As a British expat, you are able to open a German bank account, but you may find it slightly more challenging than it is done with the EU citizens.
You, as a non-EU national, will have to present evidence of a German address, your ID and valid visa and/or residence permit. Not all banks are expat-friendly and some might even refuse you to open an account when you have no proof of a financial past in Germany.
Do you qualify to open an account as an international student
How to open a bank account in Germany as a student is pretty similar to the procedure of opening a bank account to travellers and expats.
Ideally, you would want to find out banks that provide student specific accounts. These will tend to provide free banking, as well as other perks and amenities favorable to students.
You will have to use a valid ID and documentation of your student status to be able to apply to one of these student accounts.
Which documents should you have to open a German bank account
Time to do the paperwork now and you will have to apply to your new German bank account. The list of requirements can be different in each bank, however, most usually you will require the following:
- An entry permit or residence permit.
- Address/registration (Anmeldung) proof.
- Proof of income/employment (as most banks will require it depending on the account you are opening).
- SCHUFA credit rating (this will be needed by some banks).
- Evidence as to your student status (in case you are applying to a student account).
- ID Proof
The best you can offer is your UK passport as a photo identification and all the banks would accept it as a form of identification.
Visa/residence permit
In addition to your ID, you will also be required to present your visa to get in the country.
It can also be hard (though not impossibly hard) to open a bank account in Germany without a residence permit.
Anmeldung residence/registration proof
Anmeldung document is a registration certificate that can confirm that you are residing in a given address. Then there is another document known as a Meldebescheinigung that shows that you are still living in the same place.
The Anmeldung happens only once, but a new Meldebescheinigung can be demanded any time. At your local Burgeramt (citizen office), you can apply to get the documentation you require.
Income/employment evidences
This will not be necessary by all the banks but some might insist on seeing evidence of your annual/monthly income and employment. What exactly the bank will accept you will need to find out but the following should be adequate:
- Bank statements of late.
- Pay slips.
- A letter by your employer.
- SCHUFA credit rating.
In Germany, the SCHUFA is a credit rating that is used by banks and other lenders to determine the creditworthiness of the applicant. This can only be obtained after you have lived in the country some time and had a German bank account previously if you are a foreign national. When this is the case, you can go online to apply and download it at a fee.
You may also have to produce some other evidence that you are financially reliable to newcomers. An example is an official letter of your existing bank in the UK.
Student status proof
When opening a student account, you probably will be requested to provide some document that will prove your status as a student. As an illustration, an acceptance letter without conditions, given by your college or university.
Person-signing-a-contract
So you just moved to Germany and wondering how to open an account online, here is a brief overview of the procedure:
- Visit the web site of your preferred bank and download the form of Girokonto application and print it out.
- Identify yourself. Gather your filled out application form, filled out a PostIdent form, your passport and Anmeldung/Meldebescheinigung and take them to your local Deutsche Post.
- Fill in an application form and a signed ID verification at one of the banks of your choice.
- Wait to be confirmed.
As a foreign national though, and especially if you have not got your Anmeldung/Meldebescheinigung yet, you may find it handier to visit a bank branch in person. Hopefully there will be an English speaking customer service person available to help you through the process. It will also allow you the possibility to identify yourself physically, without having to undergo the process of identification called ‘PostIdent’.
Your best bet is to use an appointment at your preferred bank ahead of time in order to avoid the queues.
Opennng a bank account online in Germany even when you are not a resident of the country
Unless you already live in Germany, you probably will not be in a position to open a bank account online. That is because in order to have a bank account, most banks need a residence permit and above all that all-important proof of a German address.
Therefore, you might have to wait until you have relocated to Germany, to open your new account.
Is it possible to open a bank account in Germany without Anmeldung or without residence permit
In the event that you lack either of the two documents related to residence, then it is advisable that you seek a bank that has non-resident accounts. Approximately 1.5% + additional charge on other global transfers.
Is it possible to obtain free bank account in Germany
There are banks that one can open an account in Germany without paying monthly fees. There are also banking institutions that provide fee-free student accounts or the basic bank accounts that have few services and no monthly fees.
You can also view these posts:
Getting Germany’s passport
Things to know before immigrating to Germany
Frequently Asked Questions on Germany
