opening a bank account in berlin
 

My elder son is going to Berlin to try to make a start there. He has the use of a cousin's apartment for a while and will be job seeking during his initial stay.

The question is, what chance has he of opening a basic account with a bank in Berlin to which he can transfer funds from his Canadian accounts? Are there "newcomer" offers as there are in Canada?

Re: opening a bank account in berlin
 

DD1 chose to open a German internet banking account and can easily transfer from her French A/C if necessary, but we're in Euroland and I've no idea how international transfers work.

Re: opening a bank account in berlin
 

Thanks dmu. Something like ING/Tangerine?

Re: opening a bank account in berlin
 

I can't say off-hand, she's gone out for the moment. The name rings a bell, but maybe due to adverts on the TV! A+

Re: opening a bank account in berlin
 

Hmmm. Adverts. Google suggests DKB and/or N26? Your daughter's input will be welcome. Thanks again.

Re: opening a bank account in berlin
 

She's with Comdirect, but could equally well have chosen DKB. Apparently DD2 still has a German account, although she's moved back to France. We're skyping with her over the weekend and I'll ask what bank she's with...

Re: opening a bank account in berlin
 

Cheers for that. My DS1 who's in France with us at the moment also looked at Comdirect but seems to think that N26 might be a better fit. Don't ask me why. :huh:

Re: opening a bank account in berlin
 

I opened an account in Germany while visiting. I needed my passport and some money. Downside in Germany is that all bank accounts cost you. No free banking !

Re: opening a bank account in berlin
 

DD2 is with DKB, but says that nowadays they are more selective than in the past. You need an income, apparently, in order to open an account, they don't accept just anyone (e.g. her, a student, at the time), any more...
Hope all this is of some help!
P.S. DD1, on the spot, has never heard of N26....

Re: opening a bank account in berlin
 

Merci encore. I read of the DKB selectivity and of N26 here https://www.movingto-berlin.com/german-bank-account/

Re: opening a bank account in berlin
 

I have news for you: banks aren't philanthropic. There is no such thing as "free banking". They just get their money in a more transparent way.

Kind of like that "free" iPhone you get with your mobile contract, where you ultimately pay 20% more than if you bought it at MediaMarkt.

Free? That sounds expensive!

Re: opening a bank account in berlin
 

No free lunches ?

Re: opening a bank account in berlin
 

most bank accounts are free for 1 year. But after the first year you can move your account to a different bank and enjoy a free banking again :)

Re: opening a bank account in berlin
 

I'd recommend N26 - easier to open than many other German accounts. They also have a really good app and customer service.

Re: opening a bank account in berlin
 

That's what my son did in fact. So far it appears to work fine. I had no problem transferring some money from a UK account to his N26 account.

ETA: Not my money, but an inheritance from his Grandfather's estate.