How to open a business Bank account in Hamburg as an international Founder
Opening a business bank account is one of the first and most crucial steps when starting your company in Germany.
As a migrant entrepreneur, the process can be more complex—but with the right documents and guidance, it’s fully manageable.
To open a business bank account in Hamburg, you’ll typically need:
- A valid passport or national ID
- A registration certificate (Meldebescheinigung) confirming your official address in Hamburg
- A valid residence permit if you are from a non-EU country (your visa must explicitly allow self-employment)
If you are founding with partners, banks may also require additional documents:
- Partnerships (GbR, oHG): IDs of all partners, the partnership agreement, and for an oHG, an extract from the Commercial Register (Handelsregisterauszug), a partner list (Gesellschafterliste), and possibly a trade license.
- Corporations (GmbH, UG, AG): IDs of founders and managing directors, a shareholder list (Gesellschafterliste), articles of association (Gesellschaftsvertrag), a certificate of incorporation (Gründungsurkunde), and an extract from the Commercial Register.
Some banks may also ask for a business plan, proof of startup registration, or a tax number, especially if the account is for a company rather than a freelancer.
Opening an account can take time and requires a personal appointment at most banks. Some online or fintech banks also offer business accounts for founders with international backgrounds.
💡 Tip: The Hamburg Welcome Center and other advisory services like Unternehmer ohne Grenzen can help you navigate this process, choose the right bank, and prepare your documents.
