C24 Bank in Germany: How to Open an Account, Fees and Terms in 2026

C24 Bank is a German online bank with a Girokonto, a German IBAN and a banking licence held by C24 Bank GmbH. The account is suitable for people who need an everyday banking account in Germany: salary payments, SEPA transfers, card payments, a mobile app, sub-accounts and basic cash transactions.

The key points to check before opening an account are the plan, cash withdrawal and deposit limits, cashback terms, interest on balances and available identification methods. Banks change these parameters, so it is best to verify them in the C24 app or on its website before applying.

What you need to know about C24 Bank

C24 Bank is connected to CHECK24 but operates as a separate banking institution. For everyday life in Germany, the account provides the standard Girokonto features:

• a German IBAN;
• C24 Mastercard and girocard;
• SEPA transfers and bill payments;
• a mobile app;
• virtual cards;
• Pockets — separate sub-accounts for savings and different budgets;
• Apple Pay and Google Pay;
• card cashback and partner bonuses;
• cash transactions within the plan terms.

Deposits at C24 Bank are covered by the German statutory deposit-protection system up to €100,000 per depositor and bank.

Who a C24 account is suitable for

C24 is convenient as a primary or additional account if you:

• live in Germany and want to open a Girokonto online;
• use mobile banking and do not need branches;
• want to separate money into sub-accounts;
• often pay by card and want to receive a small amount of cashback;
• are looking for an account with a German IBAN for salary, rent, insurance and recurring payments.

The account may be less convenient if physical branches, support in a language other than German or investment products within the same app are important to you. For investments in ETFs and securities, people usually use a separate broker.

Benefits and limitations

Benefits

• The basic C24 Smart plan has no monthly fee.
• Online opening without visiting a branch.
• German IBAN and standard Girokonto infrastructure.
• Free cards depending on the plan: C24 Mastercard and Girocard.
• Pockets for separating budgets and savings.
• Cashback on card payments.
• Apple Pay and Google Pay support.
• Ability to withdraw and deposit cash under the plan terms.

Limitations

• A German address and, generally, a German phone number are required.
• The bank decides whether to open the account after checking the information.
• There are no branches for in-person service.
• The app is geared toward German-language use.
• Free cash withdrawals are limited to a number of transactions per month.
• Plans, cashback, interest and limits may change.

C24 plans: Smart, Plus and Max

In 2026, C24 offers three main Girokonto plans.

Plan	Monthly fee	Suitable for
C24 Smart	€0	A basic account for salary, transfers and regular payments
C24 Plus	€5.90	People who need higher limits, more Pockets and increased cashback
C24 Max	€9.90	People who want the top package with a metal Mastercard and expanded bonuses

C24 Smart

The basic plan covers everyday needs: receiving salary, paying by card, transferring money, paying bills and holding separate sums in Pockets. According to C24, Smart includes 4 free Pockets, one free virtual card, 4 free cash withdrawals per month and 0.05% cashback.

C24 Plus

Plus is designed for people who use cards and sub-accounts more actively. The plan includes a Mastercard in a chosen colour, more Pockets and virtual cards, up to 20 free cash withdrawals per month, one free cash-deposit transaction per month and increased cashback. C24’s page states cashback of 0.5% with a monthly limit for Plus.

C24 Max

Max is C24’s premium plan. It includes a metal Mastercard, up to 20 free cash withdrawals per month, an expanded selection of Pockets and virtual cards, one free cash-deposit transaction per month and the highest cashback in the range. C24’s page states cashback of 1% with a monthly limit for Max.

Pockets: how sub-accounts work

Pockets are separate compartments within the account. They are useful for rent, taxes, holidays, savings or regular expenses. A Pocket can have its own IBAN, so money can be transferred to it directly or it can be used as a separate budgeting account.

A practical option for someone new to Germany:

• the main account for salary and everyday payments;
• a Pocket for rent and utility costs;
• a Pocket for taxes or insurance;
• a Pocket for savings;
• a separate Pocket for travel.

C24 cashback

An example of cashback received in C24 for Mastercard purchases.

