Can I get a bank loan in Germany without speaking German?

Yes. Several banks in Germany offer English-language services, and online comparison platforms let you compare loan rates in English. N26 operates entirely in English. DKB has an English website. Commerzbank offers English customer service and an English app. However, final loan contracts are legally issued in German. For larger loans, consider having a certified translator review the contract before you sign.

What types of personal loans are available in Germany?

The most common loan types are Ratenkredit (installment loan with fixed monthly payments), Autokredit (car loan, often with lower rates because the car serves as collateral), Rahmenkredit (revolving credit line you draw from as needed), and Sofortkredit (instant loan with fast approval, sometimes within 24 hours). Most expats start with a Ratenkredit because it offers predictable payments and straightforward terms.

What documents do I need to apply for a loan in Germany?

You will need a valid passport or ID, proof of German address (Meldebescheinigung), your last 3 salary slips (Gehaltsabrechnungen), a German bank account with IBAN, and sometimes your employment contract. Self-employed applicants also need tax returns (Steuerbescheide) from the past 2 to 3 years.

What is the difference between Konditionsanfrage and Kreditanfrage?

A Konditionsanfrage is a rate inquiry that does not affect your Schufa score. Lenders see it as a comparison, not an application. A Kreditanfrage is a formal loan application that stays visible on your Schufa report for 12 months. Always compare rates using Konditionsanfrage first. Only submit a formal application once you have found the best offer.

Do I need a Schufa score to get a loan as a foreigner?

Not necessarily. If you just arrived and have no Schufa history, some banks approve loans based on income and employment alone. Having no Schufa is treated as neutral, not negative. Over time, opening a bank account, getting a phone contract, and paying bills on time will build your Schufa profile automatically.

How long does loan approval take in Germany?

Digital banks and online lenders can approve loans within 24 to 48 hours. Traditional banks typically take 3 to 7 business days. The fastest option is a Sofortkredit (instant loan) through online comparison platforms, where approval can happen the same day if you complete VideoIdent verification and provide all documents digitally.

Can freelancers or self-employed people get loans in Germany?

Yes, but the process is harder. Banks require at least 2 years of tax returns (Steuerbescheide), a current BWA (business assessment), and proof of stable income. Interest rates tend to be higher because self-employment is considered a risk factor. Having a co-borrower (Mitantragsteller) with steady employment can improve your chances significantly.

Are loan contracts legally required to be in German?

Loan contracts in Germany are issued in German. There is no legal requirement for banks to provide translations. Some banks offer English summaries or side-by-side translations as a courtesy, but the legally binding version is always the German text. For loans above 10,000 EUR, getting a certified translation is worth the cost.

Disclosure: This page contains affiliate links. If you apply through our comparison tool, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.

English-Speaking Bank Loans in Germany

Getting a loan in Germany does not require fluent German. Banks like N26, DKB, and Commerzbank offer English-language support, and online comparison platforms let you shop for rates without visiting a branch. Whether you need a personal loan, car financing, or a small credit line, this guide walks you through the process from start to finish.

1,000+

EUR min. loan amount

12-84

months repayment term

24-48h

typical approval time

Free

rate comparison

Types of Personal Loans in Germany

Before you start comparing banks, it helps to know what types of loans exist here. Germany has a well-structured lending market, and each loan type serves a different purpose. Here are the four you will encounter most often.

Loan Type	German Name	Best For
Installment Loan	Ratenkredit	General purposes: moving costs, furniture, electronics. Fixed monthly payments, fixed interest rate.
Car Loan	Autokredit	Buying a vehicle. Often lower rates because the car serves as collateral.
Revolving Credit	Rahmenkredit	Flexible spending. You get a credit line and only pay interest on what you use.
Instant Loan	Sofortkredit	Urgent needs. Approval within hours, money in your account within 1-2 days.

Need a car loan specifically? Compare auto loan rates here | Looking for a small amount? Small loans up to 5,000 EUR

Banks with English-Language Loan Services

Not every German bank speaks English. Here is what we verified about the four most expat-friendly options.

N26

N26 is a fully digital bank headquartered in Berlin. The entire app, website, and customer support are available in English. They offer personal loans (Ratenkredit) directly through the app. Account opening takes about 10 minutes with VideoIdent, and you do not need to visit a branch.

English app and websiteEnglish customer supportPersonal loans availableDigital-only, no branch visits

Source: n26.com/en-de

DKB (Deutsche Kreditbank)

DKB is one of Germany's largest direct banks. They offer an English version of their website and personal loans (Privatdarlehen) with free special repayments. Loan approval typically takes between same-day and 7 business days. DKB is popular among expats because of competitive rates and a straightforward digital process.

English website availablePersonal loans (Privatdarlehen)Free special repayments0-7 day approval

Source: dkb.de

ING Germany

ING is a major direct bank offering five loan types: Ratenkredit, Autokredit, Wohnkredit (home improvement), Rahmenkredit, and debt consolidation (Kredit ablosen). Important to know: the ING Germany website and loan application process are in German. There is no English version of the website. If you are comfortable navigating German-language forms or have someone to help, ING offers competitive rates and a solid digital experience.

5 loan types availableCompetitive ratesWebsite in German onlyFully digital process

Source: ing.de/kredit

Commerzbank

Commerzbank is the only traditional bank on this list with physical branches. They operate over 450 locations across Germany and offer English-language customer service, an English mobile app, and English online banking. Unlike digital-only banks, Commerzbank lets you sit down with an advisor face to face. They accept all nationalities and offer a full range of loan products.

