Page last updated: 2026-03-12
Managing your finances in Germany can feel more complicated than it needs to be.
We will be collecting tools, services, and resources that we actually use, organised around the most common needs: banking, investing, insurance, taxes and buying property. Some recommendations come directly from the people behind Handpicked. Others, from the community members who shared their experience and knowledge with us.
This page is regularly updated and contains affiliate links, marked with *. Affiliate links help us sustain this project at no additional cost to you.
Our recommendation is to check several providers and then make an informed decision. Since they are all heavily regulated, it’s more or less a question of terms, pricing and user interface you prefer.
The content is editorial/informational only, Handpicked Berlin is not a licensed Finanzanlagenvermittler or Anlageberater, and that the listings do not constitute financial advice (Anlageberatung) or investment brokerage (Anlagevermittlung).
What are you looking for?
I need a bank account
DKB - Deutsche Kreditbank
Deutsche Kreditbank (DKB)* is a German direct bank, fully digital, branch-free, offering free current accounts and savings products.
- “I wanted a traditional German bank with a good interest rate on the Tagesgeld.” — Rahul, 36M, Marketing Lead
- “I use it the most, for free, since I am an “active” member. I’ve been with them since I’ve been in Germany. Sometimes they offer good deposit deals, but then quietly change the terms, which I didn’t like, but that’s the nature of the business.” — Igor, Handpicked Berlin
Revolut
Revolut is a London-founded fintech super-app that combines banking, currency exchange at interbank rates, stock and crypto trading, and international money transfers into a single platform.
- “I don’t use it myself, but so many good friends are raving about it that it’s worth a try, especially on their membership perks, like rental car insurance or use of WeWork.” — Igor, Handpicked Berlin
N26
N26 is a mobile-first, fully digital bank that lets customers open and manage a full European bank account entirely from their smartphone.
- “T_he sub-accounts help me manage finances more intentionally, including expenses with my partner_.” - Sara, 35F, Entrepreneur
- “I use it as a business account (for free). It comes with a Mastercard. Great looking app, but their service is poor. I once had a problem, and it took ages to get an explanation. I even needed to involve their BAFIN email address. The DATEV import often shows ghost bookings.” — Igor, Handpicked Berlin
Deutsche Bank
Deutsche Bank is the most famous (and notorious?) German universal bank offering a range of financial services, from everyday banking to wealth management.
- “I’ve been with them since I had my first job in Germany as a part of partnership banking. They recently improved their app. Never had problems.” — Igor, Handpicked Berlin
ING
ING is a Dutch-founded global banking leader that offers straightforward, digital-first financial services: from everyday banking to investments and mortgages.
comdirect
comdirect* is a direct bank (now a brand of Commerzbank) that combines a free online current account with retail brokerage platforms for stocks, ETFs, and funds.
bunq
bunq* is a Dutch-founded neobank that lets individuals and businesses bank entirely from a mobile app, offering multi-currency accounts, instant savings, and zero-paperwork onboarding.
Berliner Volksbank
Berliner Volksbank* is a cooperative bank in Berlin that offers full-service retail and business banking (including current accounts, mortgages, and SME financing).
Deblock
Deblock* is a French fintech, regulated by the Banque de France, that combines a euro current account with a self-custodial crypto wallet in a single app. They let you hold, exchange, and spend both fiat and digital assets.
I want to send money abroad
Wise
Wise* is a global money transfer and multi-currency account platform that offers international transfers at the real mid-market exchange rate with low, transparent fees.
- “It’s convenient, fast, and not very expensive.” - Sara, 35F, Entrepreneur
I want to start investing
Captrader
CapTrader* is a German online broker that provides cost-effective access to over 1.2 million securities across 150+ global exchanges through its partnership with Interactive Brokers.
- “My main broker. The white-label solution from Interactive Brokers, from the times when I was still thinking I could make some extra income by trading options. When I last tried, you could not buy ETFs with it. Very cheap trading fees. They now do basic tax reports to help the users out, but you still need to take care of it yourself. Excellent app. You can do almost everything that big boys can do with them.” — Igor, Handpicked Berlin
Trade Republic
Trade Republic is a mobile-first European neobroker that makes investing accessible to everyone by allowing users to trade stocks, ETFs, and savings plans starting from just €1 and with minimal fees.
