Highlighted Account Costs: Foundation Warentest Shows Most Current Accounts are Overpriced
Article: Reasonable Checking Account Fees in Germany
In Germany, the accepted standard for a reasonable annual fee for a checking account (Girokonto) is around 60 euros per year, according to Stiftung Warentest Finanzen. This figure is often cited as an upper limit for a "fair" fee.
Recent research by Stiftung Warentest Finanzen (Issue 9/2025) examined over 700 checking account offers from 182 banks and savings banks. The findings revealed that many good checking accounts in Germany are offered with no or very low annual fees, especially with online or direct banks.
When comparing checking account offers, it's essential to consider quality criteria beyond just the annual fee. These include account maintenance fees, costs for withdrawals, card fees, overdraft facilities and interest rates, online and mobile banking quality, customer service and branch availability, and additional services.
Stiftung Warentest emphasizes the importance of total costs for typical usage rather than just the headline annual fee. They recommend calculating all common fees (including cash withdrawals, card usage abroad, and possible penalties) for your personal behavior to find the best fit. Often, accounts costing less than 60 euros per year but with better service and fairer overall cost structures are judged more reasonable.
It's worth noting that customers do not need to immediately switch banks if they think they are paying too much. Stiftung Warentest advises customers to ask their bank if there is a more affordable account model that meets their individual needs.
However, the search results did not reveal any contradictions or more precise amounts from Stiftung Warentest. This 60-euro figure aligns broadly with general expert consensus in Germany's banking sector for reasonable checking account fees.
Currently, there are only 66 offers left for consumers that do not exceed 60 euros in account management fees per year. These offers range from completely free accounts without any conditions, including card and transfer, to fee-based accounts that do not exceed the 60-euro limit.
Customers should also consider other factors such as the accessibility of the institution, the service offered by a respective bank, and the inclusion of different types of payment cards in the offer and fees for replacement cards. Moreover, the new credit institution must support consumers in informing regular payment partners about the account change.
The account comparison of the Federal Financial Supervisory Authority (BaFin) can be used to conveniently compare offers from all credit institutions. With this information, customers can make informed decisions and find a checking account that best suits their needs and budget.
[1] Online or direct banks [2] Stiftung Warentest Finanzen (Issue 9/2025) [3] General expert consensus in Germany's banking sector for reasonable checking account fees
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