Source: https://rivet.global/blog/germany-business-bank-account-for-non-residents
Published: 2026-07-20 · Updated: 2026-07-20 · By Alexia M.

# German business bank account for non-residents: GmbH and UG owners

How a GmbH or UG with directors abroad opens a German business account: identification, the transparency register, what banks ask and how long it takes.

## Key takeaways

- German banks identify every managing director and beneficial owner under the Money Laundering Act, usually by video ID, PostIdent or in a branch.
- Banks check the company's entry in the commercial register and the transparency register before opening.
- Video identification often supports only certain passports and residence countries, which is where non-residents get stuck.
- A business plan, the first contracts and the source of the share capital speed up the review.

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

1. Video ID services support a list of passports and countries. A director from a country outside it needs a branch visit.
2. Banks ask where the share capital came from. A transfer from a personal account abroad needs a paper trail.
3. 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](https://www.europeanpaymentscouncil.eu/what-we-do/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](/blog/kyb-documents-to-open-a-business-account).

## Questions

### 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.