Which German bank is best for expats? What documents do you need? N26 vs. traditional banks — the complete comparison for new arrivals.
A Girokonto (current account) is essential for life in Germany:
- Rent payments (Miete) almost always require a German IBAN
- Salary deposits require a German bank account
- Health insurance premiums are debited via SEPA
- Rundfunkbeitrag, electricity, internet — all via Lastschrift (direct debit)
| Bank | Monthly Fee | English App | No Anmeldung | Schufa Check |
|------|-------------|-------------|--------------|--------------|
| N26 | €0 (Standard) | Yes | Yes | No |
| DKB | €0 (Active) | Partial | No | Yes |
| ING | €0 (with €700/mo income) | Yes | No | Yes |
| Commerzbank | €0 (first year) | Partial | No | Yes |
| Sparkasse | €3-8/mo | No | No | No |
Many traditional banks run a Schufa check when you open an account. As a new expat, you likely have no Schufa score — which can cause rejections.
Solution: Start with N26 (no Schufa check), then apply for a traditional bank after 6+ months when you’ve built some credit history.
*Got a letter from your German bank you can’t understand? Upload it to Clario for a plain-English explanation.*
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Upload any German document — contract, letter, or invoice — and get a plain-English summary with deadlines.
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