Commerzbank Free current account
0 €
Monthly Fee
- Online banking app
- 0 € cash withdrawals at Cash Group ATMs
- Virtual debit card with Apple Pay and Google Pay
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Online banks in Germany
Compare and apply for online banks and finance apps in Germany including Revolut, N26 and more.
Digital banks put your finances at your fingertips 24/7. There’s a host of online banks, digital-only banks and personal finance apps available now, designed to give you better, faster control of your cash. Some of these banks include global brands like Revolut as well as German players like Tomorrow Bank.
We’ve rounded up everything you need to know so you can decide if an online bank account is right for you.
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Compare a range of digital banks in Germany
Please note these products are not licenced as banks. Check our product review pages for details.
What are digital banks?
Digital banks, also called online banks, offer a way to manage your finances through a smartphone or web app. These banks allow you to log into your account anywhere that has Internet access, giving you constant visibility of your money and helping you understand the best way to manage it. You will find these banks also offer low fees, smart financial tools and more.
Online bank accounts are a great option if you’re new to Germany or travel around a lot as you can access multiple currencies, cheap transfers and benefits such as travel insurance.
What are the benefits of an online bank account in Germany?
There are several advantages to signing up with a challenger bank:
- Fast sign-up. You can usually open an online bank account within minutes. You’ll need to reside in Germany and provide proof of identity (a passport or driving licence will do), but usually no proof of address.
- Banking access in your pocket. Your entire bank account is built to live on your smartphone. You can send money, budget and save all within the digital bank app.
- Low fees. Bank accounts that are completely based online, such as those provided by digital banks, tend to offer lower fees. This may include free account opening, low or no monthly fees, free debit/credit card delivery and free ATM withdrawals to a certain limit.
- Fast and affordable international transfers and spending. A big advantage of online banks is they often have no fees for foreign currency transactions. The lower fees will help you save when online shopping from a site abroad, when you’re travelling and when you’re sending money across the border.
- Contactless payments. Many online banking providers offer debit cards with your online bank account. These cards may be used for contactless payments or to travel abroad.
- 24/7 support. If you need help you don’t need to visit a bank branch to get it. Just jump onto online support in your app.
- Instant spending notifications. Know how much you’ve spent as you’re spending. Many apps tell you the time, place, location and amount of your transactions to help you keep track. You can also get notifications for your balance and other useful need-to-knows.
- Spending and saving features. Digital bank apps offer useful budget tracking features and tools designed to get you in control of your money. This includes automatically dividing your spending into categories, making sure you have enough money to pay bills and help you save for your goals.
- High security. Online current accounts are safe to use. As long as you choose a provider that is licensed in Germany, you can be assured that your money will be protected. Most online accounts also come with security features such as OTPs, digital tokens and a “freeze card” function you can use when your card has been lost or stolen.
- Expat’s choice. Digital banks are a great choice for expats as they usually require less stringent processes to sign up than traditional banks. You can also hold multiple currencies, save on fees and send money back home cheaply.
7 things to know about online banks
Here are a few things that you may not know about using your smartphone to do your banking:
Digital banks can support multiple currencies
While traditional bank accounts usually only allow you to hold one currency, online bank accounts such as Revolut allow you to hold several currencies in the one account. Revolut and other digital banks such as Wirex also allow you to trade cryptocurrencies in your account.
Cash and cheques usually aren’t supported
In Germany, digital banks usually have limitations on how many ATM withdrawals you can make a month and do not offer cheque facilities.
Travel is cheaper
Travel is big with digital banks. You will usually find these banks allow you to transfer money to other countries with low or no foreign currency transfer fees. ATM fees in foreign countries will also be lower or abolished altogether.
The digital bank may not have a banking licence
Not every mobile bank has a full banking licence. Some digital banks hold a banking licence, meaning your funds are protected under the German Deposit Protection scheme. Banks that do not hold this licence are still able to conduct banking business in Germany but may be partnered with a licenced bank or financial operator, such as a payments company, to do so.
You don’t always get Internet banking
Some German digital banks require you to conduct all of your banking from your smartphone. This means no Internet banking from your computer or tablet.
