Current Account Comparison in Germany 2026
Fee-free options, English customer support and statutory deposit protection — a clear overview for expats and newcomers opening their first German account.
Compare current accountsIn short
The cheapest current accounts in Germany are usually offered by direct banks such as N26, DKB, ING and Comdirect, which combine no monthly fee with an English app and online opening. Branch banks cost more but add in-person service. Whichever you choose, your deposits are protected up to 100,000 euro per bank under German law, and you can open most accounts online in about 10 to 15 minutes with a passport and your registration confirmation.
The key points at a glance
- •Direct banks (N26, DKB, ING, Comdirect) are the usual first choice for English speakers and tend to have no monthly fee.
- •Deposits are protected up to 100,000 euro per customer per bank under the German Deposit Guarantee Act.
- •Compare the total annual cost — monthly fee, ATM charges abroad, card fees — not just the headline price.
- •The free, official BaFin-Kontenvergleich has offered an independent market overview of around 6,900 account models since January 2025.
- •You have a legal right to a basic account (Basiskonto) even with no income or a weak Schufa record.
- •Switching banks is supported by a statutory account-switching service that moves your standing orders.
What to look for in a German current account
A German current account (Girokonto) is the centre of everyday money management: your salary lands here, your rent and bills leave from here, and your debit card draws on it. The right account depends less on marketing and more on a handful of practical details. The Verbraucherzentrale recommends comparing the full annual cost rather than a single advertised figure.
Monthly fee and conditions
Some accounts are free outright; others waive the fee only above a minimum monthly deposit. Check which applies to your salary.
Cash access
Look at how many free ATM withdrawals you get in Germany and the euro area, and what cash machines abroad cost.
English support
Confirm whether the app, online banking and customer service are available in English, not only the marketing site.
Card type
Most accounts include a debit card. A Girocard (formerly EC card) is widely accepted in Germany; a Visa or Mastercard debit works better online and abroad.
Overdraft cost
An arranged overdraft is convenient but expensive: German consumer centres report rates of up to 17 percent depending on the bank (Verbraucherzentrale, as of December 2025). Use it only for short periods.
Deposit protection
Verify the bank is covered by the statutory guarantee scheme so your balance is protected up to 100,000 euro.
Types of bank in Germany
Germany has three main types of bank: online-only direct banks, traditional branch banks, and regionally rooted Sparkassen or cooperative banks. They differ mainly in account fees, in-person advice and cash access.
| Feature | Direct banks | Branch banks | Sparkassen & cooperative banks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Account fee | Often free, sometimes tied to a minimum monthly deposit | Monthly fee more common | Varies by institution |
| Advice | No counter service; support via app, chat or phone | In person at the branch | In person, regionally rooted |
| Cash access | ATM alliances or cash at supermarket checkouts | Own ATM network | Dense ATM and branch network |
| Best for | Cost-conscious customers who bank via app | Advice-heavy topics such as mortgages | Anyone who values regional proximity and a fixed contact |
Tip for newcomers
If you have just arrived, a direct bank is usually the smoothest start: you can apply online, verify by video and bank in English. You only need a passport or EU ID card and, for most banks, your registration confirmation (Meldebescheinigung). You can always add a branch-bank relationship later if you want in-person service.
Comparing accounts with the official BaFin portal
The BaFin-Kontenvergleich is Germany's official, free comparison website for payment accounts. The financial supervisor BaFin has run it since January 2025 under sections 16 to 19 of the German Payment Accounts Act (ZKG); at launch it listed around 6,900 current account models, according to BaFin. Banks report their own conditions, including the monthly fee, overdraft rate and credit interest.
Unlike commercial comparison sites, BaFin gives no recommendations and earns nothing from referrals. You will not find customer reviews, welcome bonuses or switching support there either. In practice the two approaches complement each other: get a neutral market overview at kontenvergleich.bafin.de first, then put concrete offers side by side in a comparison calculator.
