Germany · Girokonto

Open a bank account in Germany

A German current account (Girokonto) is what you'll use to receive your salary, pay rent and set up direct debits in Germany. Most banks now open accounts fully online with video identification, so you rarely need to visit a branch — though a few traditional banks still ask for your registration certificate.

Free to ~€10/month depending on the bank. Online sign-up takes 15–30 minutes.

Good to know — wherever you live

  • App-based banks (N26, Trade Republic, Revolut and similar) open an account in minutes with just your passport and a video call — handy before your Anmeldung is done.
  • A full IBAN can take a few days to issue; don't promise it to a landlord or employer the same day.
  • If you want a card that's accepted everywhere (including Girocard/EC for smaller German shops), check that before you pick a bank — some app banks only issue Mastercard/Visa.
  • Watch for a SCHUFA check on traditional accounts; app banks usually still let you open one even with a thin German credit history.

Now pick your city

The office, booking portal and local quirks differ from city to city — your city's guide has the exact steps, documents and booking link.

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Doing Open a bank account online? Let TiG Pilot read the form with you

On the authority's own website, TiG Pilot explains what every German field is asking — Geburtsort, Familienstand, Steuer-ID — flags the traps, and fills the details you saved once. It never invents a value and never presses send.

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