Open a Business Bank Account in Germany as a Foreigner: A Guide for Company Owners
If you are a foreign company owner, you can open a business bank account in Germany, even as a non-resident, though the checks are stricter than they are for a local. A German business account, or Geschäftskonto, is what lets your company deposit its share capital, receive client payments, run payroll, and settle taxes. This guide is written for owners and directors of a GmbH, UG, or shelf company, not for personal expat banking, and it walks through the documents, the bank options, how to do it remotely, and a faster route if you are buying a ready-made company.
To be clear from the start: this is about a company account for a German entity you own or are acquiring. If you simply want a personal current account as someone living in Germany, that is a different process. Here, the goal is a corporate account that works for your business from day one.
Can a foreigner open a German business bank account?
Yes. There is no rule that reserves German company accounts for German nationals or residents. A foreign or non-resident owner can open a business account for a German company, and many do every year. What changes is the level of scrutiny: German banks apply some of the strictest anti-money-laundering checks in Europe, and a non-resident profile draws closer due diligence than a local one.
In practice, that means more documents, more identity verification, and sometimes more questions about your business purpose and source of funds. It does not mean the door is closed. With complete, properly legalised paperwork and a clear business story, foreign company owners open German accounts routinely, often without setting foot in the country.
Why your German company needs a bank account
A bank account is not optional for a German company; it is woven into both formation and daily operations. When you form a new GmbH, the law requires capital to be paid in before the company can be registered: at least one quarter of each share plus a total of at least €12,500, half of the €25,000 minimum (GmbHG §7). That money has to go somewhere, which is the company’s bank account.
This creates a well-known chicken-and-egg problem. A GmbH only legally exists once it is entered in the commercial register (GmbHG §11), but it needs an account to deposit the capital that allows it to be registered in the first place. Banks handle this with an account for the company “in formation” (in Gründung). Once the company is live, the same account carries everything else: invoicing, supplier payments, payroll, VAT, and corporate tax. A company that cannot move money cannot really trade.
Which account is right: direct banks, traditional banks and neobanks
Not every German bank treats foreign-owned companies the same way. Broadly, you are choosing among three types, and the right one depends on your residency, your need to deposit share capital, and how much in-person contact you can manage.
| Account type | Examples | Onboarding | Best for foreign owners when |
|---|---|---|---|
| Direct (online) banks | DKB, comdirect | Mostly remote, VideoIdent | You want a real German bank account without a branch visit |
| Traditional branch banks | Deutsche Bank, Commerzbank, Sparkasse, Volksbank | Often in-person, stricter | You need full-service banking and have local presence |
| Neobanks / EMIs | N26, Qonto, Finom, Wise | Fast, fully online, English | You want speed and multi-currency, and capital deposit is not the priority |
Direct banks are usually the most open to non-residents while still being full German banks. Traditional banks offer the deepest service but tend to want a German address and an in-person meeting. Neobanks and electronic money institutions onboard quickly in English, which suits cross-border founders, but not all of them can hold the formal share-capital deposit a GmbH registration needs, so check that point before you rely on one for formation. For a GmbH owned by a foreigner, the “best” bank is simply the one that fits your profile, and we help you match it rather than pushing a single name.
Documents you need to open the account
German banks decide only once the file is complete, so preparing documents correctly is the single biggest thing within your control. For a company account you will typically need:
| Document | Notes for foreign owners |
|---|---|
| Valid passport or national ID | Foreign IDs usually need an apostille or consular legalisation |
| Commercial register excerpt (Handelsregisterauszug) | Proof the company exists and who represents it |
| Articles of association (Gesellschaftsvertrag) | The company’s founding document |
| Beneficial-owner (UBO) declaration | Who ultimately owns and controls the company |
| Proof of business address | A physical address or an accepted virtual office |
| Managing director appointment / power of attorney | Especially if a representative applies on your behalf |
| Business activity description | Sometimes a short business plan or contracts |
| Source-of-funds information | Where the bank’s risk checks require it |
Documents issued outside Germany generally need an apostille under the Hague Convention, or legalisation through a German consulate if your country is not part of that convention, and non-German documents often need certified translations. Getting this wrong is the most common cause of delay, which is why we coordinate the legalisation and translation before anything reaches the bank.
- 1. Consultation — We propose the right company and structure for your goals.
