How to Open a German Bank Account: Step-by-Step Guide

By: Simon Heinrich – Last updated: 03/2026

This guide walks you through the process of opening a German Girokonto (current account) – from gathering your documents to completing your identity verification. The steps apply broadly regardless of which bank you choose.

→ Not sure which account is right for you? Start with our first account recommendation: Current account in Germany: get started first, optimize later

What you need before you start

Before you begin the application, gather the following:

Full name exactly as it appears on your ID document
Date of birth, place of birth, nationality
Current home address
Your own mobile number and email address
Details about your occupation and income
Information about your tax residency
A valid ID document for identity verification

Step by step: How the application works

The exact flow varies slightly between banks, but most applications follow a similar structure.

Step one: Enter your personal details

You’ll typically be asked for your name, date of birth, nationality, marital status and place of birth right at the start. Enter these exactly as they appear on your ID document – even small discrepancies can cause issues during identity verification later on.

Pay particular attention to names: double-barrelled first names like Jean-Paul or compound surnames like Valverde-Belmonte must be entered in full, including the hyphen. The same applies to surnames without a hyphen, for example Al Jameel. If you have multiple first names, you can usually leave out the second and any further ones – so Otto Eduard Leopold can simply be entered as Otto.

Step two: Enter your address and contact details

Provide your current home address, where you can reliably receive post. Your card, PIN letter and any other documents are usually sent separately and may arrive on different days.

Some forms also ask for a previous address, for example if you haven’t lived at your current address for very long. If that’s the case, think back to where you stayed before – perhaps at a friend’s place for a while, or in a hotel or guesthouse for a few nights. That would count as your previous address.

Your phone number matters more than you might think. Use a mobile number that belongs to you and that you’ll have long-term access to. In practice, this number often acts as the key to your account: it’s used for transaction authentication, security checks and account recovery. Losing access to it can make it pretty difficult to regain control of your account.

Step three: Describe your employment situation

Common options include Angestellte/r (employed), Beamtin/Beamter (civil servant), Studen (student), in Ausbildung (apprentice), Rentner/in (pensionist), Privatier (person living on private income) or Selbstständige/r (self-employed/freelancer). Choose whatever accurately reflects your situation.

Banks generally prefer applicants with a stable monthly income – for example employees, civil servants or retirees. Applicants without regular income or who are self-employed may face a lower approval rate at some banks. That doesn’t mean opening an account is impossible, but it may affect which banks are a good fit.

Note for Opportunity Card (Chancenkarte) holders: Since you are living off your savings during this period, the category “Privatier” is the accurate and appropriate choice.

Some forms also ask for your industry or field of work. If the options are broad, just pick the one that fits best.

Step four: Income and intended account use

Income details

Check whether the form is asking for net or gross income. If you have multiple regular sources of money coming in, for example a part-time job, payouts from a blocked account or regular government benefits, include everything that applies to the question being asked.

Cash transactions

Some banks ask whether you plan to deposit or withdraw cash through the account. Answer honestly. For larger or more frequent cash transactions, a business account is usually more appropriate than a personal current account.

International transfers

Some banks ask about planned transfers to countries outside the EU. Since sending money to non-EU countries through a regular bank account tends to be expensive and cumbersome, you’ll likely use a specialist service for that anyway – so you can enter 0 or select “none” here. [→ Guide to international money transfers coming soon]

Step five: Tax information

This section tends to look more complicated than it actually is. Most banks will ask whether you are tax-resident in another country. If you are, you’ll usually need to provide your TIN (Tax Identification Number) for that country.

A German tax ID (Steuer-ID) is not always required straight away. Many banks can obtain this information themselves through the relevant authority. If the field is not marked as mandatory, you can often leave it blank for now.

The general rule: optional fields can be left empty. Mandatory fields must always be completed.

Step six: Watch out for add-on products

Many banks offer additional products during the application process, like credit cards, savings accounts, investment accounts or overdraft facilities. Look carefully before activating any of these.

A bundle can seem convenient, but it isn’t automatically the best or cheapest option. It’s often smarter to open the current account on its own first and then consider any extras separately, at your own pace.

Step seven: Review your details and submit

Before you submit, take a moment to go through everything once more. Typos in your name, address or phone number often lead to delays or follow-up queries.

If the bank gives you the option to download your contract documents, use it. Even though the documents are usually sent by email as well, it’s worth saving the version that was in effect at the time you signed up.

