Comdirect GiroKonto
The free online current account for your life in Germany
Get a free Visa debit card, 24/7 mobile banking, and access to 7,000+ ATMs nationwide.
Perfect for receiving your salary, paying rent, and managing all your daily banking needs — completely online.
Why choose the Comdirect GiroKonto?
Free with €700/month income, 1 Apple/Google Pay transaction per month, or 1 trade + 1 savings plan. Otherwise €4.90/month.
Free Visa debit card included for contactless payments worldwide, online shopping, and ATM withdrawals. Works with Apple Pay and Google Pay.
What's included?
Visa Debit Card
Free Visa debit card for contactless payments worldwide. Accepted at millions of merchants in stores and online.
Apple Pay & Google Pay
Add your Visa card to Apple Pay or Google Pay and pay with your smartphone or smartwatch. One transaction per month keeps your account free!
Free Cash Access
Withdraw cash at over 7,000 ATMs across Germany for free through the Cash Group network (Commerzbank, Deutsche Bank, HypoVereinsbank, Postbank).
International Transfers
Easy SEPA transfers within Europe. Send money to family and friends internationally.
Mobile Banking 24/7
Full online banking and award-winning Comdirect mobile app. Bank anytime, anywhere with real-time notifications.
100% Online
Open your account, verify your identity, and manage everything online. No branch visits needed — ever.
Cash Deposits
Deposit cash at Commerzbank shell ATMs up to 3 times per year for free. Additional deposits available for a small fee.
Instant Payments
Send money in real-time via the banking app. Transfers arrive within seconds, 24/7.
photoTAN Security
Secure your transactions with the photoTAN app. Modern two-factor authentication for maximum protection.
Ready to open your GiroKonto?
Get a free Visa debit card and enjoy digital banking with no monthly fees
Open GiroKonto NowRequirements to open a GiroKonto
Who can open an account?
- You must be registered in Germany (Anmeldung)
- At least 18 years old
- Valid passport or European ID card
- German address (from your Anmeldung)
- Valid email address and phone number
How to get a free account?
- Monthly income of at least €700 (salary, pension, BAföG)
- Or at least 1 Apple Pay / Google Pay transaction per month
- Or at least 1 trade + 1 savings plan execution per month
- Digital (paperless) account management
Pricing & Fees
Monthly Account Fee
Comdirect GiroKonto
Account fee structure:
✓ Free permanently if:
Your account is free if you receive at least €700 in monthly income (salary, pension, BAföG, etc.), or make at least 1 payment via Apple Pay or Google Pay per month, or execute at least 1 securities trade and 1 savings plan per month.
Otherwise: 0€ - 4.90€/month
If none of the free conditions are met, a monthly fee of €4.90 applies.
Free Services
- ✓ Account opening
- ✓ Visa debit card
- ✓ SEPA transfers
- ✓ Standing orders
- ✓ Cash withdrawals (7,000+ ATMs)
- ✓ Cash deposits at Commerzbank ATMs (3x/year)
- ✓ Instant payments via app
- ✓ Online & mobile banking
- ✓ Apple Pay & Google Pay
- ✓ photoTAN security
- ✓ Real-time notifications
Optional Add-ons
- • Girocard (debit): €0.99/month
- • Visa credit card (various options)
- • Overdraft facility (Dispokredit)
- • Paper statements (if requested)
- • International transfers (non-SEPA)
How to open your GiroKonto
Open your account in 6 easy steps — completely online in just a few minutes
Complete the online application
Fill out the application form online. You'll receive your new IBAN immediately. We provide a free English guide to help you through each step.
Receive confirmation email
After submitting your application, you'll receive all important documents and next steps by email.
Verify your identity via VideoIdent
Complete a short video call to verify your identity. Have your passport or ID card ready. The process takes about 5-10 minutes — no need to visit a branch or post office.
Activate photoTAN
Within 1-2 business days after verification, you can activate the secure photoTAN procedure in your online banking.
