Opening a German Bank Account
How to open a German bank account as a newcomer: neobank versus branch bank, the documents you need, the SCHUFA chicken-and-egg, and a sensible order.
Key Takeaways
- Open a neobank like N26 or bunq in your first week — they need only a passport and verify by video call, with no Anmeldung or SCHUFA check.
- Add a direct or branch account once your Anmeldung and tax ID arrive if you want a widely accepted Girocard or cash services.
- You get an IBAN quickly for rent and salary, with the physical card following by post in about 5-10 working days.
A German Girokonto (current account) is the financial hub of your new life: rent leaves it by direct debit, your salary lands in it, and almost every bill expects to be paid from a German IBAN. The catch is a familiar chicken-and-egg — some banks want an address registration you may not have yet, while you need an account to get settled. This guide is the practical how-to; for which account costs least, see our bank-fees guide. Here is the order that gets you banking quickly.
Why you need one early
Almost nothing financial works without a German account. Landlords expect rent by SEPA transfer or standing order from a German IBAN, employers pay salary into one, and utilities, internet and the broadcasting fee all collect by direct debit. A foreign account rarely cuts it for these everyday flows. So opening an account is one of the first things to do on arrival, ideally in parallel with your other move-in admin rather than after it.
Choosing the type of bank
Your options fall into three groups. App-based neobanks such as N26 and bunq open fast, fully online, and crucially without an Anmeldung — ideal on day one. Online direct banks like DKB and ING are low-cost but usually want a registered address and sometimes restrict non-EU applicants. Traditional branch banks — Sparkasse, Deutsche Bank — offer in-person help and cash services but charge monthly fees and expect full documentation. Most newcomers start with a neobank and add a traditional account later.
What you need to open
The documents depend on the bank. A neobank typically needs only your passport and a German address, verified by video call; a traditional bank will also want your Meldebescheinigung from your Anmeldung, often your tax ID, and sometimes proof of income. Non-EU citizens can face extra hurdles at some direct and branch banks, which is another reason a neobank makes an easy first account while the rest of your paperwork catches up.
Opening online versus in a branch
The experience differs sharply. Neobanks and direct banks verify your identity by video chat through services like IDnow — you hold up your passport to your phone camera and answer a few questions, all in minutes from your sofa. Traditional banks may require you to visit a branch in person, where English service varies and an appointment helps. If speed and convenience matter most in your first weeks, the video-ID route is hard to beat.
The card and your IBAN
Once approved, you usually receive your IBAN quickly, sometimes immediately, so you can start receiving and sending money even before the card arrives. The physical card follows by post, typically within 5 to 10 working days. Pay attention to which card you get: traditional banks issue a Girocard that German shops and landlords widely accept, while some neobanks issue only a Debit Mastercard, a distinction our fees guide explains and one worth checking before you rely on a single card.
SCHUFA and the chicken-and-egg
Newcomers worry about the SCHUFA credit check, but it need not block you. Neobanks generally do not run a SCHUFA check to open a basic account, which is exactly why they work before you have any German credit history — the same reason they feature in our SCHUFA guide. Opening one early and using it well also begins to build your record, making the traditional accounts and credit products you might want later easier to obtain.
A sensible sequence
Put it together and the order is simple. In your first week, open a neobank account so you have an IBAN for your deposit, salary and early bills. Once your Anmeldung and tax ID come through, add a direct or branch account if you want a Girocard, cash services or a salary-linked perk. Then set up your rent as a standing order and your recurring bills as direct debits, and you have a fully functioning financial setup with minimal waiting.
Opening a bank account in Germany is far less daunting once you sidestep the chicken-and-egg with a neobank: it gives you an IBAN on day one, no Anmeldung required, and buys you time to add a traditional account at leisure. Choose an account whose card you can actually use everywhere, mind the fees, and sequence it alongside your registration. Get this hub in place early and the rest of your move-in payments flow smoothly from it.