Opening a bank account in Germany

Two realistic paths: app bank first, or traditional bank

Most internationals do one of two things. The fast path: open an account with an app-based bank like N26 before or right after arrival — passport, a German or even foreign phone number, and an email address are usually enough, with no Anmeldung required at account opening. The traditional path: walk into a Sparkasse, Volksbank or a house bank like Deutsche Bank or Commerzbank, which give you a physical branch, cash deposit machines and sometimes better terms for mortgages later — but these almost always want your Anmeldung and photo ID verification (in person or via video-ident) first.

Salary, rent payments and direct debits all work identically through either IBAN, so there's no functional downside to starting with an app bank and adding a traditional account later once you're settled and registered.

Girokonto vs Basiskonto — know your rights

A Girokonto is a standard current account — banks can set their own conditions for who they accept. A Basiskonto (basic payment account) is different: it's a legal entitlement under the Zahlungskontengesetz (ZKG). Every consumer legally resident in the EU can demand one, including people without a permanent address, asylum seekers, and people with a negative SCHUFA entry. It comes with a debit card, SEPA transfers and direct debits — just no overdraft facility.

If a bank rejects your Basiskonto application, it must give you the refusal in writing with a legally valid reason — a bad credit score alone isn't one. If you believe the refusal is unjustified, you can file a complaint with BaFin, Germany's financial regulator, which can order the bank to open the account.

• The bank must confirm receipt of a complete Basiskonto application and open the account within 10 business days.
• Fees for a Basiskonto must be 'reasonable' by law — compare offers, since traditional banks are often more expensive than app banks for a comparable basic account.

What you actually need on the day

Bring (or upload, for app banks):

• Passport or national ID.
• Anmeldung / Meldebescheinigung — required by nearly all traditional banks; most app banks skip this at signup but may ask for it later once you have one.
• A German (or sometimes foreign) mobile number for SMS verification and two-factor login.
• Residence permit, if you're a non-EU citizen opening a traditional account — some app banks accept a valid visa or short-term entry stamp instead while your permit is pending.
• Proof of income or employment contract, occasionally asked for overdraft-enabled accounts — not required for a basic account.

Before you even land

If you want your German IBAN ready before your first payday, app-based banks are built for this: N26 lets you apply with a passport, no Anmeldung and no German address. Revolut is trickier for this specific use case, since it asks for a German tax ID (Steuer-ID) during setup — a number you only receive automatically after your Anmeldung. If your employer needs an IBAN to run your first payroll, an app bank opened in advance is often the pragmatic fix, with a traditional account added once you're settled.