Opening a bank account

You will need your own bank account to pay for your regular expenses, e.g. rent, health insurance and semester fees. Students from EU and EEC member states should inquire before arriving to what extent they can use their existing bank accounts in their home countries for transactions in Germany.

Students from non-European countries are normally required to open a German bank account. To do this, you will need your passport/official personal ID card, notification of admission to the University of Münster, residence permit for study purposes (if applicable) and tax ID number, which the Resident Registration Office will send you after you register your place of residence with the municipal authorities (see section Registering with the municipal authorities). When you make your appointment with the bank, ask whether you will have to present your tax ID number as soon as you open your account, or whether you can send it to them within three months.

Many banks operate branches in downtown Münster, e.g. the Sparkasse, Volksbank, Deutsche Bank, Commerzbank etc. Almost all banks in Germany offers students no-fee checking accounts. Unlike Internet-based banks, opening an account at a branch office in Münster offers you more opportunities to withdraw cash from their ATMs and obtain assistance from the bank staff if you encounter any problems.