**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.
Hi there. Firstly, I wanted to express my gratitude to you guys ! Everything you guys post here is very useful for all of us expats. Quick question if I may, I have signed my rental agreement and will arrive in Cologne end of April. I've got anmeldung booked to 04.05.23 and because the timeframe is very tight I was wondering if I could create my account online (i'm EU citizen). However, in the process I noticed they ask for the date of actual move.... so the question is whether I can do this prior to my arrival in Germany ?
Okay I just went to Commerzbank Karlsruhe for legitimatisation but they told they can enter into the system only if my visa is valid upto six months from that particular day . So today being 11th , It should be valid on 11th October but my visa is valid only till 4th October.
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.
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.🙂
I just moved to Berlin in January 2023 and your channel is pure gold! I'm soooo happy that i found your content because it's currently saving my life. I just follow your tutorial and I got my bank account (with only my temporary work visa, just the Meldebestätigung that I got the day before and my passport, if it's interesting for someone here). Girls you are the best!
Hi, I wanna say Thanks to you for uploading this guide. Really helpful and I successfully get my Commerzbank account and activated it. Thank you again.
I cannot thank you guys enough for your help. I wanted to talk to the customer care and the way you showed, worked perfectly for me. I wish you guys a good journey with this channel.
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!
hank you Yvonne and Jen putting this video on TH-cam, I activated my account after watching this video, because there was no propser instruction given in the back letter. Thank you both...!
and as usual because i've been wanting to transfer from VR Bank, you have been very very helpful. I have been able to fill out the form so easily as the video was running. Thank you so much
You guys I swear AMAZING, thr amount of informations you give and how simple, clear and professional you explain it is unbelievable super grateful to you guys.
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!
You are commenting under the perfect video for you 😊. Commerzbank is a traditional branch bank which offers you unlimited cash withdrawals with CashGroup (Commerzbank, Deutsche Bank, Postbank) ATMs.
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.
Welcome to Germany! Yes, Nuri is also a great option, as we mention in. our guide: www.simplegermany.com/best-german-bank-english-speakers/. Unfortunately, they don't accept all nationalities. Glad you were able to open one. 😊
Hi, did you need to do Anmeldung to get that bank account ? How did you manage to do both in one week ? Please let me know, because I am moving to Munich soon !
** 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.
Hi. I tried opening an online account opening with Commerzbank. After completion of the online procedure I received an automated mail with my application in it. On the 1st page of the 'Antrag fur die Kontoeroffnung zu online' the following is mentioned - 'Legitimation in einer Filiale der Commerzbank. Gehen Sie zu einer Filiale der Commerzbank. Bringen Sie Ihren gültigen Personalausweis oder Reisepass (in bold letters) sowie Ihren gültigen Aufenthaltstitel mit. (in bold letters)' . So is it worth checking with them again on whether I can do legitimation with just my passport [non EU, non EEA] and Meldebescheinigung? Are there any exceptions for students?
I had a very bad experience I went to comerze bank branch and they told me that they changed their policy and students can't open bank account anymore, and they were very rude to me.
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.
i am a UK contractor just arrived in Germany 4 weeks ago i have discovered your channel and i must say your content, style and information is spot on amazing i am trying to watch at least 2 - 3 of your videos a day to get a good idea if i would like to stay. i did my Rathaus registration today.
If you are a foreigner with a place of residence in Germany and you visit regularly, Commerzbank accounts are expensive - 30€ per month. I’m actually planning to switch to N26 as a branch isn’t necessary and I’ve got a means of using ATM internationally through my US bank and they reimburse me for ATM transactions.
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.
Thanks for sharing. It still seems that resident permit yes or no depends a bit on the branch and your nationality. Just a few days ago, we got a comment that they didn't need to show their RP but their friends did. But the likelihood that you need it when you are from outside the EU/EEA is high, as we also state in our latest banking video: th-cam.com/video/B0jxzA_JYhc/w-d-xo.html.
Many thanks for your videos!! I've been watching your videos maybe for 3 days in a row😅 Could you please make a video about health insurance in Germany? Maybe with the comparison? I have signed the contract with Barmer bcz my friend recommended this company, but now a lot of people tell me that maybe TK or AOK are better. Thanks a lot one more time))
Fantastic! Glad they are helpful! We currently have a guide on health insurance: www.simplegermany.com/private-vs-public-health-insurance-germany/ When it comes to the different public providers, TK, AOK and Barmer are all great and offer more or less the same cover. There are small differences with their individual bonus programs but for those you need to actively partake. We believe once you have signed up with one, you need to stay with them a year or two and should you be unhappy then you can change. 😊
Hiii, this is really helpful, thank you both!!! I just wanted to ask, should I give my Meldebestätigung or can I just give a copy? are they gonna keep my document or not? thank you!
Thank you Yvonne and Jen for putting up so much of effort!!! Highly appreciate both of you girls. I was wandering if you could make a fans meet up plan in some weekends! I have recently come from India to Düsseldorf with my family. My wife and I both have been watching all of your videos since we planned to move to Germany. You guys indeed helping people to make their life simpler in Germany!!! Would love meet you both some day :)
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!!
Hey Cristina, congrats on your upcoming move! 😊 We believe it is faster if you fill out the application online and if you are from the EU you can verify yourself online or otherwise just head to a branch for verification. Regarding money transfers, one of the cheapest options to do international transfers is via Wise, so you could wire money from your home country to your German bank account with that service. However, you should have some cash available for the first days/weeks in Germany, as a Commerzbank account takes some time to open (you need to do your Anmeldung first).
