How to Open a Business Bank Account in Germany from the UK

Known as the economic powerhouse of Europe, Germany is a fantastic place to start a new business. It's home to a huge number of startups and SMEs, attracted by the country's highly skilled, creative and hardworking workforce, as well as its strong strategic location in the heart of Europe.

If you're excited to get your new business off the ground, one of the first things you'll need is a business bank account in Germany.

In this guide, we've explained how to open a business bank account in Germany, what documents you may need, how major German providers compare and what to check before applying. We've also explained how Wise Business can help UK businesses manage EUR and GBP payments alongside the local account setup.

Register for Wise Business ✍

---

The Wise account is not a bank account but offers some similar features and your money is safeguarded.

---

Wise Business offers a free Essential plan for basic spending and transferring. If you need to receive money, set up direct debits, or generate invoices, you'll pay a one-time £50 setup fee to unlock the Advanced features.

Summary of steps

Discover Wise Business 🔍

Step 1: Choose your German business structure

Before comparing accounts, confirm your legal form. German banks may ask different questions depending on whether you're a sole trader, freelancer, GmbH, UG or foreign company with German operations.

A business account is mandatory for corporations such as a GmbH or UG, according to firma.de.¹ Sole proprietorships, partnerships and liberal professionals are not legally required to open one if they do not need special banking services, but a separate account is still recommended for business activity.¹

For incorporated German companies, the account opening step can also connect to formation. Companies entered in the commercial register, such as a GmbH or UG, need a notarised certificate of incorporation before setting up the account.¹

Step 2: Compare German business bank accounts

Business account fees and opening routes can vary widely. Compare monthly fees, transaction fees, card fees, online application options, branch availability, documents required and whether support is available in English.

Fees and eligibility can change. Check each provider's current price list and product terms before applying.

Deutsche Bank business account

Deutsche Bank says its business account models are tailored to different usage needs and offers Business Basic, Business Classic and Business Premium.² The product page says all three business account models are offered online. Some legal forms that are not available in the application route may need to use the branch process instead.²

HVB BusinessKonto 4You

HVB describes BusinessKonto 4You as the first modular business account and says it can be adapted to your needs.³

The account may suit businesses that want modular transaction packages, personal consultation and a German branch-bank route.

Commerzbank business account

Commerzbank says its business account can be opened online in three steps: complete the online application, confirm identity and receive the business account IBAN.⁴ Its page also says legal entities receive the photoTAN activation letter by post within a few days.⁴

Postbank business account

Postbank lists Business Giro, Business Giro aktiv and Business Giro aktiv plus accounts for different usage levels.⁵

Its page says all Postbank Business Giro accounts can be completed online, with legal-form selection, data entry, video identification and document upload where relevant.⁵

Berliner Sparkasse business account

Berliner Sparkasse offers business accounts online, by phone or in person, and says identity verification can be completed at home or in branch depending on company structure.⁶ It may be a fit for Berlin-based businesses that value local support, branch access and regional Sparkasse services.

Step 3: Prepare your documents

You may need:

• valid photo ID for directors, owners or authorised signatories
• proof of personal address
• German business address or registered office details
• tax number or tax registration details, if available
• articles of association for a GmbH or UG
• shareholder list
• notarised formation deed or certificate of incorporation
• Handelsregister extract once registration is complete
• trade licence or Gewerbeanmeldung, where applicable
• information about business activity, expected turnover and source of funds

Required documents depend on legal form, while all banks require proof of identity.¹ For legal entities, Postbank says representative identity checks are required and that company-form-dependent documents may include a register extract, articles of association, shareholder agreement, administrator agreement or election record.⁵

Note: Exact requirements vary by bank and business type.

Step 4: Complete identity checks

German account opening usually includes identity checks. Depending on the bank, this may happen in branch, through PostIdent, through VideoIdent or through another accepted route.

firma.de explains that PostIdent and VideoIdent can be used to verify your identity remotely without visiting a bank branch.¹ For PostIdent, you visit a Deutsche Post branch with your ID document. For VideoIdent, the process can be completed from home using a smartphone or laptop with a webcam.¹

If you're applying from outside Germany, check the available verification methods before choosing a provider. For non-residents, firma.de says direct banks often offer remote verification options, while traditional banks usually require an in-person appointment.⁷

Step 5: Deposit share capital if needed

If you're forming a GmbH or UG, share capital is usually part of the account-opening sequence. firma.de says companies that must be entered in the commercial register, such as a UG or GmbH, need a notarised certificate of incorporation first.

Once the business account is opened, you must provide the notary with a deposit slip confirming that share capital has been deposited. The notary then certifies the payment and forwards it to the commercial register.¹

Step 6: Activate and manage the account

Once approved, activate online banking, account permissions, cards, account statements and any accounting or tax-office connections you plan to use.

You may also want to set up:

• payment approval roles
• card limits
• accounting software feeds
• access for directors or finance staff
• EUR and GBP payment processes
• invoice and supplier payment workflows
• a process for keeping bank, tax and registration documents together

---

💡 With Wise Business, UK businesses can send money to German suppliers in EUR at the mid-market exchange rate with low, transparent fees.

---

Register for Wise Business ✍

Wise Business offers a free Essential plan for basic spending and transferring. If you need to receive money, set up direct debits, or generate invoices, you'll pay a one-time £50 setup fee to unlock the Advanced features.

