Germany · Business Banking
Opening business and personal bank accounts, remote options, required documents, and fees.
AI-drafted, editorially reviewed. Confirm specifics with the official authority.
Germany's banking spans big banks, savings banks (Sparkassen), cooperative banks and digital banks (N26). A current account (Girokonto) is essential for salary, rent and utilities; opening one usually needs ID, an address registration (Anmeldung) and often a tax ID.
Banks are supervised by BaFin together with the Deutsche Bundesbank; statutory and voluntary schemes protect deposits. A company needs its commercial-register entry to open an account.
- Deposits are protected by the statutory deposit-guarantee scheme up to the standard limit (EUR 100,000 per depositor per bank, the EU-harmonised level).
- Opening a business account generally requires the commercial-register extract and owner ID.
- Germany is part of the SEPA area for euro payments.
- 1
Register your address (Anmeldung)
Book a Bürgeramt appointment and register within about two weeks of moving in; you receive a Meldebescheinigung, which most traditional banks require. For a business account, obtain your commercial-register (Handelsregister) extract first.
- 2
Get your tax ID (Steuer-ID)
The Steuer-Identifikationsnummer is issued automatically by post two to four weeks after your Anmeldung. Banks are legally required to record it for tax reporting, though some let you submit it later.
- 3
Choose an account type and bank
A Girokonto (current account) at a big bank, Sparkasse, cooperative or digital bank (e.g. N26) covers salary, rent and cards. Residents also have a legal right to a Basiskonto (basic account) under the Payment Accounts Act (ZKG), which a bank cannot refuse without giving a reason.
- 4
Prepare your documents
Have your valid passport or national ID and your address registration (Anmeldung) ready — plus, for a business account, the commercial-register extract and owner ID.
- 5
Verify your identity
Complete PostIdent at a Deutsche Post branch, VideoIdent by online video call, or in-branch verification — using a photo ID with security features.
- 6
Activate the account and set up SEPA payments
Receive your IBAN and card, then set up salary deposits, rent and direct debits (Lastschrift) across the SEPA area.
- Valid passport or national ID
- Address registration (Anmeldung / Meldebescheinigung)
- Tax identification number (Steuer-ID)
- German residential address
- Commercial-register (Handelsregister) extract — business accounts
- Owner / beneficial-owner ID — business accounts
- Completed identity verification (PostIdent / VideoIdent)
- Initial deposit (if required by the bank)
- BaFin
Federal financial supervisory authority.
- Deutsche Bundesbank
Central bank.
Frequently asked questions
What is a Girokonto?
The standard German current account used for salary, direct debits (Lastschrift), rent and everyday payments.
Do I need an Anmeldung to open an account?
Traditional banks often require proof of your address registration (Anmeldung); some digital banks are more flexible.
Is Germany cash-oriented?
Cash is still widely used, though card and mobile payments have grown and many places now accept cards.
Government portals
- Federal Government of Germany — Germany's Federal Cabinet official website — policy, legislation, news, and government programs
- Federal Office for Migration (BAMF) — German visas, EU Blue Card, asylum, integration courses, and permanent residency
- Federal Central Tax Office (BZSt) — Tax ID (IdNr) registration, tax identification lookup, withholding tax refunds — the key authority for foreign taxpayers in Germany