Personally, I think very few things are more cool than walking into a bank with 8,000 in cash, or 80,000 and telling the teller "I'd like to make a small deposit".
Hi Girls, that was a very informative video but I think you are missing one point that is kind of important. In Germany in many cases you need to pay with cash, which means you have to have some ATMs around you. The ATM you can find the most in any are is the one from Sparkasse I think. I am aware you mention that from Commerzbank you can still withdraw money for free from Deutsche Bank and Postbank but those ATMs are harder to find as they are not so many. So I think one more factor for the evaluation could be the ATM accessibility.
Thank you for the video it is super helpful. I opened the basic account with the girocard and virtual debit card. However I want to apply to a physical debit card but can’t seem to find the option anywhere. Is it possible to do that and how? Thank you
Hi, thank you for this video. I have a question, while identifying myself at the commerzbank do I need to take hard copy of my antrag or soft copy will be okay?
While the video is amazon, the bank service is actually pathetic. 1) A lot of time, app or mobile banking doesn't work. 2) if you get into issue, you need to spend hrs talking to them to just identify it. 3) Virtual debit card functionality doesn't work. It's good to start with Commerzbank, but we definitely need some other secondary account like N26 or any other to survive in Germany, as this Commerzbank can get into issues anytime.
For me as someone who is in professional contact with different banks, Commerzbank an Postbank are the last i would choose. Service is slow as fuck if you have questions/problems...
Thanks a lot for the videos. I have received only the letter with the pin, but no Giro card. Please advise, how i can proceed further? Also why is that PIN number in the letter sent by bank is used for?
The two letters get sent separately for security reasons and sometimes there are a few days in between. So you should expect the letter with the girocard sometime in the next days. If not, you need to reach out to the customer service of Commerzbank. We describe in our guide, how you reach the customer service in English: www.simplegermany.com/open-commerzbank-account/#Contacting_customer_service You need the PIN for payments with the card or when you want to take out cash from an ATM. 😊
Thank you, your videos are soo helpful, on july i’ll be moving to germany, do i need an anmeldung to open an account ? Because my appointment is on August …. If yet what re the other options please
Hello girls! Thank you very much for your videos, super useful honestly! I just received my Girocard, is there any specific procedure in order to activate the card? Or I can directly go to the supermarket for example? First use shall be contactless or should I enter the card and type the PIN? Thank you sooo much again! :)
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!!
Yay for opening your bank account! 😊You should also get letters to activate your online banking. It can take some days and will consist of different letters for security reasons.
@@simplegermany Thankyou so much for your reply- really appreciate it ☺️☺️! It will consist the pin and the username? Everything is so urgent at the moment and I’m loosing patience waiting for stuff by post 😄. This is the most number of posts I have received on my name in a short while 😂.
Very well explained!. I have a question. I see the steps here are to open a checking account. What is the difference between a checking or current account and savings account ? What if we open savings account instead ?
Do you know if for the 700$ monthly deposit the transfer of money from my student blocked account to my Commerzbank would count as deposit? so that the account remains free.
The videoIDENT staff talked to me in English (without even asking if I knew german). So you don't need to understand german to perform the online verification.
Thank you so much for the video. I just have one question to you guys. You mention in the video that the Steuer-Nr is not needed to open this bank account but in the city I live in, when I went to ask the bank what I needed to open an account they said that without it it wouldn't be possible. I have already done the Anmeldung but am still waiting for that information. Do you know a way to avoid that? Thnx
It seems every Commerzbank branch office have different criteria depending on the applicant's nationality. In this case, if you have already completed the online form, and you need to do an in-person identification, then you need to wait for your Tax ID to arrive. Your Tax ID should arrive within a few weeks after completing your Anmeldung. We talk a little bit more in detail about the Tax ID in our written guide: www.simplegermany.com/tax-number-germany/#What_is_the_tax_ID_in_Germany
Thanks for your videos, you are great! As a non-EU resident in Germany I want to add a couple of things: 1. I came with a work visa, so they asked for my passport, visa, and registration paper I got from the Citizens office. Also, their system accepted my passport after several tries. 2. Then I deposited the cash I brought with me, and they charged 2-3 euros for this deposit (this amount is deducted later from your account). 3. For the GiroCard you will get 2 letters, one containing the PIN code, and the other containing card itself. 4. When I paid for the blue card at the Foreign office they ONLY accepted GiroCard, not any other type of card or cash! 5. After you get your residence permit card (or blue card) you need to go back to the bank and let them save your new ID in their system. 6. It is good that you mentioned the date input issue, I also faced the same issue there, and on the other websites. 7. Be also aware that, IBAN numbers can be used to deduct money, meaning if you give your IBAN number to stores, they can deduct money, whereas where I came from IBAN numbers can be used only for depositing money.
Thanks a lot for sharing your experience! Interesting that your Ausländerbehörde only accepted girocard payments. In Düsseldorf, you can pay with girocard or with cash (with a 1 euro fee, we believe).
Picked this bank as the most friendly to people who do not speak German, but got rejected because I am a citizen of Russia. At least could've rejected me when I did the online registration and not make me drive to the bank office.