Scalable Capital
Scalable Capital* is an all-in-one European investing platform offering commission-free trading, automated wealth management, and banking in a single app.
- “I invest around €500/month ETF plan plus individual stocks via Scalable Capital” - __R__ahul, 36M, Marketing Lead
- “The place for my ETFs. I chose them over Trade Republic, mainly because they felt more serious. The trading is “free”, but of course, you are paying with the spread. So I always set my own limits when buying or selling (I am not sure if this completely solves the problem). Great app, but since I am more of a buy & hold type, not really important.” — Igor, Handpicked Berlin
finanzen.net zero
finanzen.net zero* is the neobroker arm of finanzen.net, Germany’s largest financial portal, offering commission-free trading on orders over €500, over 2,000 free ETF savings plans, and direct integration with the portal’s market data and analysis tools. They also do crypto.
Flatex
Flatex is a BaFin-regulated German discount broker and part of the MDAX-listed flatexDEGIRO group. One of the first “cheaper” brokers that appeared in the market.
- “My former main broker before the times of neobrokers. Now, in comparison, expensive. The app looks very old-school. But it does what it needs to. Reliable. I never had any problems with it.” — Igor, Handpicked Berlin
Smartbroker+
Smartbroker+* is a Berlin-based neobroker that gives investors access to over 25 trading venues with low flat fees and free trading on Gettex above a minimum order size.
Joe Broker
Joe Broker* is a neobroker launched by TARGOBANK that lets investors trade stocks, ETFs, funds, and bonds from a mobile app with order fees starting at €1 and free ETF savings plans.
MeinBroker
MeinBroker* is a Hamburg-based investment broker that gives retail investors access to global stocks, ETFs, options, futures, forex, and bonds from a single account via the Interactive Brokers platform.
extraETF Portfolio Tracker
extraETF* is a German-founded ETF research and portfolio tracking platform that lets investors monitor ETFs, stocks, funds, and crypto across all their accounts in one place.
I need insurance
Need help with your public or private health insurance? Check our Experts page for detailed guidance.
TK - Techniker Krankenkasse
TK* is a public health insurance provider and one of Germany’s largest statutory health insurers, known for its comprehensive coverage, competitive additional benefits, and English-language support.
- “I’ve been with them since the beginning of my professional life here in Germany, and they’re great. Strong English support and great digital processes.” — Igor, Handpicked Berlin
Feather
Feather* is a fully digital insurance provider designed specifically for expats in Germany, offering honest and flexible coverage with English-language support and a seamless online experience.
Getsafe
Getsafe* is a 100% digital insurance provider that allows English-speaking users to easily manage their policies, submit claims, and save on premiums.
- “We chose Getsafe because it’s convenient for English speakers. With their legal insurance, you can cover also your partner” - Sara, 35F, Entrepreneur
VHV
VHV is a Hanover-based mutual insurance group (founded in 1919) as a self-help organization for the construction industry.
- “I’ve been with them since 2014. Never had a problem, but also no claim.” — Igor, Handpicked Berlin
DMB legal insurance
DMB Rechtsschutz-Versicherung AG is the legal protection insurer of the Deutscher Mieterbund (German Tenants’ Association), and Germany’s leading provider of tenant legal protection insurance.
- “It was recommended by a broker, and when I had a claim after suing my employer, everything was very smooth. They also didn’t cancel my contract after I had a claim, which sometimes happens with other insurers.” — Igor, Handpicked Berlin
ERGO Group
ERGO* Group is a Düsseldorf-based international insurance group and primary subsidiary of Munich Re that offers life, health, property, and casualty insurance to retail and corporate customers across more than 20 countries.
Hiscox
Hiscox* is a London Stock Exchange-listed specialist insurer, established in Germany since 1995, that focuses on professional indemnity and liability coverage for knowledge-based businesses including IT, consulting, and media.
