Opening a bank account in Aachen: Current account for students & internationals

Almost everything in Germany requires a checking account: rent, BAföG, semester fees, and part-time job salaries are all handled cashless. If you are new to Aachen, you will usually need a registered address first, followed by the necessary documents for your chosen bank. This guide shows you which types of accounts are available, what you as an international student need to keep in mind, how long the opening process takes, and which mistakes you can avoid.

• For a checking account, you generally need your ID, proof of registration, and certificate of enrollment – so make sure to register your address as soon as you move in.
• Under the Payment Accounts Act, every bank in Germany is fundamentally required to offer you a basic account, even without a Schufa credit history ^[5][6].
• International students without a German registered address can sometimes open an account from their home country via video identification – requirements vary significantly depending on the bank.
• You will need your tax ID at the latest for a part-time job; it is sent to you automatically after you register your address, or can be requested again from the Federal Central Tax Office if necessary ^[3][4].

What kind of account do you actually need as a student?

For your daily life in Aachen, a standard checking account is perfectly sufficient – you won't need a savings account or investment account until later, if at all. Most branch-based and online banks offer special student accounts that are usually free of charge as long as you are enrolled and do not exceed the bank's age limit. The main difference between a branch bank and an online bank is whether you want a local contact person or prefer to handle everything via an app. For many students, a purely online bank is more than enough, as almost everything is done via smartphone anyway – transfers, bank statements, and even the account opening process itself via video identification.

If you do not yet have a Schufa credit report or are coming from abroad, this is not a reason for exclusion. Under the Payment Accounts Act, anyone with legal residency in Germany is generally entitled to a so-called basic account ^[5]. You can apply for this informally: simply contact the bank of your choice and verify your identity; they may only reject you in strictly defined exceptional cases ^[6]. While a basic account is usually somewhat more limited than a standard checking account (for example, no overdraft facility), it is perfectly sufficient for rent, shopping, and receiving your salary.

Good to know: Some banks require a credit check for a standard student account, while others waive it entirely. If you have just moved to Aachen and don't have a German credit history yet, it is worth comparing at least two or three providers before you commit. It is also a good idea to ask friends or fellow students which bank was easy to deal with – this often saves more time than any online comparison.

What documents do you need to open an account?

The standard documents are similar at most banks, but they differ in detail depending on the provider and whether you are an EU or non-EU citizen. Generally, you need a valid ID card or passport, proof of your registered address in Aachen, and usually your certificate of enrollment to benefit from the student rate. You can get your registration confirmation from the citizens' office (Bürgeramt) after you have registered your residence – this is now also possible online in Aachen ^[1][2]. Without this registration, many banks find it difficult to open a regular account because the registered address is considered a core component of identity verification.

If you are coming from abroad, your visa or residence permit may also be required, especially if you are from a non-EU country. Some direct banks also accept a foreign address for initial registration and only require the German registration confirmation after you have moved. This can be practical if you want to set up your account before you arrive, for example, to be able to pay the rent for your apartment on time. However, be sure to clarify this directly with the bank in advance, as practices vary significantly depending on the institution and country.

The following table provides an overview of the most important documents that are requested in some form by almost every bank:

DocumentPurposeWhere to get itValid ID/PassportProof of identityHome authority or ID officeRegistration confirmation AachenProof of residenceBürgeramt Aachen, online or in person ^[1][2]Certificate of enrollmentStudent status/rateUniversity online portalTax identification numberFor interest reporting, part-time jobAutomatically after registration, otherwise BZSt ^[3][4]Visa/Residence permit (if non-EU)Residence statusForeigners' authorityProof of blocked account (if applicable)When starting studies from abroadBlocked account provider

If you also need a blocked account for your visa application, that is a separate topic with its own deadlines – you can find details in the article Blocked account & proof of financing for studies in Aachen. A current account and a blocked account are two different products that you should not confuse: the blocked account is used to provide proof of financing to the foreigners' authority, while the current account is your regular everyday account.

What is the step-by-step process for opening an account?

The standard process begins with registering your residence in Aachen. As soon as you have a permanent address – whether it's a shared apartment, a furnished apartment, or a dormitory – you register at the citizens' office (Bürgeramt). In many cases, this can now be done online via the City of Aachen's service portal, or alternatively by appointment in person ^[1][2]. You can find detailed information on the process and deadlines in the article Aachen Citizens' Office: Registering your residence – step by step. Only once you have your registration confirmation in hand do you have the most important piece of the puzzle for opening your account.

In the second step, you choose your bank and submit your application, usually online via their website or app. Most banks now use Video-Ident for verification: you hold your ID up to the camera, answer a few identity-check questions, and the process is finished in a few minutes. Alternatively, some branch-based banks offer the Post-Ident procedure, where you take your ID to a post office branch. For student accounts, you must also upload or email your certificate of enrollment, which you can download from your university's student portal.

