Your legal right
You're entitled to a basic bank account (Basiskonto) in Germany, even if you've been refused elsewhere. Banks must offer one with essential services at a reasonable cost.
A Bank Account for everyone
If you live legally in the EU and don't already have a usable payment account in Germany, you have the right to a basic payment account, even if another bank turned you down. Open yours with bunq.
September 2026A Bank Account for everyone
If you live legally in the EU and don't already have a usable payment account in Germany, you have the right to a basic payment account, even if another bank turned you down. Open yours with bunq.
September 2026A Bank Account for everyone
If you live legally in the EU and don't already have a usable payment account in Germany, you have the right to a basic payment account, even if another bank turned you down. Open yours with bunq.
September 2026What's a Basiskonto?
A Basiskonto (basic payment account) works like a regular current account but with extra legal protections. Under the German Payment Accounts Act (ZKG), bunq cannot arbitrarily reject your application or close your account without a valid legal reason.
Who can apply?
Anyone legally living in the EU who doesn't already have a usable payment account in Germany, including people without a fixed address, asylum seekers and people with a Duldung. A Basiskonto is for personal use, not for running a business.
No strings attached
bunq cannot make your Basiskonto dependent on buying any other product. No negative balance (overdraft), no insurance, and no paid plan required.
What's a Basiskonto?
A Basiskonto (basic payment account) works like a regular current account but with extra legal protections. Under the German Payment Accounts Act (ZKG), bunq cannot arbitrarily reject your application or close your account without a valid legal reason.
Your legal right
You're entitled to a basic bank account (Basiskonto) in Germany, even if you've been refused elsewhere. Banks must offer one with essential services at a reasonable cost.
Who can apply?
Anyone legally living in the EU who doesn't already have a usable payment account in Germany, including people without a fixed address, asylum seekers and people with a Duldung. A Basiskonto is for personal use, not for running a business.
No strings attached
bunq cannot make your Basiskonto dependent on buying any other product. No negative balance (overdraft), no insurance, and no paid plan required.
What's a Basiskonto?
A Basiskonto (basic payment account) works like a regular current account but with extra legal protections. Under the German Payment Accounts Act (ZKG), bunq cannot arbitrarily reject your application or close your account without a valid legal reason.
Your legal right
You're entitled to a basic bank account (Basiskonto) in Germany, even if you've been refused elsewhere. Banks must offer one with essential services at a reasonable cost.
Who can apply?
Anyone legally living in the EU who doesn't already have a usable payment account in Germany, including people without a fixed address, asylum seekers and people with a Duldung. A Basiskonto is for personal use, not for running a business.
No strings attached
bunq cannot make your Basiskonto dependent on buying any other product. No negative balance (overdraft), no insurance, and no paid plan required.
What’s included in your Basiskonto?
Your Basiskonto must include the following payment services. Note that you can't borrow money with it.
| Service | At bunq |
|---|---|
| Euro account with IBAN | €0 |
| Cash deposits via Barzahlen partner stores | First €100 per month at no charge, then 2.5% |
| Cash withdrawals at ATMs within the EEA, including outside business hours | €2.99 per withdrawal |
| Direct debits, recurring and one-off | €0 |
| Sending money and setting up recurring payments | €0 |
| Card payments (debit card, contactless, app payments) | €0 |
| Negative balance or borrowing money | Not available |
What’s included in your Basiskonto?
Your Basiskonto must include the following payment services. Note that you can't borrow money with it.
| Service | At bunq |
|---|---|
| Euro account with IBAN | €0 |
| Cash deposits via Barzahlen partner stores | First €100 per month at no charge, then 2.5% |
| Cash withdrawals at ATMs within the EEA, including outside business hours | €2.99 per withdrawal |
| Direct debits, recurring and one-off | €0 |
| Sending money and setting up recurring payments | €0 |
| Card payments (debit card, contactless, app payments) | €0 |
| Negative balance or borrowing money | Not available |
What’s included in your Basiskonto?
Your Basiskonto must include the following payment services. Note that you can't borrow money with it.
| Service | At bunq |
|---|---|
| Euro account with IBAN | €0 |
| Cash deposits via Barzahlen partner stores | First €100 per month at no charge, then 2.5% |
| Cash withdrawals at ATMs within the EEA, including outside business hours | €2.99 per withdrawal |
| Direct debits, recurring and one-off | €0 |
| Sending money and setting up recurring payments | €0 |
| Card payments (debit card, contactless, app payments) | €0 |
| Negative balance or borrowing money | Not available |
How to apply
The whole process works by post. bunq has 10 business days to decide once your complete application arrives.
