Opening a new current account (Girokonto) is quick. The hard part is moving your salary, rent, standing orders and direct debits to the new account. You do not have to do this alone: banks and savings banks (Sparkassen) are legally required to help you switch if you ask. This is called Kontenwechselhilfe, the account switching service (1)(2).
When the obligation applies
The switching service applies if both banks are based in Germany and both accounts are held in the same currency (1). If you move to a bank in another EU country, your current bank must still cooperate and give you, for example, the list of your standing orders. The foreign bank, however, is not obliged to help (2).
How the switch works
- You sign an authorisation for the switching service. Both banks must give you a form without delay if you ask, and you receive a copy (1). In it you decide which steps the banks take over and from which date the switch applies (1).
- Within two business days, the new bank asks the old bank to cooperate (1).
- Within five business days, the old bank sends you and the new bank a list of standing orders, information on direct debit mandates, and details of incoming transfers and direct debits from the past 13 months (1).
- Within five business days of receiving the lists, the new bank sets up the standing orders you want, accepts direct debits and tells, for example, your employer your new account details (1).
- On the agreed date, the old bank transfers any remaining positive balance and closes the old account. It may not block your cards before that date (1).
What switching costs
A bank may only charge a fee if you have agreed to it. The fee must be reasonable and based on the bank’s actual costs (1). Access to your data on standing orders and direct debits, sending the lists and closing the old account are always free of charge (1).
Practical tips
- Keep the old and the new account running side by side for a while (2).
- Check the lists and remove standing orders or direct debits you no longer need (2).
- If you suffer a loss because a bank breaks its obligations, the banks are liable to you (1)(2). You can complain to BaFin or to the bank’s arbitration body (Schlichtungsstelle) (2).
Read more: Guide: bank account – open, compare and switch. We do not give advice and do not recommend any particular bank. You make the decision yourself.
Sources (checked on 14 October 2026)
- Federal Ministry of Justice / gesetze-im-internet.de – Zahlungskontengesetz (ZKG), §§ 20–26
- Verbraucherzentrale – Banken müssen beim Kontowechsel helfen (as of 09.10.2026)