- “I have a professional liability policy with them, and I did it with INSRD acting as my broker.” — Igor, Handpicked Berlin
CLARK
CLARK* is a Frankfurt-founded digital insurance broker that consolidates, compares, and manages all your insurance contracts in one app, scanning offers from over 180 providers to find the best-value coverage.
I want to file my taxes
Check24 Steuererklärung
CHECK24 Steuererklärung (Tax Advisor) is a completely free, fully digital tax filing platform that guides users step by step through their tax return, with no hidden fees or subscriptions.
- “I use Check24. It’s free, and it gives you some pretty good tips.” — Rahul, 36M, Marketing Lead
Taxfix
Taxfix is a tax filing provider that fully digitalises the tax return process, enabling users, including English-speaking ones, to easily submit their tax declaration online in minutes, with the option to maximise their refund through guided steps or expert tax advisor support.
Wiso Steuer
WISO Steuer* is tax filing software by Buhl Data Service that guides users step by step through their tax return, with support for employees and self-employed.
- “I used this through until my tax advisor/accountant took over. Extremely good guidance, but you will need to do it in German.” - Igor, Handpicked Berlin
I need a personal or a business loan
Consors Finanz
Consors Finanz* is a Munich-based consumer finance brand of BNP Paribas that specialises in instalment loans, vehicle financing, and credit cards for individuals in Germany. They offer a free MasterCard with a limit of up to €5,000*. But careful with interest rates.
iwoca
iwoca* is a London-founded SME lender, operating in Germany since 2015, that provides fast and flexible unsecured business loans of up to €500,000 to small businesses underserved by traditional banks.
I need a business account (or accounting software)
These companies sometimes include accounting software. If you run a (small) business, it also makes sense to check Hiscox in the insurance section.
Acccountable
Accountable* is an app-first tax and accounting solution for freelancers and self-employed professionals in Germany, distinguished by letting users handle all tax obligations, all in English.
- “I use it for compliant invoicing, after migrating from Papierkram. The app is great and intuitive. They also offer a free bank account and a free MasterCard. Some of my friends are power users and they all say they love it.” — Igor, Handpicked Berlin
Tide
Tide* is a British neobank offering a free, fully digital business account for German freelancers and solopreneurs, bundled with invoicing, basic bookkeeping, DATEV integration, and direct debit in one app.
Qonto
Qonto* is a European all-in-one business finance platform for SMEs and freelancers that combines a full-featured payment account with built-in invoicing, expense management, and automated bookkeeping.
DATEV
DATEV is a German cooperative founded in 1966 that serves as the dominant software and IT infrastructure provider for tax advisors (they love it!), auditors, and their SME clients, functioning as the de facto standard for accounting, payroll, and tax compliance.
- “Because my accountant wants me to use it. They are trying to make it nicer, but it isn’t really working. I don’t really need to deal a lot with it, so its bearable.” — Igor, Handpicked Berlin
Holvi
Holvi* is a Helsinki-founded business bank that combines a full online business account with built-in invoicing, expense tracking, and bookkeeping tools designed for freelancers and small business owners.
Vivid Money Business
Vivid Money* is a Luxembourg-based digital bank that offers business accounts with unlimited IBANs, up to 5% interest on uninvested cash, and cashback on card purchases — targeting freelancers and SMEs.
bunq
bunq* is a Dutch-founded neobank that lets individuals and businesses bank entirely from a mobile app, offering multi-currency accounts, instant savings, and zero-paperwork onboarding.
I want to buy or build a property
Hypofriend
Hypofriend is a Berlin-based online mortgage broker that combines a smart recommendation engine with access to over 750 lenders to help individuals find and secure home loans across Germany. Strong English focus.
Baufi24
Baufi24 is one of Germany’s leading independent mortgage brokers that compares offers from hundreds of banks and financial institutions, with English-speaking experts specialising in mortgages for expats.
Interhyp
Interhyp is Germany’s largest private mortgage broker that doesn’t issue loans itself but compares offerings from over 500+ lenders to find the best financing terms for property buyers and builders.
I need to pay a high rental deposit
heysafe
heysafe* is a German digital rental deposit insurance provider that replaces the traditional cash Kaution with an affordable guarantee certificate. You can keep your money liquid, but the landlord needs to accept the certificate.