Hey Vielen vielen Dank fürs ausführliche Video! Ich würde jedoch gerne wissen, (falls ihr zufällig wisst) ob ich einen Termin bei einer Filliale vereinbaren muss, um mich identifizieren zu lassen oder geht es auch ohne?
The free student account is called Startkonto. It is different to the described Girokonto. This is our partner link for the Startkonto if you like to use it: www.simplegermany.com/commerzbank-student/
Amazing video, it helped a lot. However, I have a quick question, if you could help me answer. I understand the minimum amount to be maintained 700€ every month, if I do not use this amount or lets I have a salary coming in every month which is 4000€ and I only spend 500€ and the rest is just savings, will I be charged 9,90 € if I don't have much transaction on my account ? Thank you very much for this amazing video
Somehow, I'm the only one so far in my friend group to open a Commerzbank account successfully w/o my Aufenthaltserlaubnis? Dunno why, but a friend of mine and my cousin both have problems with identification at a branch, since they kept saying that their visas weren't enough to open an account (which I successfully did even without a 6-month+ Aufenthaltserlaubnis). Anyone else getting this problem, or is it just my friend group? When they told me that they couldn't do the identification in the branches, I had to tell them to do the identification in a post office instead, which is a bit of a bummer.
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.
Thanks for your video. Quick query. Do we need to open Current account? As when I am opening link in English, it is showing as Open a free current account. I need to open one account where my salary gets transferred and I can use it my savings purpose too
A current account is the same as a checking account (in German Girokonto). This is a standard bank account for everyday life, with which you can of course receive your salary. 😊
Thank you for this video. I followed exactly what you explain and except one thing it has worked. I went to a branch for ID verification but the bank officer asked my registration documents and Tax ID. Since I am still waiting my tax ID from registration office, i could not open my account...
Thanks for letting us know about your experience. We hope your tax ID will arrive soon. Otherwise, you can also go to your Finanzamt and ask for it in person. 😊
Please help me, I opened an account with Commerzbank, I have a virtual card MasterCard, where can I find the expiration date and cvv? The app only shows the card number
hi would like some help here i received my giro card pin in a scratch type paper but no card was inside the envelope what am i supposed to do with pin i just got after scratching ? will i get my debit card later? i can see my maestro card on the banking app but how to activate it ?
You usually receive your PIN and card in different deliveries. So be patient. In our experience the card can take up to 7 working days after the pin has arrived. If it doesn’t arrive by then, then contact the bank ☺️
The account opening itself takes you 10-20 minutes online. The ID verification takes another 5-10 minutes (if you need to do it in person maybe a bit longer). After that your account is active and you will receive your bank number. Receiving the letters with the girocard, PIN and code to activate your online banking will take several days.
It would have been so helpful if I saw this before opening my account. Just because of the DOB issue I had to visit the physical branch. Could you also add a quick portion on adding the virtual Master Card you can get on Apple Pay? I saw they give it for free. Can it be used for online transactions?
Hi, it is very helpful and I also wanted to know how can you open a bank account from another country I am currently going to Germany but until march (to study for my exchange) and I am very excited about that however for my scholarship they ask me to open a German account but I do not know how since I am still not in Germany
All German banks require you to be in Germany. As a student you can open a blocked account, which might be what your university is asking for. We have a guide about it: www.simplegermany.com/best-blocked-account-germany/
I did open a bank account and have activated online banking too. I know its related to Google pay somehow, but it takes me to buy the physical Mastercard before i can activate online one. Is it mandatory to buy physical Mastercard to get virtual one? Can you add steps on how to activate that? That will be a great help. And thanks for all the informative videos. They help a lot newbies like me. 😃
I have heard that we can file the yearly bank maintenance charges in the income tax returns. For e.g. if Sparkasse charges me 60€ yearly, I can get it back at the end of the year while filing it in icome tax returns. Is this true? If yes, how to do it?
Hey folks, thanks for the videos! I'll be moving to Mulheim in a few days, can you please tell me if there is a good Commerzbank coverage ATM wise in Mulheim?
One simple Google search will give you the answer and exact locations of Commerzbank branches. Remember, you can also use ATMs from Deutsche Bank and Postbank for free 😉
Hello Jenn and Yvonne, Thanks a lot for all the information.. I am a bit late in watching your video.. I have opened my Account and done verification today... But while logging into my account.. I come to know.. I have forgotten my Username and ID.. I was under the impression that the bank is going to provide it.. Can you please tell me how I can retrieve both..??
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?
Maybe your nationality cannot be verified in the post office. You can choose branch and go there. You don't need an appointment and the process is faster than going to the post office. All the best!
It can take 1-2 weeks. If you haven't received anything, we would suggest calling them as we describe in our guide: www.simplegermany.com/open-commerzbank-account/#Contacting_customer_service
Hey guys, thanks to you. I successfully opened my account, but i received my pin through letter first, instead of receiving the information about activating online banking. So, how should i take this situation as? Also, can I make transactions now as I've received the pin,without the giro card?
Fantastic! 😊 Yes, the PIN and girocard get send in separate letters, usually just a few days apart from each other. So your card should be on its way. You should also receive letters to install your online banking, give it a few more days.
To make sure I understand . I am planing to go to Germany as a US visitor for 3 months. A couple of months prior to my departure I will apply to open an account on commerzbank online as you shown in your video . After my arrival I go to a commerzbank branch in Germany in person with my US passport and a copy of my application that I previously filled up then I should be able to get approval and with some cash deposit get started banking in Germany and EU. Am I correct?
