Yes, but the bank will ask for proof you live here or have a reason to stay

A foreigner can open a bank account in Germany. Most banks will do it. What changes is what documents you need and how long the process takes. German banks are required by law to verify your identity and your reason for being in the country — they cannot open an account for someone they cannot identify, and they need to know whether you are a resident, a student, a worker on a temporary visa, or passing through.

The practical difference comes down to three things: whether you have a German address, whether you have a residence permit or work visa, and which bank you choose. Some banks make this straightforward. Others treat foreign applicants as higher risk and ask for more documents or refuse altogether. The fastest route is usually an online bank that accepts non-residents, or a traditional bank where you can show a German address and a valid visa or residence permit.

Key Takeaways

  • You will need a valid passport or ID card, proof of a German address (a rental contract or registration certificate), and proof of your legal status in Germany (a residence permit, work visa, or student visa).
  • Online banks like N26, Wise, and Revolut often process foreign applicants faster and with fewer documents than traditional banks.
  • Traditional banks like Deutsche Bank, Commerzbank, and Sparkasse require you to visit a branch in person and may ask for additional proof of income or employment.
  • The process typically takes one to three weeks from process to account opening, though online banks can be faster.
  • Some banks will not open accounts for people on tourist visas or with no fixed German address, so calling ahead to confirm is worth the time.

What documents you will need

Start with your passport or national ID card. German banks will not open an account without one. It must be valid — expired documents will be rejected. If your passport is from outside the EU, the bank will also want to see your residence permit or visa. This is not optional. German law requires banks to verify that you have the right to be in the country and to open a financial account.

Next, you need proof of a German address. This can be a rental contract, a lease agreement, or a registration certificate (Anmeldung) from your local registration office. If you are staying with a friend or family member, some banks will accept a letter from them confirming you live there, though this is less common. A few online banks will open accounts for non-residents without a German address, but they are the exception.

Third, bring proof of your legal status. If you are working, bring your employment contract or a letter from your employer. If you are a student, bring your university enrollment confirmation. If you are on a residence permit for family reasons or retirement, bring the permit itself. Tourists on a 90-day visa will find most banks unwilling to open an account, because the bank cannot reasonably expect you to maintain the account long-term.

Online banks versus traditional banks

Online banks process foreign applicants faster and usually ask for fewer documents. N26, Wise, and Revolut all accept non-EU residents and can open accounts in days rather than weeks. You upload your documents through their app, they verify your identity electronically, and the account is ready. The trade-off is that online banks offer fewer services — no physical branch, no cash deposits at a counter, no personal advisor. For someone who needs a basic account for salary deposits and online payments, this is usually enough.

Traditional banks like Sparkasse, Deutsche Bank, and Commerzbank require you to visit a branch in person. They will verify your documents face-to-face, ask questions about your employment and income, and may request additional proof — a recent payslip, a letter from your employer, or bank statements from your home country. The process takes longer, sometimes three weeks or more. But you get a physical branch where you can deposit cash, withdraw large amounts, and speak to someone if something goes wrong. If you are planning to stay in Germany for years, a traditional bank often makes more sense.

Some traditional banks have stopped opening accounts for non-residents altogether, citing compliance costs. If you call ahead and explain your situation, the bank can tell you when ready whether they will work with you. This saves you a wasted trip.

The timeline from process to account opening

Online banks are fastest. If you upload your documents in the morning and they verify you the same day, your account can be active by evening. More typically, it takes one to three business days. Wise and Revolut are usually on the faster end. N26 sometimes takes longer if they need to verify your address or if your documents are unclear.

Traditional banks take longer. You call or visit the branch, they schedule an appointment (sometimes same-day, sometimes a week out), you come in with your documents, they verify everything, and then they process the process. From the appointment to the account being active is usually five to ten business days. Some branches are faster; others are slower. It depends on how busy they are and how thoroughly they check your documents.

One thing to know: the bank will run a background check and verify your identity through official channels. This can add a few days. If your documents are unclear or if there is any discrepancy between your passport and your address registration, the bank will contact you to clarify. Plan for this to take time.

Banks that are known to accept foreign applicants

Online banks: N26 (accepts non-EU residents, account in one to three days), Wise (accepts non-residents, account in one to two days), Revolut (accepts non-residents, account in minutes to hours), Bunq (accepts non-residents, account in one to three days).

Traditional banks: Sparkasse branches vary by region, but many accept foreign applicants with a residence permit and German address. Deutsche Bank has a process for non-residents but is slower and more document-heavy. Commerzbank accepts foreign applicants but requires an appointment and proof of income. ING-DiBa (online division of ING) accepts non-residents but requires a German address.

This list changes. Banks update their policies, and individual branches make their own decisions. Before you spend time gathering documents, call the bank or check their website. Most have a phone line for account opening questions, and they can tell you in five minutes whether they will work with you.

What happens if you do not have a German address yet

If you are arriving in Germany and do not yet have an apartment, you have a few options. Some online banks (Wise, Revolut, Bunq) will open an account without a German address. You can use your home country address temporarily, then update it once you move. This is the fastest route if you need an account before you arrive.

If you want a traditional bank account, you will need to find a German address first. This usually means signing a rental contract or getting a room in shared housing. Once you have that, you can register with your local registration office (Bürgeramt) and get a registration certificate. This takes a few days. Then you can open the bank account.

Some people open an online account first (takes one to three days), then switch to a traditional bank once they have settled (takes another two to three weeks). This gives you access to money when ready while you sort out your housing and longer-term banking needs.

What to expect during the verification process

The bank will verify your identity by checking your passport against official records. They will confirm your address by checking your registration certificate or rental contract. They will verify your employment or student status by contacting your employer or university, or by asking you for proof. This is standard practice and is required by German banking law.

Some banks will also run a credit check or ask about your source of income. This is more common with traditional banks. They want to know that you are not a money-laundering risk and that you have a legitimate reason to be in Germany. If you are employed, bring your employment contract and a recent payslip. If you are a student, bring your enrollment letter. If you are self-employed or a freelancer, bring your registration with the tax office (Finanzamt) or a letter from your accountant.

If the bank cannot verify something, they will contact you. This can delay the process by a few days. If they cannot verify it at all, they will refuse to open the account. This is rare, but it happens if your documents are forged, if your visa is invalid, or if there is a mismatch between your documents and official records.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I open a German bank account on a tourist visa?

Most banks will not. A tourist visa is valid for 90 days, and banks are reluctant to open accounts for people who will leave the country soon. Some online banks like Wise or Revolut might do it, but you would need to ask first. If you are planning to stay longer, get a residence permit or work visa before explore.

Do I need a German tax number to open a bank account?

No. You need a valid passport, proof of address, and proof of legal status in Germany. A tax number (Steuernummer) is separate and is issued by the tax office if you work or are self-employed. The bank does not require it to open an account.

What if my passport is expired but my national ID card is valid?

Most banks will accept a valid national ID card instead of a passport. Check with the bank first, because some require a passport specifically. If your ID card is from outside the EU, the bank will still need to see your residence permit or visa.

Can I open an account by mail or video call if I cannot visit the branch?

Online banks do this routinely through their apps. Traditional banks rarely do. Some banks offer video identification (Videoident) as an alternative to visiting the branch in person, but you would need to ask. Most will still require you to come in at least once to verify your documents face-to-face.

How long can I keep the account if I leave Germany?

This depends on the bank. Some banks will close your account if you move away and no longer have a German address. Others will let you keep it as long as you maintain a minimum balance and do not violate their terms. Online banks are usually more flexible. Ask the bank what their policy is before you open the account.