How to Open a Bank Account in Germany
A practical step-by-step guide for expats, newcomers, and foreigners (2026)
Opening a German bank account is simpler than most newcomers expect, but the process differs significantly depending on which bank you choose, which documents you already have, and whether you have completed your Anmeldung. This guide covers every route in plain English.
Choose your route first
There is no single process for opening a German bank account. Your exact steps depend on two questions: which bank you have chosen, and which documents you currently hold. The most important dividing line is the Anmeldung (Meldebescheinigung), the official proof of your registered German address issued after you register at your local Bürgeramt.
No Anmeldung yet
You just arrived or are still looking for a flat. You need an account quickly for your first salary payment or rent transfer.
Anmeldung complete
You have your Meldebescheinigung. You can now access the full range of German banks, including C24, DKB, ING, and Commerzbank.
Traditional banks need your Meldebescheinigung before they open an account. But many landlords want your bank details before offering you a flat. The solution: open a digital bank account on day one with just your passport, then upgrade to a traditional bank once the Anmeldung is done.
Documents you need
German law requires all banks to verify the identity of every new customer before opening an account. This follows the Geldwäschegesetz (Anti-Money Laundering Act). The exact documents depend on whether you are going digital or visiting a branch, and whether you are an EU or non-EU national.
Digital banks (N26, C24)
Traditional banks (DKB, ING, Commerzbank)
You receive your 11-digit Steuer-ID automatically by post within a few weeks of completing your Anmeldung. Some banks ask for it during or shortly after account opening, but it is generally not required upfront. Keep the letter when it arrives.
Identity verification: VideoIdent, PostIdent, or in-branch
Every German bank is legally required to verify your identity before activating an account. This is mandated by the Geldwäschegesetz (Anti-Money Laundering Act). For online applications, two remote verification methods are used. Which one your bank offers depends on the provider.
VideoIdent
A live video call with a Deutsche Post agent. They check your passport on camera. Available 24/7 via the POSTIDENT app on your smartphone.
- Completes in 5–10 minutes
- No need to leave home
- Works with EU passports and ID cards
- Not all non-EU documents accepted
PostIdent
The bank sends you a PostIdent coupon. You take it to any Deutsche Post branch with your passport. A clerk confirms your identity and reports back to the bank.
- Works with more document types
- Suitable for non-EU passports
- Available across Germany and some countries abroad
- Adds 1–3 extra days to the process
In-branch
You visit a branch in person. A bank advisor checks your documents, fills in the application with you, and forwards it for processing.
- Personal advice and support
- Complex situations easier to resolve
- Appointment usually required (2–3 weeks lead time in cities)
- Slower overall process
VideoIdent works reliably with biometric passports that contain holographic security features. If your passport lacks these features, or if N26 does not accept your nationality, PostIdent at a Deutsche Post branch is the more reliable route. Check whether your document type is on the accepted list before starting a VideoIdent session to avoid wasted attempts.
Step-by-step: opening online (N26 example)
The following steps apply to N26, the most common first account for newcomers. The process for C24, DKB, and ING follows the same general structure once you have your Anmeldung.
Visit the bank's website and start the application
Go to the bank's website (n26.com for N26). Click "Open account" and select the free Standard account. Enter your email address, choose a password, and confirm your email via the link sent to your inbox. The form is entirely in English for N26.
Enter your personal details
Fill in your full name as it appears on your passport, date of birth, nationality, and the delivery address for your card. Double-check the spelling of your name: it must match your identity document exactly or the VideoIdent will fail.
Complete VideoIdent
The application redirects you to the POSTIDENT app or N26's own verification flow. A video agent joins the call and guides you through the process. Have your passport ready and hold it up to the camera so the agent can read the data page and security features clearly.
- • Good lighting, no glare on the passport
- • Stable internet connection
- • Quiet environment
- • Valid, undamaged document
- • Covering security holograms
- • Expired documents
- • Poor lighting or blurry camera
- • Name mismatch with form data
Receive your IBAN immediately
Once VideoIdent is approved (usually within a few minutes), your German DE IBAN appears in the app. You can share it with your employer, landlord, and any service provider right away, before your physical card even arrives. Set up the N26 app on your phone and activate online banking.
Receive your debit card by post
The physical card arrives at your German delivery address within 5–10 working days. The PIN follows in a separate letter for security. Once both arrive, activate the card in the app and you are ready for in-store and ATM use.
Set up your direct debits (Lastschrift)
Share your IBAN and bank name (Kontonummer and Bankname) with your employer for salary, your landlord for rent, your health insurer, and any utility providers. In Germany, most recurring payments run via Lastschrift (SEPA direct debit), which requires your written authorisation (Lastschriftmandat).
Step-by-step: opening in a branch
If you prefer face-to-face banking or need the full product range (mortgage, custody account), Commerzbank and Deutsche Bank are the most expat-friendly traditional banks. Expect the process to take one to two weeks from first contact to usable account.