Almost. You need to be registered in Germany to be able to get a Commerzbank account. But you should only register if you stay longer than 3 months. This is not a good option for travelers. A Wise account is easier for that purpose.
Hi, I need your help 🙏🙏I am trying to open my bank account but I have a problem with the "Arbeitsverhältnis" stage. I am a student and I choose "student" but when I reach the "Angaben bestätigen" stage it says "trainee". I have corrected it so many times but it doesn't work.
great video thank you through the link in the description i tried to open an account for my wife she is Croatian and the process was easy till they asked about a paper that proves she doesn't live in Croatia even we provide them with adress decision from Einwohneramt and working documents. any suggestions how get it done without that
Yes, we agree with you, a Meldebescheinigung and possibly work contract should be enough to proof that you are living in Germany. If you get stuck with the online process, we would suggest going to a branch to present the documents there.
I successfully opened a bank account as a foreigner. Unfortunately, the bank is not willing to produce a cashier check even though I have enough money on my personal account because They told me it is a very difficult process.
Hello girls, first of all : thanks !! you are SO helpful you have no idea. Is the online banking with commerzbank good? Can we manage several things with the app? or do we always have to call the customer service?
girocards are not made for online payments directly. You need to activate giropay: www.commerzbank.de/konten-zahlungsverkehr/service/giropay/ or use paypal and connect your bank account there.
Quick question: the 700€ incoming - can it be personal transfer as well? Like if i receive 700€ from a friend is it still considered and i can avoid charges?
Every city has different Kleingarten Vereine with different regulations. We suggest you google Kleingartenverein for your city and speak with them directly about possibilities. We know from friends that certain Vereine are fully booked quite often though.
Yes, it is possible to trade crypto in Germany and lots of modern bank accounts and online brokers offer crypto investments. You could watch these two videos: th-cam.com/video/n25SQus45xQ/w-d-xo.html and th-cam.com/video/iHnW3lje8Nw/w-d-xo.html
![The Anmeldung in Germany - [Everything you need to know]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/ysXo7MV2zko/mqdefault.jpg)
![Top 4 Bank Accounts for Foreigners in Germany [2024 Update]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/GjRG1IBV5hU/mqdefault.jpg)
**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.
Hi there. Firstly, I wanted to express my gratitude to you guys ! Everything you guys post here is very useful for all of us expats. Quick question if I may, I have signed my rental agreement and will arrive in Cologne end of April. I've got anmeldung booked to 04.05.23 and because the timeframe is very tight I was wondering if I could create my account online (i'm EU citizen). However, in the process I noticed they ask for the date of actual move.... so the question is whether I can do this prior to my arrival in Germany ?
Okay I just went to Commerzbank Karlsruhe for legitimatisation but they told they can enter into the system only if my visa is valid upto six months from that particular day . So today being 11th , It should be valid on 11th October but my visa is valid only till 4th October.
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.
Thank you so very much for your amazing feedback!!!🥰
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.🙂
Amazing! Thanks for sharing ☺️
I just moved to Berlin in January 2023 and your channel is pure gold! I'm soooo happy that i found your content because it's currently saving my life. I just follow your tutorial and I got my bank account (with only my temporary work visa, just the Meldebestätigung that I got the day before and my passport, if it's interesting for someone here). Girls you are the best!
Fantastic to hear! Thanks for sharing and we hope you are settling in smoothly
Hi, I wanna say Thanks to you for uploading this guide. Really helpful and I successfully get my Commerzbank account and activated it. Thank you again.
I cannot thank you guys enough for your help. I wanted to talk to the customer care and the way you showed, worked perfectly for me. I wish you guys a good journey with this channel.
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!
You two are awesome! I live in manderscheid and you guys have saved my life getting settled in here in Germany!!! Keep up the amazing work!
hank you Yvonne and Jen putting this video on TH-cam, I activated my account after watching this video, because there was no propser instruction given in the back letter. Thank you both...!
and as usual because i've been wanting to transfer from VR Bank, you have been very very helpful. I have been able to fill out the form so easily as the video was running. Thank you so much
Many thanks to you both. Honestly, your videos were instrumental to my plans to make it to Germany.
So happy to hear!! 😊
You guys I swear AMAZING, thr amount of informations you give and how simple, clear and professional you explain it is unbelievable super grateful to you guys.
I opened a bank account today in Commerz bank. It was as easy as you described in your video. Thanks so much 🙏
Fantastic! Glad to hear 😊
Is cash withdrawal free?
Thanks ! Super clear video.
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!
You are commenting under the perfect video for you 😊. Commerzbank is a traditional branch bank which offers you unlimited cash withdrawals with CashGroup (Commerzbank, Deutsche Bank, Postbank) ATMs.
So helpful thank you so much!!!☺️💖
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.
Welcome to Germany! Yes, Nuri is also a great option, as we mention in. our guide: www.simplegermany.com/best-german-bank-english-speakers/. Unfortunately, they don't accept all nationalities. Glad you were able to open one. 😊
@@simplegermany Ty :)
Hi, did you need to do Anmeldung to get that bank account ? How did you manage to do both in one week ? Please let me know, because I am moving to Munich soon !
@@auralstudent2841 Sorry for the late response. Nuri has declared bankrupt, so the best option is to follow the guide from this video.
