Krankenversicherung). The Jobcenter covers the contribution. If you start working, your employer deducts health insurance contributions directly from your salary. You do not need to set up health insurance separately or pay from your bank account in most cases. This is different from other types of self-employed status where health insurance must be arranged and paid independently.
Most Ukrainian bank cards (from major banks like PrivatBank, Monobank, OschadBank, Raiffeisen Bank Aval) work at German ATMs for withdrawals in euros using the Visa or Mastercard network. The Geldautomat (ATM) converts your withdrawal from UAH to euros at the network exchange rate, and your Ukrainian bank may apply its own FX fee. For larger amounts, using Wise to convert and hold euros is more efficient than repeated ATM withdrawals. Check with your Ukrainian bank on any limits on international withdrawals they have put in place.
The Sparkasse app is now available in Ukrainian, as are information materials at many Sparkasse branches. Several Sparkassen have dedicated Ukraine support pages on their websites. For advice in Ukrainian, the Ukraine support hotlines run by social organisations (Caritas, Diakonie, AWO, DRK) often have Ukrainian-speaking advisors who can help with banking-related questions, Jobcenter communications, and document interpretation. The BAMF (Federal Office for Migration and Refugees) website also provides materials in Ukrainian at bamf.de.
Frequently asked questions
Two things are most important to stress for Ukrainians in Germany in 2026: first, the IBAN is now a hard requirement for receiving Bürgergeld, and the cheque system is gone for good. Anyone receiving social assistance who does not yet have a German bank account needs to open one this week, not next month. N26 is the fastest route. Second, the expired-looking §24 residence permit card is legally valid until 4 March 2027 regardless of the printed date. Banks that refuse it on that basis are wrong, and the refusal can be challenged immediately through BaFin.
The recommended account sequence for most Ukrainians: open N26 immediately on arrival (or now, if not yet done) for the IBAN; register at the Bürgeramt as soon as possible for Anmeldung; then open C24 or DKB as the primary everyday account; and use Wise for any transfers back to Ukraine. Sparkasse is the right choice for those who prefer in-person German-language support and work with documents beyond a biometric passport.