- 2. Due diligence — We confirm the company is clean, debt-free and compliant.
- 3. Notarial transfer — Ownership passes to you — remotely if needed (GmbHG §15).
- 4. Setup — Banking, tax, registered address and director are put in place.
How to open the account step by step
The process is predictable once the paperwork is in order:
- Choose the account type — a direct bank, traditional bank, or neobank/EMI that fits your company and residency.
- Prepare and legalise your documents — passport, register excerpt, articles, UBO declaration, proof of address, and a power of attorney if someone applies for you.
- Verify your identity — through PostIdent, VideoIdent, or certification by a notary or lawyer.
- Submit the application and pass KYC — the bank runs anti-money-laundering checks under the Geldwäschegesetz and may ask about your business purpose and source of funds.
- Deposit the share capital — for a new GmbH, pay in at least €12,500 (GmbHG §7) so the company can be registered. A shelf company has already done this.
- Receive your IBAN and go live — once approved, you get a German IBAN, set up signatories and beneficial owners, and connect the account to your accounting and tax registrations.
Verifying your identity (PostIdent, VideoIdent, lawyer)
German banks must confirm you are who you say you are, and there are three common routes. PostIdent is done in person at a German post office and suits owners who are in the country. VideoIdent is a recorded video call that works from anywhere with a camera and is the usual choice for non-residents. Where a bank accepts it, certification by a notary or lawyer can also verify your identity, which is helpful when you are completing the purchase of a company through a legal adviser anyway.
Depositing the share capital
For a brand-new GmbH, the share capital has to be paid into the company account before registration: at least a quarter of each share and at least €12,500 in total (GmbHG §7). The bank confirms the deposit, the notary files for registration, and only then does the company fully exist (GmbHG §11). This step is the reason a fresh formation cannot skip the bank. If you buy a ready-made GmbH instead, the capital is already paid in and verified, so you avoid this deposit step entirely.
Opening a German account remotely or from abroad
You do not have to be in Germany to open a company account. With direct banks and neobanks, much of the process runs online: documents are submitted digitally, identity is confirmed by VideoIdent, and a power of attorney lets a local representative act for you where a step has to happen on the ground. That makes remote onboarding realistic for owners based far away.
Non-EU founders should expect extra due diligence rather than a closed door. If you are applying from outside Germany, our guide on how to buy a company in Germany as a foreigner sets out the wider picture, and we coordinate the cross-border paperwork on your side. Founders from specific markets can also see our dedicated guidance, for example for the US, India, the UAE, and the UK.
How long it takes and why banks sometimes say no
Timelines vary with your company type and risk profile. A new company usually waits a few weeks for an account once documents are complete; a non-resident profile can take longer if the bank wants further checks. A shelf company that already holds an active account is the fast case, because the account exists and only the signatories and beneficial owners need updating.
Refusals do happen, and they are rarely arbitrary. The usual reasons are an incomplete or unlegalised document set, an unclear or vague business purpose, a high-risk country of residence, or no demonstrable local substance. You improve your odds by submitting a complete, properly apostilled file, describing your business activity in concrete terms, providing a credible German address, and having the application prepared professionally so the bank’s questions are answered before they are asked.
The shortcut: a shelf company with a ready bank account
The single biggest bottleneck for foreign founders is the wait and uncertainty around banking, so many owners skip it entirely by buying a company that already has an account. A shelf company with a bank account is a clean, never-traded German entity whose capital is paid in and whose account is already open, so you can be operational quickly after the transfer.
This is the route the general banking guides rarely mention, but for owners in a hurry it is often the most practical one. You take over a ready-made GmbH for sale, we update the signatories and beneficial owners at the bank, and you start using a working German IBAN without going through a fresh application. If you would rather build from scratch, we also handle company formation in Germany with the account set up as part of the process. For the smallest entry capital, a UG (mini-GmbH) is another option.
Have questions about your specific situation? Request a free callback with our team, with no commitment. Talk to our team.
- €25,000 — Germany — GmbH
- €10,000 — Austria — GmbH
- CHF 20,000 — Switzerland — GmbH
- CHF 50,000 — Liechtenstein — AG
Bar length is scaled to an approximate EUR equivalent; capital is stated in each country’s statutory currency. Sources: GmbHG §5, Austrian GesRÄG 2023, Swiss CO, Liechtenstein PGR.
