If you’re trying to figure out which bank accounts in Germany are actually worth it, you’re in the right place. This guide compares the top bank accounts for international transfers. If you’re looking for best everyday current accounts with high welcome bonuses, you can find them in this article.
Note: this article contains affiliate links, which are marked with *.
Best Cards for Traveling and International Transfers
You don’t need to get a separate card just for traveling, even outside of the Eurozone – just use your everyday debit card that doesn’t charge foreign transaction (FX) fees. I mostly use Trade Republic* or N26* when I’m abroad, but you can check the fee list for any card you already have to make sure there are no extra charges for payments in foreign currencies.
That said, if you often send money abroad or exchange currencies for any other reason, it’s worth having an account that doesn’t punish you with poor exchange rates and hidden fees. Two services that work particularly well for this are Wise* and Revolut*. Both come with a debit card, let you hold money in multiple currencies, and give you better exchange rates than most traditional banks in Germany.
Wise
Wise* (formerly TransferWise) gives you a free multi-currency account (40 currencies available), has good rates for currency exchange and low international transfer fees. You can see the exact cost before confirming any transfer.
The account itself is completely free, and you can order a debit card for a one-time fee of €7 (or get it for free if you use the link below). The Wise card is handy for ATM withdrawals abroad, especially when traveling outside the Eurozone, and you can use it for payments in any currency — it automatically uses your balance in that currency or converts at the best available rate. You can get either a free card or a free international transfer of up to €595 when you sign up with this link*.
Revolut
Revolut* also lets you hold multiple currencies and make international transfers directly from the app. You can send money abroad in over 25 currencies, and transfers to other Revolut users arrive instantly. The exchange rate is very competitive during weekdays, though small markups apply on weekends and for larger transactions. The free plan covers most needs, and the debit card is also free (you just pay €6–€12 for delivery). If you travel or send money internationally often, Revolut is a convenient all-in-one option that combines banking, payments, and transfers in one sleek, beautiful app. Sign up here*.
Both the Revolut app and their cards are sleek and very stylish.
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