We recommend that you open a bank account as soon as you arrive in Berlin. If you are going to be living in a student residence hall or looking for work, a bank account is absolutely necessary to pay rent and/or receive wages.

To open a bank account you need:

• your passport
• proof of registration (Bescheinigung des Bürgeramtes)
• proof of university registration (Immatrikulationsbescheinigung). With proof of university registration you may open a no-fee student account.

If you are not yet registered when you open your account, you may show your proof of registration to your bank at a later date.