Open Bank Account Germany — Foreigners 2026

You just moved to Germany. Your employer needs a German IBAN for payroll. Your landlord wants rent via Lastschrift. And every bank's website is in German. Sound familiar?

Opening a bank account in Germany as a foreigner is easier than most people expect, but which bank you pick matters. Some banks accept you with just a passport, others want a stack of documents you probably don't have yet. This guide covers which banks work for foreigners, what papers you actually need, and how to get your account open as fast as possible.

If you already know what you want and just need to compare offers, head straight to our bank account comparison tool. It shows free Girokonto options from German banks, all in English.

Which Banks Accept Foreigners in Germany?

Not every German bank is set up to handle foreign customers. Some require a SCHUFA credit history you don't have. Others insist on documents you won't get for weeks. Here is how the major banks compare for foreigners in 2026:

Bank	Monthly Fee	Anmeldung?	English	Non-EU?	SCHUFA Check
N26	€0	No	Yes	Yes	No
bunq	€3.99	No (90 days)	Yes	Yes	No
Wise	€0	No	Yes	Yes	No
DKB	€0*	Yes	Partial	EU only	Yes
ING	€0*	Yes	Partial	EU only	Yes
Commerzbank	€0-9.90	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Sparkasse	€3-10	Yes	No	Yes	Yes

*Free with minimum monthly income deposit (€700 for DKB, €1,000 for ING)

The short version: If you don't have an Anmeldung yet, go with N26. It is free, the app is fully in English, and you can open it from your phone in about 10 minutes. Once you have your Anmeldung sorted, consider adding DKB or ING as a second account for better long-term features like a Girocard and free ATM withdrawals worldwide.

Want to compare all options side by side? Use our free bank account comparison.

No Anmeldung Yet? Here Is What Works

The Anmeldung (address registration) is one of the first things you need to do in Germany. But getting an appointment can take 2 to 4 weeks in cities like Berlin or Munich. You should not wait that long without a bank account.

Banks that accept you without Anmeldung

N26 does not require address registration. Use your passport and a temporary address like a hotel, Airbnb, or a friend's place. You get a virtual Mastercard right away, which you can add to Apple Pay or Google Pay.
bunq opens without Anmeldung too. But you have to submit proof of address and your tax ID (Steuer-ID) within 90 days. The monthly fee is €3.99.
Wise is technically not a German bank account, but it gives you a multi-currency account with a German IBAN. Good for receiving international transfers. The exchange rates are hard to beat.

Banks that require Anmeldung: DKB, ING, Commerzbank, Sparkasse, Deutsche Bank, and most traditional banks.

Practical tip: Open N26 on day one. Use it for your first salary payment and rent transfer. After your Anmeldung, open DKB or ING as your primary long-term account. Many expats keep both.

Can You Open a German Bank Account from Abroad?

Partly. It depends on the bank.

Wise lets you open a full account from anywhere in the world. You get a German IBAN without setting foot in Germany. This is useful if your employer needs banking details before you arrive.

N26 allows you to start the application from abroad via VideoIdent. But they need a German address for card delivery. If you have a friend or future landlord who can receive mail for you, this works. Your IBAN becomes available right after verification, even before the physical card arrives.

Traditional German banks like DKB, ING, or Sparkasse require you to be physically in Germany for identity verification. No exceptions.

If you are moving to Germany and want to have banking sorted before arrival, the combination of Wise (full account from abroad) plus N26 (start application, finish on arrival) covers most needs.

Step by Step: How to Open Your Account

Step 1: Pick your bank

Use the comparison table above. Ask yourself three questions:

Do you have an Anmeldung yet? If no, pick N26, bunq, or Wise.
Are you an EU or non-EU citizen? If non-EU, stick with N26 or bunq. DKB and ING often reject non-EU applicants without permanent residence.
Do you need a Girocard? If yes, go with DKB or ING. N26 only offers a Mastercard debit card, which some older German payment terminals don't accept.