Once the check is successful, you will usually receive your IBAN on the same day, while the card itself (Girocard or debit card) often arrives by mail a few business days later. It can take one to two weeks in total until everything is fully set up, including online banking access and your card PIN. Plan for this in advance if you need to pay rent or receive BAföG at the start of the semester. For a part-time job, you will also need your tax identification number, which is sent to you automatically after you register; it sometimes gets lost in a pile of paperwork or fails to reach you if you move temporarily – in that case, you can request it again from the Federal Central Tax Office ^[3][4].

If you are moving into a furnished apartment with a permanent registered address, you have a clear advantage: the address is fixed from the start, and there are no sublets or changing flat-share contracts that could complicate the registration confirmation. This generally speeds up the entire account opening process because you can provide the bank with a stable, verifiable address right away.

What is different for international students?

If you are arriving in Aachen as a new international student, the account opening process is essentially the same as for everyone else, with a few additional hurdles. The biggest difference often concerns the residence permit: non-EU citizens usually have to present their visa or residence permit before a bank will fully activate the account. EU citizens do not need this; for them, a national ID card or passport from their home country, along with the German registration confirmation, is sufficient.

A practical problem for many international students: some banks require a German registered address for the initial application, while others allow a temporary address in your home country and only require the German address for final activation. Before you apply for an account from home, check directly with the bank to see if and how this works – there is no one-size-fits-all answer here, as practices vary from institution to institution. A current account is also usually independent of the blocked account you need for your visa; do not confuse the two products. More on this in the article Blocked account & proof of financing for studies in Aachen.

It is also worth looking into health insurance, as many banks want to see proof of insurance when opening an account or will at least ask which health insurance provider you have chosen. You can find details on the options for international students in the article Health insurance for international students in Aachen. If you are looking for a permanent residential address only after your arrival, it is also worth taking a look at the guide Moving to Aachen as an international student: Housing Guide 2026, because a stable registered address significantly simplifies the entire banking process.

A fixed rental agreement with a clear address—such as in a furnished apartment without any subletting arrangements—removes a lot of uncertainty. At Guten Hirten in Aachen-West, you can move into your apartment without any waiting time and register immediately with a clear, permanent address. This not only makes obtaining your registration certificate easier but also simplifies all subsequent applications, from banking to health insurance. You can find the current prices for the apartments linked directly on the page, allowing you to compare them at your leisure before making a decision.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I absolutely need a German registered address for a current account?

Yes, for most standard current accounts, you need a German registration certificate because the bank must clearly verify your identity and address. Some direct banks allow for a provisional opening with a foreign address but will require the German registration certificate within a short period. The safest approach is to register your residence at the citizens' office (Bürgeramt) immediately after moving in ^[1][2] and then open the account.

Can a bank refuse to open an account for me if I don't have a Schufa credit history?

No, they cannot refuse you outright, as under the Payment Accounts Act (Zahlungskontengesetz), you are entitled to a basic account regardless of your credit history ^[5]. The bank may only reject the application in strictly defined exceptional cases, such as the lack of legal residency status ^[6]. For a standard student account with extras like an overdraft facility, a credit check may still be relevant, but the basic account itself is independent of this.

How long does it take to open an account in total?

Usually one to two weeks from the application to having a fully functional card. The IBAN and online access are often available on the same day after successful video identification, but the physical card arrives by mail a few business days later. Be sure to factor in this timeframe if you need to pay rent or receive BAföG payments in time for the start of the semester.

Do I need my tax identification number to open an account?

No, usually not just to open the account, but it will become important once you start a part-time job. You will receive your tax ID automatically by mail after you have registered your residence in Aachen. If the letter does not arrive or you have misplaced it, you can request it again from the Federal Central Tax Office ^[3][4].

What is the difference between a current account and a blocked account?

A current account is your standard everyday account for rent, shopping, and salary, whereas a blocked account is used exclusively as proof of financial resources for the immigration office when applying for a visa. Both accounts have different providers, different rules, and different deadlines. You can find more details in the article Blocked account & proof of financial resources for studying in Aachen.

View apartments at Guter Hirte

Sources

1. City of Aachen Service Portal: Registering your place of residence
2. City of Aachen: Registering and changing your place of residence now possible online
3. Federal Central Tax Office: Receiving your tax identification number
4. Federal Portal: Receiving your tax identification number
5. Section 31 Payment Accounts Act: Right to conclude a basic payment account contract
6. Section 33 Payment Accounts Act: Application for the conclusion of a basic payment account contract