C24 Bank Review 2026: Free Account for Expats in Germany

Free checking account, 0.5% interest, Mastercard included. Here is what actually works and what does not for English speakers.

BaFin regulated 0.5% interest p.a. Free Mastercard

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Thinking about opening a C24 Bank account? Here is what you actually need to know before signing up. C24 is a fully licensed German bank (BaFin-regulated) that offers a free checking account, a debit Mastercard, and savings pockets with interest. The bank is a subsidiary of CHECK24, one of Germany's largest comparison platforms.

C24 account tiers: Smart, Plus, and Max

C24 offers three account models. The free one covers most people.

Feature	Smart (free)	Plus (5.90/mo)	Max (9.90/mo)
Monthly fee	0 EUR	5.90 EUR	9.90 EUR
Interest on savings	0.5% p.a.	0.5% p.a.	0.5% p.a.
Interest on checking	0.5% (up to 50k EUR)	0.5% p.a.	0.5% p.a.
Debit Mastercard
Free ATM (Germany)	4x/month	Unlimited	Unlimited worldwide
Sub-accounts (Pockets)	2	5	10

The interest rate is tied to the European Central Bank deposit rate (ECB rate minus 1.5 percentage points, minimum 0%, maximum 3%). As of April 2026, that works out to 0.5% p.a. on both checking and savings balances. Wondering about fees at other banks? See our breakdown of bank account fees in Germany 2026.

Want to compare other options? Our free bank account comparison tool shows 50+ accounts side by side.

The honest truth about English support

C24's app and website are only available in German.

The bank does offer English customer support through an AI chatbot and email. But day-to-day banking (transfers, settings, notifications) happens in German. If your German is limited, you will need browser translation or a German-speaking friend for the initial setup.

For comparison: N26 and Wise both offer full English interfaces. C24 wins on features and pricing, but loses on language accessibility. Pick what matters more to you.

How to open a C24 account

The whole process takes about 10 minutes through the C24 app.

Download the C24 Bank app (iOS or Android)

Enter your personal details (name, address, nationality)

Verify your identity through VideoIdent (video call with your passport or ID)

Choose your account model (Smart is the default free option)

Your account and IBAN are ready immediately after verification

What you need:

Valid passport or EU national ID card
German residential address (Anmeldung)
Smartphone with camera for VideoIdent
No minimum income requirement for Smart account

C24 does run a SCHUFA check (German credit score). If you are new to Germany and have no SCHUFA history yet, the Smart account is usually still approved.

What C24 does well

Sub-accounts (Pockets)

Each pocket gets its own IBAN. Set up separate accounts for rent, savings, vacation. This is genuinely useful for budgeting and something most German banks still don't offer for free.

Cashback program

C24 partners with companies like Netflix and Lieferando. You earn points on qualifying purchases that convert into cash. The amounts are small, think a few euros per month, but it adds up.

Apple Pay and Google Pay

Both work with the C24 Mastercard. Add the card to your digital wallet right after account opening. Contactless payments are standard in Germany now.

Deposit protection

Your money is protected up to 100,000 EUR through the German deposit insurance scheme (Einlagensicherung). C24 holds a full German banking license from BaFin.

C24 vs N26 vs Wise: quick comparison

Feature	C24 Smart	N26 Standard	Wise
Monthly fee	0 EUR	0 EUR	0 EUR
Interest	0.5% p.a.	0%	Varies
Debit card	Mastercard	Mastercard	Visa
Girocard	Yes	No	No
English app	No	Yes	Yes
German IBAN
SCHUFA required	Yes	Yes	No
Trustpilot	4.8/5	4.0/5	4.2/5

C24 is the stronger bank account if you plan to stay in Germany long term. It includes a Girocard (still needed at some German shops), better interest on your balance, and more sub-accounts. N26 or Wise make more sense if English language support matters most, or if you frequently send money internationally.

See the full picture: compare all free bank accounts in Germany or check out the best travel credit cards for Germany if you also need a card for trips abroad.

Who should get a C24 account?

Good fit

You read and understand basic German (or don't mind translation tools)
You want a free, full-featured German bank account with interest
You need a Girocard for shops that don't accept credit cards
You want to manage money with sub-accounts

Not the best fit

You need everything in English (look at N26 or Wise instead)
You have no SCHUFA score and need a simple starter account (try Wise)
You primarily need international transfers (Wise is cheaper for that)

Frequently asked questions

Is C24 Bank safe?

C24 Bank holds a full German banking license regulated by BaFin (Federal Financial Supervisory Authority). All deposits are protected up to 100,000 EUR per person through the German statutory deposit guarantee scheme. The bank is a subsidiary of CHECK24 Vergleichsportal GmbH.

What interest rate does C24 Bank offer in 2026?

As of April 2026, C24 pays 0.5% p.a. on checking account balances (up to 50,000 EUR) and 0.5% p.a. on Tagesgeld savings pockets. The rate is variable and tied to the ECB deposit facility rate. When the ECB changes rates, C24 adjusts accordingly.

Can I open a C24 account without speaking German?

You can open the account through the app, which is in German only. The VideoIdent identity verification is available in English. After setup, daily banking requires basic German reading ability or a translation tool. Customer support is available in English via chatbot and email.

Does C24 Bank work with Apple Pay?

Yes. Both Apple Pay and Google Pay work with the C24 Mastercard. You can add the card to your digital wallet right after account opening and use it for contactless payments immediately.

How does the C24 cashback program work?

C24 partners with selected companies. When you make qualifying purchases, you earn cashback points credited to your account monthly. The cashback rate varies by partner and account tier. Smart (free) gets the basic level, Plus and Max get higher rates.

Can I use C24 Bank with no Anmeldung?

No. C24 requires a German residential address. You need to complete your Anmeldung (residence registration) before applying. If you have not registered yet, Wise allows account opening with just a passport and no German address.

Open your free C24 account

If you are comfortable with a German-language app and want a solid, fee-free bank account with interest and sub-accounts, C24 is hard to beat on value.