TL;DR: Germany's best online banks in 2025 are N26 (English-language mobile bank, BaFin full banking licence, 100,000 euro deposit protection, zero foreign transaction fees, Wise international transfers in-app, accepts most nationalities), DKB (Deutsche Kreditbank, consistently rated the best overall German bank account by German consumer media, free global Visa debit card, zero ATM fees worldwide, requires positive Schufa and 700 euros monthly income), ING Germany (Germany's most popular bank by customer satisfaction, free Girokonto for active users, competitive savings rates, German-language only), bunq (Dutch-licenced, full English support, German IBAN, 100,000 euro deposit protection, 3 euros per month minimum, eco-friendly), and Tomorrow (German IBAN, Solarisbank-backed, sustainability focus, full English support, from zero euros per month). For expats, English speakers, and newcomers without Schufa, N26 and bunq are the most accessible. For long-term German residents comfortable with German-language banking, DKB and ING offer the strongest value.
Germany's Online Banking Market in 2025
Germany is culturally known for its strong cash usage and traditional banking preferences, with Sparkassen (savings banks), cooperative Volksbanken and Raiffeisenbanken, and major commercial banks including Deutsche Bank, Commerzbank, and Postbank maintaining extensive branch networks and deep customer relationships. Monthly fees of 3 to 10 euros for traditional branch bank current accounts remain common. Digital banks have grown substantially in Germany by addressing the specific combination of frustrations that German consumers increasingly articulate: monthly account maintenance fees, limited app functionality compared to modern neobank interfaces, limited ATM access outside the Cash Group or Sparkasse ATM networks, and high fees for international card transactions. The regulatory framework for German banking is supervised by BaFin (Federal Financial Supervisory Authority) and the Deutsche Bundesbank. All banks licensed in Germany are members of one of the German deposit protection fund systems, providing 100,000 euros in EU-mandated deposit guarantee scheme coverage as a minimum with some German banks offering extended voluntary protection above this threshold. For foreign residents and expats in Germany, the language barrier is a genuine practical challenge: DKB, ING Germany, and Comdirect conduct all banking services entirely in German, making N26, bunq, and Tomorrow the primary recommendations for customers who need English-language banking.
Key Documents Needed to Open a German Bank Account
Opening a German bank account, whether at an online bank or a traditional institution, requires a valid passport or national ID for identity verification. Most online banks use video identification through providers such as IDnow, VideoIdent, or WebIdent to verify identity without requiring a branch visit. Major online banks including DKB and ING Germany additionally require an Anmeldungsbestatigung (proof of registration at a German address, also called Meldebescheinigung), which must be obtained from the local residents' registration office (Einwohnermeldeamt or Burgeramt) after physically moving to Germany. This address registration requirement creates a practical challenge for new arrivals who have not yet completed their German registration. N26, bunq, and Tomorrow do not require a Meldebescheinigung for account opening, accepting identity verification through a passport alone, making them the most accessible options for people who need a German bank account before completing administrative registration. A German tax identification number (Steueridentifikationsnummer) is assigned automatically to German residents and is required by some banks for tax reporting on interest income.
N26: Best English-Language Bank for Newcomers and Expats
N26, founded in Vienna in 2013 by Valentin Stalf and Maximilian Tayenthal, is headquartered in Berlin and holds a full German banking licence from BaFin, providing 100,000 euro deposit protection through the German Deposit Protection Fund. It was the first neobank to receive a full EU banking licence and now serves approximately 8 to 10 million customers across 24 European markets. For expats and newcomers in Germany, N26's primary advantage is its complete English-language experience: account opening, mobile app, online banking interface, customer support, and all documentation are available in English, French, German, Italian, and Spanish. Most German banks, including DKB and ING Germany, conduct all banking operations exclusively in German. N26 does not require a Meldebescheinigung for account opening, accepting identity verification through passport scan and video call alone. The Standard account has no monthly fee. The physical debit Mastercard is available from the Smart plan at 4.90 euros per month onward. N26 Standard account holders receive two free ATM withdrawals per month within the eurozone, with a 2 euro fee per subsequent withdrawal. N26 charges no foreign transaction fees on card spending outside the eurozone. Its partnership with Wise enables in-app international money transfers to 19 currencies at significantly lower rates than traditional bank wire fees. For newcomers to Germany who need immediate account access with English support and without the Meldebescheinigung requirement, N26 is the most practical first account choice.
DKB (Deutsche Kreditbank): Best Overall German Digital Bank
Deutsche Kreditbank (DKB) is consistently rated the best overall German bank account by German consumer media including Euro Magazin and Finanztest, the consumer finance publication of Stiftung Warentest. It operates as an online-only bank, a subsidiary of Bayerische Landesbank, with a full German banking licence and BaFin supervision. DKB's Girokonto account, free for active users with a monthly incoming payment of at least 700 euros, provides a global Visa debit card that charges zero fees on ATM withdrawals anywhere in the world, with DKB often also covering ATM operator fees charged by foreign ATMs. This unlimited global ATM withdrawal benefit is unique among German bank accounts and of particular practical value for frequent travelers and expats who withdraw cash internationally. The DKB app is available with English language support. DKB requires a Meldebescheinigung (proof of German address registration) and typically requires a positive Schufa credit score from established German residents, making it less accessible for new arrivals without established German credit history. All banking services and the website are primarily in German. For German residents who have completed registration, have a Schufa profile, and receive regular income, DKB represents the best combination of zero account fees, the strongest global ATM access, and competitive supplementary banking products.