At the final step, you’ll typically be asked to:

Confirm that you are opening the account for yourself and not on behalf of anyone else. This is part of anti-money laundering requirements and should not be taken lightly.
Consent to your data being shared with SCHUFA (Biggest German credit agency).
Choose whether you agree to be contacted by phone or email for marketing purposes. Read this carefully – ticking the wrong box can result in unwanted calls or promotional emails.

Once you’ve submitted the application, you’ll receive a confirmation email with an application number. Keep this somewhere safe.

Identity verification with POSTIDENT

Most banks in Germany use the POSTIDENT service provided by Deutsche Post for identity verification. The branch option is particularly recommended for non-German citizens, as most Deutsche Post branches accept foreign official ID documents and passports with a photo and machine-readable zone.

How it works at the branch

During or after the application, select identity verification via POSTIDENT at a branch.
You’ll receive a coupon or QR code – either directly in the process or by email.
Find a branch that offers POSTIDENT using Deutsche Post’s branch finder: https://www.deutschepost.de/de/s/standorte.html

Enter your address in the search field, then under “Filtern” (filter) and “Service” select “POSTIDENT durchführen” (POSTIDENT available). As you can see in the screenshot below, using Munich as an example, only a limited number of Post branches actually offer the POSTIDENT service, so it’s worth checking in advance.

Go to the counter and let the staff know you’d like to complete a POSTIDENT.
Show your coupon and your ID document. The coupon can be displayed on your smartphone screen and scanned directly – you don’t need to print it out. However, make sure you show the original digital coupon, not a screenshot, as screenshots can cause technical scanning issues.
Your details are recorded and forwarded to the bank.

Tip: If PostIdent is rejected at a branch – for example because an unfamiliar ID format causes uncertainty – it is worth visiting a different branch. Ultimately, the decision also lies with the person at the counter.

→ For a full overview of which ID documents are accepted and how other verification methods like VideoIdent work, see our guide to identity verification in Germany. [internal link – coming soon]

How long does it take afterwards?

The POSTIDENT itself is usually quick. After that, it may take a while before all your documents arrive. Your card, PIN letter and any other materials are typically sent separately and may arrive on different days. As a general rule, allow one to two weeks until everything has arrived and your account is fully set up.

Some accounts allow for partial activation sooner – this depends on the individual bank.

Common problems

Details don’t match the ID document → delays or rejection
Mobile number no longer accessible → restricted account access
Optional and mandatory fields confused → application can’t be submitted
Add-on products accidentally included → unexpected costs
Username and password arrive at different times → account appears not to be working

What to do after opening your account

Once you’ve received everything:

Activate your card (usually via the app, by phone or at a card terminal using your PIN)
Set up your banking app and test the security features
Store your login credentials somewhere safe
Update your salary, standing orders and direct debits to your new account
Consider any additional products like a credit card, savings account or investment account separately, when you’re ready

→ Once your account is set up, find out about the next possible steps in our overview of finances in Germany: Money and Bank Account – your financial foundation for getting started in Germany.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a German tax ID to open an account?

Not right away. Many banks can obtain this information themselves at a later stage. If the field isn’t marked as mandatory, you can leave it blank during the application.

What happens if I leave an optional field empty?

Optional fields can generally be left blank without any consequences. Mandatory fields must be completed, otherwise the application can’t be submitted.

How long does the whole process take?

The online application itself usually takes around 10 to 20 minutes. After that, allow time for identity verification, the bank’s internal review and the dispatch of your documents. All in all, plan for one to two weeks until your account is fully operational.

Can I use a foreign passport for POSTIDENT at a branch?

Yes. Deutsche Post accepts foreign official ID documents and passports with a photo and machine-readable zone alongside German IDs.

What if my POSTIDENT is refused at the branch?

Try a different branch. The outcome can depend on the individual member of staff at the counter.

Do I have to sign up for add-on products straight away?

No. It’s often better to open the current account on its own first and look into extras like a credit card or investment account later on, once you’ve had a chance to compare your options.

What if I change my phone number later?

Update it in your account before giving up the old number. The mobile number on file is often directly tied to your security procedures and account access.

Ready to go

Opening a German bank account is usually far less complicated than it looks at first. Once you have your details ready and know what to expect, the application itself goes quickly. The part that takes the most time is typically waiting for everything to arrive in the post – not filling out the form.

→ Welche Bank für deine Situation am besten passt, erfährst du in unserem Girokonto-Überblick. [interner Link Hub]