Banking
Germany — Banking: Best Banks
For foreigners, N26 and bunq are the most commonly recommended banks — free, fully English-language, and quick to set up. DKB offers a free debit card with free global ATM withdrawals but requires EU citizenship or German permanent residence and operates only in German. Sparkasse (a traditional branch-based bank network) charges a monthly fee (e.g. ~€6/month for Berliner Sparkasse) and requires an in-person branch visit to open, but is widely trusted and accepted everywhere including for Girocard payments.
VerifiedGovernment / official sourceExpat banking comparison surveys (All About Berlin, migaku, giromatch)Last reviewed: 2026-07-20
Key facts
- N26 and bunq: most recommended for foreigners — free, English-language, fast digital signup.
- DKB: free debit card with free global ATM withdrawals, but requires EU citizenship or German permanent residence; German-language only.
- Sparkasse: traditional branch-based bank, ~€6/month fee (varies by region), requires in-person account opening, widely accepted for Girocard payments.
- Choice often comes down to a tradeoff: neobank speed/English support vs. traditional bank's wider merchant/Girocard acceptance.
Costs
- Sparkasse monthly account fee (e.g. Berlin): ~€6/month
Common mistakes
- Applying to DKB without EU citizenship or German permanent residence — it's not available to most other visa holders.
- Choosing N26 for its English support without realizing it doesn't offer a Girocard, only a Mastercard, which some German shops don't accept.