Find the best bank in Germany

Compare banks with Verivox

Whether you’ve recently moved to Germany or been here a while, you probably want to know which is the best bank for you here. If you’re looking for a current account, want to invest money or take out a loan, Verivox can help you to find the best high street and online banks in Germany effortlessly. The Verivox comparison tool helps you to compare a whole host of banks – and you can filter the results by applying various criteria.

List of top banks in Germany

You can learn more about a specific bank by clicking on its name in the list below. Here you will find information, comparisons, as well as customer reviews and testimonials of Verivox customers who have taken out a loan with the bank.

Best banks in Germany for expats

Finding the right bank account for you as an expat does not have to be daunting. Verivox can help you compare and find the right bank. Most online banks provide customers with basic information in English, and some also employ English-speaking customer service staff, while others offer online banking in English. With online banks in particular, a bank account can be opened quickly if you have your ID card/passport and proof of residence in Germany to hand. If you don’t have all the documents you need, you may have to complete a few additional steps.

Best banks in Germany for students

For those who are studying in Germany, most banks offer a no-fee current account. Be aware that the terms can change and give rise to charges once you graduate. It is also important to check that there are no hidden charges with your chosen account. Cash withdrawals from cash machines, for example, should also be free.

Current account (Girokonto)

Most consumers use a current account for their everyday financial transactions. They use it to receive their wages and for bank transfers, direct debits, outgoing payments and cash withdrawals. The features of this type of account differ from one bank to the next. High street banks (Filialbanken), which offer the benefits of personal service and a physical presence, generally charge an account management fee (Kontoführungsgebühr) to cover their costs. Online banks (Direktbanken), on the other hand, generally do not charge a management fee but expect customers to carry out most of their transactions online. For this type of free account, online banks in Germany often require customers to pay in a certain amount of money every month, 700 or 1,000 euros for example. This type of account is also known as a "salary account” (Gehaltskonto).

Credit and overdraft interest rates

Interest rates are important criteria when comparing current accounts. At present, banks very rarely pay interest on account holders’ credit balances. If you use Verivox to compare current accounts, however, you can still find some banks that pay interest.

Overdraft interest (Dispozins) is charged when an account holder uses their overdraft facility – overdraws their account. The interest can vary between seven and fifteen percent and is a factor that should be considered when choosing a bank. Customers can avoid paying high overdraft interest rates by taking out a debt consolidation loan.

Withdrawing cash

When thinking about high street banks, the number and location of cash machines (Geldautomaten) and branches in your local area can be an important factor. It determines how easily you can obtain cash free of charge at any time. Banks that operate no cash machines, or only a few, have joined forces in groups, such as Cash Group and Cashpool, which allow customers to withdraw cash free of charge from any of the banks in the group. By working together, the density of these banks’ cash machine networks can rival that of other banks. Online banks often offer a free credit card with their current accounts, which customers can use to withdraw cash free of charge from the cash machines of any bank, even ones that belong to different banking groups.

The Verivox bank comparison tool lets you choose whether to compare only free current accounts or accounts with maintenance fees as well. Apart from fees, the comparison results show which banks offer free sign-up cash or other rewards for new customers. Even in the case of accounts that provide attractive rewards, customers should still look for those that offer the best overall terms and conditions.

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Savings account (Sparkonto)

With Verivox, you can find excellent savings rates for every need. A money market account is a good option if you want to invest in the short term while always retaining access to your money. A fixed-rate savings account generates a higher return, but you cannot access your money until the account matures. Both account types are very secure. Investing in funds and shares entails more risk but can also yield high returns. Verivox can help you find the best share dealing account for your needs.

Money market account – Tagesgeld

Money market deposit accounts (Tagesgeld) are gradually replacing traditional passbook savings accounts (Sparbuch) as the most popular investment vehicle. They offer higher interest rates and are easier to manage. If you want to keep money in a safe place before making a large acquisition or for any other purpose, or simply wish to make a short-term investment while retaining flexibility, a money market account can be the right choice – you can access your money at any time. There are no minimum terms or notice periods and usually no fees either. Apart from the good interest rates, another key factor is the deposit protection scheme, which safeguards deposits up to an amount of 100,000 euros per bank and customer.

Fixed-rate savings account – Festgeld

Fixed-rate savings accounts, which are also known as fixed- term accounts, are a little different. They offer higher interest rates, produce more interest than money market accounts, and are suitable for medium-term investments. Unlike the variable interest rates offered by money market accounts, which can fluctuate significantly, those available with fixed-rate accounts are fixed for an agreed term. Unless agreed otherwise in advance, the account holder cannot access their money during this period. It is advisable to invest in this type of account only an amount that you can do without for a certain period. The deposit guarantee scheme for banks within the European Union protects fixed-rate savings accounts as well.

Compare money market accounts and fixed-rate savings accounts

To compare accounts, enter the amount of money that you want to invest and the duration of your investment. The search results will enable you to choose the right account and bank for you.

Share dealing account (Depot)

For long-term wealth accumulation, investors can also invest in securities (Wertpapiere), which include stocks, shares, bonds and other certificates. For this purpose, you need an account in which to hold and trade shares in companies and investment funds, for example. When comparing the share dealing accounts of different banks in Germany, consumers should examine the administration fee (Depotkosten) and dealing commission (Orderkosten), because these will affect the net return.