Fill in the application form
Download the official bunq Basiskonto form (§ 33 ZKG), fill it in completely and sign it. No branch visit needed.
Gather your documents
A valid photo ID, such as a passport or ID card, plus proof of address. Asylum seekers and people with a Duldung can use their Aufenthaltsgestattung, Duldungsbescheinigung or Ankunftsnachweis. No fixed address? A postal contact address works, whether that's a friend's, a family member's or an advice centre's.
Send your application to bunq
By post to bunq B.V. Niederlassung Deutschland, Landsberger Straße 302, 80687 München.
We confirm receipt
We'll confirm receipt in writing within 1 business day. Our 10 business days start when your complete application arrives.
You hear back within 10 business days
If we accept, you'll get a verification request and a contract offer. Once you accept the offer, we open your account with your IBAN within 10 business days. If we reject, you'll get a reasoned written decision citing the exact legal ground, plus full information about how to challenge it.
How to apply
The whole process works by post. bunq has 10 business days to decide once your complete application arrives.
Fill in the application form
Download the official bunq Basiskonto form (§ 33 ZKG), fill it in completely and sign it. No branch visit needed.
Gather your documents
A valid photo ID, such as a passport or ID card, plus proof of address. Asylum seekers and people with a Duldung can use their Aufenthaltsgestattung, Duldungsbescheinigung or Ankunftsnachweis. No fixed address? A postal contact address works, whether that's a friend's, a family member's or an advice centre's.
Send your application to bunq
By post to bunq B.V. Niederlassung Deutschland, Landsberger Straße 302, 80687 München.
We confirm receipt
We'll confirm receipt in writing within 1 business day. Our 10 business days start when your complete application arrives.
You hear back within 10 business days
If we accept, you'll get a verification request and a contract offer. Once you accept the offer, we open your account with your IBAN within 10 business days. If we reject, you'll get a reasoned written decision citing the exact legal ground, plus full information about how to challenge it.
How to apply
The whole process works by post. bunq has 10 business days to decide once your complete application arrives.
Fill in the application form
Download the official bunq Basiskonto form (§ 33 ZKG), fill it in completely and sign it. No branch visit needed.
Gather your documents
A valid photo ID, such as a passport or ID card, plus proof of address. Asylum seekers and people with a Duldung can use their Aufenthaltsgestattung, Duldungsbescheinigung or Ankunftsnachweis. No fixed address? A postal contact address works, whether that's a friend's, a family member's or an advice centre's.
Send your application to bunq
By post to bunq B.V. Niederlassung Deutschland, Landsberger Straße 302, 80687 München.
We confirm receipt
We'll confirm receipt in writing within 1 business day. Our 10 business days start when your complete application arrives.
You hear back within 10 business days
If we accept, you'll get a verification request and a contract offer. Once you accept the offer, we open your account with your IBAN within 10 business days. If we reject, you'll get a reasoned written decision citing the exact legal ground, plus full information about how to challenge it.
Get your Basiskonto
The standardized bunq Basiskonto application form. Print it, fill it in, sign it and send it to us by post.
Get your Basiskonto
The standardized bunq Basiskonto application form. Print it, fill it in, sign it and send it to us by post.
Get your Basiskonto
The standardized bunq Basiskonto application form. Print it, fill it in, sign it and send it to us by post.
When can bunq say no?
bunq can only refuse a Basiskonto for specific legal reasons, nothing else. The law lists exactly what those reasons are.
You already have a usable payment account in Germany
If you have an active account at another bank in Germany that you can actually use for payments, you're not entitled to a Basiskonto. If that account has been terminated, or you've been told it's closing, let us know. That changes things.
You were convicted of an intentional offence against bunq in the last 3 years
If you've been convicted in the past three years of an intentional criminal offence against bunq, our staff or our customers, we may reject your application. A suspicion or an ongoing case is not enough. We need a final conviction.
In the past year, bunq closed your Basiskonto for misuse
If in the past year bunq ended a previous Basiskonto of yours without notice because you deliberately used it for illegal purposes or gave false information to open it, we may turn down a new application.
In the past year, bunq closed your Basiskonto for unpaid fees
If in the past year bunq ended a previous Basiskonto of yours because you owed more than €100 in fees for over three months, we may turn down a new application.
Opening the account would breach our anti-money-laundering or banking law duties
If entering into the business relationship would force bunq to breach legal duties under the German Anti-Money Laundering Act (GwG) or the Banking Act (KWG), we may have to decline.
When can bunq say no?
bunq can only refuse a Basiskonto for specific legal reasons, nothing else. The law lists exactly what those reasons are.
