German banking revolves around N26 and Schufa. Can non-residents apply, what documents, what fees, and how traditional banks compare.
German accounts fall into three groups: major traditional banks (Deutsche, Commerzbank), direct or partner digital banks (ING, N26, C24), and sustainable-theme banks (Tomorrow). N26 is the most non-resident friendly, with most of the flow in-app.
N26 accepts residents of many countries, verifies identity by video in the app, and has no minimum deposit. The basic account is free and only premium tiers charge — one of the few options that work without a German address.
ING Deutschland supports conditional remote or in-branch opening; Deutsche Bank and Commerzbank are full-service but mostly need a branch visit and Anmeldung. Once you have a German address, options widen considerably.
Passport, proof of address (bill from the last three months), tax ID (Steuer-ID — assigned automatically after registration, or requestable), and sometimes a residency permit. Anmeldung gates many local services, so do it soon after arrival.
Basic accounts are broadly free; beware overdraft (Dispo) interest, which is very high. Schufa affects loans and some account approvals, though opening an account itself usually does not depend on it.
Try N26 — it accepts some overseas addresses. Most traditional banks require a German address after Anmeldung (registration).
Basic accounts at N26, Tomorrow and C24 are free; traditional current accounts are often free too. The difference is add-ons and overdraft interest.
Send and receive euros, link PayPal and Wise, receive salary. Loans and credit cards usually need a Schufa record and stable income.