I need to open a bank account in Germany, without actually going
there.  I have contacted some of the major banks, including US banks
with a presence there.  So far, nothing has worked.  I currently bank
with citibank in the UK and Canada, but they won't open an account in
Germany without going there.

I need a "sure thing" as far as opening an account at a German bank. 
It would be preferable if they had a US presence or were a US bank,
but mainly I need to make electronic deposits and be able to get the
money out.

---

Request for Question Clarification by hummer-ga on 22 Nov 2006 07:29 PST

Hi memicky,

Apparently it is possible to open an account with Deutsche Bank if you
are willing to jump through a few hoops.

"Speaking from experience, it is possible to open account without
being in Germany. I did this with Deutsche Bank a little over two
years ago. It took some time an effort (notarizing documents and
signatures at the local consulate), but in the end was completely
worth the cost (notarization was the highest expense).
I originally contacted Deutsche Bank in the States, who directed me to
an office for international customers in Frankfurt. They sent me a
letter (in English) outlining what I needed to do to open the
account."
http://www.proz.com/topic/58346

1. Contact Deutsche Bank 
3414 Peachtree Road NE, Monarch Plaza Suite 660
GA 30326 Atlanta, GA
USA
Phone Number	
(+1) 404 261 1000
Fax Number	
(+1) 404 364 5070

Ask for the contact information for the office for international
customers in Frankfurt.

2. Ask the office in Frankfurt what you need to do to open an account.
They should send you a letter with the details.

3. The instructions will involve notarizing documents and signatures
at your local consulate.

"I did receive an email response back from Deutsche bank regarding a
non resident account. I was told I must provide 3 documents (passport,
proof of notify address, proof of business address)."
http://www.proz.com/topic/58346

I won't post this as an answer yet as I can't verify the information.
Please let me know when it's evident that I've found a way for you to
open a bank account in Germany so I can post it as an official answer.

Thank you and good luck!
hummer

Hi memicky,

"I am more than happy to go to a branch in the US to verify my identity.
I have seen in other places that someone opened an account with
Deutsche bank without travelling to Germany.   Any further info that
someone can find would be greatly appreciated.  I'm not one too give
up too easily."

Apparently it is possible to open an account with Deutsche Bank if you
are willing to jump through a few hoops. The key involves having your
documents and signatures notorized at your local consulate.

"Speaking from experience, it is possible to open account without
being in Germany. I did this with Deutsche Bank a little over two
years ago. It took some time an effort (notarizing documents and
signatures at the local consulate), but in the end was completely
worth the cost (notarization was the highest expense).
I originally contacted Deutsche Bank in the States, who directed me to
an office for international customers in Frankfurt. They sent me a
letter (in English) outlining what I needed to do to open the
account."
http://www.proz.com/topic/58346

1. Contact Deutsche Bank 
3414 Peachtree Road NE, Monarch Plaza Suite 660
GA 30326 Atlanta, GA
USA
Phone Number	
(+1) 404 261 1000
Fax Number	
(+1) 404 364 5070

Ask for the contact information for the office for international
customers in Frankfurt.

2. Ask the office in Frankfurt what you need to do to open an account.
They should send you a letter with the details.

3. The instructions will involve notarizing documents and signatures
at your local consulate.

"I did receive an email response back from Deutsche bank regarding a
non resident account. I was told I must provide 3 documents (passport,
proof of notify address, proof of business address)."
http://www.proz.com/topic/58346

I was glad to work on this for you, I hope all goes well.
hummer

Some Google search terms used: nonresident bank account germany

As you have discovered, it can't be done.

Es ist verboten!

Correct: It is strictly verboten! German law requires all banks doing
business in Germany to check the identity of someone opening an
account with them. This means, they want you to appear in person and
to present at least your I.D. card. Otherwise, no bank account.

Scriptor

bryan and scriptor are obviously in a position to know, so i'm sure
they're right, but there's something i don't understand.  if the only
problem is that german law requires that someone's identity be
verified by the bank, why can't memicky go to a us branch of a bank
doing business in both the us and germany, show id to establish who
they are, and open an account that can then be accessed in germany?

-cab

Hi Cab

Money laundering regs have been tightened so that (European Community)
banks are now required to do lots of checks on applicants for new
accounts.

I was surprised when a UK bank that I have used for years took out
loads of extra checks on me when I wanted to open a new account under
a new guise, where I was acting as Receiver.

Bryan

Thank you for all the comments thus far.  Although the consensus seems
to be that I have to show up in person, I think Cab has a good point. 
This is how I opened both my canadian and UK accounts, and can't
really see how an economy as large as Germany which is also a part of
the EU would not have some availability for what I need.  I am more
than happy to go to a branch in the US to verify my identity.

I have seen in other places that someone opened an account with
Deutsche bank without travelling to Germany.   Any further info that
someone can find would be greatly appreciated.  I'm not one too give
up too easily.