** 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.
Hi. I tried opening an online account opening with Commerzbank. After completion of the online procedure I received an automated mail with my application in it. On the 1st page of the 'Antrag fur die Kontoeroffnung zu online' the following is mentioned - 'Legitimation in einer Filiale der Commerzbank. Gehen Sie zu einer Filiale der Commerzbank. Bringen Sie Ihren gültigen Personalausweis oder Reisepass (in bold letters) sowie Ihren gültigen Aufenthaltstitel mit. (in bold letters)' . So is it worth checking with them again on whether I can do legitimation with just my passport [non EU, non EEA] and Meldebescheinigung? Are there any exceptions for students?
I had a very bad experience
I went to comerze bank branch and they told me that they changed their policy and students can't open bank account anymore, and they were very rude to me.
thank you so much, another successful video from a cute couple, greetings from a new expat in Germany😘
Thanks a lot for this!!! 🙏
This really helps alot .kudos
I love you guys so so so so much........Thanks for making this video, I was worried on how to open a bank account with all the language barrier....😃😃😃
Thank you a lot for the information. I will soon move from Chile to Stuttgart and will need a bank account. 😀
Thannnnnnnks!!! U guys help me a lot.
*girls hahaha Have a good day.
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.
thank you for the video
Nice explanation. :)
i am a UK contractor just arrived in Germany 4 weeks ago i have discovered your channel and i must say your content, style and information is spot on amazing i am trying to watch at least 2 - 3 of your videos a day to get a good idea if i would like to stay.
i did my Rathaus registration today.
Welcome and smooth settling 😉
Soooo helpful
You guys are great. Very helpful and thank you for your detailed work.
Thank you
If you are a foreigner with a place of residence in Germany and you visit regularly, Commerzbank accounts are expensive - 30€ per month. I’m actually planning to switch to N26 as a branch isn’t necessary and I’ve got a means of using ATM internationally through my US bank and they reimburse me for ATM transactions.
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.
Thanks for sharing. It still seems that resident permit yes or no depends a bit on the branch and your nationality. Just a few days ago, we got a comment that they didn't need to show their RP but their friends did. But the likelihood that you need it when you are from outside the EU/EEA is high, as we also state in our latest banking video: th-cam.com/video/B0jxzA_JYhc/w-d-xo.html.
Make a video about HOW TO OPEN A GERMAN HEART... maybe the toughest thing to do :-)
We don't know about opening their hearts, however this video might help you start some German friendships 🙃: th-cam.com/video/iMoqVgmqL8E/w-d-xo.html
Many thanks for your videos!! I've been watching your videos maybe for 3 days in a row😅 Could you please make a video about health insurance in Germany? Maybe with the comparison? I have signed the contract with Barmer bcz my friend recommended this company, but now a lot of people tell me that maybe TK or AOK are better. Thanks a lot one more time))
Fantastic! Glad they are helpful! We currently have a guide on health insurance: www.simplegermany.com/private-vs-public-health-insurance-germany/ When it comes to the different public providers, TK, AOK and Barmer are all great and offer more or less the same cover. There are small differences with their individual bonus programs but for those you need to actively partake. We believe once you have signed up with one, you need to stay with them a year or two and should you be unhappy then you can change. 😊
Hiii, this is really helpful, thank you both!!! I just wanted to ask, should I give my Meldebestätigung or can I just give a copy? are they gonna keep my document or not? thank you!
Thank you Yvonne and Jen for putting up so much of effort!!! Highly appreciate both of you girls. I was wandering if you could make a fans meet up plan in some weekends! I have recently come from India to Düsseldorf with my family. My wife and I both have been watching all of your videos since we planned to move to Germany. You guys indeed helping people to make their life simpler in Germany!!! Would love meet you both some day :)
Welcome to Germany!! Thanks for your very kind feedback! … and stay tuned 😅😇
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!!
Hey Cristina, congrats on your upcoming move! 😊
We believe it is faster if you fill out the application online and if you are from the EU you can verify yourself online or otherwise just head to a branch for verification.
Regarding money transfers, one of the cheapest options to do international transfers is via Wise, so you could wire money from your home country to your German bank account with that service. However, you should have some cash available for the first days/weeks in Germany, as a Commerzbank account takes some time to open (you need to do your Anmeldung first).
@@simplegermany Many thanks for your reply! And also thank you so much for all your valuable content! You´re both awesome!!
Personally, I think very few things are more cool than walking into a bank with 8,000 in cash, or 80,000 and telling the teller "I'd like to make a small deposit".
Hi Girls, that was a very informative video but I think you are missing one point that is kind of important. In Germany in many cases you need to pay with cash, which means you have to have some ATMs around you. The ATM you can find the most in any are is the one from Sparkasse I think. I am aware you mention that from Commerzbank you can still withdraw money for free from Deutsche Bank and Postbank but those ATMs are harder to find as they are not so many. So I think one more factor for the evaluation could be the ATM accessibility.
It is indeed a factor in our general bank overview 😉
Thank you for the video it is super helpful. I opened the basic account with the girocard and virtual debit card. However I want to apply to a physical debit card but can’t seem to find the option anywhere. Is it possible to do that and how? Thank you
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" ?
Hi, thank you for this video. I have a question, while identifying myself at the commerzbank do I need to take hard copy of my antrag or soft copy will be okay?
All comerzbank girocards are co-branded with mastercard debit
Thanks for amazing video and step by step guide on your website. This really helped.