You already have a usable payment account in Germany
If you have an active account at another bank in Germany that you can actually use for payments, you're not entitled to a Basiskonto. If that account has been terminated, or you've been told it's closing, let us know. That changes things.
You were convicted of an intentional offence against bunq in the last 3 years
If you've been convicted in the past three years of an intentional criminal offence against bunq, our staff or our customers, we may reject your application. A suspicion or an ongoing case is not enough. We need a final conviction.
In the past year, bunq closed your Basiskonto for misuse
If in the past year bunq ended a previous Basiskonto of yours without notice because you deliberately used it for illegal purposes or gave false information to open it, we may turn down a new application.
In the past year, bunq closed your Basiskonto for unpaid fees
If in the past year bunq ended a previous Basiskonto of yours because you owed more than €100 in fees for over three months, we may turn down a new application.
Opening the account would breach our anti-money-laundering or banking law duties
If entering into the business relationship would force bunq to breach legal duties under the German Anti-Money Laundering Act (GwG) or the Banking Act (KWG), we may have to decline.
When can bunq say no?
bunq can only refuse a Basiskonto for specific legal reasons, nothing else. The law lists exactly what those reasons are.
You already have a usable payment account in Germany
If you have an active account at another bank in Germany that you can actually use for payments, you're not entitled to a Basiskonto. If that account has been terminated, or you've been told it's closing, let us know. That changes things.
You were convicted of an intentional offence against bunq in the last 3 years
If you've been convicted in the past three years of an intentional criminal offence against bunq, our staff or our customers, we may reject your application. A suspicion or an ongoing case is not enough. We need a final conviction.
In the past year, bunq closed your Basiskonto for misuse
If in the past year bunq ended a previous Basiskonto of yours without notice because you deliberately used it for illegal purposes or gave false information to open it, we may turn down a new application.
In the past year, bunq closed your Basiskonto for unpaid fees
If in the past year bunq ended a previous Basiskonto of yours because you owed more than €100 in fees for over three months, we may turn down a new application.
Opening the account would breach our anti-money-laundering or banking law duties
If entering into the business relationship would force bunq to breach legal duties under the German Anti-Money Laundering Act (GwG) or the Banking Act (KWG), we may have to decline.
When can bunq close your Basiskonto?
Only for specific legal reasons. If we do, we'll tell you in writing, in clear language and in German (unless agreed otherwise), explaining why, unless that would put public safety at risk. We'll also give you contact details for BaFin and the arbitration body you can turn to if you disagree.
Unused account, or you no longer qualify
Where a termination right is agreed with you, bunq can end the contract with at least two months' notice if you haven't made a payment for more than 24 months in a row, no longer live legally in the EU, open another usable payment account in Germany, or reject a contract change we offered to all Basiskonto holders.
Unpaid fees or a crime against bunq
bunq can end your account with at least two months' notice if you commit an intentional crime against bunq, our staff or our customers, or if you owe more than €100 in fees for over three months and further unpaid charges are likely. We'll warn you first and give you time to fix it.
Unlawful use or false information
bunq can close your account right away if you use it for something illegal or if you gave false information to get the account.
When can bunq close your Basiskonto?
Only for specific legal reasons. If we do, we'll tell you in writing, in clear language and in German (unless agreed otherwise), explaining why, unless that would put public safety at risk. We'll also give you contact details for BaFin and the arbitration body you can turn to if you disagree.
Unused account, or you no longer qualify
Where a termination right is agreed with you, bunq can end the contract with at least two months' notice if you haven't made a payment for more than 24 months in a row, no longer live legally in the EU, open another usable payment account in Germany, or reject a contract change we offered to all Basiskonto holders.
Unpaid fees or a crime against bunq
bunq can end your account with at least two months' notice if you commit an intentional crime against bunq, our staff or our customers, or if you owe more than €100 in fees for over three months and further unpaid charges are likely. We'll warn you first and give you time to fix it.
Unlawful use or false information
bunq can close your account right away if you use it for something illegal or if you gave false information to get the account.
When can bunq close your Basiskonto?
Only for specific legal reasons. If we do, we'll tell you in writing, in clear language and in German (unless agreed otherwise), explaining why, unless that would put public safety at risk. We'll also give you contact details for BaFin and the arbitration body you can turn to if you disagree.
Unused account, or you no longer qualify
Where a termination right is agreed with you, bunq can end the contract with at least two months' notice if you haven't made a payment for more than 24 months in a row, no longer live legally in the EU, open another usable payment account in Germany, or reject a contract change we offered to all Basiskonto holders.