How to open a German bank account
Compare accounts
Use the comparison tool below to match fees, card type and support language to your situation.
Apply online
Complete the application with your personal details. It usually takes around 10 to 15 minutes.
Verify your identity
Confirm who you are via VideoIdent (a short video call) or PostIdent at a post office.
Documents you usually need
- Valid passport or EU ID card
- Registration confirmation (Meldebescheinigung)
- German tax ID (Steuerliche Identifikationsnummer)
- Proof of income for some accounts
- Residence permit for non-EU citizens
- Student certificate for student accounts
Even without income or a fixed address, you have a legal right to a basic account (Basiskonto) under the Payment Accounts Act (Zahlungskontengesetz).
Compare current accounts in Germany
Find and compare current accounts side by side — fees, features and conditions at a glance.
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Current account FAQ
Can I open a German bank account as a foreigner?
Yes. Anyone legally resident in Germany can open a current account. You typically need a valid passport or EU ID card, your registration confirmation (Meldebescheinigung) and, for some banks, proof of income. Under the German Payment Accounts Act (Zahlungskontengesetz), banks must even offer a basic account (Basiskonto) to consumers who lack a standard account, including asylum seekers and people without a fixed address.
Which banks offer English-language customer service?
Direct banks such as N26, Comdirect, DKB and ING are the most common choices for English speakers, with an English app and online banking. Branch-based banks usually serve customers in German, with English help mainly in larger cities. Check the bank website before applying, because the support language can differ from the app language.
How much does a current account cost in Germany?
Many direct banks offer current accounts with no monthly maintenance fee, sometimes tied to a minimum monthly deposit. Branch banks more often charge a monthly fee. Watch separate charges for cash withdrawals abroad, paper statements and currency conversion. The Verbraucherzentrale notes that comparing the total cost over a year matters more than the headline monthly fee.
Is my money protected in a German bank account?
Yes. Deposits at banks covered by the statutory German deposit guarantee scheme are protected up to 100,000 euro per customer per bank, as set out in the Deposit Guarantee Act (Einlagensicherungsgesetz) supervised by BaFin. Many banks belong to additional voluntary schemes on top of the legal minimum.
How long does it take to open an account?
An online application usually takes around 10 to 15 minutes. Identity is verified by VideoIdent (a short video call) or PostIdent (at a post office). Approval often takes a few business days, and the debit card and PIN typically arrive by post within one to two weeks.
What is the difference between a Girokonto and a Tagesgeldkonto?
A Girokonto (current account) is for everyday banking: receiving salary, paying bills and card spending. A Tagesgeldkonto is an instant-access savings account used to set money aside and earn interest, and it cannot be used for direct debits or card payments. Most people in Germany hold both.
Can I switch banks without losing my standing orders?
Yes. Under the Payment Accounts Act, your old and new bank must support an account-switching service (Kontowechselservice) that transfers standing orders and direct debit details, usually within a defined period. Keep the old account open for two to three months so no payments are missed during the transition.
Do I need a Schufa record to open an account?
Most standard current accounts involve a Schufa credit check, and a weak score can lead to a rejection of features like an overdraft. However, the legally guaranteed basic account (Basiskonto) must be offered regardless of your Schufa record, so a poor credit history does not leave you without any account at all.
What is the BaFin-Kontenvergleich?
A statutory, free comparison website run by Germany's financial supervisor BaFin at kontenvergleich.bafin.de. It launched in January 2025 and initially listed around 6,900 current account models with their monthly fees, overdraft rates and credit interest. The legal basis is sections 16 to 19 of the German Payment Accounts Act (ZKG). Banks report the data themselves and BaFin gives no recommendations.
Sources
- BaFin account comparison (Kontenvergleich)
- Payment Accounts Act (Zahlungskontengesetz)
- Verbraucherzentrale — what to know about a Girokonto
- Stiftung Warentest — current account tests
- Finanztip — current account guide
Last updated: 2 August 2026 · By checkeverything.de Redaktion