At a glance
Setting up a German bank account is not too complicated and makes good sense.
With a German bank account, you can withdraw money free of charge from cash machines, make payments electronically, set up standing orders for regular payments (e.g. rent, health insurance) and receive your salary if you take a part-time job.
There are a lot of banks which offer current bank accounts ("Girokonto") free of charge for students.
To open a bank account, you will need:
Passport or national ID card
Student ID or certificate of enrolment ("Immatrikulationsbescheinigung") from HSD
Confirmation of registration from the Residents' Registration Office ("Meldebestätigung")