Unpaid fees or a crime against bunq
bunq can end your account with at least two months' notice if you commit an intentional crime against bunq, our staff or our customers, or if you owe more than €100 in fees for over three months and further unpaid charges are likely. We'll warn you first and give you time to fix it.
Unlawful use or false information
bunq can close your account right away if you use it for something illegal or if you gave false information to get the account.
Questions or complaints?
Help with your Basiskonto is free. If you disagree with a decision we made, you can complain to us, ask BaFin to step in, or go to the arbitration body. You can also go to court.
Talk to bunq
Ask us anything about the features, fees or terms of your Basiskonto, for free and at any time. Reach out through the bunq app or write to bunq B.V. Niederlassung Deutschland, Landsberger Straße 302, 80687 München.
Questions or complaints?
Help with your Basiskonto is free. If you disagree with a decision we made, you can complain to us, ask BaFin to step in, or go to the arbitration body. You can also go to court.
Talk to bunq
Ask us anything about the features, fees or terms of your Basiskonto, for free and at any time. Reach out through the bunq app or write to bunq B.V. Niederlassung Deutschland, Landsberger Straße 302, 80687 München.
Questions or complaints?
Help with your Basiskonto is free. If you disagree with a decision we made, you can complain to us, ask BaFin to step in, or go to the arbitration body. You can also go to court.
Talk to bunq
Ask us anything about the features, fees or terms of your Basiskonto, for free and at any time. Reach out through the bunq app or write to bunq B.V. Niederlassung Deutschland, Landsberger Straße 302, 80687 München.
Legal information
bunq B.V., De entree 99 to 197, 1101 HE Amsterdam, licensed by De Nederlandsche Bank and passported into Germany, acting through bunq B.V. Niederlassung Deutschland, Landsberger Straße 302, 80687 München. In Germany, BaFin supervises how we conduct this business (§ 46 (2) ZKG). Decisions on Basiskonto applications and terminations are issued in German unless we agree otherwise with you (§ 34 (3), § 43 (1) ZKG).
This page is consumer information about the bunq Basiskonto. It is not the pre-contractual fee information under §§ 5 to 9 ZKG, and it does not replace the written reasons you receive with a rejection under § 34 ZKG. Legal basis: §§ 30 to 53 Zahlungskontengesetz (ZKG) and the Zahlungskonto-Identitätsprüfungsverordnung (ZIdPrüfV). Free help with the features, fees and terms of a Basiskonto is available at any time (§ 45 ZKG). How we handle your data is set out in our privacy policy.
Last updated: September 2026.
Legal information
bunq B.V., De entree 99 to 197, 1101 HE Amsterdam, licensed by De Nederlandsche Bank and passported into Germany, acting through bunq B.V. Niederlassung Deutschland, Landsberger Straße 302, 80687 München. In Germany, BaFin supervises how we conduct this business (§ 46 (2) ZKG). Decisions on Basiskonto applications and terminations are issued in German unless we agree otherwise with you (§ 34 (3), § 43 (1) ZKG).
This page is consumer information about the bunq Basiskonto. It is not the pre-contractual fee information under §§ 5 to 9 ZKG, and it does not replace the written reasons you receive with a rejection under § 34 ZKG. Legal basis: §§ 30 to 53 Zahlungskontengesetz (ZKG) and the Zahlungskonto-Identitätsprüfungsverordnung (ZIdPrüfV). Free help with the features, fees and terms of a Basiskonto is available at any time (§ 45 ZKG). How we handle your data is set out in our privacy policy.
Last updated: September 2026.
Legal information
bunq B.V., De entree 99 to 197, 1101 HE Amsterdam, licensed by De Nederlandsche Bank and passported into Germany, acting through bunq B.V. Niederlassung Deutschland, Landsberger Straße 302, 80687 München. In Germany, BaFin supervises how we conduct this business (§ 46 (2) ZKG). Decisions on Basiskonto applications and terminations are issued in German unless we agree otherwise with you (§ 34 (3), § 43 (1) ZKG).
This page is consumer information about the bunq Basiskonto. It is not the pre-contractual fee information under §§ 5 to 9 ZKG, and it does not replace the written reasons you receive with a rejection under § 34 ZKG. Legal basis: §§ 30 to 53 Zahlungskontengesetz (ZKG) and the Zahlungskonto-Identitätsprüfungsverordnung (ZIdPrüfV). Free help with the features, fees and terms of a Basiskonto is available at any time (§ 45 ZKG). How we handle your data is set out in our privacy policy.
Last updated: September 2026.