Berlin
Banking, transfer, and payment setup basics for newcomers.
You'll find that cash is still widely accepted in Berlin, with many restaurants, markets, and smaller shops only taking cash, so it's a good idea to always carry some, around 50. When it comes to banking, opening an account with N26 or DKB can be a good option, as they offer free Mastercard or Visa credit cards and free ATM withdrawals. Watch out for the difference between Brutto and Netto salaries, as your take-home pay will be approximately 60-65% of your gross salary. Most newcomers are surprised by the VAT rates in Germany, with a standard rate of 19% and a reduced rate of 7% for food and books. To get started, you can open an N26 account in just 10 minutes with your passport photo, and get a free Mastercard with free ATM withdrawals 3 times a month. Today, you can take the first step by downloading the N26 app and starting your account application.
Ranked by contributor trust level and quality score.
Mitte · Experience date Nov 10, 2025
Opened N26 in 10 minutes with my passport photo. Free Mastercard, free ATM withdrawals 3x/month. Wise is better for international transfers. Traditional banks like Sparkasse require Anmeldung first.
Kreuzberg · Experience date Feb 20, 2026
Many restaurants, markets, and smaller shops only take cash. Even some supermarkets prefer it. I keep €50 on me at all times. Use Wise or N26 to withdraw free at Deutsche Bank ATMs.
Charlottenburg · Experience date Apr 24, 2026
German salaries are quoted as Brutto (gross). Your Netto (take-home) after all deductions: approximately 60–65% of Brutto for middle-income earners. Example: 50,000 EUR Brutto/year = roughly 2,700 EUR Netto/month. Use the 'Brutto-Netto-Rechner' calculator at finanztip.de or brutto-netto-rechner.info to calculate your exact take-home. Negotiate Brutto — that's the industry standard. Germans discuss salary in annual Brutto figures. Company benefits: Jobticket (transit subsidy), Homeoffice days, and betriebliche Altersvorsorge (company pension) are common and worth negotiating.
Schöneberg · Experience date Apr 19, 2026
German VAT (Mehrwertsteuer, MwSt): standard rate 19%, reduced rate 7% for food, books, and some services. Prices in Germany always include VAT — no surprise at checkout. For non-EU nationals visiting Germany as tourists: VAT refund on purchases over 50 EUR at shops displaying 'Tax Free' sign. Process: get a Tax Free form from the retailer, have it stamped at German customs on departure, claim refund at airport kiosk or by mail. For Berlin residents: no VAT refund. VAT in Germany is collected by businesses (Unternehmer) — if you're self-employed, register for VAT once revenue exceeds 22,000 EUR/year (Kleinunternehmerregelung threshold).
Kreuzberg · Experience date Apr 15, 2026
Decision guide: N26 (best for new arrivals needing account fast — open in days, English app, no branch needed). DKB (best for expats who travel internationally — free worldwide ATM withdrawals, Visa credit card, reliable, no fees). Sparkasse (best for cash-heavy lifestyles or needing German banking relationship for loans/mortgage later — branch network, traditional banking). Many Berlin expats use N26 as immediate account (open before Anmeldung even) and then add DKB later for travel. Sparkasse for when you need to deposit cash regularly. Avoid: Deutsche Bank (fees) and Postbank (customer service issues).
Mitte · Experience date Feb 27, 2026
Rundfunkbeitrag (18.36 EUR/month per household) is a mandatory public broadcasting fee in Germany. It applies to every household regardless of whether you watch TV or have a TV. Even if you only have a smartphone and laptop: you must pay. Register at rundfunkbeitrag.de when you move in. Paying: direct debit or manual transfer quarterly. Exemption: if receiving Bürgergeld (social welfare) or other specific benefits. Two people in a shared apartment: only one fee per Wohnung (apartment), not per person. Fine for not registering: GEZ can charge backdated fees plus penalties. This is genuine — don't ignore it.
Friedrichshain · Experience date Nov 22, 2025
In Germany: the EC card (Girocard/Maestro, issued with your Girokonto) is accepted at most German shops. International Visa/Mastercard: accepted in tourist areas and online but can be rejected at some traditional German businesses (bakeries, butchers, weekly markets). For online shopping: Visa/Mastercard essential — Germany's main shopping sites (Zalando, Otto, About You) accept credit cards. German PayPal (linked to bank account) is extremely popular for online payments — widely accepted on German e-commerce sites. Cash: keep 50 EUR in your wallet for the many Berlin vendors who still refuse card.
Schöneberg · Experience date Feb 22, 2026
Sparkasse is Germany's network of regional public savings banks — the Berliner Sparkasse is Berlin's version. Traditional banking: branches everywhere, strong customer service in German, conservative but reliable. Account opening requires in-person visit. Monthly fee: 0–10 EUR depending on account type. Useful for: cash deposits (Geldeinzahler), which are impossible or expensive at N26 or DKB. Berliner Sparkasse ATMs accept free cash withdrawals for all Sparkasse accounts. If you handle cash regularly (market sellers, tradespersons): Sparkasse is practical.
Schöneberg · Experience date Jan 30, 2026
Germany taxes capital gains (Kapitalertragsteuer) at 25% + solidarity surcharge. Freibetrag (annual tax-free allowance): 1,000 EUR/year (from 2023) per person — up to this amount, no tax on capital gains. Best brokers for German residents: Trade Republic (zero commission, good ETF selection, app-based), Scalable Capital (robo-advisor or DIY ETF, 2.99 EUR/month for unlimited trades), DKB (brokers section in their banking app). World ETF investing is straightforward — MSCI World ETF (e.g., iShares Core MSCI World) is the standard recommendation. Open a Depot (investment account) after your bank account is established.
Prenzlauer Berg · Experience date Nov 29, 2025
When you open a German Girokonto (current account), you receive a Girocard (EC card) — the standard German debit card. It works at any German ATM for free (at your bank) and for in-store purchases via PIN. Contactless payment: all new Girocards have contactless. Apple Pay/Google Pay: N26 and DKB support it. Sparkasse: Girocard works with Apple Pay from 2021. For online shopping: Girocard is NOT accepted for most international online purchases — you need a Visa or Mastercard. Request a linked Visa/Mastercard from your bank (N26 includes one, DKB includes Visa credit card free).