C24 awards cashback in CHECK24 points. They can be converted into money or used within the CHECK24 ecosystem. Basic card cashback is small: plans differ in percentage and monthly limit. In addition, the bank and CHECK24 may offer increased partner cashback, but the list of partners and terms changes.

The app shows which percentage of cashback each partner offers.

Cash: withdrawals and deposits

Money can be withdrawn from ATMs and partner locations if the transaction meets the plan terms. According to C24’s official Preis- und Leistungsverzeichnis of 5 May 2026, the Mastercard allows 4 free withdrawals per month on Smart and 20 free withdrawals per month on Plus and Max. Each additional withdrawal costs €2; the ATM operator may charge its own fee.

Money can be transferred to C24 from another bank account by a standard bank transfer using the IBAN.

The app lists the shops where money can be paid into the account and the terms.

Cash deposits depend on the plan and top-up method. Before making a transaction, check the fee and limit in the C24 app: terms for partner shops, Reisebank and other channels may differ.

Interest on balances

C24 may pay interest on balances in a Girokonto and Pocket. C24’s official plan document describes the interest as variable: the current rate and maximum amount eligible for interest are available in the app or through customer service. The formula is linked to the Eurosystem/ECB deposit facility rate, but the actual rate for a customer depends on the bank’s current terms.

For this reason, tables with fixed interest rates from previous years should not be used as a current reference. Before opening an account, check the rate in the C24 app and compare it with separate Tagesgeldkonto accounts at other banks.

Automatic savings feature

In C24, you can set up automatic savings by rounding up payments. For example, if a purchase costs €7.15 and rounding to €1 is configured, the €0.85 difference is transferred to the chosen savings account or Pocket. This mechanism is useful for small, regular savings, but it does not replace a full financial plan.

How to open a C24 account

Who can apply

You usually need the following to apply:

• a German residential address;
• a German phone number;
• an identity document;
• lawful residence status if you are not a German or EU citizen;
• a Steuer-ID tax identification number, if you have already received one.

The bank may request additional information and may decline to open the account after reviewing it. A tourist trip alone is not a reliable basis for opening a fully fledged German Girokonto.

Registration

The application is submitted online through the C24 website or app. The process usually involves:

1. Entering personal details: name, date of birth and German address.
2. Confirming your phone number.
3. Adding document and residence-status details.
4. Providing a Steuer-ID, if you have one.
5. Completing identification.
6. Waiting for the bank’s decision and issuance of cards.

After preliminary registration, access to the app and a virtual card may become available, but full use of the account depends on successful identification and the final decision.

How to verify your identity

C24 may offer several identification options. The available methods depend on the document, citizenship, residence status and the bank’s internal rules.

The most common options are:

• identification through an existing German bank account;
• video identification;
• POSTIDENT through Deutsche Post.

For POSTIDENT, a voucher with a QR code is usually generated; you must take it to a post office and present your documents. Processing times depend on the identification method and workload.

Checklist before applying

Before opening a C24 Girokonto, check:

• whether the Smart, Plus or Max plan is right for you;
• how many free cash withdrawals the plan includes;
• whether there is a fee for cash deposits using your chosen method;
• which documents are accepted for identification;
• whether POSTIDENT or video identification is available to you;
• what cashback currently applies and whether there are monthly limits;
• what interest rate is paid on balances;
• whether you need a bank with physical branches.

FAQ

Can you open C24 without a German address?

For a regular Girokonto, a German address is one of the key requirements. If you have not registered in Germany yet, first check C24’s current terms and alternatives for newcomers.

Is C24 suitable as a primary account?

Yes, if an online bank, German IBAN, cards and a mobile app are sufficient for you. If you frequently need branches, cash transactions or offline advice, it is better to compare C24 with traditional banks.

Do you have to pay for Smart?

C24 lists Smart as a plan with no monthly fee. Separate fees may apply to transactions above the limit or additional services.

Does C24 have deposit protection?

Yes. C24 Bank GmbH is part of the German statutory deposit-protection system, which protects funds up to €100,000 per depositor and bank.