Pay German suppliers by converting GBP to EUR at the mid-market rate with low, transparent fees using Wise Business

Opening a German business bank account can help with local setup, but UK businesses may still need a practical way to pay German suppliers and manage EUR/GBP balances. Wise Business can help eligible UK businesses send international payments, hold money in multiple currencies and convert between GBP and EUR with transparent fees shown before payment.

Wise Business offers a free Essential plan for basic spending and transferring. If you need to receive money, set up direct debits, or generate invoices, you'll pay a one-time £50 setup fee to unlock the Advanced features.

With Wise Business, you can:

• 🌍 Send money to 70+ countries and pay overseas invoices at the mid-market exchange rate with low, transparent fees and no hidden exchange rate markups (product availability varies by region)
• 📥 Receive payments in 24 currencies and counting
• 💵 Get local account details for 8+ currencies, including USD and EUR, to let your customers pay in a currency they know and trust - convenience for them and peace of mind for you
• 💰 Hold money in 40+ currencies
• 🔁 Convert currencies anytime at the mid-market exchange rate with low, transparent fees
• ⚡ Use the batch payments tool to create and send up to 1,000 payments in a single transfer
• 👥 Run payroll and make international payments for up to 1,000 employees all over the world - including paying suppliers using local payment methods like ACH, SEPA, and Faster Payments
• 💳 Get business debit cards with 0.5% cashback for you and your team to keep track of team expenses and spend all over the world, with real-time visibility and categorisation. See full cashback terms and conditions
• 🏢 Manage cash in 55+ currencies across international offices from a single business account and move money between business accounts in seconds (exact speeds can vary depending on individual circumstances and may not be the same for all transactions)
• 🧾 Connect and sync every business transaction to your favourite accounting software, including Xero, Quickbooks, and more
• 🔐 Create your own payment approvals process to manage your team better with customised access for different team members, roles and permissions
• 📑 Create custom professional invoices and schedule invoice payments for future dates
• 📈 Earn variable returns on GBP, USD and EUR with Wise Interest (Growth not guaranteed. Your balance will go down in the event of a government default or interest rates going negative.)
• 🔗 Create payment links and QR codes to get paid easily (Card payment acceptance for new Wise Business customers is currently unavailable. Payment methods subject to eligibility and availability.)
• ⚙️ Automate payouts with the Wise API (comes with 24/7 customer support, a sandbox account to test integrations, API tokens, and clear documents on how to implement and make the most of our API)

Make the wise choice when selecting a business account for your domestic and global needs.

Be Smart, Get Wise.

Register for Wise Business ✍️

Wise Interest disclaimer: Growth not guaranteed. Your balance will go down in the event of a government default or interest rates going negative. Taxes may apply. 3.32% variable rate on GBP is based on 7 day performance as of 05 Aug 2026. For full 5-year past performance and fund information, visit https://wise.com/interest. Investments are offered by Wise Assets UK Ltd. (FRN 839689)

FAQs

Do you need a business bank account in Germany?

For incorporated German companies such as a GmbH or UG, a business account is normally needed because share capital must be deposited and documented before commercial register entry can be completed.¹

For sole traders and freelancers, a separate business account may not always be legally required, but it is usually recommended for bookkeeping, tax reporting and cash flow management.¹

Can I open a German business bank account online?

Often, yes, but it depends on the provider, legal form and where you live. Deutsche Bank, Commerzbank and Postbank all describe online account-opening routes for at least some business customers.^2,4,5

Some business types or more complex cases may still need a branch appointment or extra checks.

Can non-residents open a business bank account in Germany?

It may be possible, but it can be more complex than opening an account as a German resident or with an already registered German company. For non-residents, firma.de says you may need a valid ID, recognised apostille or legalisation of foreign documents and certificates, and sometimes a proxy form authorising a representative to complete the process if you cannot be present.⁷

The same source says opening an account for non-German citizens living abroad can take several days or even weeks, depending on the bank and verification process.⁷

If you're a UK founder setting up a German GmbH or UG, check the bank's non-resident policy early. Some providers may ask for a German business address, German registration documents, local tax details, extra beneficial-owner checks or in-person verification.

Do I need a Handelsregister entry before opening the account?

For GmbH and UG formation, the sequence can be more complex. You may need the account to deposit share capital before final commercial register entry, then provide the bank with the final register extract once available.¹

What documents do I need to open a business bank account in Germany?

You may need photo ID, proof of address, company documents, articles of association, shareholder details, commercial-register information and business activity details. The exact document set depends on your legal form and the bank's checks.^1,5

Can a UK company open a business bank account in Germany?

It may be possible if the UK company has a German branch, subsidiary, registered office or local operations. Expect extra documentation, including parent company details, beneficial ownership information and German registration documents.

Can I use Wise Business instead of a German bank account?

Wise Business can be useful for international business payments, EUR/GBP balances and receiving certain local payments. However, Wise Business is not a bank and may not replace a German bank account where one is needed for company formation, share capital deposit, local tax or regulatory reasons.

Sources:

1. What is required to open a business bank account in Germany? FAQ
2. Open a business account or company account | Deutsche Bank
3. Business account: our offer. | HypoVereinsbank (HVB)
4. Open a business account: simple and tailored to your needs - Commerzbank
5. Current accounts for your business | Postbank
6. Business Account | Berliner Sparkasse
7. Opening a German bank account for non-residents: How it works

Sources last checked on 10 July 2026