While the video is amazon, the bank service is actually pathetic. 1) A lot of time, app or mobile banking doesn't work. 2) if you get into issue, you need to spend hrs talking to them to just identify it. 3) Virtual debit card functionality doesn't work.
It's good to start with Commerzbank, but we definitely need some other secondary account like N26 or any other to survive in Germany, as this Commerzbank can get into issues anytime.
For me as someone who is in professional contact with different banks, Commerzbank an Postbank are the last i would choose. Service is slow as fuck if you have questions/problems...
Which one would you choose that offers English banking and customer service?
Which one do you recommend?
Thanks a lot for the videos. I have received only the letter with the pin, but no Giro card. Please advise, how i can proceed further? Also why is that PIN number in the letter sent by bank is used for?
The two letters get sent separately for security reasons and sometimes there are a few days in between. So you should expect the letter with the girocard sometime in the next days. If not, you need to reach out to the customer service of Commerzbank. We describe in our guide, how you reach the customer service in English: www.simplegermany.com/open-commerzbank-account/#Contacting_customer_service
You need the PIN for payments with the card or when you want to take out cash from an ATM. 😊
Thanks for the video! But I have a question... Are you able to use the visa debit card from Commerzbank with Wise or Remitly?
You should be able to connect it as a payment method. Wise also comes with its own card. So not exactly sure what use case you are referring to.
Thank you, your videos are soo helpful, on july i’ll be moving to germany, do i need an anmeldung to open an account ? Because my appointment is on August …. If yet what re the other options please
Yes, you need your Anmeldung for Commerzbank. We list other banks in English in our guide: www.simplegermany.com/best-german-bank-english-speakers/
Sehr Gut Jen und Yvonne. Ich habe ein Commerzbank Account
Hello girls! Thank you very much for your videos, super useful honestly! I just received my Girocard, is there any specific procedure in order to activate the card? Or I can directly go to the supermarket for example? First use shall be contactless or should I enter the card and type the PIN? Thank you sooo much again! :)
Congrats! Usually for the first use you should use the chip and the pin and then you are good to go 😊
Excellent job!!! Thank you for your information how can i be in touch with one of you i need your help plz!
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!!
Yay for opening your bank account! 😊You should also get letters to activate your online banking. It can take some days and will consist of different letters for security reasons.
@@simplegermany Thankyou so much for your reply- really appreciate it ☺️☺️! It will consist the pin and the username?
Everything is so urgent at the moment and I’m loosing patience waiting for stuff by post 😄. This is the most number of posts I have received on my name in a short while 😂.
Very well explained!.
I have a question. I see the steps here are to open a checking account.
What is the difference between a checking or current account and savings account ?
What if we open savings account instead ?
Do you know if for the 700$ monthly deposit the transfer of money from my student blocked account to my Commerzbank would count as deposit? so that the account remains free.
Yes, it should count in our opinion.
The videoIDENT staff talked to me in English (without even asking if I knew german). So you don't need to understand german to perform the online verification.
That's cool. Thanks for letting us know :)
Thank you so much for the video. I just have one question to you guys. You mention in the video that the Steuer-Nr is not needed to open this bank account but in the city I live in, when I went to ask the bank what I needed to open an account they said that without it it wouldn't be possible. I have already done the Anmeldung but am still waiting for that information. Do you know a way to avoid that? Thnx
It seems every Commerzbank branch office have different criteria depending on the applicant's nationality. In this case, if you have already completed the online form, and you need to do an in-person identification, then you need to wait for your Tax ID to arrive. Your Tax ID should arrive within a few weeks after completing your Anmeldung. We talk a little bit more in detail about the Tax ID in our written guide: www.simplegermany.com/tax-number-germany/#What_is_the_tax_ID_in_Germany
Thanks for your videos, you are great! As a non-EU resident in Germany I want to add a couple of things:
1. I came with a work visa, so they asked for my passport, visa, and registration paper I got from the Citizens office. Also, their system accepted my passport after several tries.
2. Then I deposited the cash I brought with me, and they charged 2-3 euros for this deposit (this amount is deducted later from your account).
3. For the GiroCard you will get 2 letters, one containing the PIN code, and the other containing card itself.
4. When I paid for the blue card at the Foreign office they ONLY accepted GiroCard, not any other type of card or cash!
5. After you get your residence permit card (or blue card) you need to go back to the bank and let them save your new ID in their system.
6. It is good that you mentioned the date input issue, I also faced the same issue there, and on the other websites.
7. Be also aware that, IBAN numbers can be used to deduct money, meaning if you give your IBAN number to stores, they can deduct money, whereas where I came from IBAN numbers can be used only for depositing money.
Thanks a lot for sharing your experience! Interesting that your Ausländerbehörde only accepted girocard payments. In Düsseldorf, you can pay with girocard or with cash (with a 1 euro fee, we believe).
Picked this bank as the most friendly to people who do not speak German, but got rejected because I am a citizen of Russia. At least could've rejected me when I did the online registration and not make me drive to the bank office.
Im sure that cant be the real reason. Do you have your PR or legal residence in Germany?
Hey Vielen vielen Dank fürs ausführliche Video! Ich würde jedoch gerne wissen, (falls ihr zufällig wisst) ob ich einen Termin bei einer Filliale vereinbaren muss, um mich identifizieren zu lassen oder geht es auch ohne?