Security is different
Digital banks still take security seriously, but you will see different security features. For example, you will usually be able to lock and unlock your card in case it’s stolen or you lose it. There’s also no need to call, you can do this in the app. With most mobile banks you can also set payment limits and turn on and off payment capabilities such as contactless payments.
The fees can be higher
Some mobile banks charge higher monthly fees for premium accounts that offer features such as insurance, discounts and more. This means a higher cost at first which will negate your ongoing costs.
What else should I consider when comparing online bank accounts?
- Interest rates. This factor will be most important to those using their bank accounts for long-term savings. Higher interest rates will ultimately help you grow your money more. If you’re just using your current accounts for regular transactions, this may not be as big of a concern.
- Costs. Most online bank accounts do not charge monthly fees unless you’re choosing a premium option that comes with extra perks. However, you’ll need to watch out for hidden costs. This includes fall-below fees, inactivity fees, or fees for going above a monthly ATM withdrawal limit.
- Customer service. It’s always important to ascertain the quality of customer service before choosing a bank provider. After all, you’re trusting them with your money. The added insecurity of online banks is that some banks, such as digital providers, do not have physical bank branches you can visit in times of need. Before choosing an online bank account, contact the provider’s online customer service officers to see if they’re reliable.
Are all digital banks “banks”?
There are a number of companies offering bank accounts, finance apps and ways to manage your spending. However, not all of these are licenced as “banks”. Some providers are electronic money institutions or payment institutions.
These non-bank providers are still able to offer you debit cards and finance apps, but the account where your money is held is not considered a bank account. You are also not protected under the deposit guarantee which will safeguard up to €100,000 of your money in case anything happens to the bank. You can compare bank and non-bank providers in the table above.
What digital banks and finance apps are available in Germany?
There are a number of mobile banks and finance apps available in Germany. These include:
- Revolut.Revolut is a global finance app that offers budgeting tools, international currency exchange, travel insurance, cryptocurrency facilities, virtual cards and more.
- N26. This is a digital bank account that lets you save and budget. Using N26 you can transfer money to other N26 users, use optional travel insurance and benefit from cashback.
- bunq. A bank account designed for global citizens, bunq offers up to 25 bank accounts with unique IBANs, savings and budgeting tools, money transfers through Transferwise and no foreign exchange fees.
- Tomorrow Bank. This is a money management solution with a difference. Tomorrow offers a useful account with free ATM withdrawals and foreign currency spending (if you opt for the premium account) but you will also be able to help the environment. Tomorrow lets you offset your carbon footprint and doesn’t invest in harmful industries.
- Norisbank. Norisbank is a subsidiary of Deutsche Bank and offers a free checking account. You can benefit from spending notifications, no ATM withdrawal fee at thousands of locations and an optional credit line.
- Fidor Bank. This digital bank lets you manage your money easily within the app as well as buy and sell cryptocurrencies and trade foreign currencies. Fidor Bank also offers an optional overdraft available as well as a range of insurances.
- Monese. With Monese, you’re able to open a UK current account with no proof of address required. You can then receive real-time notifications and make ATM withdrawals and foreign currency transfers up to a certain limit.
- Wirex. This is a global banking platform that gives you a multi-currency account that includes cryptocurrencies. You get 11 supported traditional currencies as well as 9 cryptocurrencies that you can buy, sell and manage in your Wirex account.
How to get started with a digital bank
There are two types of online bank accounts: those that are offered by digital banks, and those that are offered by traditional banks on top of regular banking services. For the former, you might encounter a sign-up process similar to the one below:
- Download the provider’s app onto your smartphone
- Key in your personal details, including your full name, address and email address.
- Submit the relevant documentation, which usually includes your German ID
- Send in a selfie for identification purposes
- Once your account has been set up, you should deposit funds into your account to make it active
If you’re opening an online bank account with a traditional bank, with whom you already have a standard bank account, you might have to:
- Contact your bank and inform them that you’re interested in launching online banking for your bank account
- Follow their instructions to access their online banking platform. Depending on your provider, you may have to assist with the set-up process (provide your account details and set up a PIN), or they may do the entire set-up for you.
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