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Refinance Your Overdraft in Germany
The average overdraft rate in Germany is 11.28 percent (source: Verivox). A personal loan costs 6 to 8 percent. If you carry a balance on your Dispo month after month, switching to an installment loan cuts your interest cost roughly in half.
SCHUFA-neutralFree comparisonPayout in 24-48h
Key facts
- Average Dispo rate: 11.28% APR across German banks (source: Verivox/smava, 2025-2026).
- Average personal loan rate: 6 to 8% APR (Bundesbank MFI statistics, Q1 2026).
- Typical savings: On a 5,000 euro balance, the rate difference saves roughly 200-300 euro per year.
- Fixed end date: A loan is paid off after 24-36 months. A Dispo can run indefinitely.
Compare refinancing offers
Enter your Dispo balance as the loan amount. This is a SCHUFA-neutral inquiry.
What refinancing actually saves you
Numbers are more convincing than words. Here is a concrete comparison for a 5,000 euro balance:
| Dispo (overdraft) | Installment loan | |
|---|---|---|
| Interest rate | ca. 11% (German average) | ca. 6% (median rate) |
| Annual interest cost | ca. 550 EUR | ca. 300 EUR (24 mo. total) |
| Monthly payment | Interest only, balance stays | ca. 221 EUR (24 months) |
| Paid off after | Never (open-ended) | 24 months, done |
Dispo rate: 11% (Verivox average, Nov. 2025). Loan rate: 6% eff. APR (Bundesbank MFI median, Q1 2026). Actual rates depend on your creditworthiness. For detailed monthly calculations, see 5,000 euro loan monthly payment.
How to refinance your Dispo
There is no special product called "Dispo refinancing." You take out a regular personal loan and use the money to bring your current account back to zero. Three steps:
- 1. Compare loan offers. Enter your Dispo balance as the loan amount in the comparison above. Pick a term you can afford (24-36 months recommended).
- 2. Sign and receive. Complete Video-Ident, sign digitally. The loan amount lands in your account within 24-48 hours.
- 3. Reduce your Dispo limit. Once the balance is at zero, ask your bank to lower the Dispo limit. Keep 1,000-2,000 euro as emergency buffer at most.
When refinancing makes sense
Not every Dispo balance needs a loan. If you dip into the overdraft for a few days around payday and come back to zero, the interest is minimal. Refinancing pays off when:
- Your Dispo balance has been negative for more than 2-3 months with no sign of recovery.
- The balance is above 2,000-3,000 euro, where the interest difference becomes meaningful.
- You want a fixed payoff date instead of revolving debt.
Related topics
- German version of this page: Dispokredit umschulden.
- General loan comparison: Credit compare Germany.
- Need a loan for moving? Moving loan Germany.
- Your rights when taking out a loan: 14-day cancellation (Section 495 BGB), early repayment anytime (Section 502 BGB).
Frequently asked questions
Why refinance my overdraft with an installment loan?
The average overdraft rate in Germany is around 11.3 percent (source: Verivox, November 2025). A personal loan costs roughly 6 to 8 percent. On a 5,000 euro balance, that difference adds up to about 200 to 300 euro per year in saved interest. You also get a fixed payoff date instead of open-ended debt.
What are typical Dispo interest rates in Germany?
As of early 2026, the average Dispo rate across German banks is 11.28 percent. Some banks charge as low as 7 percent, others above 15 percent. If you go beyond your Dispo limit (geduldete Ueberziehung), banks add roughly 4 percentage points on top. Source: smava/Verivox Dispozins-Analyse.
How much can I actually save?
A 5,000 euro Dispo balance at 11 percent costs around 550 euro per year in interest. The same amount as a 24-month installment loan at 6 percent costs about 300 euro total in interest and is fully paid off after 2 years. That is a real difference, but only if you do not run up the Dispo again.
Will my bank let me do this?
Yes. You take out a personal loan (from any bank), transfer the money to your current account, and the Dispo balance drops to zero. Your bank does not need to approve anything. You can also compare loans from other banks and are not limited to your own.
Should I close the overdraft facility afterwards?
Reducing it is smart. Keeping a small buffer of 1,000 to 2,000 euro for genuine emergencies is reasonable. The risk: if you max it out again while still paying the loan, you are worse off than before.
Can I do this with a maxed-out Dispo?
Usually yes. Banks look at your total debt-to-income ratio, employment stability, and SCHUFA score. The loan replaces the Dispo debt, so the total amount owed stays the same. Some lenders specialize in debt consolidation scenarios.
How quickly does it work?
Online application takes a few minutes. With Video-Ident and digital signature, the money can land in your account within 24 to 48 hours. Then you use it to clear the Dispo. No coordination with your bank needed.