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Open a Bank Account in Germany

Everyone who moves to Germany needs a bank account to receive their salary. As you may have already noticed, there is a number of German banks. So which one to choose? We have asked expatriates about their favourite bank accounts in Germany. Some want to have online banking in English. Others prefer to have access to English-speaking personal customer service. Whatever your personal preference, you can find your best match on this page. Here you can complete your bank account application directly online. Note that you need to have registered your residence in Germany to open a bank account. If you are not registered in Germany but live in the EU, then you may still be able to open an N26 account and get a German IBAN.

Digital solution – Open free N26 bank account

√  check, if you are eligible
√  open your free account in 8 minutes
√  everything in English
√  modern design, online and mobile banking
√  5 free cash withdrawals worldwide / per month

Get account now

Digital and local solution – Open Commerzbank account

√  7,000 ATM / 550 branches all over Germany
√  option to open account online (receive 50€ as a gift)
√ 
option to open account in person
√  online banking and customer service in English

Open account now

Get an expert – We help you find a German bank account

√ get information about banking in Germany
√ let us make a personal assessment of your situation
√ ask any questions you may have

Get in touch now

Everything in English – Open your N26 account online

You must be registered at a German address in order to open a bank account.

Are you looking for a German bank account that offers all its services in English? Then N26 may be a good choice.
The N26 application form, mobile phone app, emails and customer service – absolutely everything is in English. Teaming up with TransferWise makes international transfers as cheap and convenient. It is ideal for anyone who wants to have a free, easy and secure way of doing banking. It is also great for those launching a business – just open your free business account today.

Great news: Get your German bank account number within 8 minutes. Simply fill out the form, download the app, verify your identity. Once you have completed these steps you instantly receive your German bank account number. This comes in particularly handy for everyone who needs a German bank account number quickly.

Who can open a N26 bank account?

You can open an N26 account if:

  • you are registered in Germany (not registered?)
  • you are at least 18 years old
  • you own a compatible smartphone
  • you are from one of the following countries and have one of these documents

What details you must provide on the N26 online application form:

  • first name and family name
  • email address
  • German home address and mobile telephone number
  • date of birth
  • nationality and the country in which you were born
  • have a valid passport or European ID card

How it works

Before you can apply for a bank account:

  1. You must live in Germany (find a flat).
  2. You must have a proof of residence registration in Germany (register here).

Apply online 8 minutes:

  1. Fill out application form.
  2. Download mobile app.
  3. Verify your identity via video call; you need your passport/ ID for this
  4. After the video call, you will get your bank account number instantly. Start receiving money right away!
  5. Receive debit / credit cards within a few days. Start withdrawing and spending money.

Your advantages with N26

Why should I get N26? Easy! Get your free online account for these reasons:

  • open your German bank account within 8 minutes only
  • start using the account even before you have received your Mastercard
  • all apps, emails, service hotlines are in English
  • you can open this account even if you are not registered in Germany yet
  • stay mobile – do all your banking online
  • open a business account, if you need one
  • 5 free cash withdrawals per month

How much does it cost?

N26 Pricing

Click to open on fullscreen

N26 Pricelist

Open account in 8 minutes

Open Commerzbank account now

You must be registered at a German address in order to open a bank account.

If you want a bank account that has various branches across Germany and provides personal customer support, Commerzbank may be your match. Online banking services and customer support are both in English. This is an ideal solution, if you are looking for a bank account to receive your monthly salary in Germany!

Online banking is important and popular. However, more and more people come to value personal customer service and having access to a local branch. At Commerzbank we can offer you exactly that. If you have a question, simply drop into one of our branches. One of our English-speaking staff will be happy to assist you.

Who can open a Commerzbank account?