What it costs to open a business account
Costs depend on the bank and your profile, so be wary of any single headline figure. The real drivers are the bank’s own account and monthly maintenance fees, the cost of apostille or legalisation and certified translation of your documents, and any premium for fast-tracking or bundling the account with company setup. Neobanks tend to be cheaper to run; traditional banks more expensive but fuller-service.
Rather than publish a number that would not fit every case, we give you a transparent quote for your situation and can bundle the account with company formation or a ready-made GmbH. For the cost of a complete shelf-company package, see our shelf company cost guide, and contact us for a clear breakdown with no hidden extras.
Using a virtual office address or local director
Banks like to see that a company has genuine substance in Germany, and there are two common ways to provide it without relocating. A virtual office in Germany gives you a verified business address that many banks accept for registration and account opening, though some still ask for more tangible presence. A nominee or local managing director can also help, because a director who is reachable in Germany reassures a bank that someone locally stands behind the company. Neither is mandatory, but for a fully non-resident owner one or both can be the difference between a smooth approval and a stalled one.
After the account is open: signatories, UBO and tax
Opening the account is the start, not the finish. Whenever ownership or management changes, the bank needs the new signatories and the updated beneficial owners on file, and those beneficial owners also have to be kept current in the transparency register. Letting this drift can freeze an account, so it is worth keeping tidy.
The account also has to connect to the company’s tax life. You will use it for VAT and corporate tax, so the company’s tax number (Steuernummer) from the Finanzamt and, where you trade across the EU, its VAT ID (USt-IdNr) need to be in place. If you have bought an existing company, see our note on a company with a VAT number and we confirm those registrations carry over to you. We can handle the ongoing bookkeeping and filings so the account and the company’s records stay aligned.
Bank accounts in Austria, Switzerland and the wider DACH region
Germany is one option in the DACH region, and the right banking home depends on where your company sits. If you are setting up or buying a company across the border, the principles are similar but the banks and rules differ. We help foreign owners with corporate accounts beyond Germany too: see opening a business bank account in Austria and opening a business account in Switzerland for the country-specific picture. Because we work across all four DACH jurisdictions, we can advise on which combination of company and account fits your plans.
Why work with a lawyer-led team for German banking
A business account sits on top of a real legal entity with real obligations, so the quality of the preparation matters more than the choice of logo on the card. With Müller Konsult you get a file prepared to a bank’s standard the first time: the right documents, correctly apostilled and translated, a clearly stated business purpose, and the beneficial-ownership picture set out properly.
We also liaise directly with the bank, the notary, and the Finanzamt on your behalf, handle the KYC questions, and stay with you for the signatory and tax steps after the account opens. Most of all, you deal with a named, accountable adviser at a real office, not an anonymous form, which is exactly what a bank, and you, want to see behind a foreign-owned company.
Frequently asked questions
Can a foreigner open a German business bank account?
Yes. There is no nationality requirement to own a German company or open its account. Non-residents face stricter anti-money-laundering checks and need fully legalised documents, but foreign company owners open German business accounts regularly, often without travelling to Germany.
Can non-residents open an account without living in Germany?
Yes. Direct banks and neobanks in particular offer remote onboarding, so you can open and run a German business account from abroad. Some traditional banks prefer a German address or an in-person meeting, which is where a local director or virtual office can help.
Can I open the account remotely or online?
In most cases, yes. Identity is confirmed by VideoIdent or by certification from a notary or lawyer, and a power of attorney lets a representative complete steps locally. Direct banks and neobanks are built for online onboarding, which suits cross-border founders.
What documents do I need?
Typically a valid passport (often apostilled), the commercial register excerpt, the articles of association, a beneficial-owner declaration, proof of a business address, and a director appointment or power of attorney. The bank may also ask for a business description and source-of-funds details.
Do I need an apostille or legalisation?
Usually, yes. Documents issued outside Germany generally need an apostille under the Hague Convention, or consular legalisation if your country is not a member, plus certified translations of non-German documents. Preparing these correctly is the main way to avoid delays.
How is my identity verified?
Through PostIdent at a German post office if you are in the country, VideoIdent by recorded video call from anywhere, or certification by a notary or lawyer where the bank accepts it. Non-residents most often use VideoIdent or lawyer certification.
