Bank account basics

What you need to open one

To open a German account you need a valid identity document (passport, residence permit, or Duldung) and proof of registration (Meldebescheinigung). Online banks confirm your identity by PostIdent (at a post office) or VideoIdent (a video call). Source ↗

The Meldebescheinigung comes from your Anmeldung →

No fixed address yet?

If you have no permanent residence yet, you can still give the bank a contact address in Germany to receive letters — it does not have to be your home; a friend's address or a counselling centre works, as long as post reaches you. Source ↗

What a basic account is (and isn't)

A basic account works like a normal current account — IBAN, transfers, a card, cash — but the bank is not required to grant an overdraft. You can only spend money you actually have in it. Source ↗

If you're refused

A bank may refuse a basic account only on narrow legal grounds — for example if you already have a usable account at another German bank, or were convicted of an intentional offence against the bank in the last three years. If you're refused without good reason, you can complain to BaFin free of charge, and BaFin decides whether the bank must open the account. Source ↗

If a bank refuses your Basiskonto application, it must say so within ten business days — and, unless anti-money-laundering rules forbid it, must give you the reasons free of charge in text form, in German unless agreed otherwise. With the refusal it must also point you, again free of charge and in text form, to the BaFin administrative procedure and to the competent consumer arbitration board with their contact details, and attach the application form for the BaFin procedure. Source ↗

The refusal path, step by step

1. 1Ask for the refusal in text form. The bank must decide within ten business days of your application and — with narrow security-law exceptions — must give you its reasons free of charge, in writing.
2. 2Check the papers that must come with it. The refusal must point you to the BaFin administrative procedure and the consumer arbitration board, with contact details — and the BaFin application form must be attached.
3. 3Apply for the BaFin procedure — it is free of charge. BaFin examines the refusal and decides whether the bank must open the account.

Say it (or paste it) in German

Polite, formal sentences for the counter, the phone, or an email. They state your request and your rights — nothing more.

• Guten Tag, ich möchte ein Basiskonto nach § 31 Zahlungskontengesetz eröffnen.Hello, I would like to open a basic account under §31 of the Payment Accounts Act.
• Bitte teilen Sie mir Ihre Entscheidung innerhalb von zehn Geschäftstagen mit.Please let me know your decision within ten business days.
• Falls Sie ablehnen, geben Sie mir die Gründe bitte unentgeltlich in Textform.If you refuse, please give me the reasons free of charge in text form.
• Ich kann ein Verwaltungsverfahren bei der BaFin beantragen und werde das gegebenenfalls tun.I can apply for an administrative procedure at BaFin, and will do so if necessary.

Bank terms, translated

The words you'll meet opening an account — what each means, not which bank or product to pick.

Girokonto

Current account — the everyday account

Basiskonto

Basic account — the one you have a legal right to

Guthabenkonto

Credit-only account — no overdraft; you spend only what's in it

IBAN

Your account number for transfers

Überziehung / Dispo(kredit)

Overdraft — spending below zero (not part of a basic account)

Meldebescheinigung

Your registration confirmation from the Anmeldung

PostIdent

Identity check at a post office (for online banks)

VideoIdent

Identity check by video call (for online banks)

SEPA-Lastschrift

Direct debit — a company pulls a payment with your permission

Girocard / EC-Karte

Your bank (debit) card