Step 2: Gather your documents

For neobanks (N26, bunq):

Valid passport or EU national ID card
A reachable address in Germany (temporary is fine)
Smartphone with a camera for VideoIdent

For traditional banks (DKB, ING, Sparkasse):

Valid passport
Meldebescheinigung (proof of address registration)
Residence permit (Aufenthaltstitel) if you are non-EU
Proof of income (employment contract or payslips)
German tax ID (Steuer-ID), which arrives by post 2 to 3 weeks after your Anmeldung

Step 3: Verify your identity

German banks use one of three methods:

VideoIdent is most common for online banks. A 10-minute video call where you show your passport to a camera. Available in English from N26, bunq, DKB, and ING. You need good lighting and stable internet. The agent will ask you to tilt your ID card to check security features, so have it handy, not just a photo.

PostIdent means visiting any Deutsche Post branch with your ID and the bank's form. The postal clerk verifies your identity. Free of charge and available everywhere.

Branch visit is required by Sparkasse and some Volksbank branches. You usually need an appointment. German language skills help here, though larger city branches sometimes have English-speaking staff.

Step 4: Get your IBAN and card

Neobanks (N26, bunq): Your German IBAN is available right after verification. Virtual card works within minutes. Physical card arrives in 5 to 7 business days.
Direct banks (DKB, ING): Account opens in 3 to 5 business days. Physical cards arrive in 7 to 10 days.
Branch banks (Sparkasse): Can take 1 to 2 weeks from appointment to card delivery.

How Much Does a German Bank Account Cost?

Several German banks offer genuinely free accounts, but "free" sometimes comes with conditions:

Bank	Monthly Fee	What Makes It Free
N26 Standard	€0	No conditions
C24 Smart	€0	No conditions
DKB	€0	Deposit at least €700/month
ING	€0	Deposit at least €1,000/month
Commerzbank	€0	Deposit at least €700/month
Sparkasse	€3-10	No free option
Deutsche Bank	€5.90-9.90	No free option

ATM withdrawals: N26 gives you 3 free withdrawals per month (€2 per withdrawal after that). DKB offers unlimited free withdrawals worldwide with an active account. ING is free at 50,000+ ATMs in Germany.

International transfers: For sending money abroad, use Wise regardless of which German bank you have. German banks charge €10 to 30 for SWIFT transfers with poor exchange rates. Wise uses the mid-market rate with a small transparent fee.

Curious about how bank fees are changing? Read our breakdown of bank account fees in Germany for 2026.

SCHUFA: What Foreigners Actually Need to Know

SCHUFA is Germany's main credit bureau. Think of it as a credit score system. As a new foreigner, you have no SCHUFA history. This is different from having bad SCHUFA. The system simply does not know you exist yet.

What this means for your bank account:

Neobanks (N26, bunq) don't check SCHUFA at all. No problem.
Traditional banks check SCHUFA but may still open a basic account. Expect possible delays or rejection for premium products.
Overdraft (Dispokredit) requires established SCHUFA. You won't get this for 6 to 12 months.

How to start building your SCHUFA:

Open a German bank account. This creates a SCHUFA entry.
Get a German mobile phone contract (not prepaid).
Apply for a free credit card after 2 to 3 months.
Always pay bills on time. This is the single most important factor.

The SCHUFA system uses a score from 100 to 999. For a detailed explanation, see our SCHUFA guide for foreigners.

Your legal right to a bank account

Something most guides skip: German law guarantees you the right to a basic bank account. Under Section 31 of the Zahlungskontengesetz (Payment Accounts Act), every person legally residing in the EU is entitled to a Basiskonto (basic payment account), regardless of nationality.

What the Basiskonto includes:

Deposit and withdraw cash
Send and receive SEPA transfers
Direct debits (Lastschrift) for rent and bills
A payment card

When to use this: If a traditional bank rejects your application, you can formally request a Basiskonto. The bank must either open one or provide a written, legally valid reason for refusal. If they still refuse, file a complaint with BaFin (Germany's financial regulator).

Special Cases

Students on a student visa

If you are a non-EU student, you probably needed a blocked account (Sperrkonto) for your visa. The 2026 requirement is €11,904 per year (€992/month). The main providers are Expatrio and Fintiba.

But a Sperrkonto is not a regular bank account. You still need a separate Girokonto for daily use. N26 is the most popular choice among international students because it requires no income proof and no Anmeldung.

