Compare bank accounts in Germany.
24 live bank accounts offers tracked across 17 German providers, with monthly fees from Price on request. Data current as of 23 October 2026 and updated daily from the Giraffy database.
24 live offers compared from 17 providers. Updated daily.
Price on request
Price on request
Price on request
Price on request
Price on request
Price on request
Price on request
Price on request
Price on request
Price on request
Price on request
Price on request
Price on request
Price on request
Price on request
Price on request
Price on request
Price on request
Price on request
Price on request
Price on request
Price on request
Price on request
Price on request
A German current account is called a Girokonto, and it is the anchor of everyday finances: receiving salary, paying rent, setting up direct debits (Lastschrift) and standing orders (Dauerauftrag), and holding the Girocard used for point-of-sale payments and ATM withdrawals. The Girocard replaced the older EC-Karte branding but performs the same role. Every account comes with an IBAN for SEPA transfers across the eurozone.
Accounts split broadly into free (kostenlos) accounts and fee-based (kontoführungsgebühr) accounts. Many free accounts attach a condition, typically a minimum monthly deposit (Geldeingang), while others waive fees for younger customers or students.
Germany has a three-pillar banking system: private banks (Deutsche Bank, Commerzbank, Targobank), public savings banks (Sparkassen), and cooperative banks (Volksbanken and Raiffeisenbanken). Alongside these sit direct banks such as ING Germany, DKB, Comdirect and Norisbank, which operate largely online with lower or no account fees. Newer players such as Trade Republic and N26 have pushed further into app-first banking.
Cash and the Girocard have historically dominated over credit cards, though contactless and mobile wallets have grown quickly. A branch network still matters to some customers, which is where Sparkassen and the large private banks retain an advantage over app-only providers.
Salary and bills in one place — Your Girokonto handles Geldeingang, rent, utilities and subscriptions through SEPA direct debits and standing orders.
Free banking is realistic — Direct banks such as DKB, ING and Comdirect offer accounts with no monthly fee, often tied to a minimum deposit or an active-use condition.
Girocard plus digital wallets — Most accounts issue a Girocard and support Apple Pay and Google Pay, so you can pay in-store and online.
Right to a basic account — The Basiskonto guarantees everyone, including those without a fixed address or with impaired credit, access to a payment account.
Eurozone reach — SEPA transfers in euros are treated like domestic payments across participating countries.
Start with the fee structure: is the account genuinely free, or free only above a monthly deposit threshold? Check ATM access, because free cash withdrawals depend on the bank's network or partner cash groups. If you travel or shop abroad, look at foreign withdrawal and card fees.
Consider whether you value branches or prefer an app-only experience, and check what cards are bundled, since some accounts include only a Girocard while a credit or debit card may cost extra. Finally, weigh sign-up incentives against the long-term terms rather than the headline bonus alone.
ING Germany — A large direct bank offering a widely used free Girokonto with a deposit condition. DKB — A direct bank popular for its active-account model and card benefits. Comdirect — Part of the Commerzbank group, known for its brokerage-linked account. Deutsche Bank and Commerzbank — Full-service private banks with branch networks. Targobank and Norisbank — Established retail banks. Trade Republic — An app-first provider that expanded from brokerage into everyday banking features.
Monthly account fees range from zero at many direct banks to roughly 5 to 12 euros at branch-based accounts, though fees are frequently waived above a set monthly Geldeingang. Additional costs can include fees for a physical credit or debit card, charges for cash withdrawals outside the bank's network, and foreign transaction fees when paying in non-euro currencies. Students and younger customers often qualify for fee waivers, and some banks run temporary opening bonuses.
Banks are supervised by BaFin, Germany's financial regulator. Deposits are protected under the statutory Einlagensicherung up to 100,000 euros per customer per bank, and many private banks belong to an additional voluntary scheme that raises protection well above that floor. New accounts require identity verification, and providers run a Schufa check when opening an account or issuing credit. The Basiskonto right ensures access to a basic payment account for everyone.
Is the Girocard the same as the old EC-Karte? Yes, Girocard is the current name for Germany's domestic debit scheme.
Can I get an account for free? Often yes, though free accounts usually require a minimum monthly deposit or regular use.
What is a Basiskonto? A legally guaranteed basic bank account available to anyone, including people with no fixed address or poor credit history.
Are my savings protected? Yes, up to 100,000 euros per bank under statutory deposit protection, often more through voluntary schemes.
Typical requirements are a government-issued photo ID (passport or national ID card) and proof of address (utility bill or bank statement dated within 3 months). Some banks in Germany also require a proof of income or an employment letter. Digital-only banks often verify identity entirely via an app — no branch visit needed.
Many banks in Germany now offer fully digital account opening via their app or website, completed in minutes. You'll upload your ID documents and in some cases do a short video verification. Traditional high-street banks may still require an in-person appointment for certain account types.
Yes — the German deposit guarantee scheme protects up to €100,000 per person, per bank. Check that your chosen bank is BaFin-regulated before depositing. If you hold more than the limit, spread balances across separate banking licences to keep everything covered.
A current account is for everyday spending — it comes with a debit card, direct debits, and a local bank identifier (sort code, IBAN, or BSB depending on your market). A savings account is designed to hold money you don't need immediately and usually pays a higher interest rate, but may limit the number of monthly withdrawals.
Challenger banks are digital-first institutions — examples include Monzo, Revolut, and N26 across Europe, Chime and SoFi in the US, and neobanks like STC Pay in the Gulf. They're generally safe — most are BaFin-regulated and offer the same deposit protection as traditional banks — but check the specific licence before depositing large sums.
Digital accounts typically open within 10–30 minutes once your identity is verified. Traditional bank accounts may take 1–5 working days after in-branch verification. International or business accounts sometimes take longer due to enhanced due diligence requirements.
Giraffy tracks 24 current account options across 17 banks in Germany. Many accounts are free; premium or packaged accounts charge a monthly fee and include benefits like travel insurance or breakdown cover. Filter by 'No Monthly Fee' to find free options.