Closing Deutsche Bank account from abroad: everything you need to know

Deutsche Bank®¹ has personal and business services for customers in Germany and in many other countries around the world. If you previously lived in Germany and have now moved back to the US, it might be time to close down your Deutsche Bank account.

This will allow you to withdraw any remaining funds - and will also ensure that you can’t accrue any unexpected fees to the account. This guide walks through how to close a Deutsche Bank account from abroad, online and by mail.

Can you close a Deutsche Bank account from abroad?

Yes, you can close a Deutsche Bank account from abroad, with several different options depending on the specific account and your personal preferences.

You can log into your online banking and request that the account is closed there, open a secure chat with an agent, send a secure email form or mail in a request to close your account. All of these options are possible even if you’re no longer in Germany.

Bear in mind that you’ll need to pay off any overdraft or loan connected to the account and withdraw any savings balance before the account can be closed.

Can you close a Deutsche Bank account online?

You can close a Deutsche Bank account online. We’ll walk through how to close your account within online banking in just a moment, but it’s also good to know that you can ask for help with closing your account using the Deutsche Bank email form² or by logging into mobile banking and starting a secure chat.

Closing your Deutsche Bank account from abroad: step by step

The exact way to close your account with Deutsche Bank might vary depending on the specific account you have.

Given the time difference between the US and Germany, using the online banking system is probably your easiest option - and it should also be quicker than mail.

We’ll look at how to close your Deutsche Bank account online in a moment, but first, here’s a quick summary of the things you need to include in your letter if you’re asking for your account to be closed by mail³:

You can send your letter to Deutsche Bank at:

Deutsche Bank AG
Kundenservice
04024 Leipzig

Next, let’s run through how to close your Deutsche Bank account online from overseas:

Log into your online banking

Your first step is to log into online banking using your phone or laptop. If you need to receive a verification message or OTP you may need to access your linked phone number or email.

Request the account closure

In your online banking go to Services and then Online Self Services. Select the option Other and look out for the button to close your account.

It’s helpful to check in advance that your account is eligible for online closure as some account types can not be deleted digitally. In this case you’ll need to send a letter to the bank asking them to close your account.

Wait for confirmation

You can’t close your account unless all outstanding debts are paid and any balance is withdrawn or transferred. This might mean that your account isn’t instantly closed as you’ll need to give Deutsche Bank time to check it’s in good standing and qualifies for closure.

Once the account is closed you’ll be notified - and if you’re concerned about anything, you can also call the bank 24/7 on 069 910-10000.

What’s the best way to send money internationally?

Banks are certainly one option for sending money internationally, as are services like PayPal. But the problem with banks is they can often be slow, expensive and inconvenient. Luckily, there’s a better alternative out there.

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How much does it cost to close a Deutsche Bank account?

There should not be any cost for closing a Deutsche Bank account, but you will need to make sure there’s no overdraft on the account before you can close it.

Different products have their own fee structures though, so do check the fee details for the account you hold to make sure no fee is owed when you close.

How long does closing a Deutsche Bank account take?

Deutsche Bank may need to check that your account is in good standing and can be closed. This might mean your account is not closed instantly, but you’ll be notified of this when you submit your application.

Bear in mind that if you’re closing your account by mail, you’ll also be notified by mail that the closure has been successful - this can mean it takes a while to receive your confirmation.

Tips and challenges for closing your Deutsche Bank account

Closing your Deutsche Bank account shouldn’t be too much of a challenge. But just in case, we’ve got a few final tips to help you make sure the process goes smoothly:

If you’ve already moved back to the US from Germany and have an active Deutsche Bank account, you’ll want to close it to make sure you’re not charged maintenance or account dormant fees. Use this guide to discover the process to close your Deutsche Bank account easily online or by mail, and get started.

Sources:

1. Deutsche Bank
2. Deutsche Bank email form
3. Deutsche Bank FAQ - close savings account