You cannot get paid, pay rent, or subscribe to a Deutschlandticket in Germany without a German bank account. It’s one of the first pieces of admin every Ausbildung trainee has to clear, and thankfully it’s also one of the more straightforward ones — if you know which type of account you actually need and what documents to bring.
Two different accounts, two different purposes
Don’t confuse a blocked account (Sperrkonto) with a regular current account (Girokonto) — they solve different problems. A Sperrkonto is sometimes required as part of the visa application itself, to prove you can support yourself financially before you have income in Germany; funds are locked and released in monthly instalments, and the required amount depends on your visa category and consulate, so check directly with the German mission handling your application rather than relying on a number you’ve seen online. A Girokonto is the everyday current account you’ll use once you arrive — for receiving your Ausbildung salary (Ausbildungsvergütung), paying rent, and setting up direct debits like your Deutschlandticket subscription. This guide is about the Girokonto, which is what almost every trainee needs after landing.
Option one: a digital-only bank (neobank)
Germany’s neobanks, such as N26, let you open a Girokonto entirely from your phone. According to N26’s own onboarding process, you need only a passport or national ID; identity verification happens over a live video call rather than an in-person appointment, and once verified you receive a working IBAN immediately, with a physical debit card following by post within a few business days. Their basic account has no monthly fee. The main advantage for newcomers is that some neobanks let you complete verification before you’ve registered a German address, provided you can supply a German mailing address for the card — useful if you want your account ready before you land, though you should confirm this directly with the bank, since requirements can change.
Option two: a traditional bank branch
Established German banks — savings banks (Sparkassen), cooperative banks (Volksbanken/Raiffeisenbanken), and the large private banks — still work largely the traditional way: you book an appointment, bring your documents in person, and open the account at a branch. This route usually requires your Anmeldung (proof of address registration) already completed, which is why most trainees open a neobank account first for immediate use and consider a traditional bank later if they want in-person branch service or a specific product like a savings account. Traditional banks generally verify identity either in person at the branch or through a Postident/Video-Ident process run via Deutsche Post, in addition to your passport and residence documents.
What you’ll be asked for
Across almost every bank, expect to provide: your passport, your Anmeldebestätigung (proof of address registration, covered in our accommodation guide), and often your Ausbildung contract or an enrolment/employment confirmation from your training company. Some banks also ask for your German tax ID (Steuer-ID), which is issued automatically by post a few weeks after you register your address — if you don’t have it yet when you open the account, most banks will let you add it later.
Fees to actually compare
Basic current accounts from most digital banks are free if you meet simple conditions (a minimum number of card transactions per month, for example). Traditional branch accounts more often carry a small monthly account-keeping fee unless you qualify for a fee waiver (common for apprentices and students, but you must ask — it’s rarely automatic). Before choosing, check each bank’s own current fee schedule on their website, since these change periodically and vary by account tier.
Setting up your salary and direct debits
Once your account is open, give your IBAN to your Ausbildung employer’s payroll department so your monthly Ausbildungsvergütung is paid in correctly, and set up SEPA direct debits for recurring costs — rent, your Deutschlandticket subscription, phone contract, and health insurance contribution if it isn’t deducted automatically from your stipend. Keep a small buffer in the account in the first month, since German payroll and first salary payments can occasionally lag behind your actual start date.
A note on German banking habits
Cash is still used more widely in Germany than in many countries, especially at smaller shops, markets, and some restaurants, though card and mobile payment acceptance has grown substantially in recent years. Carry a debit card and a small amount of cash rather than assuming contactless payment will always be accepted.
Get it right in week one
Bank account, address registration, and your Deutschlandticket subscription are the three pieces of admin that unlock almost everything else in your first month. If you want a checklist tailored to your specific training city, contact our team — we work with trainees through this exact sequence as part of our Ausbildung placement support.
Where this comes from
Blocked account rules are from the German Federal Foreign Office’s official page: auswaertiges-amt.de/sperrkonto. Digital account-opening details are from N26’s own onboarding information: n26.com.
