Germany (DE)
Germany is Europe's largest economy and most populous country — a federal parliamentary republic of 16 states (Bundesländer) celebrated for its engineering prowess, rich cultural heritage from Beethoven to Bauhaus, world-famous Oktoberfest and Riesling wines, and one of the most comprehensive social safety nets in the world.
Banking in Germany
Recommended banks, payment culture and credit score basics.
Germany is a direct-debit culture (SEPA-Lastschrift) — most recurring bills (rent, Strom, insurance, Rundfunkbeitrag, gym) are pulled automatically from your account. An IBAN is essential for daily life. Neobanks (N26, C24) are great for expats; Sparkasse/Volksbank are needed if you need a local branch or cash deposits.
Recommended banks
N26
EnglishMonthly fee: €0 (Standard) / €4.90 (Smart) / €9.90 (You)
Requirements: Passport + selfie (online). No Anmeldung required to start.
- + Can be opened from abroad
- + Free Mastercard
- + English-language app
- + Accepted for Anmeldung confirmation
C24 Bank
EnglishMonthly fee: €0
Requirements: Passport + VideoIdent
- + Free sub-accounts (pockets)
- + Good interest on credit balance
- + No branches needed
Revolut
EnglishMonthly fee: €0–13.99
Requirements: Passport + selfie
- + Multi-currency
- + International transfers at excellent rates
- + Instant notifications
- - Lithuanian IBAN — some German landlords/employers prefer DE IBAN
DKB
Monthly fee: €0 (with €700+ monthly income) / €4.50
Requirements: Postident at post office
- + Free worldwide ATM withdrawals (Visa)
- + Solid established online bank
ING Deutschland
Monthly fee: €0 (with €700+ monthly income) / €4.90
Requirements: Postident or VideoIdent
- + Good app
- + Mortgage options
- + Established brand
Commerzbank
EnglishMonthly fee: €0 (with €700+ monthly income) / €9.90
Requirements: Branch visit or online with VideoIdent
- + Branches in every major city
- + English service available
- + Business banking options
Sparkasse
Monthly fee: €5–10
Requirements: Branch visit required
- + Dense branch network
- + Cash deposits
- + Older landlords may prefer Sparkasse IBAN
Deutsche Bank
EnglishMonthly fee: €6.90–15
Requirements: Branch visit or online
- + Multinationals use it
- + Private banking available
- + English service
Payment culture
Girocard (EC card) is king — accepted almost everywhere, Visa/Mastercard less universal, especially in bakeries, restaurants, small shops, taxis. Always carry €30–50 cash. Apple Pay and Google Pay are growing. Bargeld bleibt König is a real saying.
Cash access
Girocard withdrawals in your own bank group free (Cash Group = Deutsche Bank/Commerzbank/HypoVereinsbank/Postbank; Cashpool = others). Supermarkets (Rewe, Edeka, Aldi, Lidl, dm) let you withdraw up to €200 at checkout with a minimum purchase — the easiest way to get cash.
SCHUFA-Score
One free full report per year at meineschufa.de > Datenkopie nach Art. 15 DSGVO. Order it immediately and correct any errors. The paid Bonitätsauskunft (€29.95) is what landlords accept.
Free annual check: meineschufa.de > Datenkopie nach Art. 15 DSGVO — free once per year.
Score 0–100% — above 97% is excellent. Calculated from payment history, contract count and account age. Landlords, banks, insurers, telecoms and some employers check your Schufa. Damage risks: missed bills, unpaid Mahnungen escalating to Inkasso, too many simultaneous loan/phone-contract applications, defaulted credit card.
International transfers
Wise (Transferwise) for best FX rates; Revolut for multi-currency; traditional banks charge €5–25 + 1–3% spread. SEPA transfers within EU are free and same/next day. For non-EU remittance, always compare Wise vs your bank.