DKB Review in English 2024 Credit Card and Online Bank Account in Germany

Last Update: 04 March 2024

1. DKB Bank Review: Is DKB a Good Online Bank?

DKB is one of Germany’s most established online banks, with approximately 4.5 million clients. It is a Germany-wide operating subsidiary of Bavaria’s state bank. Founded in 1990, DKB (“Deutsche Kreditbank”) emerged from East Germany’s state bank and is therefore headquartered in Berlin. It offers one of the most popular and best German current accounts, which customers can also open as a joint account or student account. The accounts include a free Visa Card Debit and come without monthly fees. Therefore, they have also gained popularity among expats and English speakers in Germany. Moreover, DKB offers products like credit cards, investment accounts, and loans.

2. DKB Bank Accounts: Types and Fees for Private Use

Different account types exist for individuals (“DKB Girokonto”), partners (DKB joint account “Gemeinschaftskonto”), students (DKB student account “Studierendenkonto”), and children (“Kinderkonto”). All DKB accounts feature a German bank account number (IBAN).

There are no monthly fees for account holders below 28 years of age or with an “active customer status” (see requirements here). All accounts include similar perks.

Free DKB Visa Debit Card with contactless and mobile payment
Optional Girocard or DKB Credit Card for a monthly fee
Free card payments in Germany and abroad
Unlimited free international cash withdrawals at ATMs (minimum withdrawal amount of €50) and associated retailers (between €50 and €300 at REWE, Rossmann, Penny, Real, dm, etc.)
Free card payments and ATM withdrawals in foreign currencies for active customers or with credit card (for “inactive customers,” Visa Debit Card transactions in other currencies are subject to a fee of 2.2%)
Free online and mobile banking with unlimited transactions

	Active customers	Inactive customers (below 28 years)	Inactive customers (28 years or older)
Free Visa Debit Card (incl. Apple / Google Pay)
Free Visa Credit Card (incl. Apple / Google Pay)	2.49 Euros/month	2.49 Euros/month	2.49 Euros/month
Free Girocard	0.99 Euros/month	0.99 Euros/month	0.99 Euros/month
Free online / mobile banking
Free ATM withdrawals (at least €50)
No fees for payments / withdrawals outside of Eurozone (Visa Debit)		2.2%	2.2%
Reduced overdraft fees
Free emergency card and cash (Visa Debit)		(Emergency card: €180, emergency cash: €150)	(Emergency card: €180, emergency cash: €150)
Monthly fee	€0.00	€0.00	€4.50
	Check details	Check details	Check details

Active Customer Status

All new customers are automatically granted the “active customer” status for the first three months after their account opening. To maintain this status, your account shall record incoming transactions of at least 700 Euros per month (e.g., salary, pensions, transfers from other accounts). Once incoming transactions are inferior to 700 Euros, it takes three consecutive months of sufficient incoming funds to re-obtain the active customer status. The active customer status comes with certain perks:

No monthly account fees, also including account holders of 28 years or older; otherwise, a fee of 4.50 Euros will be charged during the consecutive month after becoming an inactive customer
No foreign currency fees when using the Visa Debit Card for ATM withdrawals or payments outside the Eurozone
Free emergency card and cash delivered directly by courier if the Visa Debit Card is lost or stolen while traveling abroad.
Reduced overdraft fees

DKB Current Account for Individuals “Girokonto”

The “DKB Girokonto” is the current account for individuals: There are no monthly fees for account holders younger than 28 or with active customer status. The account includes a free DKB Visa Debit card. A credit card or Girocard can be purchased for a monthly fee.

DKB Joint Account “Gemeinschaftskonto”

The DKB joint account comes with the same perks and conditions as the DKB account for individuals. The account is registered under two names, and both have complete access. The DKB joint account includes free bank cards (Visa Debit) for both account holders.

DKB Student Account “Studierendenkonto”

The DKB student account is similar to the normal Girokonto. It is free for students younger than 28 years or with active customer status. DKB Student Account holders also receive a free International Student Identity Card (ISIC) and related discounts for one year.

DKB Children Account “Kinderkonto”

The DKB account for minors (“Girokonto u18”) comes without monthly fees. It includes digital features for parents to manage their children’s account access and spending. To open a DKB Children account, at least one parent requires a personal DKB account or DKB joint account.

3. DKB Credit Cards and Debit Cards

Free DKB Visa Debit Card

The DKB current account includes the Free Visa Debit Card with a contactless option. It also supports mobile payments with Apple Pay and Google Pay. Free cash withdrawals at all ATMs and stores accepting Visa are possible with a minimum withdrawal of 50 Euros. Active customers are exempt from fees when using the card outside the Eurozone or requiring an emergency card or cash after card loss or theft abroad.

