Right to a basic account: even without a fixed address
In brief
Salary, rent, electricity and phone bills in Germany almost always go through a current account (Girokonto). Anyone lawfully staying in the EU is in principle entitled to a basic account (Basiskonto), including people without a fixed address, asylum seekers and people with a Duldung (2).
“Free” is not always free: many free accounts require a regular incoming payment, and the Girocard, cash withdrawals, paper transfers or statements can cost extra (1).
This page explains terms and steps. We do not advise which account to open; the decision is yours.
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We do not broker accounts. The intermediary is the provider named in the calculator. The calculator is in German; the terms in the table “What to prepare” will help you fill it in. An independent overview of current accounts is also offered by the BaFin account comparison (Kontenvergleich) (1).
What to prepare
| Item | German term |
|---|---|
| Valid ID: passport, identity card or substitute document (1) | Ausweisdokument |
| Address; for a basic account a postal address is enough, e.g. at relatives or an advice centre (2) | Anschrift / Postanschrift |
| Purpose of the account; the bank must ask about it (1) | Kontozweck |
| Proof of income, if the bank asks for it (1) | Gehaltsnachweis |
| Smartphone with camera if you open the account online (1) | Videoident / Postident |
| Your previous bank and IBAN if you switch | bisherige Bankverbindung |
Refugees from Ukraine without a valid passport or ID card can present a Ukrainian identity document together with a document from a German authority, e.g. Anlaufbescheinigung, Fiktionsbescheinigung or Meldebescheinigung (3).
What to look at
- Account fee (Kontoführungsentgelt). Check the conditions under which an account is free, and read the price and service list (Preis- und Leistungsverzeichnis) before signing (1).
- Cards and cash. The Girocard, a credit card and cash withdrawals can cost extra (1).
- Overdraft (Dispo). An arranged overdraft is a loan you have no right to; the rate is variable. BaFin calls it the most expensive way to borrow money short-term, and an unarranged overdraft (geduldete Überziehung) is usually even more expensive (1).
- Deposit protection (Einlagensicherung). Balances are protected by law up to 100,000 euros per customer and bank. Providers outside the EU carry an additional risk (1).
Steps
- Think about what you need the account for (salary, rent, online shopping) and whether you prefer a branch or online banking.
- Compare fees and conditions in the calculator above or in the BaFin account comparison (Kontenvergleich). You enter the details yourself.
- Read the price list and the terms and conditions (AGB) before signing (1).
- Open the account: at a branch with your ID, at direct banks usually via Videoident or Postident (1).
- If you switch: ask the new bank for switching assistance (Kontowechselhilfe). It requests standing orders, direct debits and the incoming payments of the last 13 months from the old bank (4).
- Keep both accounts open for a while and check that all payments have been moved (4).
Your rights in brief
- Basic account: the bank must offer an account within 10 business days of a complete application. It may refuse only in a few cases set by law, e.g. if you already have a payment account in Germany (2).
- If the bank refuses, you can request a free administrative procedure (Verwaltungsverfahren) at BaFin (2).
- For particularly vulnerable customers the bank must provide general information about the basic account, sometimes in other languages (3).
- Switching assistance: the old bank must deliver the information within 5 business days; the new bank sets up standing orders within 5 business days of receiving it (4).
- You can close a current account at any time; an agreed notice period may be at most one month (1).
- Protected account (P-Konto): the bank must convert your account into a P-Konto free of charge; it may not cost more than a normal account (1).
Please note
This page provides general information and points to a comparison. We do not advise, do not broker accounts and do not recommend any specific bank. You fill in the comparison yourself and conclude the contract directly with the bank. If you open an account through the comparison, we may receive a commission.
Sources (checked 11 October 2026, in German)
- BaFin – Girokonto: Alles, was Sie wissen müssen (as of 17 Jul 2026)
- BaFin – Basiskonto
- Verbraucherzentrale – Das Recht auf ein Basiskonto für neu in Deutschland Angekommene (as of 11 Jul 2025)
- Verbraucherzentrale – Banken müssen beim Kontowechsel helfen (as of 9 Oct 2026)