Das geht auch ohne 😊
@@simplegermany Dankeee ihr seid die Besten!
As an international student, Can I use the account opening link in the description box to open an account and get the benefits provided for students?
The free student account is called Startkonto. It is different to the described Girokonto. This is our partner link for the Startkonto if you like to use it: www.simplegermany.com/commerzbank-student/
Amazing video, it helped a lot.
However, I have a quick question, if you could help me answer.
I understand the minimum amount to be maintained 700€ every month, if I do not use this amount or lets I have a salary coming in every month which is 4000€ and I only spend 500€ and the rest is just savings, will I be charged 9,90 € if I don't have much transaction on my account ?
Thank you very much for this amazing video
The 700€ don’t need to be maintained, they just need to be incoming, e.g. from a salary 😊
Thank you so much, You guys deserve much viewers. I will recommend to my friends. Thanks again guys @@simplegermany
Somehow, I'm the only one so far in my friend group to open a Commerzbank account successfully w/o my Aufenthaltserlaubnis? Dunno why, but a friend of mine and my cousin both have problems with identification at a branch, since they kept saying that their visas weren't enough to open an account (which I successfully did even without a 6-month+ Aufenthaltserlaubnis). Anyone else getting this problem, or is it just my friend group? When they told me that they couldn't do the identification in the branches, I had to tell them to do the identification in a post office instead, which is a bit of a bummer.
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.
Technically that would be a transfer from your own account and shouldn't qualify. But to be sure, ask about it in your local branch.
Thanks for your video. Quick query. Do we need to open Current account? As when I am opening link in English, it is showing as Open a free current account. I need to open one account where my salary gets transferred and I can use it my savings purpose too
A current account is the same as a checking account (in German Girokonto). This is a standard bank account for everyday life, with which you can of course receive your salary. 😊
Thank you for this video. I followed exactly what you explain and except one thing it has worked. I went to a branch for ID verification but the bank officer asked my registration documents and Tax ID. Since I am still waiting my tax ID from registration office, i could not open my account...
Thanks for letting us know about your experience. We hope your tax ID will arrive soon. Otherwise, you can also go to your Finanzamt and ask for it in person. 😊
Please help me, I opened an account with Commerzbank, I have a virtual card MasterCard, where can I find the expiration date and cvv? The app only shows the card number
So if I get a job there, my employer will set me up with direct deposit?
Yes, after you tell them your bank account details 😊
hi would like some help here i received my giro card pin in a scratch type paper but no card was inside the envelope what am i supposed to do with pin i just got after scratching ? will i get my debit card later? i can see my maestro card on the banking app but how to activate it ?
You usually receive your PIN and card in different deliveries. So be patient. In our experience the card can take up to 7 working days after the pin has arrived. If it doesn’t arrive by then, then contact the bank ☺️
thank you 😊
Commerzbank Berlin is not giving accounts to students, they told you need a work contract to open the account .
Commerzbank has a dedicated account for students called StartKonto, maybe try that one.
How many days it take to open a Commerzbank account?
The account opening itself takes you 10-20 minutes online. The ID verification takes another 5-10 minutes (if you need to do it in person maybe a bit longer). After that your account is active and you will receive your bank number. Receiving the letters with the girocard, PIN and code to activate your online banking will take several days.
Also, would it be possible to transfer funds out of the Commerz bank account to my Wise account whenever I want?
Yes, you can do unlimited free transfers in the SEPA zone.
It would have been so helpful if I saw this before opening my account. Just because of the DOB issue I had to visit the physical branch. Could you also add a quick portion on adding the virtual Master Card you can get on Apple Pay? I saw they give it for free. Can it be used for online transactions?
Hi, it is very helpful and I also wanted to know how can you open a bank account from another country I am currently going to Germany but until march (to study for my exchange) and I am very excited about that however for my scholarship they ask me to open a German account but I do not know how since I am still not in Germany
All German banks require you to be in Germany. As a student you can open a blocked account, which might be what your university is asking for. We have a guide about it: www.simplegermany.com/best-blocked-account-germany/
Can commerzbank also use in European Union when I travel？
Yes, you can 😊
Hey on your website you mentioned something about free virtual Mastercard. How to get that? I am not able to avail that til now
You can access it after you have opened your bank account.
I did open a bank account and have activated online banking too. I know its related to Google pay somehow, but it takes me to buy the physical Mastercard before i can activate online one. Is it mandatory to buy physical Mastercard to get virtual one?
Can you add steps on how to activate that? That will be a great help.
And thanks for all the informative videos. They help a lot newbies like me. 😃
I have heard that we can file the yearly bank maintenance charges in the income tax returns. For e.g. if Sparkasse charges me 60€ yearly, I can get it back at the end of the year while filing it in icome tax returns.
Is this true? If yes, how to do it?
Hey folks, thanks for the videos! I'll be moving to Mulheim in a few days, can you please tell me if there is a good Commerzbank coverage ATM wise in Mulheim?
One simple Google search will give you the answer and exact locations of Commerzbank branches. Remember, you can also use ATMs from Deutsche Bank and Postbank for free 😉
Good question, presumably these girls have a photographic memory of ATM locations in Mulheim.
😱 OMG!!! This video just in time. Thank you so much 💓💓💓😊.
Hello Jenn and Yvonne, Thanks a lot for all the information.. I am a bit late in watching your video.. I have opened my Account and done verification today... But while logging into my account.. I come to know.. I have forgotten my Username and ID.. I was under the impression that the bank is going to provide it.. Can you please tell me how I can retrieve both..??
