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Summary: In Germany the law gives most legal residents the right to a basic bank account (Basiskonto); banks cannot refuse an application without a legal reason. This matters greatly for people with a negative Schufa or without documents and a fixed address.
What is a Basiskonto?
A simple current account for everyday payments: receiving salary and benefits, cash withdrawals, SEPA transfers, standing orders, a debit card. It has no overdraft (Dispo) and no classic credit card; it works on the balance. It is not free but the fee must be “reasonable”; prices range from €0 to about €7 per month. For details on ordinary accounts: bank account guide.
Who is entitled?
- Legal residents of the EU and people with a valid residence permit.
- Asylum seekers with an Aufenthaltsgestattung and holders of a Duldung.
- Homeless people, people with a negative Schufa, in private insolvency or with an account seizure.
You are not entitled if you already have a usable current account in Germany, if in the last three years you were convicted of an offence against the same bank, if your basic account was previously closed because of debt or misuse, or if there is a legal obstacle under anti-money-laundering rules.
Required documents
- Passport or residence card or Aufenthaltsgestattung or Duldung or proof of arrival (Ankunftsnachweis).
- Address: registration is not required; a postal address with a friend, family or a counselling centre is enough if you can be reached there. Still, if you have it: Anmeldung.
The bank’s deadline and refusal
- After receiving complete documents, the bank has 10 working days to open the account or give a written refusal. Note the date you submitted.
- If refused, ask for the reason in writing. A refusal because of a negative Schufa is unlawful.
- A free complaint to BaFin (the financial supervisory authority) via the website bafin.de; BaFin can oblige the bank to open the account.
- Other options: the bank’s ombudsman or a court action. Consumer advice centres (Verbraucherzentrale) can help.
When does it help?
If you have just arrived and have no fixed address yet, or your application was refused because of Schufa, the Basiskonto is the solution. Note: so that you can switch accounts later, it also helps to know the account-switching service (Kontowechselservice).
Previously: your first 30 days in Germany.
Note: this article is general guidance and not a substitute for legal or financial advice. Conditions may change; confirm with the official embassy website and the Federal Foreign Office before acting. Last reviewed: October 2026.
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