First Phrases

Opening a bank account · Deutsch

Opening a bank account in German: 12 survival phrases

Open an account as a newcomer: say what you want, hand over the right documents, ask about fees, cards and transfers, and find out where to sign.

Phrases, not advice. These cards only help you say what you need. They give no medical, legal, tax or financial advice. For any decision, ask the pharmacist, doctor, bank or the official office.

Register: Polite (formal is safer). Use "Sie". German banks normally ask for your passport or residence permit, your "Meldebescheinigung" (registration certificate from the Anmeldung) and sometimes your Steuer-ID (tax ID). A current account is a "Girokonto"; the debit card is the "Girocard".

How to read the sounds: kh = the ch of Scottish 'loch' (after a, o, u) or a soft hiss like 'h' in 'huge' (after i, e). ue = ü (say 'ee' with rounded lips), oe = ö. z = ts, v = f, w = v. Stress is in CAPITALS.

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Official names used

On this card: Girokonto, Girocard, Meldebescheinigung, Anmeldung, Steuer-ID, IBAN. Spelling checked against official sites on 2026-10-20:

12 phrases you will need

  1. 01Polite
    Ich möchte ein Konto eröffnen.
    Say it like: ikh MOEKH-teh ine KON-toh er-OEF-nen
    I'd like to open an account.
    Register: Polite; "Girokonto" if you want to be exact.
  2. 02Neutral
    Ich bin neu in Deutschland. Kann ich ein Konto eröffnen?
    Say it like: ikh bin noy in DOYTCH-lahnt. kahn ikh ine KON-toh er-OEF-nen
    I'm new in Germany. Can I open an account?
    Register: Neutral.
  3. 03Neutral
    Welche Unterlagen brauche ich?
    Say it like: VEL-kheh OON-ter-lah-gen BROW-kheh ikh
    Which documents do I need?
    Register: Neutral.
  4. 04Polite
    Hier sind mein Reisepass und meine Steuer-ID.
    Say it like: heer zint mine RY-zeh-pahs oont MINE-eh SHTOY-er ee-DAY
    Here are my passport and my Steuer-ID (tax ID).
    Register: Steuer-ID is said "Shtoy-er-ee-day".
  5. 05Neutral
    Hier ist meine Meldebescheinigung.
    Say it like: heer ist MINE-eh MEL-deh-beh-shine-ee-goong
    Here is my registration certificate (Meldebescheinigung).
    Register: It proves you registered your address.
  6. 06Neutral
    Gibt es Kontoführungsgebühren?
    Say it like: gipt es KON-toh-fue-roongs-geh-bue-ren
    Are there account fees?
    Register: Ask before signing.
  7. 07Neutral
    Was kosten Überweisungen ins Ausland?
    Say it like: vahs KOS-ten ue-ber-VY-zoong-en ins OWS-lahnt
    What do transfers abroad cost?
    Register: Neutral.
  8. 08Polite
    Ich hätte gern eine Girocard.
    Say it like: ikh HET-eh gern INE-eh ZHEE-roh-kard
    I'd like a debit card (Girocard).
    Register: "Ich hätte gern" is the polite "I'd like".
  9. 09Neutral
    Kann ich Online-Banking und die App nutzen?
    Say it like: kahn ikh ON-line-ben-king oont dee ep NOOT-sen
    Can I use online banking and the app?
    Register: Neutral.
  10. 10Polite
    Können Sie mir bitte meine IBAN geben?
    Say it like: KOE-nen zee meer BIT-teh MINE-eh EE-bahn GAY-ben
    Could you give me my IBAN, please?
    Register: IBAN starts with DE in Germany.
  11. 11Neutral
    Wann bekomme ich die Karte?
    Say it like: vahn beh-KOM-meh ikh dee KAR-teh
    When will I get the card?
    Register: Neutral.
  12. 12Neutral
    Wo muss ich unterschreiben?
    Say it like: voh moos ikh oon-ter-SHRY-ben
    Where do I have to sign?
    Register: Read before you sign; ask for a copy.

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Quick answers

What do I say to start at the bank in German?

Start with: "Ich möchte ein Konto eröffnen." (I'd like to open an account.)

Should I use informal or formal German at the bank?

Use "Sie". German banks normally ask for your passport or residence permit, your "Meldebescheinigung" (registration certificate from the Anmeldung) and sometimes your Steuer-ID (tax ID). A current account is a "Girokonto"; the debit card is the "Girocard".

How do I ask which documents a bank needs in German?

Try: "Welche Unterlagen brauche ich?" (Which documents do I need?)

Same errand, another language

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German, another errand

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All 5 × 6 survival decks · Phrases for an evening out

How it works

  1. Pick the errand and the language of the country you are in.
  2. Read the twelve phrases: each has the English meaning, an easy pronunciation guide and a register note. Tap the speaker to hear it in your device's voice, or tap Practise to record yourself and compare with the model (your recording never leaves your device).
  3. Print the card or keep it open on your phone. The official names of offices and numbers are checked against the official sites; native-speaker review is still pending.
  4. Once you are settled, open Meet & Mint to find events near you, see who else is going, join alone and chat with the group.

firstphrases.app/survival/bank/de/ · Phrases, not advice · Meet & Mint