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Opening a Bank Account (Bankkonto) — Expat Guide Germany (2026)

Quick Answer

What it is:: Opening a Bank Account — a finance procedure in Germany.
Deadline:: No strict deadline
Steps:: 4 steps
Cost:: EUR 5
Documents:: 4 required
Legal basis:: ZKG §31

Important Deadlines

Open ASAP — needed for salary, rent, and all contracts

Required Documents

✓Valid passport or national ID
✓Meldebestätigung (proof of address)
✓Residence permit (non-EU citizens)
✓Employment contract or student enrollment (some banks)

Step-by-Step Guide

Choose a bank: traditional (Sparkasse, Deutsche Bank, Commerzbank) or digital (N26, DKB, ING).

Pro tip: N26 and DKB are popular with expats — online sign-up in English, free debit card. Sparkasse has the most ATMs.

Verify your identity: PostIdent (at Post office), VideoIdent (video call), or in-branch.

Pro tip: VideoIdent is fastest (15 min). PostIdent requires visiting a Deutsche Post branch with passport.

Provide your Meldebestätigung (proof of address registration) and passport.

Pro tip: Some banks (N26) don't require Meldebestätigung initially. Traditional banks always require it.

Receive your IBAN, debit card (EC-Karte/Girocard), and online banking credentials.

Pro tip: Your salary must be paid to a German IBAN. Set up a Dauerauftrag (standing order) for rent immediately.

Fees

Account maintenance (traditional bank)EUR 5

Account maintenance (N26, DKB — free tier)Free

Legal Basis

ZKG §31

Also Known As

This procedure is commonly searched under these names:

Bankkontobank account GermanyGirokontoopen bank accountN26DKBSparkasseDeutsche BankEC-KarteGirocardIBAN GermanyVideoIdentPostIdent

Official Resources

https://www.bafin.de/EN/Verbraucher/Bank/Kontofuehrung/kontofuehrung_node_en.html

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More Guides for 🇩🇪 Germany

→Address Registration (Anmeldung)→Residence Permit (Aufenthaltstitel)→Parental Allowance (Elterngeld)→Flight Delay/Cancellation Compensation (EU 261)→Health Insurance Registration →Child Benefit (Kindergeld)