How to open a Deutsche Bank account

Step-by-Step Manual for Opening a Deutsche Bank account

Last update: 30 August 2022

Don’t know how to open a Deutsche Bank account? We will show you step by step how to do it and what requirements you need to meet! Still wondering why you should open a Deutsche Bank account? Well, let us give you some good reasons why:

Deutsche Bank Account – Main Features

  • English & German Online Banking (Web & App)
  • No monthly fees if you are a student & younger than 30 (otherwise 6.90 EUR/month)
  • Free & unlimited cash withdrawals in more than 60 countries worldwide
  • Free debit card (Girocard)
  • Apple Pay supported

Opening your Deutsche Bank account only takes a few minutes and is very easy. So let’s get started!

[DOWNLOAD] You can also download this manual as a PDF so that you can access it offline or print it

For a comprehensive comparison of German bank accounts, check out our Bank Account Germany page.


Go to the Deutsche Bank website

If you are a student and 30 years or younger you can open the Deutsche Bank “Das Junge Konto” which is free of charge:

open deutsche bank account

If you are not a student or older than 30 years you can open the Deutsche Bank AktivKonto for 6.90 EUR/month:

open deutsche bank account

First Page

  1. Select if you are a new customer (Nein, noch nicht) or an existing customer (Ja, ich bin Kunde)
  2. Select if you would like to open a single bank account (Ich möchte ein Einzelkonto eröffnen) or if you would like to open a joint bank account (Wir möchten ein Gemeinschaftskonto eröffnen)
  3. If you see the question “Arbeiten Sie als Selbstständiger”, select if you are self-employed (Ja) or if you are not self-employed (Nein)
Section “Wunschkonto” – Account Details

In this section you will see a summary of the conditions of the selected bank account (so either the free “Das Junge Konto” for students that are 30 years or younger or the “AktivKonto” for 6.90 EUR/month).

open deutsche bank account

  1. First of all select if you would like to request an extra line of credit (by default Nein – No). This means you can go below zero with your bank account for a limited time at a certain interest rate (approx. 10-12% interest rate). If you go for an extra line of credit (Ja – Yes)  you can specify the amount. Your extra line is of course dependent on your credit worthiness.open deutsche bank account
  2. In the second step select the cards you would like to have. By default the Deutsche Bank account comes with a debit card. However you can add additional cards to your bank account for the annual fees specified.open deutsche bank account
  3. Select if you use the bank account as your salary account (Ich benutze dieses Konto als Gehaltskonto)
  4. Select if you would like to activate the “Finanzplaner”. This is a functionality provided by Deutsche Bank that classifies your monthly income and your expenses so that you can easily keep track of your financial status. This is optional and you can either tick the box or leave it unticked.open deutsche bank account
  5. Select if you would like to receive regular information about current offers from Deutsche Bank either by phone (Ja, per Telefon) or by email (Ja, per E-Mail). This is optional.
Section “Persönliche Daten” – Personal Data

open deutsche bank account

  1. Select your gender (Frau – woman or Herr – man)
  2. Akad. Titel: Academic Title (Dr. / Prof. / Prof. Dr.), this is optional
  3. Vorname: Enter your first name(s) here as stated on your ID/passport
  4. Nachname: Enter your last name as stated on your ID/passport
  5. Geburtsname: Enter your maiden name as stated on your ID/passport (if applicable)
  6. Familienstand: Select your Family Status:
    • ledig: single
    • verheiratet, steuerlich zusammen veranlagt: married, jointly assessed for taxation
    • geschieden: divorced
    • verwitwet: widowed
    • ledig, eheähnliche Gemeinschaft: single, marriage-like relationship
    • verheiratet, getrennt lebend: married, living separately
    • verheiratet, steuerlich getrennt veranlagt: married, separately assessed for taxation
    • eingetragene Lebenspartnerschaft, steuerlich getrennt veranlagt: civil partnership, separately assessed for taxation
    • eingetragene Lebenspartnerschaft, steuerlich zusammen veranlagt: civil partnership, jointly assessed for taxation
    • eingetragene Lebenspartnerschaft, getrennt lebend: civil partnership, living separately
  7. Geburtsdatum: Enter your date of birth (Format: DD.MM.YYYY)
  8. Geburtsort: Enter your place of birth as stated on your ID/passport
  9. Staatsangehörigkeit: Select your citizenshipopen deutsche bank account
  10. If you have selected the “Das Junge Konto” for students who are 30 years or younger you will have to specify in which year (Jahr) and quarter (Quartal) your education ends.
  11. You will also have to specify if you have any connections to the United States of America:
    • Ich wurde in den USA geboren: I was born in the USA
    • Ich besitze eine US-Staatsbürgerschaft: I have a US citizenshipopen deutsche bank account
  12. Select where you are a tax resident:
    • Ich bin ausschließlich in Deutschland steuerlich ansässig: I am only in Germany a tax resident. You can enter your German tax ID (optional)
    • Ich bin in Deutschland und in den folgenden Ländern steuerlich ansässig: I in Germany a tax resident and in the following countries
    • Ich bin nicht in Deutschland, sondern nur in folgenden Ländern außerhalb Deutschlands steuerlich ansässig: I am not a tax resident in Germany, but in the following countries outside of Germany
  13. Straße und Hausnummer: Enter your street and house number. The address has to be the one that is on your ID/proof of residence
  14. PLZ: Enter your postcode
  15. Ort: Enter your cityopen deutsche bank account
  16. Versandadresse: If you would like to receive your documents and debit card to a different address than specified above tick this box
  17.  Kontakt:
    • Mobilnummer: Enter your mobile number
    • E-Mail: Enter your email address
Section “Rechtliches” – Legal