Check your email to see if you have info there. If not, contact their customer support.
Going to try to validate my identity at their branch tomorrow with no residence permit. Pray for me xD
Please let us know how it goes 🙂
did u got it?
@@mohammedkarim7503 nah ended up finding about vivid money the same day and just opened an account from my home
I choose that I'm student, but in the end it is written that I'm trainee :/
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?
Maybe your nationality cannot be verified in the post office. You can choose branch and go there. You don't need an appointment and the process is faster than going to the post office. All the best!
How can ı find my reference code online banking?
After how many days I will get my letter and card by post it is about spent one week till I didn't receive it
It can take 1-2 weeks. If you haven't received anything, we would suggest calling them as we describe in our guide: www.simplegermany.com/open-commerzbank-account/#Contacting_customer_service
Hey guys, thanks to you. I successfully opened my account, but i received my pin through letter first, instead of receiving the information about activating online banking.
So, how should i take this situation as?
Also, can I make transactions now as I've received the pin,without the giro card?
Fantastic! 😊 Yes, the PIN and girocard get send in separate letters, usually just a few days apart from each other. So your card should be on its way. You should also receive letters to install your online banking, give it a few more days.
To make sure I understand . I am planing to go to Germany as a US visitor for 3 months. A couple of months prior to my departure I will apply to open an account on commerzbank online as you shown in your video . After my arrival I go to a commerzbank branch in Germany in person with my US passport and a copy of my application that I previously filled up then I should be able to get approval and with some cash deposit get started banking in Germany and EU. Am I correct?
Almost. You need to be registered in Germany to be able to get a Commerzbank account. But you should only register if you stay longer than 3 months. This is not a good option for travelers. A Wise account is easier for that purpose.
Hello! So even if i dont request the mastercard debit card, i can still get the virtual one for the apple pay?
that should work
Hi, I need your help 🙏🙏I am trying to open my bank account but I have a problem with the "Arbeitsverhältnis" stage. I am a student and I choose "student" but when I reach the "Angaben bestätigen" stage it says "trainee". I have corrected it so many times but it doesn't work.
Do you use the original German form or any translated language? Try again with the original German 😊
@@simplegermany I tried both
Hallo. Habe eine Frage 🙋♂ would one open a bank before one arrives in Germany or to open it there?
For Commerzbank only once you live in Germany and registered your address.
@@simplegermany Danke sehr für die schnelle Antwort.
Do all german banks have a mobile application supported ?
All the ones that we talk about, yes 😊 www.simplegermany.com/best-german-bank-english-speakers/
great video thank you
through the link in the description i tried to open an account for my wife she is Croatian and the process was easy
till they asked about a paper that proves she doesn't live in Croatia even we provide them with adress decision from Einwohneramt and working documents.
any suggestions how get it done without that
Yes, we agree with you, a Meldebescheinigung and possibly work contract should be enough to proof that you are living in Germany. If you get stuck with the online process, we would suggest going to a branch to present the documents there.
I successfully opened a bank account as a foreigner. Unfortunately, the bank is not willing to produce a cashier check even though I have enough money on my personal account because They told me it is a very difficult process.
Checks are really not a thing in Germany.
They wont do a cashiers check? Oh no! What about my travellers cheques from 1983? Will they cash Russian Empire war bonds from 1916?
Hello girls, first of all : thanks !! you are SO helpful you have no idea. Is the online banking with commerzbank good? Can we manage several things with the app? or do we always have to call the customer service?
You have full access via online banking. We have never needed customer service. 😊
How to change my bank account to student account ?
Most likely you need to contact them and show them a proof that you are a student. Maybe they can change it for you.
Hallo,
i can not see the CCV number into girocard of Commerzbank, am i missing something, please let me know
thanks,
girocards are not made for online payments directly. You need to activate giropay: www.commerzbank.de/konten-zahlungsverkehr/service/giropay/ or use paypal and connect your bank account there.
Do we need to receive 700€ per month for no charges or it should be ok to deposit 700€ in account for one time
It needs to be a monthly income to your account. Otherwise, you will get charged 9,90 euros a months.
Quick question: the 700€ incoming - can it be personal transfer as well? Like if i receive 700€ from a friend is it still considered and i can avoid charges?
Yes, any incoming transfer counts 😊
@@simplegermany thanks for the reply ❤️
Hallo!! looking to have some info about Kleingarten (meiten oder kaufen) Bitte! ;)
Every city has different Kleingarten Vereine with different regulations. We suggest you google Kleingartenverein for your city and speak with them directly about possibilities. We know from friends that certain Vereine are fully booked quite often though.
@@simplegermany Danke!! I didn't know that it was different for every city!! Thank you!!!
Thanks for sharing information, Please can you share information how to activate PhotoTan app , Bank will send some details in Postbox for it ?
Yes, exactly. You can read the process again in our guide: www.simplegermany.com/open-commerzbank-account/#3_Activate_your_online_banking
Can you make a video about crypto regulations in Germany I heard Germany is crypto friendly
Yes, it is possible to trade crypto in Germany and lots of modern bank accounts and online brokers offer crypto investments. You could watch these two videos: th-cam.com/video/n25SQus45xQ/w-d-xo.html and th-cam.com/video/iHnW3lje8Nw/w-d-xo.html