How to open a German bank account as an international student. Compare N26, DKB, Commerzbank, Sparkasse. Sperrkonto, required documents, and fees explained.
As an international student in Germany, you need two separate bank accounts: a blocked account (Sperrkonto) with 11,904 EUR deposited before your visa application, and a regular current account (Girokonto) for daily use once you arrive. The best free Girokonto options for students are N26 (open fully online, no Anmeldung required), Commerzbank’s StartKonto (free under age 28), and ING’s free Girokonto. Monthly fees at these banks: 0 EUR. Most students have their account open and card in hand within 5-10 working days.
Banking in Germany works differently from many other countries. Cash is still widely used. SEPA transfers between eurozone banks are free. And you will use your German IBAN for almost everything: paying rent, receiving your Sperrkonto monthly allowance, paying health insurance, and getting any part-time job income. Getting your banking setup right in the first week saves headaches for months.
Most international students coming to Germany for Studienkolleg or university need two separate accounts:
If you are a non-EU/EEA citizen, you almost certainly need a Sperrkonto to get your German student visa. This is a special German bank account where you deposit 11,904 EUR (the 2026 requirement). The German embassy sees this as proof that you can support yourself financially during your studies.
How the Sperrkonto works:
The Sperrkonto is not a fee you lose. It is your own money, released to you monthly. Think of it as a mandatory savings account that proves your financial capacity to the German authorities.
You open the Sperrkonto before you arrive in Germany — completely online. Several German banks and financial services offer this. Open your Sperrkonto at least 6-8 weeks before your planned visa appointment to ensure you have confirmation documents in time.
For a full deep-dive on the Sperrkonto, see our blocked account (Sperrkonto) guide.
The Girokonto is your everyday bank account for:
You open your Girokonto after arriving in Germany. Some digital banks (N26, Wise) let you start the process before arrival, but you generally need a German address for the full account.
| Bank | Monthly Fee | Student Account? | Open Online? | English Support? | Free ATM Withdrawal |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| N26 | 0 EUR | No (standard free) | Yes (no Anmeldung) | Yes (full English) | 3x/month free, then 2 EUR |
| Commerzbank | 0 EUR | Yes (StartKonto, under 28) | Yes | Partial | Free at Commerzbank ATMs |
| ING | 0 EUR | No (free for all) | Yes (needs Anmeldung) | Partial | Free at 1,200+ ING ATMs |
| DKB | 0 EUR | No (free with 700 EUR/month income) | Yes (needs Anmeldung) | Partial | Free worldwide (active account) |
| Sparkasse | 0–10 EUR | Yes (free under 26 at many branches) | No (branch required) | No (German only) | Free at Sparkasse ATMs |
| Deutsche Bank | 0–6.90 EUR | Yes (free for students) | Partial | Partial | Free at Deutsche Bank ATMs |
N26 is a Berlin-based digital bank. It is the easiest account to open as a brand-new arrival in Germany:
N26’s Standard account does not include a free physical debit Mastercard anymore — you get a virtual card immediately and can order a physical card. Paid tiers (N26 Smart at 4.90 EUR/month, N26 You at 9.90 EUR/month) add features like travel insurance and more free withdrawals.
Best for: Students who want an account open on day one without needing a registered address.
Commerzbank is Germany’s second-largest bank with over 1,000 branches nationwide. Their StartKonto is:
Commerzbank requires Anmeldung (registered address) to open an account. So you need to register your address at the local Einwohnermeldeamt first, then open the account.
Best for: Students who want a traditional bank with physical branches and a free student account.
ING offers a completely free Girokonto with no conditions (no minimum income, no age limit):
ING requires Anmeldung and is a fully online bank — no physical branches. Their app works well, but customer service is in German.
Best for: Students who have already registered their address and want a no-fee account for the long term.
DKB (Deutsche Kreditbank) is popular with expats for one reason: free cash withdrawals worldwide. However, there is a catch: DKB’s free tier requires a regular income of at least 700 EUR/month or an active account (defined by regular transactions). Without meeting their activity criteria, some features are restricted.
Additionally, DKB traditionally required either EU citizenship or German permanent residence for new applicants — check their current requirements when applying.
Best for: Students with a regular part-time income who travel frequently and need free international ATM access.
Sparkasse is a network of regional savings banks — there is one in almost every German city. Each Sparkasse is independent, so fees and student account offers vary by region. Many offer free accounts for students under 26.
