Account management (and fees)

Account management (Kontoführung) covers everything to do with running and using your bank account.

Account fees (Germany):

Branch banks:

• Sparkasse: €5–15/month (depending on model and region)
• Volksbank: €5–12/month
• Commerzbank: €0 with salary payments ≥€700, otherwise €9.90

Direct banks:

• ING: €0 from €700 salary payments or under 28
• DKB: €0 from €700 incoming payments
• comdirect: €0 with minimum incoming payments

Neobanks:

• N26: €0 (Standard) to €16.90 (Metal)
• Vivid: €0 (Standard)

Check for hidden costs:

• Fee per transfer (€0.10–0.50)
• Cash machine fee (at other banks €3–6)
• Replacement card (€5–15)
• Statements by post (€1–3 each)
• Instant transfer (€0–0.50)

Right to a basic account (since 2016):

• Everyone in Germany has a legal right to a basic account (§30 ZKG)
• Including homeless people, refugees and people with a negative Schufa score
• Basic functions: deposits, withdrawals, transfers, direct debits
• No bank may refuse to open one without good reason