Bank Account Checklist

For a current account, the base price is only part of the bill. Cards, withdrawals, cash deposits, paper transactions, foreign currencies, and add-ons can cost more than the monthly fee. The checklist first helps you define the services you actually need.

Instead of maintaining a provider ranking that quickly becomes stale, the tool turns your needs into a filter plan. You then continue in the free BaFin account comparison, which neutrally presents current provider data for current and basic accounts. BaFin does not recommend a particular account.

The document checklist prepares you for the application. The provider and its identification process decide which identity and address evidence is accepted. The tool therefore marks general preparation points and avoids provider-specific promises.

A dedicated section explains the basic account under the Payment Accounts Act. Eligibility is not unlimited for every person and situation, but under the statutory conditions it can include people without a fixed home, asylum seekers, and certain people without a residence title. Statutory refusal grounds can still apply.

If an explicit basic-account application is refused, the checklist points to the special BaFin application under section 48 ZKG. Keep the application, receipt date, and refusal. This is more precise than simply sending a general complaint.

The checklist is neutral guidance, not financial advice. Pricing and acceptance criteria can change. Always check the provider’s current fee information and contract before accepting.