SWIFT/BIC codes in Germany: banks starting with L

SWIFT/BIC codes in Germany

On this page you find codes for 2804 institutions in Germany. You need such a code mostly for international transfers.

Each bank has its own page with its main code and, where available, codes for branches and departments. The rest of this page explain the structure of the codes, what transfers cost and the checks worth doing before you send money.

Recognising a SWIFT code from Germany

A SWIFT code is either 8 or 11 characters long. Characters one to four stand for the bank, characters five and six form the country code and the next two give the location.

Whatever the bank, every code from Germany share the same country code in positions five and six, namely the ISO code of Germany. When the country letters point to another country, the code belongs to a bank somewhere else.

The long version ends in three characters for a branch – XXX stands for the head office. Choose a branch code just when the recipient explicitly gives you one.

Most SWIFT codes in Germany: Deutsche Bank AG

Deutsche Bank AG tops the list for Germany in the number of SWIFT/BIC codes. The head office of Deutsche Bank AG has DEUTDE2HXXX; that is usually the right code for a transfer.

Many codes usually means separate codes for branches, departments or services, not necessarily that the bank is the biggest in the country. Paying someone at Deutsche Bank AG? Go with DEUTDE2HXXX except when the recipient gives you a branch code.

The Euro (EUR) and conversion costs

Bank accounts in Germany are typically held in EUR – the Euro. If you send another currency, it has to be converted at some point: by your bank, an intermediary or the receiving bank.

Who converts the money makes a difference. Compare what EUR the recipient gets via different providers. On larger amounts, even a small difference in the rate can be worth more than the fee.

Banks in Germany starting with :letter

The letter filter narrows the list to banks in Germany starting with :letter to make searching quicker. The totals on this page apply to every bank we list, not just the ones under :letter.

Some banks are listed under their legal name, so the letter can differ from what you expect. The complete list remains one click away if the letter filter does not help.

How reliable is this list?

Ask the recipient to copy their bank details directly from their online banking. An incorrect BIC can cause delays, a returned payment or extra fees.

Our SWIFT/BIC directory draws on publicly available sources and is updated regularly. Banks reorganise, close branches and retire codes, and no directory catches every change immediately. Before a payment of any size, check the BIC with the recipient’s bank. We are a comparison service, not a bank.

Be wary of payment requests with changed bank details, especially when they come by email. Always verify changed details through a separate channel on a number you know.

Incoming international payments in Germany

If you are waiting for a payment from another country in Germany, give the sender all details at once. Share the account holder’s name, your account number or IBAN, the BIC of your bank and your address.

The code of your bank appears in our list but always compare it with your own bank details. Certain banks may also ask for the name and address of your bank; it does no harm to include it.

Do not be surprised if the amount credited is below what the sender paid. Correspondent banks can take a fee and your own bank may charge for processing, and if the money is converted, a markup on the rate applies. Make clear with the sender who pays which costs, especially for larger amounts.

What a transfer to Germany really costs

An international bank payment to Germany can cost rather more than the fee suggests. Besides the fee, intermediary banks can deduct a charge and, if currencies are converted, the bank often applies a rate below the real market rate.

The markup on the rate is often the largest part of the cost, even though it is not listed as a fee. A simple test: set the offered rate against the mid-market rate and work out the difference on your amount.

Specialist money transfer services often offer a rate near the mid-market rate and lower fees. On GoldexPay we compare the amount that arrives in Germany with different services, so you can pick the cheapest route.

Paying in euros to Germany

Germany is part of the Single Euro Payments Area (SEPA). For a standard euro transfer within SEPA, you normally only need the IBAN.

The BIC does matter for payments in other currencies and when the money comes from outside SEPA. Instant euro transfers have become widely available within SEPA, though not every bank offers them for every account. Provided no conversion is involved, a SEPA transfer is usually cheap.

Transfer times to Germany

A SWIFT payment to Germany usually needs anywhere from one to several business days, depending on the currency, the route and the banks involved. Transfers sent after the cut-off time or just before weekends and holidays usually go out the next business day.

A growing number of banks use SWIFT gpi for faster and traceable payments. Each payment carries a unique transaction reference, the UETR. Save your transfer receipt until the recipient confirms; a bank needs it to start a trace.