English app and online bankingEnglish customer service450+ branches nationwideAll nationalities accepted

Source: commerzbank.de

What You Need to Qualify for a Loan

Basic Requirements

Age 18 or older, registered at a German address (Anmeldung)
Valid residence permit that covers the loan term
German bank account with an IBAN for transfers
Regular income, typically at least 1,000 to 1,200 EUR net per month
Employment past the probationary period (Probezeit), usually 6 months

Required Documents

Passport or ID card for VideoIdent or PostIdent verification
Last 3 salary slips (Gehaltsabrechnungen)
Proof of address (Meldebescheinigung, not older than 3 months)
Employment contract (some lenders require this for larger amounts)
Bank statements from the last 3 months (some lenders)

No Schufa history? That is not a problem. Read our guide to building your Schufa score to understand how it works.

How to Apply for a Loan: Step by Step

Compare rates with a Konditionsanfrage

Start by comparing loan offers from multiple lenders. Use the comparison tool above. This is a rate inquiry (Konditionsanfrage), which does not appear on your Schufa report. You can compare as many times as you want without affecting your credit score.

Choose an offer and submit your application

Once you find an offer with a rate and term you are comfortable with, submit a formal application (Kreditanfrage). This triggers a Schufa check and appears on your report for 12 months. Only do this once you are ready to commit.

Upload your documents

Most lenders accept digital uploads: salary slips, ID scan, proof of address. Some banks use automated document reading, so clear scans or photos speed up the process.

Complete identity verification

You will need to verify your identity through VideoIdent (a video call, available in English at many providers) or PostIdent (in person at a Deutsche Post branch). VideoIdent is faster and can be done from home.

Sign the contract and receive funds

Sign the loan contract electronically or by mail. After signing, money is typically in your account within 1 to 3 business days. Some Sofortkredit providers transfer within 24 hours.

Need money fast? Instant loans for foreigners in Germany

Schufa and Loans: What Expats Need to Know

Schufa is Germany's main credit bureau. Almost every bank checks your Schufa score before approving a loan. If you recently moved to Germany, you probably have no Schufa file yet. That is actually fine. Banks treat "no history" as neutral, not negative. You might qualify for a standard loan based on your income and employment contract alone.

Since March 2026, Schufa uses the NextGen Score 1.0 system with a scale from 100 to 999 points and 12 transparent scoring criteria. The old percentage system is gone. You can check your score for free once per year at meineschufa.de by requesting a Datenkopie nach Art. 15 DS-GVO.

If you have negative Schufa entries from missed payments, know that since January 2025 the deletion period for settled debts dropped from 36 to 18 months. Older negative entries clear faster now. In the meantime, consider a loan without Schufa check as an alternative.

Full guide: How to build your Schufa score as an expat

German Financial Terms You Should Know

Even with English-speaking banks, you will encounter German terms in contracts and correspondence. Here are the ones that matter most.

German Term	English	Why It Matters
Zinsen	Interest	The cost of borrowing. Look for "effektiver Jahreszins" (effective annual rate) to compare offers fairly.
Laufzeit	Loan term	Duration in months. Longer terms mean smaller payments but more total interest.
Ratenkredit	Installment loan	The most common personal loan. Fixed rate, fixed monthly payment.
Konditionsanfrage	Rate inquiry	Safe to do. Does not affect your Schufa. Always start here.
Kreditanfrage	Credit application	Formal application. Appears on your Schufa for 12 months.
Sondertilgung	Special repayment	Extra payments beyond the monthly rate. Check if free or if the bank charges a fee.
Restschuldversicherung	Payment protection insurance	Optional (and often overpriced). Banks may push it, but you can decline.
Gehaltsnachweis	Proof of income	Your salary slips. Banks need these to calculate how much you can borrow.
Schufa-Auskunft	Schufa report	Your credit report. Request a free copy once per year.
Mitantragsteller	Co-borrower	A second person on the loan. Improves approval chances and can lower your rate.

5 Tips for Getting a Loan as a Non-German Speaker

Always start with a Konditionsanfrage

This is the single most important thing to remember. A Konditionsanfrage (rate inquiry) lets you compare offers without any impact on your Schufa score. A Kreditanfrage (formal application) leaves a mark for 12 months. The comparison tool on this page uses Konditionsanfrage, so you can compare freely.

Compare at least 3 to 5 offers

Interest rates vary significantly between lenders. Two banks might quote you 5% and 9% for the same amount. Even a 1% difference on a 10,000 EUR loan over 48 months means hundreds of euros in savings. Do not accept the first offer you see.

Decline Restschuldversicherung (payment protection insurance)

Banks will often suggest adding payment protection insurance to your loan. According to the Verbraucherzentrale, these policies are frequently overpriced and have many exclusions. You are not required to buy them, and declining does not affect your loan approval.

Have someone review the German contract

Even if the bank communicates in English, the binding loan contract is in German. Ask a German-speaking friend, colleague, or a certified translator to review key terms: interest rate, monthly payment, penalties for early repayment, and any hidden fees.

Build your Schufa history from day one

Open a German bank account, get a postpaid mobile phone contract, and pay every bill on time. After 6 to 12 months of consistent payments, you will have a Schufa score that qualifies you for better loan rates. The sooner you start, the faster your credit history grows.

Debt consolidation for foreigners | Personal loan guide for foreigners

Consumer protection info: verbraucherzentrale.de

Frequently Asked Questions

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