Do I need to deposit €25,000 before opening the account?
For a new GmbH you pay in at least €12,500 before registration (GmbHG §7), not the full €25,000 up front, and the deposit goes into the company account. A shelf company already has its capital paid in, so there is no fresh deposit to make.
Can I open the account from India, the USA or abroad?
Yes. Founders from outside the EU can open a German business account remotely, though the bank will apply extra due diligence. Complete, legalised documents and a clear business purpose matter most. We coordinate the cross-border paperwork for owners abroad.
Which bank is best for a GmbH owned by a foreigner?
There is no single answer; it depends on your residency, whether you need to deposit share capital, and how much in-person contact you can manage. Direct banks and neobanks are generally more open to non-residents. We match you to a bank that fits rather than pushing one name.
What is the difference between a direct bank, a traditional bank and a neobank?
Direct banks are full German banks with mostly online onboarding. Traditional banks offer the deepest service but often want a branch visit and local presence. Neobanks and EMIs onboard fast in English, though not all can hold the formal share-capital deposit a new GmbH needs.
How long does it take to open a business account?
A new company usually waits a few weeks once documents are complete, longer if the bank runs extra checks on a non-resident profile. A shelf company with an existing active account is the fast case, since only the signatories and beneficial owners need updating.
Why do banks refuse foreign-owned company accounts?
Common reasons are incomplete or unlegalised documents, a vague business purpose, a high-risk country of residence, or no demonstrable local substance. Most refusals are about the file, not the founder, and a properly prepared application avoids them.
How can I improve my approval chances?
Submit a complete, apostilled document set, describe your business activity in concrete terms, provide a credible German address, and have the application prepared professionally. Answering the bank’s likely questions before it asks them is the most reliable way to a yes.
Can a shelf company come with a bank account?
Yes. A shelf company with an active account lets you skip the application entirely and start operating quickly after the transfer. For many foreign owners this is the simplest route, because the account already exists and only the signatories change.
Does a virtual office address work for the bank?
Many German banks accept a verified virtual office address for registration and account opening, but some want more tangible local substance. Pairing a virtual office with a reachable local director strengthens an application where a bank is cautious.
Do I need a local or nominee director?
It is optional, but a local managing director can satisfy a bank’s expectation of local presence and make day-to-day dealings easier. For a fully non-resident owner, a nominee or local director is often a practical way to smooth approval.
What does it cost to open a business account?
The main costs are the bank’s account and monthly maintenance fees, document apostille or legalisation and translation, and any premium for fast-tracking. We do not publish a single figure because it varies by bank and profile; instead we give you a transparent quote and can bundle the account with company setup.
What is the “$10,000 bank rule” I keep reading about?
That is a United States cash-reporting rule and does not apply to German company accounts. In the EU and Germany, anti-money-laundering rules under the Geldwäschegesetz and cash-declaration thresholds apply instead, which is why banks ask about source of funds and beneficial ownership.
Can you open the account on my behalf?
We prepare and submit the application, handle the KYC and document legalisation, liaise with the bank, and arrange identity verification, while you remain the account holder and signatory. For the fastest result, we can also offer a shelf company that already has an account in place.
This guide is general information about banking and company law in Germany, not legal, financial, or tax advice, and bank requirements and rules change. We never guarantee that a specific bank will approve any application.
Official sources
- German Limited Liability Companies Act (GmbHG), official English text — gesetze-im-internet.de
- Money Laundering Act (Geldwäschegesetz, GwG) — gesetze-im-internet.de
- German Commercial Register (Handelsregister) — handelsregister.de
- Transparency register (Transparenzregister) — transparenzregister.de
- Federal Financial Supervisory Authority (BaFin) — bafin.de
Ready to open a German business account?
Contact Müller Konsult and we will prepare your file, match you to the right bank, and handle the KYC, legalisation, and bank liaison, or set you up with a shelf company that already has an account. Müller Konsult · Königsallee 27, 40212 Düsseldorf · +49 211 5403 8800 · info@gmbhforsale.com · Request a callback
Reviewed by Stefan Stelthove, Corporate & Commercial Lawyer, Müller Konsult. Last updated 7 June 2026.
Related: Shelf company with a bank account · Shelf company Germany · GmbH for sale · Company formation in Germany · Nominee director Germany
