German business bank account for non-residents: GmbH and UG owners
A German company whose managing directors live abroad can open a German business account, but identification and source-of-funds checks make it slower. Preparation shortens it.
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Google's top completion after "Germany business bank account" is "german business bank account for non residents". Founders who form a GmbH or UG from abroad find the register entry quick and the bank slower.
What German banks need
| Item | Notes |
|---|---|
| Commercial register extract | Handelsregisterauszug |
| Articles of association | Gesellschaftsvertrag |
| Shareholder list | Gesellschafterliste |
| Transparency register entry | Beneficial owners |
| ID for each managing director and beneficial owner | Video ID, PostIdent or branch |
| Business description | Activity, customers, expected flows |
Where non-residents get stuck
- Video ID services support a list of passports and countries. A director from a country outside it needs a branch visit.
- Banks ask where the share capital came from. A transfer from a personal account abroad needs a paper trail.
- Some banks only open accounts for companies with German operations or a resident director.
Preparing the file
- Get the transparency register entry done right after registration.
- Write a one-page description in German or English: products, customers, countries, monthly volumes.
- Have the contracts or first invoices ready.
- Document the share capital transfer.
Two accounts are common
Many GmbHs keep a German account for the share capital, taxes, payroll and SEPA direct debits, and a multi-currency account for clients and suppliers outside the euro area.
Paying into Germany: the local rail
| What | Detail |
|---|---|
| Local rail | SEPA Instant Credit Transfer |
| Run by | European Payments Council scheme, run by each bank |
| Settlement | Under ten seconds, 24/7 |
| Published fee | By the EU Instant Payments Regulation, no more than the bank charges for a standard SEPA transfer |
Source: European Payments Council: SEPA Instant Credit Transfer. Checked when this guide was last updated; the scheme's own page has the current figures.
Where Rivet fits
Rivet gives registered companies EUR and GBP details on Growth and USD details on every plan, with payouts to 120+ countries. KYB returns a verdict in 3 business days and asks only for what is missing. Check our eligibility list for German companies. Rivet is not a bank; regulated partner institutions hold the funds. See KYB documents.
Questions people ask
Can a non-resident open a German business bank account?
Yes, for a German company. Some banks need the director in a branch; others accept video ID for certain countries. Requirements vary, so ask before you apply.
Which documents do German banks ask for?
The commercial register extract, the articles of association, the shareholder list, the transparency register entry, ID for directors and beneficial owners, and often a business description.
Do I need a German address?
The company needs a registered address in Germany. Directors can live abroad, though some banks prefer a resident contact.
Can a non-German company open a German business account?
Some banks accept foreign companies, but usually with more documents and a reason to bank in Germany.
Sources
Alexia compares the accounts, cards and payment tools companies weigh before they switch, and writes Rivet's market guides for founders in a specific country. Prices in Alexia's comparisons come from each provider's own pricing page on the date given in the article, rules come from the regulator or tax authority that sets them, and every source is listed at the end.
More from Alexia M. →This article is general information, not legal, tax or financial advice. Rules and fees change; check the sources above and the provider’s current terms before you act on them.
- germany business account
- gmbh
- ug
- transparency register
- kyc
