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German bank account comparison for Indians
Without a German IBAN there is no salary, no rent contract and no mobile plan. This table shows the fees, the Schufa requirement and how much English support each bank really gives.
The account we tell everyone to open first
N26 is the account we opened in our first week in Germany. It is a partner link, so we earn a commission if you sign up, at no extra cost to you. Every other bank stays in the table below with the same detail.
N26
First German bank account
A free German IBAN you can open from your phone with your passport, no Schufa record and no branch appointment needed.
- Free standard account, app fully in English
- Works while you are still waiting for your Anmeldung
- Accepted by employers and landlords for salary and rent
If you sign up through this link we receive a commission. The price stays exactly the same for you and it does not change what we recommend. More on our partner links
Banks side by side
Only the N26 row is a paid partner link, marked as advertising. All other links are plain links that earn us nothing. Fees and welcome offers change, so check the current terms on the bank's own page.
| Bank | Monthly fee | Schufa | Blocked account | English | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| N26 ↗Recommended partner | Free standard account | No Schufa needed to open | No blocked account | ●●● | Opens in minutes from your phone with your passport, best first account while you wait for Anmeldung. |
| DKB ↗ | Free with regular income | Schufa check required | No blocked account | ●●○ | Good card conditions and free withdrawals abroad, but you usually need Anmeldung and a salary first. |
| Deutsche Bank ↗ | €5 to €12, free for students | Schufa check required | Offers a blocked account | ●●○ | Branch support and the classic blocked account route, helpful if you want paperwork stamped in person. |
| Commerzbank ↗ | Free for students, otherwise from €5 | Schufa check required | No blocked account | ●●○ | Frequent welcome bonuses for new customers and a dense ATM network in western cities. |
| Sparkasse ↗ | €3 to €10 depending on the local bank | Schufa check required | Some branches offer one | ●○○ | Every town has one and landlords trust it, but service is mostly in German and fees vary by region. |
| Revolut / Wise ↗ | Free basic plan | No Schufa needed | No blocked account | ●●● | Best rates for sending money to India, but many German employers and landlords still prefer a German IBAN. |
If you sign up through this link we receive a commission. The price stays exactly the same for you and it does not change what we recommend. More on our partner links
Fees are indicative for 2026 and can differ by region, age and student status.*
Banking questions
Which bank account should I open first?
Open a free online account you can get without a Schufa record and without an appointment, then add a traditional bank later if a landlord or employer asks for one.
Can I open an account before I arrive in Germany?
A blocked account, yes, that is designed for it. A normal current account usually needs a German address from the Anmeldung, although some online banks accept a foreign address for the first weeks.
What is Schufa and do I have one?
Schufa is the German credit record. Newcomers have none, which is normal. Choose a bank that does not require a positive Schufa, and your record builds over the first months.
What is the cheapest way to send money to India?
Specialist transfer services normally beat a bank wire by a wide margin on the exchange rate. Keep the German account for salary and rent and use a transfer service for remittances.
Want the full move handled step by step?
Our free checklist covers the basics. The paid packs add document templates, embassy ready formats and the exact order we followed ourselves.