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Personal loan (Ratenkredit)

For detailed instructions on how to apply for a loan using Verivox, read the following guide:

Loans in Germany

An inexpensive personal loan helps with short-term cash needs, whether for car repairs, a new kitchen or other purchase, or for home renovation. Applicants must have reached the age of 18 and be resident in Germany, but their credit score (Bonität) is another major determinant. It indicates the likelihood of a customer being unable to meet their payment obligations. The credit score is based on your employment status, financial situation, and information obtained from the credit rating agency Schufa.

The interest rates applied by many banks depend on a customer’s credit score. To calculate your personal interest rate, these banks need to run a soft credit check (Konditionenanfrage). The bank will check whether you are eligible for a loan and calculate your personalised interest rate (Zinssatz) and monthly instalment payments (monatliche Rate). You cannot effectively compare the products of several banks, therefore, until you have obtained several non-binding loan offers. The Verivox loan comparison tool allows you to ask for a soft credit check from several banks directly without affecting your credit score.

Loan repayment holidays and early repayments

When comparing loans, the amount of the monthly instalment and the total cost of the loan are key factors. However, the comparison tool determines only the unalterable costs. If you decide in favour of optional services, such as loan protection insurance, an early repayment facility (Sondertilgung) or a loan repayment holiday (Ratenpause), the cost of these will be added to the cost of the loan.

Intended use of personal loans

Personal loans are often granted for borrowing money without a specified purpose. However, some banks offer more favourable terms for loans with a defined purpose, such as buying a car or modernising your home.

Start your loan comparison now

When you enter your intended purpose in the Verivox comparison tool, you will see all the available offers for your purpose as well as loans without a specific purpose to maximize your selection. This way you can be sure you are seeing all possible offers.

Credit or debit card (Kreditkarte)

More and more current accounts come with a free credit card (Kreditkarte). And some banks don’t even charge a basic fee (Grundgebühr) for credit cards that are not linked to one of their accounts. On the other hand, several card issuers that charge a high annual fee (Jahresgebühr) also offer bonus schemes. For people who make full use of the bonus schemes, the benefits can outweigh the costs.

Note that the German term "Kreditkarte” can refer to charge cards, daily charge cards, revolving cards, debit cards and prepaid cards. You can filter the Verivox card comparison tool by your preferred card type.

Credit card interest rates

Although some providers pay interest on credit balances (Guthabenzins), the debit interest rate (Sollzins) is more important when comparing credit cards. With cards that require the customer to pay monthly instalments (traditional cards that offer revolving credit), interest is charged on the debit balance; in many cases, the interest rates are in the double digits.

Advantages

Some credit cards also allow customers to withdraw money from cash machines and make direct payments free of charge within the EU or even worldwide. Depending on how often you travel, these features can be important. Other cards offer attractive bonus schemes, such as cashback, vehicle fuel discounts or travel discounts, as well as various insurance policies and more.

Compare credit cards

With Verivox, you can conveniently select and compare different credit card providers online according to the desired payment system (Bezahlsystem), as well as fees (Gebühren) and free payment options. Some providers also offer discounts for new customers.You can compare dozens of credit and debit cards and instantly find bonus and discount schemes with minimal input.

Mortgage (Baufinanzierung)

The German words "Baufinanzierung” and "Immobilienkredit” are usually treated as synonymous and refer to any kind of mortgage or home loan. In spite of the name, a "Baufinanzierung” can be issued in order to purchase an existing apartment or house, not only to finance the construction of a new one. In Germany, home loans are typically balloon mortgages with a final instalment payment that is larger than the prior payments. This final instalment pays off the outstanding amount of the loan. Apart from the interest rate and overall term (Gesamtlaufzeit), the fixed-interest period (Zinsfestschreibungsdauer) is also an important factor. Borrowers also undergo a more extensive credit check. If the loan amount is too high to be fully repaid during the fixed-interest period, a new interest rate is subsequently agreed for the remaining amount.

Tips for your bank comparison

Particularly when interest rates are low, many mortgage borrowers opt to fund their house purchase with an interest rate that is fixed for as long as possible and to pay off the loan quickly. If interest rates have risen by the time a follow-on mortgage is required, it’s beneficial if only a small amount still needs to be paid off. A loan that can be paid off completely during the agreed term (Volltilgerdarlehen) offers the greatest possible security.

In addition, borrowers are often recommended to agree an overall term that does not extend beyond retirement age (Rentenalter). Disposable income usually decreases upon retirement, which could impose a severe financial burden on a customer who’s still paying off a loan.

When comparing banks and other providers, pay attention not only to the lending rate (Sollzins) and effective interest rate (Effektivzins), but also to the transparency of the offer. The lender should provide a complete breakdown of all the costs and special conditions, so that you can easily compare the overall costs of different offers.

Verivox’s mortgage loan comparison tool encompasses more than one hundred banks, insurers and building societies.

How to find the best bank in Germany

When comparing banks, think about which product you need and about the terms and conditions or additional services that are important to you. Depending on whether you want to open a current or money market account, or obtain a credit card or loan, you should define your own terms and wishes beforehand and then compare these against the offers of the banks. Comparing banks with the free Verivox comparison tools is quick and clearly shows where costs can be saved.