Best for: Students who prefer in-person banking and want to deposit cash easily.
Step 1: Register your address (Anmeldung) Within 2 weeks of arrival, go to your local Einwohnermeldeamt (residents’ registration office) and register your address. Bring:
You will receive a registration certificate (Anmeldebestätigung). This document is required by most banks.
Step 2: Gather your documents Standard documents required for a Girokonto:
Step 3: Apply online or in branch
Step 4: Activate your account and card Your debit card arrives by post within 5-10 business days. You will receive a PIN separately. Activate via the bank’s app or at an ATM.
Step 5: Set up your Sperrkonto payout Log into your Sperrkonto account and enter your new German IBAN. From this point, 992 EUR will be transferred to your Girokonto each month on the scheduled date.
IBAN stands for International Bank Account Number. Your German IBAN looks like this:
DE89 3704 0044 0532 0130 00
You will need your IBAN for almost every financial transaction in Germany: paying rent, setting up direct debits (Lastschrift), receiving salary, paying fees. Give it to your landlord, your Studienkolleg, and your health insurance provider immediately after opening your account.
SEPA (Single Euro Payments Area) is the eurozone’s unified payment system. It means that transferring money between banks within the SEPA zone (all EU countries plus several others) is treated like a domestic transfer:
Sending money from Germany to Turkey, India, China, or other non-eurozone countries is not a SEPA transfer. For those, use Wise (formerly TransferWise) to get better exchange rates and lower fees than traditional banks.
Girocard (formerly EC-Karte): Germany’s domestic debit card. Accepted at almost all German shops, supermarkets, and restaurants. Does not work internationally. Comes free with most traditional bank accounts.
Debit Mastercard/Visa: International debit card linked to your account balance. Works worldwide at ATMs and online. N26, ING, and some other banks issue these instead of Girocards.
Credit Card: Separate from your current account. Not usually needed for daily student life in Germany.
Most students do fine with just a Girocard (for German shops) and a Debit Mastercard (for online purchases and international use). N26 gives you only a Debit Mastercard — no Girocard — which is fine for daily use.
Germany is more cash-heavy than most countries. Many smaller restaurants, cafes, markets, and some doctors still accept cash only. Always carry 20-30 EUR cash.
Free ATM withdrawals:
If you use an ATM outside your bank’s network, expect a fee of 2-5 EUR per withdrawal.
German banking has become much cheaper in recent years thanks to digital banks. Here is a realistic fee overview:
| Cost | Amount |
|---|---|
| Account opening | 0 EUR (all major student banks) |
| Monthly account fee | 0 EUR (N26 Standard, Commerzbank StartKonto, ING) |
| Debit card | 0 EUR |
| SEPA transfer (within eurozone) | 0 EUR |
| ATM withdrawal (own network) | 0 EUR |
| ATM withdrawal (foreign network) | 2-5 EUR |
| International transfer (non-SEPA) | 5-15 EUR (use Wise instead) |
| Replacement card | 5-10 EUR |
| Overdraft (Dispo) | Not recommended for students |
Practical tip: Never use your German bank for international transfers. Always use Wise, which charges 0.4-1% vs. your bank’s 3-5%.
When you apply for a student visa at the German embassy, you must show:
The German embassy will not accept a regular bank balance statement as a substitute. You specifically need a Sperrkonto certificate from a recognized German provider.
For more on the visa process, see our student visa guide.
Once in Germany, you convert your visa into a residence permit (Aufenthaltserlaubnis) at the local Ausländerbehörde (immigration office). For this appointment, you will need your German bank account details to show ongoing proof of financial support. Your Sperrkonto statement and Girokonto details together serve this purpose.
Day 1-2: Anmeldung Register your address at the Einwohnermeldeamt. Bring your passport, visa, and rental contract or Wohnungsgeberbestätigung. Registration is free. You will receive your Anmeldebestätigung on the same day.
Day 3-5: Open your Girokonto If you already started an N26 account before arrival, activate it with your new German address. Otherwise, apply online with Commerzbank or ING, or visit your local Sparkasse branch.
Day 5-10: Card arrives Your debit card arrives by post. Activate it via the app or at an ATM.
Day 10: Set up automatic transfers
Ongoing: Track your spending 992 EUR/month from the Sperrkonto is designed to cover basic living costs. In cities like Munich or Hamburg, this barely covers rent (450-650 EUR) and leaves little for food and transport. Plan carefully, or consider part-time work during Studienkolleg breaks.