ING Germany: Germany's Most Popular Online Bank
ING Germany, a subsidiary of the Dutch ING Group and operating as a full German-licenced bank with BaFin supervision, is the most popular online bank in Germany by customer count and has been recognised as the best overall bank in multiple German consumer surveys. Its Girokonto is free for account holders who receive at least 700 euros monthly or hold a minimum balance. ING Germany offers competitive savings rates on its Tagesgeld (daily savings account), ETF savings plans through its brokerage service, and mortgages. It charges 1 euro per month for the Visa debit card. All ING Germany services, including the mobile app, online banking, and customer support, are exclusively in German, making it inaccessible as a practical option for customers who do not speak German. ING Germany does not accept applications without a German address registration. For German-speaking residents who want the market-leading customer satisfaction scores and a complete German banking relationship at low cost, ING Germany is the strongest option among German domestic online banks.
Tomorrow: Best for Eco-Conscious Banking in Germany
Tomorrow is a Hamburg-based fintech affiliated with Solarisbank, a German-licensed bank, offering current accounts with a strong environmental and ethical mission. Every card transaction plants a tree in certified reforestation projects. The account card is made from FSC-certified wood rather than plastic. Tomorrow provides a German IBAN, full English-language support, account opening without a Meldebescheinigung through passport-based video identification, and Visa debit card access. Plans start at zero euros per month for a basic digital-only account and progress to paid tiers at 7 euros and 15 euros per month with increasing sustainability commitments and banking features. Tomorrow does not require a Schufa check for its basic accounts. Deposit protection is provided through Solarisbank's German banking licence up to 100,000 euros. For environmentally conscious expats or newcomers in Germany who want English-language digital banking with an ethical banking mission, Tomorrow provides a differentiated product that N26 and bunq do not match in terms of transparent sustainability credentials and reporting.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best online bank in Germany for expats?
For expats who need English-language banking without a German address registration requirement, N26 and bunq are the two strongest options. N26 provides a full German banking licence with 100,000 euro BaFin deposit protection, complete English support, Wise-powered international transfers, and no Meldebescheinigung requirement for account opening. bunq provides a German IBAN from its Dutch-licensed banking entity with full English support. For expats who have completed German address registration, DKB's zero global ATM withdrawal fees and strong account features make it the preferred long-term account once Schufa eligibility is established.
Which German bank has the best app for non-German speakers?
N26 provides the most complete English-language mobile banking experience of any bank with a German presence, with full account management, customer support, and documentation available in English, French, Spanish, and Italian as well as German. bunq and Tomorrow also provide complete English-language app and support experiences. DKB and ING Germany, despite their strong product features, operate exclusively in German across all customer touchpoints, making them impractical for non-German speakers without translation assistance.
Do I need an Anmeldung to open a bank account in Germany?
Not with all providers. DKB and ING Germany require a Meldebescheinigung (proof of German address registration, also called Anmeldung) as part of their account opening process. N26, bunq, and Tomorrow do not require German address registration for account opening, making them accessible to newly arrived residents who have not yet completed the Burgeramt registration process. Wise also provides a European IBAN account without requiring German residency registration, making it a practical interim solution for very recent arrivals who need banking access immediately.
What is a Schufa score and does it affect opening a German bank account?
The Schufa score is Germany's primary consumer credit reference database, maintained by Schufa Holding AG, which records credit history, payment defaults, and financial conduct data for German residents. DKB requires a positive Schufa score and minimum monthly income for its free account tier. ING Germany also references Schufa for some account types. N26, bunq, and Tomorrow do not perform Schufa checks for their standard accounts, making them accessible to newcomers who have not yet established a German credit history. New residents typically begin accumulating a Schufa record after completing German address registration and opening German bank accounts and mobile phone contracts over time.
Which German bank has the best global ATM access?
DKB's Girokonto provides the best global ATM access of any German bank account, with zero DKB fees on ATM withdrawals anywhere in the world and DKB often covering the operator fees charged by foreign ATMs as well. This makes it the preferred account for frequent international travelers based in Germany. N26 Standard account holders receive two free monthly ATM withdrawals within the eurozone and pay 2 euros per additional withdrawal. Revolut's Standard account allows up to 200 euros per month in fee-free ATM withdrawals globally. For customers who need unlimited global ATM access with no fees, DKB is the definitive recommendation.
Sources
All About Berlin: Best Banks in Germany: https://allaboutberlin.com/guides/best-bank-germany
How to Germany: Best Bank Accounts for Expats: https://www.how-to-germany.com/bank-accounts/
DKB Official Website: https://www.dkb.de
SimpleGermany: Best German Bank for English Speakers: https://www.simplegermany.com/best-german-bank-english-speakers/
Settle in Berlin: Best German Bank Account for Foreigners: https://www.settle-in-berlin.com/german-bank-account/
Tomorrow Bank Official Website: https://www.tomorrow.one