DKB Girocard

The DKB Girocard includes a contactless option and can be purchased for a monthly fee of 0.99 Euros. It is mainly helpful when paying in stores in Germany that do not accept Visa but only Girocard or for depositing cash at a DKB ATM.

DKB Credit Card

The DKB Visa Credit Card includes a contactless option and is entirely suitable for, i.e., store payments and online shopping. Usually, hotels or rental car companies ask for a credit card. They do not accept debit cards as blocking amounts, as a security guarantee is not possible. The DKB Credit Card supports mobile payment (Apple Pay / Google Pay). Independent from the “active customer status,” there are no fees for using the card outside the Eurozone or asking for an emergency card or cash while traveling. The DKB Credit Card can be purchased for 2.49 Euros per month.

In case you apply for a credit card, the outcome of an initial credit check defines your Visa card limit. This limit will be granted as a free credit to spend. Once a month, the amount will be settled with an automatic transaction from your current account. Suppose you need a higher limit on your Visa card (e.g., for larger purchases, traveling, rental car guarantees). In that case, you may transfer funds from your current to your Visa credit card account or contact DKB to review the limit.

TIP

Pick a free German credit card from our list!
Our overview shows 13 credit cards that you can easily connect with your DKB or or any other bank account.

4. DKB Customer Service: English Support and Online Banking Experience

DKB English support

Unfortunately, customer service (24/7 landline phone number) and the entire interface (web and mobile) are exclusively provided in German. This should be sufficient if you have basic German skills, as the interfaces are user-friendly and self-explanatory.

If you require some initial support, we recommend using the automatic translation function of your web browser. You may also want to adjust the settings of the videos below and let YouTube show automatically edited subtitles in English or your language of preference.

Online Banking and Mobile App

DKB provides an advanced infrastructure for internet and mobile banking. The online banking interface in your web browser includes all functions to manage your account entirely. Furthermore, there is a state-of-the-art mobile app, “DKB-Banking-App,” which includes, amongst others, the following valuable features:

Bank transfers
(Temporary) locking of bank cards
Cash withdrawals in shops
Mobile payment (Apple / Google Pay)
Push notifications in real-time to control card usage
Review of balances and limits (i.e., overdraft, credit card)

Changing the overdraft limit

What is the DKB Visa Debit Card

Further DKB Services: Savings, Investments, Credits

If you want to merge all your financial activities at one bank, DKB is an excellent option. In its portfolio, there are

Savings accounts and fixed-term deposits
Investment accounts (“DKB Broker” comes without monthly fees, reasonable transaction costs, and a range of ETF saving plans)
Offers for credits and mortgages

5. DKB Account Opening: How does it Work?

Requirements: Opening a DKB Bank Account as a Foreigner in Germany

Job Requirements

The DKB current accounts (“Girokonto”) are available to private individuals. Freelancers and self-employed people can also apply for the standard account if they use it for private purposes only.

Moreover, there is also a dedicated business account with not only a credit card included but also different overall conditions (15 Euros monthly fee). It is available to freelancers and self-employed people.

Residence

Accounts can be opened with all countries of residence (except certain sanctioned countries like Iran or North Korea) if you have German citizenship. People with other nationalities require an official residence in Germany, Austria, or Switzerland. In any case, you can keep your account and continue using DKB’s services when moving abroad later.

Creditworthiness

DKB was known for issuing a full-fledged credit card and performing intensive credit checks (Schufa). In November 2021, DKB changed its model and now issues debit cards as part of its standard accounts. This has also increased chances for newbies in Germany without intensive credit history. Hence, it is worthwhile to apply for opening a DKB account. If rejected, you may choose another bank account from our comparison table and reapply later.

TIP

Looking for a bank account with less strict requirements or better perks?

See our overview of free bank accounts in Germany with complementary credit cards, possible residence abroad, English support and more…

What Steps to Follow to Open a DKB Bank Account?

Opening an account is convenient, fast and done completely online. It follows the ordinary account opening process that we have described here: You will have to fill out the online form with your data and then identify via Post- or Video-Ident.

For any questions, do not hesitate to use the comment function!

Click here to open your bank account with DKB!

6. Conclusion: Is DKB a Good Bank?

DKB is a well-established bank with serious backing from Bavaria’s state bank. It has been one of the frontrunners of German online banks. In recent years, the competition has become more intense with the rise of neobanks like N26. The latter offers fancier digital apps and multi-language support. However, DKB maintains an edge due to its reputation and extensive service portfolio of banking solutions. Hence, DKB might be an excellent choice for customers who prefer to deal with a single bank:

The DKB Current Account has all the basics: A free Visa Debit Card, mobile payment, and unlimited ATM withdrawals worldwide. There are no monthly fees, except if you are over 28 and do not have incoming transactions of 700 Euros monthly.
The DKB Joint Account grants both account owners equal legal rights, full access, and debit cards for everyone.
There is also an option to get a DKB Credit Card with deferred payment, which can serve as a guarantee for hotel or rental car bookings. Alternatively, you can connect your DKB account with a free credit card from another bank.
You must get a dedicated account for business-related transactions as a freelancer or self-employed person. The cost is 15 Euros per month, so cheaper business accounts with other online banks exist.
DKB also offers savings accounts, broker accounts, credits, and loans.

