How To Successfully Open A German Bank Account As A Foreigner [Step-By-Step Guide]

Learn how to open a Commerzbank account online. We explain the whole process step-by-step in English and give you tips so you can have a FREE bank account in Germany.

✍️ Written Guide On How To Open Your Commerzbank Account

🔥 Open Your Commerzbank Account

🔥 Wise: For International Bank Transfers

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⏰ Timestamps:
00:00 - Introduction
00:32 - Why Commerzbank?
02:17 - Requirements to open a Commerzbank account
02:48 - FREE bank account condition
03:45 - Step #1: Fill Out The Online Form
16:43 - Step #2: Verify Your Identity
19:00 - Step #3: Activate Your Online Banking
20:24 - Step #4: Receive Your Girocard PIN Number
20:37 - Step #5: Receive Your Girocard
21:12 - How To Contact Commerzbank Customer Support In English

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[simplegermany]

**UPDATE JAN 2023**
If you are an EU or EEA citizen, you can do the videoIDENT process in English.

**UPDATE AUG 2022**
If you are a Non-EU or non-EEA citizen you will need the following documents to verify your identity in person:
- Your Meldebescheinigung
- Your passport or ID
- Your residence permit, there is no hard rule for this one. Commerzbank sometimes says you need it and sometimes you don't. So it is up to you to try to open an account before you get your residence permit.

[diegoofernaandez]

Girls, I am a little mad that you don't have much views on youtube. I think that what you are doing for all of us is just AMAZING. Thank you soooo much for all the tips and pretty much everthing you say on your videos, you have no idea how much you help us all.

[simplegermany]

** UPDATE AUG 2022**
If you are a Non-EU or non-EEA citizen you will need the following documents to verify your identity in person:
- Your Meldebescheinigung
- Your passport or ID
- Your residence permit, there is no hard rule for this one. Commerzbank sometimes says you need it and sometimes you don't. So it is up to you to try to open an account before you get your residence permit.

[tshepomokhere]

Hello Jen and Yvonne, thank a lot for the Step by step guide. Just arrived in Germany on the 1st July and I've just opened a Commerzbank account in under 20 minutes and rushed to a bank 11 minutes from where I stay to validate my identity. This I did after struggling for 2 weeks to open a bank account from various banks. Your passion for helping others ease they way into DE is commendable. All the best.🙂

[pratikdas]

Update April 2023: Commerzbank no longer accepts only anmeldebestatigung for opening a checking bank account. A residence permit (Aufenthaltstilel) is MANDATORY without which we can't open an account. While this was the case for me (Indian passport), it's likely to be the same for all non-EEA passport holders. Thanks.

[TatiaSultanishvili]

pls help me !!!! SOS !!!!
I don't have function to legitimate myself at post office,
I have only one option (not like in your video instruction) to go and Legitimate yourself at BANK office
pls tell me why?

[ulhrick]

Make a video about HOW TO OPEN A GERMAN HEART... maybe the toughest thing to do :-)

[Jav]

I arrived one week ago in Munich and ended up opening a Bank account with Nuri. I don't think I need anything more than a bank account and a debit card. Nuri also gives you unlimited cash withdrawals. The card works for online and physical shops.

[yashashshreevaidya]

Hey!Thankyou so much for your video! I had a doubt- I filled out the online form and went to the bank and verified myself. Do they automatically send me an online banking activation letter or I need to separately register for online banking on their site? Till now I have only received my Girocard pin. Its all so confusing!!

[wudh]

I’m wondering about the 700€ per month. Is it considered the transfer from student blocked account as well? Because in that case all student should be able to open the account with them.

[michaelfloydmanding]

Just moved from London to Berlin (originally from the lovely Philippines) as I got married to my German husband. Thanks for all your help from the Anmeldung to opening a bank account! And thanks for being an inspiration and for helping a lot of expats in Deutschland!

[modasajd]

Hallo,

i can not see the CCV number into girocard of Commerzbank, am i missing something, please let me know
thanks,

[diclecan]

How many days it take to open a Commerzbank account?

[hikingviking]

So if I get a job there, my employer will set me up with direct deposit?

[lookatrat]

In my opinion this bank mentality stopped in 1930s. Work in Germany for 5 years. Pretty good and stable job which is enough to pay out mortgage in 10years easy. They refused to give me a loan because I do not speak german, despite I will have proffessional translator. Well done.

[angelod]

Does the 700 euros apply if you are a student and your Expatrio blocked account transfers 934 euros a month to your account? Or will I still get a 9.90 euro charge because it's not technically "income"?

[LuFang-lxrn]

Please be noted: THE ENGLISH HOTLINE DO NOT WORK DURING WEEKEND!!!

[machtmann]

Brilliant! I am moving to Germany for work soon and came across your very helpful channel. It's a bit of a fast move so I'm finding these videos and website invaluable for my transition. It will be a bit rough in the beginning but finding help online is heartwarming. I was wondering if there was another option outside of these online neobanks since I'm not yet sure how often I will need to withdraw cash and they were so limited. Thank you!

[cristina]

Hi! Thank you for such a thorough and detailed explanation! I´m moving to Frankfurt in August and I wanted to ask you two questions:
1) In Commerzbank; do you know if it´s faster to open the account online or to go in person to the branch? Or is it around the same time frame?

2) Generally speaking, is it better to take money (around 8, 000 EUR) in cash and then deposit it in my german account or should I wire it once my german account is set? (An account such as this one in the video.) I know exchange rates and fees come in place and it depends on which banks and maybe there isn´t a straightforward answer but still I wanted to ask you.

Thank you!!

[Mischek]

Hello i love your videos,

I had a question, what should i do if my name is not within a to z? do i enter "g" instead of "ğ" ?