Expat Unity

How to Open a Bank Account in Germany After Moving

In brief

  • You can open a German current account (Girokonto) at a branch or online. Banks usually ask for your passport and proof of address, for example a Meldebescheinigung. The exact list depends on the bank.
  • If a bank refuses to open a standard account, everyone legally resident in the EU has the right to an account with basic functions (Basiskonto) (§ 31 Zahlungskontengesetz).
  • The bank must offer you a Basiskonto contract no later than ten business days after your application.
  • Fees for a Basiskonto must be reasonable (angemessen) (§ 41 ZKG).

Checked against official sources: 19 October 2026.

Which account you need after moving

For everyday payments in Germany you need a current account (Girokonto). Your salary is paid into it, and rent and utilities are paid from it. The account number is called the IBAN, and it is used for payments across the SEPA area.

What the bank asks for

The bank is obliged to verify your identity, so it usually asks for:

  • a passport or other identity document;
  • proof of address in Germany, for example a Meldebescheinigung after Anmeldung;
  • sometimes a document showing your right of residence, such as a residence permit.

Requirements depend on the bank, so check the list on its website or at a branch. The identity check using a passport or ID card is required by the Money Laundering Act (§ 12 GwG).

How to complete Anmeldung

Branch or online bank

A branch is convenient if you want to sort things out in person and get your card straight away. An online bank suits those who are happy to verify their identity by video or at a post office, via VideoIdent or PostIdent. We do not name banks: conditions change, so compare them on the banks' current pages.

Can I open an account before Anmeldung?

Some banks open an account before you register your address; others require a Meldebescheinigung. It depends on the bank.

The right to a Basiskonto

If you are legally resident in the EU, the law gives you the right to a Basiskonto. A bank that offers accounts to private customers must conclude such a contract with you if your application meets the requirements (§ 31 ZKG). It must offer you the contract without delay, at the latest ten business days after receiving your application.

The bank may refuse if you already have an account in Germany that you can actually use (§ 35 ZKG). A Basiskonto lets you pay in and withdraw cash, make payments and use a payment card. Fees for the account must be reasonable by market standards (§ 41 ZKG).

IBAN and SCHUFA in brief

The IBAN is your account number; you give it to your employer and landlord. SCHUFA is a credit bureau: banks and landlords can use it to check your credit history. If you have only just arrived, there may be no record yet, which is normal for newcomers.

Frequently asked questions

Can I open an account without Anmeldung?

It depends on the bank. Some ask for a Meldebescheinigung, so it is easier to register first. If a bank refuses, ask it for the reason. Read more about registration in our article on Anmeldung.

Is a Basiskonto free?

Fees for a Basiskonto must be reasonable (angemessen), taking market rates into account (§ 41 ZKG). The specific amounts are set by the bank, so check its price list.

Do I need a SCHUFA record to open an account?

For a standard Girokonto, the bank decides. For a Basiskonto, the law lists the grounds for refusal, and a missing SCHUFA record is not one of them. The bank may refuse, for example, if you already have an account in Germany that you can actually use (§ 35 ZKG).

Can my salary be paid into a foreign account?

Euro payments within the SEPA area go between accounts in different countries. Ask your employer whether a foreign account works for them. Under SEPA rules, the payer may not require a euro account to be held in a particular EU country (Art. 9 Regulation (EU) 260/2012). This rule does not cover accounts outside the EU.

What is a Girokonto?

It is a standard current account for your salary, payments and card. Your everyday spending goes through it.

Can I open an account with a temporary residence permit?

Usually yes. The bank may ask for a document showing your right of residence, and a Basiskonto is available to everyone legally resident in the EU (§ 31 ZKG). Details depend on the bank. By law, people without a fixed address, asylum seekers and people with a Duldung who cannot be deported for legal or practical reasons are also entitled to a Basiskonto (§ 31 ZKG).

Need help?

We will tell you how to prepare your documents and, if you wish, help you book an appointment. If your situation is non-standard, we will arrange a consultation with a lawyer.

Help with relocation

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