Receive your PIN
Your card PIN will arrive by mail separately for security reasons.
Get your Visa debit card
About 4 working days later, your Visa debit card arrives in a separate letter. You can now use it with your PIN!
Ready to start banking in Germany?
Open your Comdirect GiroKonto now — free with active use!
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I open a GiroKonto without speaking German?
The application process is in German, but we provide a free step-by-step English guide to help you through it. The Comdirect app and online banking are available in German, with key features being intuitive to navigate.
Do I need a residence permit?
You need to be registered in Germany (Anmeldung) with a German address. Your residence permit status may be checked, but many visa types are accepted. EU citizens only need their ID card.
How long does it take to open an account?
Once you've completed the VideoIdent process and activated photoTAN, your online banking is ready in 1-2 business days. Your physical Visa debit card arrives within about one week.
Can I use the account for my salary?
Absolutely! The GiroKonto is a full current account perfect for receiving your salary. A monthly income of at least €700 also qualifies you for the free account — no monthly fees!
What is photoTAN and how does it work?
photoTAN is Comdirect's secure authentication method. You scan a QR code displayed on your screen with the photoTAN app on your smartphone. The app generates a one-time code for authorizing transactions. It's more secure than SMS-based TANs.
Can I get a credit card with my GiroKonto?
Yes, Comdirect offers Visa credit cards that you can apply for separately. The Visa credit card is available for an additional monthly fee. You can also use the included free Visa debit card for most everyday transactions.
How do I make international transfers from my GiroKonto?
You can make SEPA transfers within Europe for free. For non-SEPA transfers (outside Europe), fees apply. Use online banking or the mobile app to initiate transfers. International transfers typically take 1-3 business days.
Where can I withdraw cash?
At Cash Group ATMs (7,000+): Withdraw cash for free at all ATMs of Commerzbank, Deutsche Bank, HypoVereinsbank, and Postbank across Germany. At participating supermarkets: You can also withdraw cash when shopping at Rewe, Penny, Aldi Süd, and other participating retailers.
What are the conditions for a free account?
The Comdirect GiroKonto is free if you meet one of these conditions: monthly income of at least €700, at least 1 Apple Pay or Google Pay transaction per month, or at least 1 securities trade plus 1 savings plan execution per month. If none are met, the monthly fee is €4.90.
Does the account come with an overdraft facility?
Yes! If you have regular income, Comdirect can set up an overdraft (Dispokredit) for you. The overdraft is typically up to 3 times your monthly net income. Current overdraft interest rate: 13.25% p.a.
What is Comdirect's security standard?
Comdirect is a brand of Commerzbank AG and is regulated by BaFin and the ECB. Your deposits are protected up to €100,000 through the German deposit protection scheme. All online banking is secured with photoTAN two-factor authentication. The app features biometric login (fingerprint/Face ID) for additional security.
Why is Comdirect ideal for expats?
Comdirect is ideal for expats because of its 100% online account opening via VideoIdent (no branch visits), free Visa debit card accepted worldwide, access to 7,000+ free ATMs through Cash Group, powerful mobile banking app, Apple Pay and Google Pay support, and the security of Commerzbank AG as parent company with €100,000 deposit protection.
Can I set up direct debits (Lastschrift) for recurring payments?
Yes! The GiroKonto supports direct debits (SEPA Lastschrift) for recurring payments like rent, utilities, or subscriptions. You can manage and cancel direct debits through online banking or the Comdirect app at any time.
Can I deposit cash into my Comdirect account?
Yes, you can deposit cash at Commerzbank shell ATMs. The first 3 deposits per calendar year are free. After that, a fee applies. This is possible because Comdirect is a brand of Commerzbank AG.
Can I open multiple GiroKontos?
Comdirect allows you to open additional accounts (Zweitkonto). Each account has its own IBAN and can be used for different purposes. The free conditions apply separately to each account.
Start your financial journey in Germany today
Join thousands of expats who trust Comdirect for their digital banking needs
Open Your GiroKonto Now