A non-resident business account may be useful if your firm operates in Germany, but you live elsewhere, regardless of whether you’ve moved away or are expanding into the market. The process can be a little different for non-residents, so let's cover eligibility, required documents, online providers and the costs to expect.

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Can I Open a Business Bank Account as a Non-Resident in Germany?

It depends on what kind of company you have. A German business owned by someone who lives abroad is different from a foreign company looking for an account. Providers may have different rules for each, based on where the company is registered, what it does and its legal form.

You’ll also need to provide information about who owns and runs the business. Under Germany’s anti-money-laundering rules, banks must identify the customer and beneficial owners and understand the company’s ownership structure.

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What Documents Do Non-Residents Need to Open a German Business Account?

The paperwork will depend on the provider and the company in question, but it’s worth having the following ready:

  • passport or national ID for each person who needs to be verified
  • proof of address, such as a recent utility bill or bank statement
  • company documents, such as the articles of association, certificate of incorporation and a current Commercial Register extract where applicable
  • details of directors and shareholders, including the company’s ownership structure and its ultimate beneficial owners (UBOs)
  • information about the business, such as what it sells or provides, where it operates and how you expect to use the account
  • details about expected transactions or source of funds

Foreign companies may need local registration documents and certified translations if they’re not in German or English.

How to Open a Company or Business Account in Germany as a Non-Resident

If you’re wondering how to open a business bank account in Germany while living abroad, check that the provider accepts non-residents and your company type. After that, most applications follow the same basic steps:

  1. Check eligibility for your country of residence and company type.
  2. Submit your personal and company details.
  3. Upload the required documents.
  4. Complete identity and KYC checks online or through another verification method offered by the provider. An in-person appointment may be required in some cases.
  5. Answer any follow-up questions if the provider needs more information.
  6. Activate the account once the checks are complete and your application is approved.

Can a Non-Resident Open a Business Account Online?

You can open a business account online in many cases, which can be useful if you start a business in Germany as an international founder. With a provider such as Finom, you can apply online and complete the identity check and onboarding remotely if you meet the requirements.

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What to Look for in a Non-Resident Business Account

Check these points before choosing an account:

  • Does the provider accept non-resident owners and directors?
  • Do you get a German IBAN? Can you make SEPA transfers and direct debits?
  • Which currencies are supported? What are the transfer and exchange fees?
  • What do the account, transfer and card fees add up to?
  • Can you add team members and order physical or virtual cards?
  • Does it connect with German accounting software?
  • Can you manage the account fully from abroad?
  • Who provides the account, and what protection applies to your money?

What Can Delay or Prevent Account Opening?

Some applications take longer when the company has directors or beneficial owners who live abroad, a complex ownership structure or is registered outside Germany.

Missing or inconsistent documents can also cause delays. The provider may ask for more information about the business, its source of funds or activities that require additional compliance checks.

How to Make Your Application Run More Smoothly

A little preparation can save you time later. Once you’ve confirmed you’re eligible as a non-resident, have your personal, company and ownership documents ready, make sure the details match and be clear about what your business does and how you’ll use the account.

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How Much Does a Non-Resident Business Account Cost?

Business account fees in Germany vary considerably. A basic account may cost nothing each month, but accounts with more cards, transfers or accounting tools can cost from €10 to €100 or more.

Don’t look at the monthly fee alone. Check how many SEPA transfers you get, how much international payments cost and whether there’s a fee for using foreign currencies. Extra cards and users can also push up the price. 

ProviderEntry priceSEPA transfersGerman IBANInternational payments
Finom€0/monthUp to €2,500 per month in outgoing SEPA transfers included on SoloYes0.50% on Basic; EUR SWIFT transfers: €5 flat fee
Holvi€0/month€0.25 per transfer on FlexYes€1 per SWIFT transfer on Flex + 1% currency conversion fee
Qonto€0/month5/month included, then €0.20 each on StarterYes0.8% on Basic for standard currencies (minimum €5)

Keep in mind that the lowest tier can end up costing you more. If you make lots of transfers, pay suppliers in other currencies or need several cards, those extra fees quickly outweigh the cheap subscription. Compare the full cost based on how you’ll realistically use the account.

If you want to keep things simple, Finom lets you open a business account online in less than 15 minutes, with clear pricing and no hidden commissions.

FAQ

Can I open a German business account without living in Germany?

Potentially. You’ll still need to choose a provider that accepts non-residents and passes its identity and business checks. You’ll also need to provide details about your company, ownership and where you and the business are based.

Can a foreign company open a business account in Germany?

It’s possible, but it depends on the provider and your company’s circumstances. You’ll usually need company documents, details about the owners and directors, what your business does and your expected transactions.

Can a non-resident open a German IBAN business account?

Yes, as long as the provider accepts your residence country and business. The rules may differ for German companies and companies registered in other countries.

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