Source: https://rivet.global/blog/germany-usd-account-for-gmbh
Published: 2026-07-26 · Updated: 2026-07-26 · By Alexia M.

# USD account for a German GmbH: getting paid by US clients

How a German GmbH holds US dollars: dollar accounts at German banks, US account details for ACH, conversion timing and euro accounting for dollar revenue.

## Key takeaways

- German banks offer foreign currency accounts in USD, reached by SWIFT, often with fees on incoming payments.
- US account details let US clients pay by ACH, the way they pay any American supplier.
- Holding dollars lets the GmbH pay US costs in dollars and convert the rest when it chooses.
- Dollar revenue is recorded in euros in the books; keep each conversion's rate and date.

Google's suggestions for "Germany USD account" include "usd bank account germany" and "can a us citizen open a bank account in germany". German companies ask because US clients want ACH details, and a German IBAN is not one.

## Two ways to hold dollars

| | Dollar account at a German bank | US account details |
|---|---|---|
| How the US client pays | International wire | ACH or domestic wire |
| Client's cost | Wire fee | Low or none |
| Your cost | Incoming fee, sometimes conversion | Usually none to receive |
| Speed | 1 to 3 days | 1 to 2 days by ACH |

## The case for holding dollars

A Berlin SaaS company earns $32,000 a month from US customers. It pays $9,000 a month in dollars: cloud, ads and a contractor in Austin. Converting everything to euros and buying dollars back costs two margins on $9,000 each month. Holding the dollars pays the dollar costs directly.

## What US clients will need

- Your US account details.
- A W-8BEN-E documenting that the GmbH is a foreign entity.
- An invoice with your company's legal details and, if relevant, a note that German VAT does not apply.

## Accounting

German books are in euros. Record each dollar invoice at the applicable rate and the conversion when it happens. Your Steuerberater will want a statement that shows both.

## 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 US account details in their own name on the free Starter plan, plus EUR and GBP details on Growth, with conversion shown before you confirm. Check our eligibility list for German companies. Rivet is not a bank; regulated partner institutions hold the funds. See [receive USD payments from US clients](/blog/receive-usd-payments-from-us-clients).

## Questions

### Can a GmbH have a US dollar account?

Yes. German banks offer USD accounts, and fintech providers offer USD balances with US account details.

### What is cheaper for US clients?

ACH to US details. An international wire costs them a fee and an approval step.

### Does the GmbH need a US company to get US details?

No. Some providers give foreign companies US account details in their own name.

### How is dollar revenue taxed?

In euros. The invoice amount is translated at the applicable rate, and gains or losses on conversion are recorded.