SWIFT/BIC codes in Germany: banks starting with W

Finding a SWIFT code in Germany

Here you will find the SWIFT/BIC codes of 2804 banks in Germany – 8518 codes altogether. Every code identifies an institution or a specific branch or department.

Look for the bank you need below and click through for all codes we have and what else a transfer requires. The rest of this page covers the structure of the codes, the cost of transfers and the checks worth doing before you send money.

How long does a transfer to Germany take?

There is no single delivery time for transfers to Germany: many land within a day. Transfers sent after the cut-off time or on a weekend or public holiday usually go out a business day later.

When a payment takes longer than expected, ask the sender to contact their own bank for a trace – the receiving bank often cannot see a payment that has not arrived. Specialist transfer services usually show a status in their app, which makes it easier to see where the money is.

Deutsche Bank AG and its SWIFT codes

Deutsche Bank AG leads our list of Germany banks when it comes to the number of SWIFT/BIC codes. Its head office code is DEUTDE2HXXX.

Practice differs in whether they register branch codes, so the count is not a ranking of size. Unless a branch code is given, DEUTDE2HXXX is fine for transfers to this bank.

Check the code before you pay

Have the recipient send you the account details straight from their online banking. If the code you have does not match our list, stop and ask.

We gather SWIFT/BIC codes from publicly available data and check our list from time to time. Banks reorganise, close branches and change codes. Treat our data as a starting point, not as the final word: the bank details from the recipient come first. GoldexPay is an independent comparison site and has no link to the banks in this list.

Be wary of invoices containing changed bank details – a common fraud method. A real SWIFT code tells you nothing about who owns the account.

SWIFT codes in Germany: banks under :letter

This filter limits the list down to banks from Germany that begin with :letter. The totals mentioned here cover all 2804 banks, not just the ones under :letter.

Bank not listed? The registered name might begin with another word. The full overview for Germany is one click away when the letter filter does not help.

SEPA transfers to Germany

Within the SEPA zone, euro transfers to Germany use the same rules, so the IBAN does the job in most cases. A field for the BIC is usually optional in that case.

A SWIFT code does matter for payments in other currencies and when the money comes from outside SEPA. Euro payments within SEPA normally land within one business day, and instant transfers in seconds where both banks support them. As long as the payment stays in euros, a SEPA transfer tends to be inexpensive.

Recognising a SWIFT code from Germany

A SWIFT code is either 8 or 11 characters long. First comes a four-letter bank code, followed by two letters for the country and a two-character location code.

Whatever the bank, all Germany codes share the same fifth and sixth letters: the ISO code of the country. When the country letters do not match Germany, you are looking at a bank somewhere else – worth double-checking.

If the last three are XXX, it refers to the head office and the short version works just as well. Choose a branch code only if the recipient’s bank asks for it; otherwise the head office code is the safe choice.

What a transfer to Germany really costs

What you pay for a payment to Germany is made up of several parts, and the fee on your screen is only one of them. You pay the transfer fee, sometimes fees from correspondent banks and, most importantly, the exchange rate markup if the money is converted.

The markup on the rate tends to be the largest part of the cost. Check the rate you are offered against the mid-market rate. The difference is your real cost.

For a lot of currency pairs, a specialist provider turns out to be cheaper than a traditional bank transfer, mainly because of the rate. GoldexPay compares transfer services side by side so you can see the amount that reaches the recipient.

Incoming international payments in Germany

A sender in another country needs a few details about your account – incomplete details often cause delays. That means: your full name as your bank knows it, your IBAN or account number, the BIC of your bank and usually your postal address.

Your bank’s code appears in our list but always compare it with your own bank details. Some banks may also ask for the name and address of your bank, so keep it at hand.

The amount you receive is often lower than what was sent. Fees for incoming transfers differ per bank – your bank’s price list tells you what applies. On invoices, state how the fees are split.

Sending EUR to Germany

The currency of Germany is the Euro (EUR). When you pay money in a different currency, it has to be converted somewhere along the way.

Which bank converts the money matters. Compare what EUR the recipient gets with several providers; the difference between options can be larger than you expect. Exchange rates change all the time – some providers let you lock in a rate.