Opening a bank account in Germany: account types, documents and your right to a basic account
Translated from the Arabic original. Read in Arabic
A current account (Girokonto) is not a luxury in Germany: your salary is paid into it, your rent is taken from it, and most bills and subscriptions are paid by direct debit. So opening an account is one of the first things you need after arriving, right after registering your address.
The basic account: a legal right for every resident
The Payment Accounts Act (Zahlungskontengesetz) gives every consumer legally resident in the EU the right to open a basic account (Basiskonto), including asylum seekers, people with a toleration (Duldung) and people without a fixed address. A basic account is an almost fully functional current account: receiving salary, transfers, direct debits and a debit card. A bank may only refuse it on grounds set out in the law, and if your application is refused without an acceptable reason you can complain to the Federal Financial Supervisory Authority (BaFin).
Traditional or online banks?
Traditional banks, such as savings banks (Sparkasse) and cooperative banks (Volksbank), have branches where you can talk to someone, which helps if your German is limited, but their monthly fees are usually higher. Online banks open accounts on your phone in minutes with low or no fees, but customer service is only through the app or by phone. Many newcomers start with an online bank for speed and add a traditional account later if they need services such as loans.
Documents you need
A valid passport, your residence permit or visa, and at most banks your registration certificate (Meldebescheinigung). Online banks usually verify your identity by video call or an ID-scanning app, and some do not accept every foreign passport for online verification; if yours is rejected, try another bank or verification at a branch.
What is SCHUFA?
SCHUFA is a company that collects information on your financial reliability: accounts, loans, phone contracts and late payments. Many landlords and telecom companies ask for a SCHUFA report before signing a contract with you. Newcomers have no record, which is normal. A record builds up over time through a regular current account and paying bills on time. You are entitled to a free copy of your SCHUFA data at least once a year.
Practical tips
Read the price list (Preis- und Leistungsverzeichnis) before signing, watching for fees for withdrawals at other banks’ machines and card fees. Give your IBAN to your employer as soon as the account is open. Never share verification codes or your banking app password: your bank will never ask for them by phone or message.
This article is general information, not legal or tax advice. Laws change, so check the official sources below or the competent authority for your situation. Found a mistake? Tell us.