Bank account for international students: which documents you need

As an international student in Germany, you can only open a current account (Girokonto) with complete documents, and the requirements differ from bank to bank. This guide explains which documents a university information sheet lists, why the list can vary between banks, and how to prepare for the appointment.

The most important points in brief

• Your passport or an equivalent identity document is the basis of every account opening.
• A valid residence permit shows that you are living in Germany lawfully.
• The registration certificate from your city (Meldebescheinigung) proves your address.
• The certificate of enrollment shows that you study at a university.
• The information sheet expressly lists the tax identification number from your home country.
• Before the appointment, ask your bank for its current list of documents, because the bank sets the requirements itself.

Which documents do banks require from international students?

The overview below is based on the information sheet of the University of Heidelberg. It lists the documents named there and the proof each one provides.

Source: University of Heidelberg information sheet on opening a bank account (status summer semester 2024).

The passport is the document on which a bank can rely most directly to confirm your identity. Make sure it has not expired by the appointment, because an expired document does not help you, even if the rest of your file is complete. The residence permit complements the passport, because it shows the legal basis for your stay in Germany. Both documents should therefore match.

The registration certificate records where you are registered. If your address changes after you open the account, inform the bank so that your documents and account details stay consistent. The certificate of enrollment confirms your student status at the university, which is the proof the bank refers to when your studies are relevant.

Why the list can differ from bank to bank

Banks must verify the identity of their customers before they open an account. Each institution sets its own procedure and decides which documents are sufficient in an individual case. A list that a university publishes as guidance therefore does not replace the bank’s own information. If you compare several banks, note the document list of each one and the differences between them.

The identity check usually takes place at the appointment in a branch or through a procedure the bank offers. What exactly is required can only be confirmed by the institution itself. This guide can help you ask the right questions, but it cannot replace the bank’s answer.

What role does the basic account play?

Under § 31 Payment Accounts Act (Zahlungskontengesetz, ZKG), an institution that offers payment accounts to consumers must conclude a basic account contract with an eligible applicant if the application meets the legal requirements. Every consumer with lawful residence in the EU is eligible, including people without a fixed address.

The offer must be made without undue delay and at the latest within ten business days after the application is received. Students with a valid residence permit in Germany therefore generally fall within the group of eligible persons. The bank still checks the requirements against your documents. For an overview of accounts and credit, see the Money, account and credit: the overview for young adults.

A right to a basic account is not the same as an account with every service you might want. Which services are part of the contract can be confirmed in writing by the bank before you sign. This applies especially to a credit card or an overdraft facility, because the bank decides on these under its own rules.

Which questions should you ask the bank in advance?

• Which documents do you accept from international students?
• Do you require originals or certified copies?
• Is a registration certificate enough as proof of address, and does it need a specific issue date?
• Do you require the tax identification number from the home country?
• How long does the opening take after the documents have been submitted?

Write down the answers and keep them. If the bank asks for a further document later, you can refer to the written confirmation. This is helpful when you deal with several branches or online procedures, because staff can change.

How to prepare for the bank visit

Bring all documents complete, both originals and copies. Check beforehand that your passport and residence permit are still valid on the day. The registration certificate should match your current address. If the bank accepts an alternative in your case, ask for the confirmation in writing so that the appointment does not fail because of one missing sheet.

What changes when your documents change?

Documents have validity dates, and your student status can change, for example through a change of course or a leave of absence. Inform the bank if your address, identity document or residence permit changes. This keeps your account details consistent with your evidence and avoids follow-up questions that could disrupt your payments.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a German current account for my studies?

Whether you need a German account for your studies depends on your university and your course. The university can tell you which payment methods it accepts. For opening the account, this question is less important, because the bank applies its own requirements.

Is the registration certificate enough as proof of address?

The information sheet lists the registration certificate from your city as a document. The bank decides whether it is sufficient as proof of address. Ask in advance whether it requires a particular form or issue date.

Must I provide the tax identification number from my home country?

According to the University of Heidelberg information sheet, the tax identification number from your home country is among the documents. Your bank will confirm on request whether it requires it. If you do not have the number at hand, clarify this before the appointment.

Does the basic account also apply to students from outside the EU?

The statute refers to lawful residence in the EU, not to nationality. The bank checks in each case whether your residence permit meets this requirement. A binding answer comes from the bank or the competent authority, not from this guide.

Do I have to present originals?

That depends on the bank. Ask before the appointment whether originals or certified copies are required. If you are unsure, bring both.

What to do now

1. Ask your preferred bank for its current list of documents for international students.
2. Check that your passport and residence permit are still valid.
3. Obtain a registration certificate and a certificate of enrollment that are current on the day of the appointment.
4. Find out whether the bank requires the tax identification number from your home country, and obtain it if necessary.
5. Book the appointment and bring all documents complete.

Related articles

• Money, account and credit: the overview for young adults
• Managing your finances as a student: account, emergency fund and deadlines (in German)
• Switching your salary account: what to consider
• Setting up a P-account step by step

Sources: University of Heidelberg information sheet on opening a bank account (status summer semester 2024); § 31 Payment Accounts Act (Zahlungskontengesetz, ZKG), gesetze-im-internet.de.

Last updated: November 2026. This guide is general information, not individual advice.