Requirements and documents to open a business account in Germany

Snapshot

What you need to open a German business account depends on your legal form. As of 28 January 2026 a freelancer usually needs an ID, a tax number and a short description of the activity, while a company adds its commercial register extract, articles of association, a shareholder list and a German business address.

For a freelancer: A valid ID, a tax number, and a short description of the activity
For a company: The Handelsregisterauszug, articles of association, a shareholder list and a German business address
Identification: By VideoIdent, PostIdent or in a branch, for every owner and director
Verify the list: Requirements vary by provider, so confirm the current list with the provider

Fees and features as of 28 January 2026Last reviewed 28 January 2026

General information, not financial, legal, or tax advice. Verify current terms and eligibility with the provider before applying.

What you need to open a German business account depends on your legal form. As of 28 January 2026 a freelancer or sole trader, an Einzelunternehmer, usually opens with a valid ID, a tax number and a short description of the activity. A company such as a GmbH, UG or GbR adds its commercial register extract, known as the Handelsregisterauszug, its articles of association, a shareholder list and a German business address, and every owner and director is identified. Identification is by VideoIdent on a video call, PostIdent at a Deutsche Post branch, or in a bank branch. The exact list varies by provider, so confirm before you apply.

What you need by legal form

The documents follow your legal form. A freelancer or sole trader provides personal identification and tax details. A partnership or company provides registration documents and identifies its owners. A registered company also needs a German business address and, for a GmbH, an account to receive its share capital before the notary completes registration. As of 28 January 2026, so verify the current requirements with the provider.

Documents and identification

Plan for the items below. The exact list varies by provider and legal form. Verify with the provider

A valid passport or national ID for every owner and director, with identification by VideoIdent, PostIdent or in a branch.
Your tax number or VAT identification number, and for a freelancer a short description of your activity.
For a company, the commercial register extract known as the Handelsregisterauszug, the articles of association and a shareholder list.
A German business address for a registered company, and for a GmbH an account to receive the share capital before registration.

When something is unclear

Requirements differ across providers and change over time, and a new business may not yet hold every document. If you are unsure whether a registration in progress or a missing tax number is accepted, treat the position as unclear and confirm with the provider rather than assuming. As of 28 January 2026.

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These providers accept business customers in Germany. Fees and eligibility shown as of 28 January 2026. Confirm current terms and the document list with the provider before applying.

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Questions about requirements in Germany

What documents do I need to open a business account in Germany?

A freelancer usually needs a valid ID, a tax number and a short description of the activity. A company adds the commercial register extract known as the Handelsregisterauszug, the articles of association, a shareholder list and a German business address. The exact list varies by provider, so confirm before applying. As of 28 January 2026.

How do I prove my identity to open an account?

German providers identify you by VideoIdent over a video call, by PostIdent at a Deutsche Post branch, or in a bank branch, depending on the provider. Every owner and director is usually identified. Confirm which method the provider uses. As of 28 January 2026.

Do I need a tax number to open a business account?

Most providers ask for your tax number or VAT identification number. A new business may apply with a registration in progress, but some providers wait until the tax number is issued. Confirm what is accepted with the provider. As of 28 January 2026.

Does a GmbH need to pay in share capital before opening?

A GmbH opens an account to receive its share capital so the notary can complete the registration in the commercial register. The minimum share capital for a GmbH is EUR 25000, with at least half paid in at registration. Confirm the current steps and amounts with the provider and the notary. As of 28 January 2026.

Fees, features, and eligibility change and vary by region. This page was last reviewed on 28 January 2026. Confirm current terms with the provider before applying.

Requirements and documents in Germany