You need a German or EU current account (Girokonto) for your salary, your rent, your phone contract and most direct debits. Landlords and employers ask for an IBAN, and many only accept a SEPA account.
Online banks and traditional banks
| Online banks | Traditional banks | |
|---|---|---|
| Examples | N26, Revolut, C24 | Sparkasse, Volksbank, Deutsche Bank, Commerzbank |
| Opening | In an app, with your passport and a video identity check | In a branch or online; often needs your Meldebescheinigung |
| Anmeldung needed | Usually not | Usually yes |
| Cash | ATM withdrawals, sometimes with limits | Their own ATM network and branches |
| Support | In the app, often in English | In person, mostly in German |
Open an account
N26
A German-licensed online bank with a German IBAN. Opens in the app with a video ID check.
Go to N26Sparkasse
Public savings banks with branches in every town. Useful if you want in-person service.
Go to SparkasseWhat you'll need
- Your passport, and your visa or residence permit if you have one.
- A German phone number for verification codes, for most apps. See Getting a German phone number.
- Your Meldebescheinigung, for most traditional banks.
- Your tax ID, which the bank asks for later. It arrives by post after you register.
If you're a student, your blocked account pays its monthly amount into a current account like this. See Girokonto vs Sperrkonto.
Track Bank Account in HomeSettled
HomeSettled compares these accounts and reminds you to open one before your first rent payment.
Common questions
Can I use my home bank card in Germany?
For shopping, mostly yes. Some shops and restaurants still take only cash or German debit cards, and rent and salaries need an IBAN.
Does an IBAN from another EU country work?
Legally it should: German payers must accept any SEPA IBAN. In practice some landlords and employers still ask for a German one.
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Sources
Rules and amounts change. Check the official source before you rely on a figure.