open deutsche bank account

  1. You agree to have read the information about the deposit protection
  2. You agree to open your Deutsche Bank account for yourself and not for another personopen deutsche bank account
  3. Make sure to download the contract details
  4. By ticking this box you allow Deutsche Bank to check your credit history (Check this article on how to check your Schufa score)
  5. Make sure to download the overview of chargesopen deutsche bank account
  6. By ticking this box you agree to the deposit fees of Deutsche Bank (for deposits above 50,000 EUR)
Section “Aktivieren” – Activation

open deutsche bank account

  1. In this section you will see a summary of your bank account and you can specify your PIN for the online banking

After specifying your PIN, click on “Produkte kostenpflichtig abschließen”

open deutsche bank account
Section “Legitimieren” – Prove your identity

open deutsche bank account

In the last step you will have to prove your identity. You can choose between VideoIdent and PostIdent.

With VideoIdent you can prove your identity via videochat. You just need a device with webcam (laptop, smartphone, tablet) and your passport/ID. This is definitely the most convenient and fastest way to open your bank account. However in most cases it will only work if you have a German ID/passport or at least a passport/ID issued by the EU.

The second option is PostIdent. With this option you print out your Deutsche Bank contract, sign it and go to the next post office (Deutsche Post). There you will hand in your documents and your passport/ID will be checked. On the Deutsche Post website you can learn more about this procedure. Alternatively you can also go to a Deutsche Bank branch office. You can find the closest Deutsche Bank office here.

That’s it! Open your Deutsche Bank account now!

Should you have any problems or questions, just send me a message or leave a comment!

[DOWNLOAD] You can also download this manual as a PDF so that you can access it offline or print it

 


Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links, meaning I earn a commission if you use those links.

34 Comments. Leave new

  • Varun Kapoor
    July 24, 2023 19:44

    I have done my postident about 2 weeks ago and still not heard back. Am I supposed to mail something when I do postident?

    Reply
    • Dear Varun,
      usually you do not have to send any further documents to Deutsche Bank. I would recommend to get in touch with them and check on the status.

      Best Regards,
      Dominik

      Reply
  • Thanks to you I have managed to open the account and did the verification through videochat. After successfully completing the verification on the website I see this message: “Aus technischen Gründen steht Ihr Konto derzeit noch nicht zur Verfügung. Wir bitten um Entschuldigung. Unser Serviceteam ist bereits informiert und wird sich so schnell wie möglich bei Ihnen melden.” I have waited for a week for this problem to be solved and even tried to contact the bank via chat which did not work at all. I do not know what to do now, can you please guide me?

    Reply
    • Dear Tuğçe,
      my recommendation would be to get in touch with Deutsche Bank via phone or go to one of their branch offices.

      Best Regards,
      Dominik

      Reply
  • Marchleny Rosejhon Macalam
    April 14, 2023 15:45

    Hi, i filled the online form for das junge konto, i completed everything postident and stuff, but i still did not get any mail or post from Deutsche Bank and it has been 3 weeks. What should i do?

    Reply
    • Dear Marchleny,
      I would recommend getting in touch with Deutsche Bank directly.

      Best Regards,
      Dominik

      Reply
  • Hello Dominik. When is the first deposit expected after opening a DB account online? Or, is the deposit to be made before the account is approved?

    Reply
    • Dear Ike,
      a deposit is not a prerequisite for opening a Deutsche Bank account. You can transfer money onto your Deutsche Bank account, once it’s opened and activated.

      Best Regards,
      Dominik

      Reply
  • Hi, I have filled the online form for Aktive current account and completed the Postident and couriered the documents and it has been more than 5 working days and I still have not received any mail or post from Deutsche bank! How long it actually takes? Thank you.

    Reply
    • Hi Kiran,
      it can take 5-10 business days until you get the confirmation from Deutsche Bank. Did you receive it by now?

      Best Regards,
      Dominik

      Reply
  • I have opened an account in deutsche bank, now how can I login in bank application, I have my bank details but dont have Pin, So where from I get 5 digit Pin.

    Reply
    • Dear Prabjit,
      you have specified your PIN for the online banking during the application process (see Section “Aktivieren” – Activation).
      If you cannot remember your PIN, you can request a new one.

