In Germany people usually pay their bills by bank transfer or bank card. You will therefore need a Girokonto (current account). Students do not pay any fees for a bank account. In order to open a bank account, please choose and visit a bank of your preference with the following documents:

• Proof of identity (identity card or passport).
• Residency certificate from the local registration office (Anmeldung certificate). Please consider that banks often ask for registration.
• Enrolment certificate from HTW Berlin.

You can choose any bank you wish, but we suggest popular banks, such as Deutsche Bank, Commerzbank or the Berliner Sparkasse.

After your bank account has been set up, you will receive a bank card and a PIN code. You can then use this to withdraw money from an ATM.