You can open an Commerzbank account if

  • you are registered in Germany (not registered?)
  • you are at least 18 years old

What details you must provide on the Commerzbank online application form

  • first name and family name
  • email address
  • German home address and mobile telephone number
  • date of birth
  • nationality and the country in which you were born
  • have a valid passport or European ID card

Apply for a bank account online

Open your Commerzbank account in German online. Here is how you do it:

  • The online application form for a Commerzbank account is in German only. The online banking and customer service is in English. To open an account with Commerzbank in German simply click on the “Open account online”.
  • Fill out the application form online, print, sign it, or choose to receive the completed forms via post.
  • Sign the papers and bring them to a Commerzbank branch office to verify your identity, or do an online video verification.
  • Receive your papers and cards, and start using your account!

Main advantages of Commerzbank account

  • personal customer service in over 550 branches across Germany
  • access to online and mobile banking
  • get free cash at over 7000 cash machines in Germany
  • choose between 3 different bank accounts
  • open account directly online

How much does it cost

To find out about the different types of Commerzbank accounts and how much they cost, please click on ‘open account now'. You will see an overview of our free basic account, a basic account, a premium account, a business account, and more.

Open account online

Get an expert – Let us help you find your ideal bank account

You are unsure about which bank works best for you, or which bank account is most suitable for your needs? You feel safer when an expert supports you in choosing the right bank and the right type of bank account? You think about opening more than one bank account?

If any of these scenarios apply, then getting an expert should be your choice!

How it works

  1. Get in touch and fill out the form.
  2. One of our experts will contact you within 24 hours.
  3. Your expert will get in touch with you. We advice which banking solution is best.
  4. Your expert will guide you through the process of opening a bank account.

Main advantages

Our expert helps you pick one of the three banks suggested by us.

Get support via phone while you are opening your bank account.

We have more than 20 years of relocation expertise in Germany – ask away your questions, we are here to guide you!

How much does it cost

Expert support to choose the best of the banks we suggest – free of charge.

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  • Start your residence registration

  • Officially, we do not support any other cities. For 49€ we prepare this documents for you:
    - the filled-out registration form
    - the landlord confirmation
    - the broadcast license form
    You also get a free language guide!
  • All services of the Registration package plus expert support:
    - Get an expert to check, if you have filled everything out correctly
    - Get support with making an appointment at the registration office, if possible
    - Get access to our ticket system, where we are available for further questions regarding the registration

    Additional fee: 50€
  • Contact details

  • Privacy policy

  • You have the possibility to save your entries at any time and continue later. In this case we will store your data for up to 30 days.
    I have read the privacy policy and hereby agree that the personal information I have provided voluntarily may be raised, processed and used in order to provide the specified request.
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  • Who should be registered in Germany?

    You can register several people on one registration form, provided that they live at the same German address. If you want to register more than 4 people (2 adults, 2 children) you must use a different registration form.
  • Family members who should NOT be registered

    e.g. if they stay in another country and later move to Germany
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  • Previous residence

  • Future / new residence

  • Please enter in the line "Address Line 2" the name which is written on the mailbox and insert a "c/o" in front of the name.
    Example: "c/o Name" or "c/o Company Name"
  • Landlord details

    You will find these details in your rental agreement. This can be a person or company. The data can also be filled in later by the landlord.
Save and Continue Later
  • Your personal details

  • please write in german or english
  • Marriage details

  • Legitimation

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  • Partner / Spouse

  • please write in german or english
  • Further information on the spouse who does NOT change residence

  • Legitimation

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  • First child

  • please write in german or english
  • Legitimation

  • Second children

  • please write in german or english
  • Legitimation

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  • Further information on the first child who does NOT change residence

  • Further information on the second children who does NOT change residence

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  • Power of attorney

    Will you register at the local residents' registration office yourself or do you want to authorise someone to do so? We can issue a power of attorney.
  • Authorised representative

    The person needs all documents as well as the legitimation papers of all persons to be registered.
  • Rundfunkbeitrag (GEZ) registration

    Everyone who moves to Germany must register at GEZ (Rundfunkbeitrag). To register at GEZ, you must fill out a GEZ registration form, which only exists in German.
    More information about Rundfunkbeitrag.
  • Bank account details

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  • Payment

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    Supported Credit Cards: American Express, MasterCard, Visa
     
  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
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