Expat Services
  • Working in Germany
    • Bureaucratic Steps
      • German work visa
      • Residence Registration
      • Social Security Number
    • Settling-In
      • Accommodation
      • Health Insurance
      • Bank Account
    • More
      • Mortgages for Expats
      • Provider / Supplier
      • Removal Services
      • Certified Translations
  • Insurances
    • Health Insurance
      • Public Health Insurance
      • Private Health Insurance
      • Visum Travel Insurance
    • Property Casualty Insurance
      • Private Liability Insurance
      • Household Insurance
      • Car Insurance
  • Telecommunications
    • Telecommunications
      • Internet, tv & telephone
      • Mobile phone provider
  • HR Solutions
  • Menu Menu

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 / 450 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 450 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
SympatMe - Expat Services
  • Update Service
  • Imprint
  • Broker Information
  • Terms
  • Privacy Policy
Scroll to top

We (SympatMe) and our partners need your consent to set cookies on your device and collect data about how you use SympatMe products and services. SympatMe uses the data to better understand your interests, provide relevant experiences, and personalised advertisements on SympatMe products (and in some cases, partner products).

AcceptSettings

Cookie and Privacy Settings



How we use cookies

We may request cookies to be set on your device. We use cookies to let us know when you visit our websites, how you interact with us, to enrich your user experience, and to customize your relationship with our website.

Click on the different category headings to find out more. You can also change some of your preferences.

Essential Website Cookies

These cookies are strictly necessary to provide you with services available through our website and to use some of its features.

Because these cookies are strictly necessary to deliver the website, you cannot refuse them without impacting how our site functions. You can block or delete them by changing your browser settings and force blocking all cookies on this website.

Tracking Cookies

These cookies collect information that is used either in aggregate form to help us understand how our website is being used or how effective our marketing campaigns are, or to help us customize our website and application for you in order to enhance your experience. If you do not want that we track your visist to our site you can disable tracking in your browser here:

Other external services

We also use different external services like Google Webfonts, Google Maps and external Video providers. Since these providers may collect personal data like your IP address we allow you to block them here. Please be aware that this might heavily reduce the functionality and appearance of our site. Changes will take effect once you reload the page.

Vimeo and Youtube video embeds:

Privacy Policy

You can read about our cookies and privacy settings in detail on our Privacy Policy Page.

Privacy Policy
Accept all cookiesAccept selected cookiesDecline