      Best Regards,
      Dominik

      Reply
  • Hello. I recently opened bank account online. During the video identification process I was asked only for passport. I received letter from deutsche bank that I should provide tax id within 2 weeks and if I don’t provide it they will report me to Federal tax office. I don’t have tax ID as I haven’t rented apartment yet and I’m living in Airbnb until I find apartment. Will they block my card if I don’t give tax ID?

    Reply
    • Dear Alis,
      if you do not provide your tax ID, Deutsche Bank will try to retrieve your tax ID from the federal tax office. Unfortunately I do not know the policy of Deutsche Bank, if/when they block your account due to a missing tax ID.
      This is something you would have to check with Deutsche Bank directly.

      Best Regards,
      Dominik

      Reply
  • Does it mean that Deutsche Bank does not ask for an Anmeldung? I will be arriving in Bonn in October as an international student, and I want to open up an account as early as possible, before Anmeldung.

    Reply
    • Dear Henry,
      the documents required for opening the bank account depend on your nationality. Therefore please double-check with Deutsche Bank what exactly is required for opening a bank account with them.

      Best Regards,
      Dominik

      Reply
  • Hello. After I completed the identification process I received online banking credentials and Iban, but I’m unable to log in the deutsche bank app. Shall I first wait for any letters or?

    Reply
    • Dear Alis,
      you’ll have to wait for the photoTAN activation letter that you will receive via mail a few days after completing the identification process.

      Best Regards,
      Dominik

      Reply
  • As a uk resident, can I open an account with DB or not ?
    Bcz on address , I can’t enter my address, I think it’s only accept Germany .

    Reply
    • Dear Maryam,
      that is correct. You can only open the account as a German resident.

      Best Regards,
      Dominik

      Reply
  • What do I do after VideoIdent certification?I have not received any indication after videoldent.

    Reply
    • Dear Yang,
      after successfully completing the VideoIdent process you should receive your card and login credentials from Deutsche Bank. This usually takes between 5-10 business days.

      Best Regards,
      Dominik

      Reply
      • Hi Dominik,

        I did PostIndent and it’s been more than 10 business days without any news from DB bank. I tried to reach out via live chat numerous times but no one responded (in fact, they ended my chat just like that). What should I do?

        Reply
        • Dear Vania,
          sorry to hear that the Deutsche Bank account opening process takes so long… In this case I would go to a local Deutsche Bank branch office and ask there for the current status.

          Best Regards,
          Dominik

          Reply
    • Hello I am an international student from Albania living in an hostel in Frankfurt. I have an Anmeldung, work contract but I dont know what else should I have. Do i have to have a residence permit done in germany because i have on from the agency that sent me here?

      Reply
      • Dear Erik,
        for opening a bank account you usually need a valid passport, residence permit, registration certificate and potentially your work contract (depending on the type of account).
        I would recommend to go to a Deutsche Bank branch office and check the requirements with them. In any case you are entitled to a so-called “Basiskonto” (basic payment account). Anyone legally residing in the European Union qualifies for such an account and Deutsche bank also offers this kind of account. All that is needed for you to apply for a basic payment account is valid identification, legal status and a postal address under which you can be reached. You can find more information about the basic payment account here: https://www.germanymore.de/how-to-open-a-basic-payment-account-basiskonto-in-germany/

        Best Regards,
        Dominik

        Reply
  • So I submitted all the application for the bank, I even got the debit card but I don’t understand how do I know my IBAN? How do I login into my online account. Am I supposed to get another mail?

    Additionally how do I know the branch number as well?

    Reply
    • Dear Clive,
      you should receive several letters from Deutsche Bank. Usually it’s a letter with the debit card and a letter with the PIN for the debit card.
      In case you have proven your identity via VideoIdent, you should have seen your online banking login credentials after the identification process. Furthermore you will receive a letter for the photoTAN activation.

      You can find your branch number on your debit card. Below the signature field you should see a number. The first three digits are the branch number. Alternatively you can find the branch number in one of the letters you’ve received from Deutsche Bank.

      Best Regards,
      Dominik

      Reply
  • PANAGIOTIS LILIS
    January 13, 2022 22:33

    I tried to open a bank account as a student, but it requires only German phone number (+49…) . As a new student I do not have a german phone number, only my home country’s. So it is not possible to open it online. Can you fix this problem?
    Or do I have to visit the bank on person?

    Reply
  • Max keller
    July 14, 2021 00:09

    Thanks for good information. I wish to open an account at DB Frankfort for my USA company. Do they open accounts for USA companies?

    Reply
  • This is extremely helpful. If my salary is deposited into DB in Germany is it possible to transfer those funds to my Bank in the USA?

    Reply
    • Dear Marco,
      yes, it’s possible but there are usually quite high fees involved (e.g. for Deutsche bank around 30 EUR one-off fee and a variable fee of 1,5‰).
      It’s therefore recommendable to use one of the popular money transfer platforms such as Wise or CurrencyFair, as they offer international money transfers at considerably lower fees.

      Best Regards,
      Dominik

      Reply

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