SWIFT/BIC codes in Germany: banks starting with Z

SWIFT/BIC codes in Germany

This overview lists 2804 banks and other institutions in Germany. A SWIFT code shows every bank in the chain exactly which bank is meant to get the money.

Pick the bank below to view its head office code and any branch codes. Below the list we explain how codes from Germany are built, how to send money there without overpaying and what to check before you pay.

Paying in euros to Germany

Germany is part of the SEPA area. For a standard euro transfer from another SEPA country, you normally only need the IBAN and the BIC is often filled in automatically.

You will still need a SWIFT code for payments in other currencies or transfers from countries outside SEPA. Instant euro transfers are widely supported within SEPA, though not every bank offers them for every account. As long as no conversion is involved, the transfer tends to be cheap.

Germany and the Euro

The currency in Germany is the Euro (EUR). If you send money in a different currency, the amount gets converted somewhere along the way: by your bank, an intermediary or the receiving bank.

Who does the conversion has an effect on the final amount. Check what EUR the recipient gets via several providers; the difference between options can be larger than you expect. Rates for EUR change during the day, so a quote is usually valid only briefly.

Transfer times to Germany

How quickly money arrives in Germany is determined by a few things: the currency, how many intermediary banks are involved, cut-off times and time zones. Payments made after the cut-off time or just before weekends and holidays usually start the next business day.

When a payment takes longer than expected, ask the sender to contact the sending bank and ask for the status or the UETR; only the sending side can start an official trace. Keep the payment confirmation until the recipient confirms.

Banks in Germany starting with :letter

The letter filter narrows the list to banks from Germany that begin with :letter. The figures for Germany on this page cover every bank we list and not only this letter.

If a bank is missing here, check another letter: banks are often registered under their full legal name. The complete list is one click away when you cannot find the bank here.

Verifying a SWIFT code from Germany

The best place to find the right code is a document from the bank itself. If the code you have does not match our list, do not guess.

This list is compiled from public sources that we update periodically. Even so, banks merge, rename themselves or retire codes and our data may lag behind. For a payment of any size, check the BIC with the recipient. GoldexPay is an independent comparison site.

Watch out for payment requests containing changed bank details, especially when they come by email. Before paying, verify a change of bank details by phone.

How SWIFT codes from Germany are built

Every SWIFT/BIC code consists of 8 or 11 characters in a fixed order. The first four letters identify the bank, characters five and six are the country code and characters seven and eight give the location.

For banks in Germany, characters five and six are the ISO country code of Germany – that is the quickest way to spot one. Codes with a different country code come from another country, even if the bank name looks familiar.

If the last three are XXX, it refers to the head office, and the 8-character version leads to the same place. Choose a branch code just if the recipient’s bank asks for it – otherwise stick with the head office.

Most SWIFT codes in Germany: Deutsche Bank AG

In our data, Deutsche Bank AG holds the largest number of SWIFT/BIC codes in Germany. Its head office code is DEUTDE2HXXX.

Many codes usually means separate codes for branches, departments or services. If not a branch code is given, DEUTDE2HXXX is fine for a payment to Deutsche Bank AG.

Sending money to Germany for less

A bank transfer to Germany often costs rather more than the fee suggests. On top of the fee, correspondent banks can deduct a charge, and when the money is converted the bank often applies a less favourable rate than the real market rate.

That exchange rate margin is often the largest cost item because it is hidden in the rate. A simple test: set the offered rate next to the mid-market rate and look at the difference.

For a lot of routes, a transfer service turns out to be cheaper than a bank – mostly thanks to the exchange rate. GoldexPay compares these providers side by side, showing the amount that reaches the recipient for the same amount sent.

What a sender needs to pay you in Germany

When you expect money from abroad in Germany, send the payer all details at once. In practice that means: your name exactly as it appears on the account, your IBAN or account number, the SWIFT/BIC code of your bank and usually your postal address.

The code of your bank is in the list on this page. You can include the name and city of your bank because some forms have separate fields for it.

The amount you receive is often lower than the amount sent. Correspondent banks can take a fee, and if the money is converted, a markup on the rate comes on top. Make clear with the sender who covers the fees before the money is sent.