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Akif Hazarvi

Germany IBAN

DE·EUR·SEPA

The International Bank Account Number (IBAN) for Germany is 22 characters long and is used to identify bank accounts for international transactions, within the SEPA network for euro transfers and via SWIFT for non-euro currencies.

A Germany IBAN begins with the country code DE and two check digits, followed by the 18-character BBAN (Basic Bank Account Number). The Germany BBAN encodes a 8-character bank code, followed by a 10-character account number. As a SEPA member, Germany supports low-cost euro transfers across 36+ European countries using the EUR currency. Always include the full 22-character IBAN together with the bank's BIC/SWIFT code when making or receiving international payments.

Quick answer: A German IBAN is 22 characters long and starts with "DE" followed by two check digits, an 8-digit Bankleitzahl (BLZ, bank code), and a 10-digit account number padded with leading zeros. Example: DE89 3704 0044 0532 0130 00 (Commerzbank Köln, BLZ 37040044). Within the SEPA zone the IBAN alone is sufficient; for transfers originating outside SEPA you also need the bank's BIC/SWIFT code. Germany supports SEPA Instant Credit Transfer — funds arrive in under 10 seconds, 24/7, up to €100,000 per transaction.

IBAN Length

22 chars

Currency

EUR

SEPA

Yes

Banks

39+

Example IBAN

Electronic format

DE89370400440532013000

Print format

DE89 3704 0044 0532 0130 00

IBAN structure for Germany

A Germany IBAN is 22 characters long and consists of the following components:

Country code

DE

Check digits

89

Bank code

8 chars

Account number

10 chars

Total length22 characters

BBAN format details

The Basic Bank Account Number (BBAN) is the domestic part of the IBAN, following the country code and check digits. Here is the BBAN validation format for Germany:

Bank code8 characters

^[0-9]{8}

Account number10 characters

^[0-9]{10}

Major banks in Germany

39 banks in Germany that support IBAN-based international transfers:

P

Postbank

N

N26

C

Commerzbank

D

Deutsche Bank

D

Deutsche Postbank

H

Hamburger Sparkasse

B

Berliner Volksbank

B

Berliner Sparkasse

S

Sparkasse Anbach

S

Sparkasse Kolnbonn

H

Hypovereinsbank

I

Ing-Diba Ag

L

Landesbank Berlin Ag

O

Ostsächsische Sparkasse Dresden

S

Sparkasse Bielefeld

K

KSK - Kreissparkasse Koeln

S

Sofort Bank Eine Marke Der Deutsche Kontor Privatbank Ag

F

Fidor Bank

V

VTB Bank (Deutschland) Ag

W

Wirecard Bank Ag

S

Sparkasse Koelnbonn (Former Stadtsparkasse Koeln)

S

Sparkasse Aachen

S

Standard Chartered Bank Germany Branch

B

Barclays Bank Plc

T

Targobank Ag Co Kgaa

B

Bayerische Landesbank, Muenchen

S

Sutor Bank

H

HSBC Trinkaus Und Burkhardt Ag

K

Kreissparkasse Boeblingen

S

Stadtsparkasse Duesseldorf

S

Stadtsparkasse Muenchen

D

DKB AG

K

Klarna

S

Santander Bank

C

Comdirect Bank

B

Barclays Bank

C

Consorsbank

R

Raiffeisen Bank International AG

B

Bunq B.V.

Understanding IBAN in Germany

What is the IBAN format in Germany

An IBAN (International Bank Account Number) is an internationally-agreed code made up of up to 34 letters and numbers that helps banks make sure that international transfers are processed correctly. Each set of characters represents a different detail for your bank account. You can see the breakdown of this IBAN below.

What is the IBAN code in Germany

IBAN in Germany consists of 22 characters: 2 letter country code 2 digit check number 8 digits for the bank code (BLZ code) 10 digit code for the bank account number

Do you need an IBAN in Germany

Yes. If you’re making – or expecting to receive – an international money transfer to a bank account in Germany, then just a standard bank account number isn’t enough. If you want your money to arrive quickly and safely, you’ll usually need to give the bank a few extra details, such as an IBAN or SWIFT code. Banks assign IBANs to each of their accounts to make sure that international transfers are processed correctly. IBANs contain all of the country, bank, and account details you need to send or receive money internationally. This system is used throughout Europe, and also recognised in some areas of the Middle East, North Africa and the Caribbean.

Frequently asked questions

What is the IBAN format for Germany?

A German IBAN is exactly 22 characters long. It starts with DE, 2 check digits, an 8-digit Bankleitzahl (BLZ — bank routing code), and a 10-digit account number (padded with leading zeros if shorter). Example: DE89 3704 0044 0532 0130 00.

