Best Bank Accounts in Germany for Expats (2026)

Compare the best German bank accounts for expats. From free digital banks to established local institutions, here is everything you need to know about banking in Germany. Updated March 2026.

Tax note for Germany: Germany applies a 25% Kapitalertragsteuer (withholding tax) plus 5.5% solidarity surcharge on interest and investment income. You can file a Freistellungsauftrag with your bank to exempt the first 1,000 EUR per person (2,000 EUR for couples) from withholding. Non-resident tax status may affect your obligations.

Our pick for Germany

Wise — Real exchange rate, no hidden fees

Trusted by 16M+ people worldwide. Send, spend, and receive in 40+ currencies at the real mid-market rate. Multi-currency account with local bank details in 10+ countries. No monthly fees.

Open free Wise account

Free to create an account. Fees apply to transfers and card usage.

Bank comparison for Germany

Bank	Monthly fee	Card fee	ATM withdrawals	FX fee	Best for
Wise	0 EUR	7 EUR (one-time)	2 free/mo, then 0.50 EUR	0.33-0.6%	International transfers	Open account
Revolut	0 EUR (free plan)	0 EUR	200 EUR free/mo	0% (weekdays)	All-in-one app
N26	0 EUR (Standard)	0 EUR	3 free/mo, then 2 EUR	1.7%	Free German IBAN
DKB	0 EUR	0 EUR	Unlimited free (Visa)	0% (Aktivkunde)	Free ATM withdrawals
ING Germany	0 EUR (700+ EUR income)	0 EUR	Unlimited free (Visa, 50+ EUR)	1.99%	Salary account
bunq	0 EUR (Easy Money)	9.99 EUR (one-time)	Limited	Real-time rate	Green banking

How we chose these banks

We evaluated over 20 banks available to expats in Germany, focusing on monthly fees, card costs, ATM networks, foreign exchange markups, ease of account opening for non-German nationals, and app quality. We also considered Einlagensicherung (deposit protection) coverage, which protects up to 100,000 EUR per person per institution under EU rules.

All banks listed accept applications from EU/EEA nationals with Anmeldung (registration). DKB and ING may require a German address and Anmeldung, while N26, Wise, and Revolut can often be opened with just a passport and any EU address.

What to look for as an expat in Germany

German IBAN (DE) -- Some landlords and employers require a German IBAN. N26, DKB, and ING all provide DE IBANs. Wise and Revolut provide Belgian (BE) IBANs, which legally must be accepted but sometimes cause friction.
Anmeldung requirement -- Traditional banks like DKB and ING require your Anmeldung (city registration). Digital banks like N26 can be opened before you register.
Schufa score -- Germany uses the Schufa credit scoring system. Opening a bank account and paying bills on time helps build your score, which you will need for renting, phone contracts, and loans.
Girocard vs. Visa/Mastercard -- Many German shops still only accept Girocard (EC-Karte). DKB and ING provide both Girocard and Visa. N26 only provides Mastercard, which is not accepted everywhere.
Cash culture -- Germany is more cash-dependent than other European countries. Choose a bank with good ATM access.

Calculate your Germany salary first

Know exactly how much you take home after Lohnsteuer, Sozialversicherung, and Solidaritatszuschlag before deciding how to manage your money.

Germany salary calculator