Open a bank account
If you want to live in Germany long-term, you will usually need a German bank account. Here is a brief overview of how to open an account and what you need to bear in mind.
Banks in Germany
In Germany, opening a bank account ('Girokonto') is usually one of the first important steps. This is because you receive or pay larger sums of money, such as your salary, rent or bills, via your bank account.
You can choose between branch banks ('Filialbanken') and direct banks ('Direktbanken').
Branch banks offer services and personal advice from local staff. You can find an overview of branch banks in Hamburg in the Hamburg business directory (in German only).
Direct banks, on the other hand, do not have local branches and operate exclusively online.
The services offered by banks differ in terms of their services and costs (e.g. account fees). Some accounts are free of charge, while others have monthly fees but offer additional services or personal advice. Before deciding on a bank, consider which services are important to you and compare different offers.
The neutral and independent BaFin account comparison offers you an overview of all payment accounts for private individuals offered in Germany.
Required documents
Before opening an account, the bank will verify your identity. You will usually need the following documents for this purpose:
- a valid identity document (identity card or passport), your residence permit, if applicable,
- proof of registration at your current place of residence in Germany and
- depending on the type of account: a salary statement from your employer.
The basic bank account
Some banks also require an electronic residence permit. If you are unable to provide this (e.g. because you still have a visa), you may be refused a bank account. In this case, you can open a basic bank account ('Basiskonto'). This account offers the most important functions of a current account, e.g. making transfers, cashless payments or withdrawing cash.
This flyer provides the most important information about basic bank accounts in various languages: Right to an account
You can find detailed information about bank accounts in Germany and specifically about basic bank accounts on the Handbook Germany website.
People with a visa
If you have a valid passport with a valid visa for Germany, you are entitled to open a basic bank account.
Please note that due to the high volume of work, the Hamburg Welcome Center for Professionals cannot issue earlier appointments for the application of an electronic residence permit. If banks also refuse to open a basic bank account for you, please note the following information.
Problems opening a basic bank account
If a bank refuses to open a basic account for you, there are various ways to challenge this:
Contact the Federal Financial Supervisory Authority (BaFin).
They will review your application free of charge. You can find an online BaFin form here.
You can also call the BaFin consumer hotline.
Another option is to contact the relevant arbitration board. This body is there to resolve your dispute with the bank. The bank must provide you with the address of the relevant office.