Click here to open your bank account with DKB!

7. Frequently Asked Questions about DKB

Does DKB have free cash withdrawals worldwide, or are there DKB ATM fees?
DKB offers free worldwide cash withdrawals to its customers. There is a minimum withdrawal amount of 50 Euros for every transaction. For withdrawals with the DKB Visa Debit outside of the Eurozone, an additional fee of 2.2% is applicable if you are an “inactive customer” (see conditions for being an active customer above). There are no fees when using the DKB Credit Card to withdraw money abroad.

Does DKB perform credit checks?
In earlier days, DKB was known for quite intensive credit checks, including assessment of your SCHUFA score (there is more information on SCHUFA in our article on opening a German bank account).

In the meantime, DKB now issues a Visa debit instead of a credit card as part of their standard offer. This has decreased the need for hard credit checks.

If you apply for a paid credit card, there will still be a more profound check. The outcome will define the initial limit of your credit card and if you are granted a bank account at all. It may be challenging to get an account if you have just arrived and need a credit history. Try to apply and opt for another bank account from the list of best bank accounts in Germany in case you get rejected.

Can I open a DKB account as a non-resident?

Can I deposit cash in a DKB account?
Despite being an online bank in Germany, DKB offers options to deposit cash. It provides four DKB ATMs for cash deposits in large German cities (Berlin, Munich, Dresden) that can be used with a Girocard (fee of 1.5% or at least 2.50 Euros). Amounts of up to €999,99 per day can also be deposited at associated retailers with a transaction fee of 1.5% (i.e. REWE, Rossmann, Penny, Real, dm).

Alternatively, you can deposit cash at other retail banks without having an account with them – for this, read our article “How can I open a bank account in Germany. “

Does DKB offer English customer service?

Does DKB offer savings accounts?

DKB vs. N26: Which bank is better?
Both DKB and N26 are free German banks with good account options. In general, it depends on your requirements. DKB offers more banking services like joint accounts, savings accounts, investment accounts, and credits. Also, you can inquire about a full-fledged credit card. N26’s service portfolio is more restricted; they only offer debit cards and no credit cards. However, you can alternatively connect your N26 account with a free German credit card. N26 is often attractive for individuals who have lived in Germany for short. It offers multi-language support, whereas DKB is only available in German and can easily be opened from another European country before arrival. Read our full N26 review here.

Does DKB offer a free credit card?

Does DKB provide a free Visa Debit Card?

Can I open a DKB bank account online?

Disclaimer:

The information provided in this post is non-binding and for informational purposes only. It does not represent a complete market overview. We do not take responsibility for the accuracy and up-to-dateness of the information provided on the list. Please re-check the final conditions and prices on the providers’ websites (§18 ZKG).
We do not intend to provide financial advice. All investments involve risks of loss.
Some of the links in this article are promotional links. We gain a commission if you purchase an item or open an account following this link. It helps us keep this site running and does not come at any cost to you.

5 Comments

Nadia
October 5, 2021 @ 2:57 am
How long does the process take roughly from filling out the application to potentially getting the card?
Reply
- Chris
  October 5, 2021 @ 10:31 am
  It usually takes a maximum of 2 weeks to receive the cards, pin codes and online banking data after successful identification. As all the process is performed digitaly, it usually goes quicker if you use web identification compared to going to a post office in person.
  Reply
RONRON
July 22, 2022 @ 1:48 pm
The cash withdrawals is not anymore free and cost 5.95€ ATM fee/transaction since the begin of 2022.
Reply
- Chris
  July 22, 2022 @ 9:11 pm
  Hi RONRON,
  Thanks for the comment. According to DKB’s official information the withdrawals are still free (€50 min. withdrawal amount):
  – Always free when withdrawing Euro using the debit card
  – As active customer for other currencies than Euros using the debit card (otherwise 2,2% foreign currency transaction fee)
  – When using DKB’s credit card (which comes against a monthly fee)
  
  Please keep in mind that some ATM providers may ask for fees – those ones are not covered. However, in this case you get a warning message before the withdrawal and can look for another ATM – most ATMs in Germany do not ask for additional charges.
  Also, in case you would like to withraw smaller amounts than €50, there is a “Mini-Bargeld” option (monthly cost €15).
  Reply
proven
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Reply