Month 1
Time
15 min (digital) – 1 hour (branch)
Cost
€0 to 10/mo
Difficulty
Easy
What to bring
Passport
Anmeldung (for traditional banks)
A German address and phone number
Not needed: An Anmeldung, for digital banks like N26
Our pick
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Do it
- 1
Open a digital account first
Set up N26 on your phone with just a passport so you have a working DE IBAN from day one.
- 2
Verify your identity
Use video-ident or PostIdent. Digital banks verify in-app; traditional banks do it in branch or at a post office.
- 3
Add a traditional account if you need a Girocard
Once registered, open a DKB or Sparkasse account for a Girocard, a few shops and landlords still insist on it.
- 4
Set up your direct debits
Point your rent, insurance, gym and Rundfunkbeitrag at your IBAN. SEPA direct debit is how Germany pays for almost everything.
Words you'll hear
Girocard (EC-Karte)
Germany's domestic debit card. Still the only card some bakeries, bars and Bürgerämter accept, carry cash too.
Common questions
Is N26 a "real" German bank?
Yes. it's a licensed German bank with a German IBAN. The only gap is the lack of a classic Girocard, which a handful of places still require.
Why do I keep getting asked for a Girocard?
Some bakeries, bars and offices only take Germany's domestic debit card. Carry cash, and add a Girocard-issuing account if it keeps happening.
Full checklist tracking and task completion live in the Settli app for Berlin.