EU citizens vs non-EU citizens

If you hold an EU passport, most German banks treat you the same as a German citizen. DKB, ING, and Commerzbank are all realistic options once you have your Anmeldung.

Non-EU citizens face more restrictions. DKB and ING often limit accounts to EU citizens or those with permanent residence (Niederlassungserlaubnis). If you have a work visa or Blue Card, your best bet is N26 first, then Commerzbank if you want a traditional bank. Sparkasse branches accept non-EU citizens but the experience varies by location, and most don't offer English service.

Girocard vs Mastercard/Visa debit

This confuses many foreigners. Girocard is Germany's domestic debit card system. It works at almost every German store but does not work internationally or online. Mastercard/Visa debit works everywhere internationally and online, but a few older German payment terminals only accept Girocard.

N26, bunq: Mastercard debit only (no Girocard)
DKB, ING: Girocard plus Visa debit (covers everything)

If you shop mainly at supermarkets and larger stores, Mastercard debit from N26 is usually fine. If you also need to pay at small bakeries, local markets, or parking meters, having a Girocard from DKB or ING is worth it.

After You Open Your Account

Your bank account is the foundation for everything else. Here is what to set up next:

Get a credit card. Building credit history in Germany starts here. Several options have zero annual fees and work well for foreigners. Compare free credit cards for foreigners.
Check your SCHUFA. Request your free annual Datenkopie at meineschufa.de. Learn how SCHUFA works.
Set up direct debits. Register Lastschrift for rent, electricity, internet, and insurance. This builds your financial footprint in Germany.
Need a loan? You can compare small loan offers from 20+ German banks, even as a foreigner. For larger amounts, check instant loan options for foreigners.
Start saving. Once your monthly expenses are covered, look into Tagesgeld and Festgeld savings accounts for better interest rates than your Girokonto offers.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a foreigner open a bank account in Germany?

Yes. EU citizens have full access to all banks once they complete their Anmeldung. Non-EU citizens with a valid residence permit can open accounts at most banks. If you just arrived and don't have papers yet, N26 and bunq accept a passport alone.

Can I open a German bank account without Anmeldung?

N26 is the easiest option here. You can open an account in about 10 minutes using VideoIdent with just your passport. bunq and Wise also work without Anmeldung. Traditional banks like DKB or ING will ask for your Meldebescheinigung.

Which German bank is best for foreigners?

It depends on your situation. N26 is best for new arrivals who need an account fast with no paperwork. DKB is best for long-term use if you are an EU citizen with regular income. Wise is best for people who send money internationally often.

Do I need SCHUFA to open a bank account?

No. Neobanks skip the SCHUFA check entirely. Traditional banks do check, but having no history as a newcomer is not the same as having bad credit. And under German law, every EU resident has a right to a Basiskonto.

How long does it take to open a bank account in Germany?

With N26 or bunq, you can have your IBAN in 10 minutes via VideoIdent. DKB and ING take 3 to 5 business days. Sparkasse can take 1 to 2 weeks including the appointment and card delivery.

What documents do I need for a German bank account?

For neobanks: a valid passport and a German address (temporary is fine). For traditional banks: passport, Meldebescheinigung, residence permit (if non-EU), proof of income, and your German tax ID.

Can I open a German bank account online from abroad?

Wise allows full account opening from anywhere. N26 lets you start the application abroad but needs a German address for card delivery. Traditional banks require physical presence in Germany.

Is a German bank account free?

N26 Standard and C24 Smart charge nothing with no conditions. DKB and ING are free if you deposit at least €700 to 1,000 per month. Branch banks like Sparkasse charge €3 to 10 monthly.

Key Takeaways

You can open an account without Anmeldung. N26, bunq, and Wise accept you on day one.
Start with N26, add DKB or ING later. Neobank for speed, direct bank for long-term features.
You have a legal right to a Basiskonto under German law. Banks cannot refuse without written justification.
No SCHUFA history is not the same as bad SCHUFA. Neobanks don't check. Traditional banks may still approve you.
Get a credit card next. Start building your German credit history early.

Ready to compare bank accounts? Compare free Girokonto offers from German banks. It is free, takes 2 minutes, and shows options that work for foreigners.