For a full breakdown of student living costs, see our complete cost breakdown for Studienkolleg.
As a Studienkolleg student, you can work up to 120 full days or 240 half days per year. Any income goes directly to your Girokonto via bank transfer. You will need your IBAN to give to employers.
Tax ID (Steueridentifikationsnummer): You receive this automatically by post within 2-4 weeks of registering your address. Give it to your employer. Without it, they will deduct taxes at the highest rate (45%) until you provide it.
Mini-Job (up to 556 EUR/month in 2026): Tax-free and social insurance-free. Many Studienkolleg students work mini-jobs at cafes, supermarkets, or as tutors.
For more on working during Studienkolleg, see our working during Studienkolleg guide.
Your health insurance payments come directly from your bank account. Public health insurance (gesetzliche Krankenversicherung) costs around 112 EUR/month for students under 30. You set up a monthly direct debit (Lastschrift) from your Girokonto when you enroll.
Do not delay enrolling in health insurance. German law requires you to be insured from your first day in Germany. For details, see our health insurance guide for Studienkolleg.
Your parents can send money to your IBAN via:
Use Wise for international transfers. It is significantly cheaper than using your German bank’s international transfer function. Wise charges 0.4-1% of the transfer amount, while banks typically charge 3-5% in hidden exchange rate markups plus a fixed fee.
For a Sperrkonto (blocked account for your visa): yes, and you must. This is done entirely online before you arrive. For a regular Girokonto: digital banks like N26 let you start the process from abroad. You can verify your identity online and have a virtual card ready before you land. However, you will need to update your address with a German address once you register (Anmeldung). Traditional banks (Commerzbank, ING, Sparkasse) require Anmeldung before opening an account.
With N26, you can have a functional account (with virtual card) in 10-30 minutes after identity verification. A physical card arrives in 5-7 business days. With Commerzbank or ING, the online application takes 20-30 minutes and the card arrives in 5-10 business days. With Sparkasse, you apply in-branch — the card usually arrives within 7-10 business days.
It depends on your situation. If you want the fastest setup without needing a registered address: N26 is best. If you want a traditional bank with branches: Commerzbank’s StartKonto (free under 28) is excellent. If you travel a lot and need free international ATM withdrawals: DKB (check their current requirements). For the long term with no conditions: ING’s free Girokonto.
No. Most students manage perfectly well with just a Girocard or Debit Mastercard. German shops and supermarkets work with debit cards. For online purchases, a Debit Mastercard (which N26 gives you) works everywhere. Credit cards carry risks of debt for students on tight budgets and are not necessary.
If you leave Germany before the 12 months are up, the remaining balance in your Sperrkonto can be transferred back to your home bank account. The process typically takes 2-4 weeks and requires closing the account with proper documentation. You do not lose the money — it is always your own funds.
N26 is fully in English. DKB’s app is primarily in German, though they have added some English sections. ING’s app is in German. Commerzbank has partial English support. If English-language banking is important to you, N26 is the clear choice.
A Lastschrift is a direct debit authorization — you give your IBAN to a company (your landlord, health insurance, phone provider) and they automatically debit the agreed amount each month. You must authorize this once in writing or online. If you want to cancel it, you can dispute a Lastschrift within 8 weeks at your bank. Most German bills — rent, insurance, gym memberships — work via Lastschrift.
Yes. German banks use strong security standards. Online banking typically uses a combination of password login and a second factor (TAN code via SMS, app push notification, or a TAN generator device). Never share your TAN or password with anyone. Never use public WiFi without a VPN for banking transactions.
A Girocard (formerly called EC-Karte) is Germany’s domestic debit card system. It works in Germany and nearby countries but not globally. A Debit Mastercard is an international card linked to your account — it works worldwide at ATMs and for online purchases. Most digital banks (N26, ING with their newer accounts) issue Debit Mastercards. Traditional banks (Sparkasse, Deutsche Bank) issue Girocards and may offer a separate Mastercard.
The Sperrkonto releases 992 EUR/month in 2026. This is the official minimum. In practice, you need:
In cities like Leipzig or Halle, 992 EUR/month is workable. In Munich or Frankfurt, you need additional income or family support on top of the Sperrkonto monthly release. See our complete cost breakdown for city-by-city comparisons.
Get your Studienkolleg sorted first — then your banking will follow.
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