Girokonto — Bank Account in Germany

Girokonto is a standard current account — your salary is paid into it (visible on your payslip), from it you pay rent, Rundfunkbeitrag and bills. Here you choose the right account; how to open it step by step as a new resident — see opening an account.

Types of accounts

• Girokonto — everyday transactions, card, transfers
• Basiskonto — basic variant without overdraft (everyone's right, details in separate article)
• Tagesgeldkonto — savings account, interest-bearing, no card
• Gemeinschaftskonto — joint account (e.g., couples), Geschäftskonto — business account

Banks — traditional vs online

Online banks are cheaper and faster (VideoIdent), traditional banks offer advisors and support for language barriers.

What to look for when choosing

• Kontoführungsgebühr — monthly fee (some banks waive it if you have e.g. 700€ incoming)
• ATM withdrawals — free only at your own bank's network; at another bank (Fremdbank) there's a fee
• Card: Girocard (debit card, formerly EC-Karte) usually free; Kreditkarte (Visa/Mastercard) sometimes paid
• Apple Pay / Google Pay — check if your bank supports it

Vocabulary

IBAN (DE + 20 digits), BIC, Überweisung (transfer), Dauerauftrag (standing order), Lastschrift/SEPA (direct debit), Geldautomat (ATM).

Note — Dispo and Schufa

• Dispositionskredit (Dispo) — overdraft with very high interest rates (10–14%). Avoid prolonged overdrafts
• Dispo and Kreditkarte limits depend on Schufa; as a new resident you often won't get them immediately

Changing banks

Your bank has a legal obligation to help you transfer standing orders and direct debits from your old account (Kontowechselservice, §22 ZKG) — you don't have to do it manually.

Before opening an account you need registration (Anmeldung) — most banks require it.