How do I find my IBAN in Germany?

Your DE IBAN is displayed in your bank's online banking (Onlinebanking) or mobile app. Deutsche Bank, Commerzbank, Sparkassen, and Volksbanken/Raiffeisenbanken all show the 22-character IBAN on the account overview. It also appears on your Kontoauszug (bank statement) and on the front of your Girocard (debit card).

Is Germany part of SEPA?

Yes. Germany is a founding eurozone and SEPA member. All domestic and cross-border euro transfers use the IBAN exclusively. Within SEPA, only the DE IBAN is required for euro credit transfers — no BIC/SWIFT code is needed.

What is a Bankleitzahl (BLZ) and how does it relate to the IBAN?

The Bankleitzahl (BLZ) is the 8-digit German bank routing code that identifies the bank and branch. It maps directly into positions 5-12 of the German IBAN. For example, Deutsche Bank's BLZ 37040044 appears as DE89 3704 0044 in the IBAN. The old BLZ + Kontonummer system has been fully replaced by IBAN for all transfers.

Do I need a BIC code for transfers within Germany or the EU?

No. For SEPA transfers within the EU and EEA, only the DE IBAN is required. BIC codes are no longer mandatory for SEPA Credit Transfers. However, for transfers from outside SEPA (such as from the US or Asia), the sender should include your bank's SWIFT/BIC code alongside the IBAN.

How do SEPA Direct Debits (Lastschrift) work with the German IBAN?

SEPA Direct Debits in Germany require the debtor's IBAN and a signed SEPA mandate authorising the creditor to collect payments. This is the standard for recurring payments like rent, utilities, insurance, and subscriptions. When setting up a Lastschrift, provide your DE IBAN and sign the mandate form (Lastschriftmandat).

What are common mistakes when sharing a German IBAN?

Common mistakes include: confusing the 8-digit BLZ with the full IBAN, providing the Kontonummer without the DE prefix and BLZ, entering an account number that has not been properly zero-padded to 10 digits, and transposing digits in the BLZ. Always verify the full 22-character IBAN before sharing it.

Can Sparkassen, Volksbanken, and online banks all receive international transfers via IBAN?

Yes. All German banks — including Sparkassen, Volksbanken/Raiffeisenbanken, traditional commercial banks (Deutsche Bank, Commerzbank), and online banks (N26, DKB, ING Germany) — use the same 22-character DE IBAN format and can receive both SEPA and SWIFT transfers. The BLZ range identifies the specific institution.

How IBAN is used in Germany

Germany was one of the earliest adopters of the IBAN standard, and the transition from the old Bankleitzahl (BLZ) and Kontonummer system is now complete. The eight-digit BLZ maps directly into the BBAN portion of a German IBAN, making conversion straightforward. As a core SEPA member, virtually all domestic and cross-border euro transfers in Germany use the IBAN exclusively. Germany's banking sector is one of the largest in Europe, with over 1,500 banks including the major Sparkassen (savings banks) network, cooperative banks (Volksbanken/Raiffeisenbanken), and private commercial banks.

A German IBAN is 22 characters long: the country code DE, two check digits, the eight-digit BLZ (bank routing code), and a ten-digit account number. If your account number is shorter than ten digits, it is padded with leading zeros. Example: DE89 3704 0044 0532 0130 00, where 37040044 is the BLZ for Commerzbank Köln.
For transfers within the SEPA zone, only the IBAN is required — no BIC needed. However, when sending or receiving from outside SEPA (e.g., from the US, UK post-Brexit, or Asia), German banks require both the IBAN and BIC/SWIFT code. Major BLZ ranges: Deutsche Bank (100-199), Commerzbank (200-299), Sparkassen (various regional ranges), N26 (10011001).
Direct debits (Lastschrift) and standing orders within Germany all rely on the IBAN. SEPA Direct Debit mandates require your IBAN plus a signed authorisation. Germany processes over 25 billion SEPA transactions per year — the largest volume in the eurozone.
Germany supports SEPA Instant Credit Transfer (SCT Inst) through most major banks. Transfers arrive in under 10 seconds, 24/7/365, with a maximum of €100,000 per transaction. Not all Sparkassen branches support instant transfers yet, so check with your specific bank.
Finding your IBAN: check your Kontoauszug (bank statement), your bank's online banking portal, or the Girocard itself — many German debit cards print the IBAN on the front. You can also calculate it from your old BLZ + Kontonummer using tools provided by the Bundesbank.