Online ein Bankkonto eröffnen: die Schritt-für-Schritt-Anleitung

Opening a bank account in Germany no longer means taking half a morning off work to sit in a branch. Today you can compare providers, sign up, prove your identity, and make your first deposit entirely from your smartphone or laptop, often in under fifteen minutes. This guide walks through the whole process for opening a German account, from picking the right provider to securing your new account once it is live, whether you want an everyday Girokonto, a savings account, or a fee-free digital account for travel.

Whether you choose a branch-based Filialbank or a fully online Direktbank, the steps below are broadly the same, though the exact screens and required documents differ a little from one provider to the next. Read through the full process once before starting so nothing surprises you halfway through.

Choosing the Right Bank#

Before filling in any form, it pays to spend a few minutes comparing your options. The "best" account depends on how you actually use your money, not on whichever advertisement you saw most recently.

Ask what you will actually use the account for: everyday spending, salary payments, savings, or holding foreign currency all point toward different products, and few providers do all of them equally well. Check what it actually costs — monthly account-keeping fees, ATM withdrawal charges, and currency-exchange markups can quietly erase any convenience the account offers. Confirm your money is protected: in the EU, deposits are typically protected up to €100,000 per bank through national deposit-guarantee schemes. Treat the app as part of the product itself, since for an online account the app effectively is the bank — read recent reviews rather than trusting an old star rating. Finally, decide whether you still need in-person services, since cash deposits or face-to-face advice can still matter to some customers.

Filialbank or Direktbank#

Neither format is better in every case. A Direktbank tends to win on low fees and convenience while traveling, since it typically has no physical branch network to maintain. A Filialbank can suit you better if you regularly handle cash or want a branch nearby for anything more complex than routine transactions. Traditional branch banks tend to be slower to open an account, sometimes still requiring an in-person visit, and fees run higher on average. Direktbanken complete sign-up in minutes, fully online, with fees that are often low or zero, though cash handling stays limited and support runs mainly through chat and phone rather than a counter.

Documents You Will Need#

Have these ready before you start so you do not get stuck partway through the application. You will need a valid ID document — a passport, Personalausweis, or driving licence. You will also need proof of address, such as a utility bill, tax notice, or rental contract, usually dated within the last three months. Where required, have your Steuer-Identifikationsnummer (tax ID) on hand. Finally, keep a smartphone with a working camera nearby for the identity check.

If you are neither a citizen nor a resident of Germany, you may also need a residence permit or a visa. Check the provider's eligibility page first, since a rejected application over a documentation gap wastes far more time than a quick check in advance would.

The Online Sign-Up Steps#

Once you have picked a provider, the process itself is straightforward. Start the application on the bank's official website or through its app downloaded from an official app store, double-checking the address carefully to avoid look-alike phishing sites. Enter your personal details: name, date of birth, address, email, and phone number. Choose your account type — Giro, savings, joint, or a specific plan tier. Read the terms before accepting them, skimming the Preisverzeichnis (fee schedule) and privacy policy instead of blindly ticking the box, since hidden charges tend to surface exactly there. You will usually confirm your email and phone with a one-time code sent to each.

At this point, the account is created but not yet fully active — proving your identity remains the last step standing between you and a usable account.

Identity Verification (KYC)#

Banks are legally required to confirm you are who you say you are. This "Know Your Customer" check is the step people find least familiar, but it moves quickly. Typically you photograph your ID document, front and back, in good light so every detail stays readable, and then record a live selfie or short video. The app may ask you to blink, turn your head, or read a number aloud — this liveness check proves you are a real person rather than a photo held up to a camera. Automated verification is often instant; occasionally a manual review adds a few hours.

If verification fails, it is usually glare, a blurry photo, or a name that does not exactly match causing the problem. Retry in better lighting, and make sure your entered details match your ID exactly.

Funding Your New Account#

An empty account cannot do much. For your first deposit, you can send a transfer from another account: within the EU, a SEPA transfer to your new IBAN is free or very cheap and usually arrives within a business day. Your IBAN is the international account number your bank assigns you — you will use it to receive salary and payments. If it is new to you, it is worth reading separately about what an IBAN is and how it works. You can also add money by card if the provider supports instant top-ups, or set up your salary to land directly in the new account. Some banks require a small minimum opening deposit; many Direktbanken require nothing at all.

Security Tips for Your New Account#

Your account is only as safe as the habits built around it, so lock it down from day one. Use a strong, unique password and never reuse it on other sites. Turn on two-factor authentication, ideally with an authenticator app rather than SMS, since SMS codes are easier to intercept. Never share a one-time code or your PIN — no legitimate bank will ever ask for either. Enable transaction alerts so you spot anything unusual immediately. Only log in through the official app or website, never through a link sent in an email or SMS.

A Quick Checklist#

Before considering the process finished, confirm you have compared providers on fees, deposit protection, and app quality; gathered a valid ID and proof of address; completed the online application; passed identity verification, including the selfie step; made a first deposit; and turned on two-factor authentication along with transaction alerts.

What German Sign-Up Screens Sometimes Skip Over#

A few details commonly trip up first-time applicants in Germany specifically. Many providers still use a video-identification (Video-Ident) call as part of KYC rather than a fully automated selfie check, which means you may need to schedule a short live call with an agent rather than completing everything asynchronously — build a few extra minutes into your plan for this step. Some Direktbanken also default new customers into paperless statements (elektronische Kontoauszüge), so check your settings if you specifically want paper mail. Finally, remember that Schufa, Germany's main credit bureau, may be consulted during account opening for certain product types, so an unexpectedly quick rejection is sometimes a Schufa-related issue rather than anything wrong with your application itself.

Choosing Between a Girokonto Model that Fits Your Life#

Beyond the basic Filialbank-versus-Direktbank decision, it helps to think about what tier of account actually matches your situation rather than defaulting to whichever one a provider promotes most heavily. Students and apprentices can often access fee-free accounts specifically designed for their status, sometimes with better conditions than a standard account, so it is worth checking for an Azubi- or Studentenkonto before settling for the general-purpose product. Freelancers and small business owners should look specifically at whether a personal Girokonto is even permitted for business income under the provider's terms, since mixing personal and business transactions on the wrong account type can create both accounting headaches and, in some cases, a breach of the account agreement itself. Families may also want to compare whether a joint account or linked sub-accounts for children better match how money actually moves through the household, since these products vary significantly in what they allow a co-holder or a minor to do independently.

Frequently Asked Questions#

How long does it take to open a bank account online in Germany?#

For most Direktbanken, the entire process takes ten to twenty minutes, and the account is usable straight away. If your identity check needs manual review or a Video-Ident call, activation can take a few hours to a day.

Can I open an account without money to deposit?#

Often, yes. Many Direktbanken have no minimum opening deposit, so you can open the account first and add funds later. Some Filialbanken still request a small initial deposit.

Is it safe to open a bank account online?#

Yes, provided you use the official app or website of a licensed provider covered by deposit-guarantee protection. The real risk is phishing, so always verify you are on the genuine site and never share a confirmation code.

What should I do if identity verification fails?#

Retry in better lighting with a sharp, glare-free photo of your ID, and make sure your entered details exactly match the document. If it still fails, the provider's support team can usually verify you manually.