Book an appointment
Use the bank's website or phone to book an appointment at your nearest branch. In larger cities, expect 1–3 weeks' wait for a new account appointment. Commerzbank allows online bookings in English. Bring your full document set (see above).
Complete the application with a bank advisor
The advisor fills in the account application with you, checks all documents, and runs the obligatory identity verification on the spot. Many larger Commerzbank and Deutsche Bank branches have English-speaking advisors; call ahead to confirm.
Wait for processing and card delivery
The application is submitted internally. Processing typically takes 3–7 working days. Your debit card and PIN arrive by post separately. Online banking credentials are sent separately as well.
Activate your account
Once all materials arrive, activate your card at an ATM with your PIN and set up online banking. Register for the bank's app and configure your Lastschrift mandates for rent, insurance, and utilities.
Sparkassen are local savings banks operating independently in each region. There is no single national website or booking system. Find your local Sparkasse, walk in during opening hours, or call to ask about account opening for non-German residents. Monthly fees of 3 € to 10 € apply depending on the region. Sparkasse is only worth considering if you specifically need local branch proximity and cash deposit services.
Opening an account before arriving in Germany
Some situations call for a German or EU IBAN before you have physically moved to Germany: your employer needs bank details before your start date, or you need to pay a deposit before signing a lease remotely. Your options are limited but workable.
N26 (EU citizens only)
EU passport holders can start the N26 application from abroad and complete VideoIdent remotely. You need a German delivery address for the physical card (a future landlord or employer works). Your DE IBAN is available as soon as VideoIdent is approved.
Wise (any nationality)
Wise allows full account opening from anywhere in the world without a German address. You receive a Belgian (BE) IBAN rather than a German DE IBAN. Accepted by most German employers and landlords, but occasionally causes issues with older payroll systems that specifically require DE IBANs.
If your employer specifically needs a DE IBAN before arrival and you hold an EU passport, open N26 from abroad using a friend's or future landlord's address for card delivery. If you are a non-EU national or cannot secure a German delivery address, open Wise first for immediate international access, then switch to N26 or C24 after arriving in Germany.
What to do after opening your account
An open account is just the beginning. The following tasks turn your Girokonto into a fully functioning part of your German financial life.
Notify your employer
Provide your IBAN, BIC (the bank's SWIFT code), and your full name as account holder to your HR or payroll department. In Germany, salary is paid on the last working day of the month via SEPA transfer.
Set up rent payment
German landlords almost exclusively collect rent via Dauerauftrag (standing order) or Lastschrift (direct debit). Provide your IBAN and sign a SEPA Lastschriftmandat if your landlord collects by direct debit.
Health insurance direct debit
Public health insurance contributions (gesetzliche Krankenversicherung) are typically deducted directly from your salary by your employer. If you are self-employed, you pay directly to your Krankenkasse via monthly direct debit from your Girokonto.
Phone and broadband
Mobile phone and broadband contracts in Germany also require a Lastschriftmandat. Signing these contracts and paying on time builds your Schufa record. This is one of the easiest ways to start your German credit history.
Rundfunkbeitrag (broadcasting fee)
Every German household pays the Rundfunkbeitrag of 18,36 € per month, regardless of whether you watch television. Register at rundfunkbeitrag.de and set up a direct debit from your Girokonto.
Start building your Schufa record
The Girokonto itself is automatically registered with the Schufa as a positive entry. Every on-time payment you make via this account strengthens your credit profile. After six to twelve months of positive history, you can apply for DKB or ING.
Common problems and how to solve them
VideoIdent fails or is rejected
Most failures are caused by a name mismatch between the application form and the passport, insufficient lighting, a blurry camera, or an unsupported document type. Check your name spelling first. If the document type is the issue, fall back to PostIdent at a Deutsche Post branch, which accepts a wider range of passports.
Application rejected by DKB or ING
DKB and ING run a Schufa check and require a positive credit history. New residents are often rejected simply because they have no Schufa record at all. The solution is to open N26 or C24 first, build six to twelve months of history, then reapply to DKB or ING.
Nationality not accepted by N26
N26 does not accept all nationalities. If your country is not on their accepted ID list, your options are Wise (no nationality restrictions), bunq (accepts a wider range of nationalities), or a branch visit to Commerzbank or Deutsche Bank, which handle complex document situations more flexibly.
Employer needs a DE IBAN before you arrive
If you hold an EU passport, start the N26 application before travelling. Use a reliable German delivery address (friend, future landlord, or employer's office) for the card. Your DE IBAN is visible in the app immediately after VideoIdent, well before your card arrives. If you are a non-EU national, provide a Wise IBAN as a temporary solution and switch once you arrive.
Frequently asked questions
Ringo Dühmke, Bankdaten.de
Open N26 on day one with just your passport. The whole process takes under ten minutes, your IBAN is ready immediately, and you bypass the Anmeldung deadlock entirely. Once you have your Meldebescheinigung (usually within the first two weeks), add C24 for the Girocard and the 0,5 % interest on your balance. The two-account combination covers every payment scenario in Germany and costs nothing.