Germany: Bank Account Fee Rises to €50 to €100
Nearly everything in Germany has crept up in price since the inflation started in 2022, and bank account fees are no exception. In Germany, many people now pay between €50 and €100 annually to manage their accounts.
Verivox, a consumer comparison website, recently performed a new poll that found that one-third of German Girokonto bank, or current bank, account fees have recently increased.
According to study participants, 33% were paying more to maintain their bank accounts and 26% of respondents said that their banking fees last increased one to two years ago.
How much does opening a bank account in Germany cost?
The Verivox study also gathered data on how much customers were shelling out annually to maintain their accounts. In Germany, 29% of consumers claimed to pay less than 50 euros for their accounts annually. 27% spend more than that, while another 27% pay between 50 and 100 euros. 17% of those with accounts in the federal republic do not make any payments at all.
In Germany, a lot of banks don’t impose fees on accounts that receive regular pension or wage payments. However, both financial institutions are required to make the process as simple as possible for account holders to open a bank account with a different bank if fees do become an unwanted burden and they wish to transfer standing orders and direct debits to the new account without any issues.
Impact on Consumers
Consumers in Germany are being significantly impacted by the rising bank account fees. For many people, especially those with low incomes, and students, growing costs are making it more difficult to keep up with banking obligations. The costs may also discourage some customers from opening bank accounts, which could lead to an increase in the number of unbanked people in Germany.
What Can Consumers Do?
Even while rising bank account fees may make consumers feel helpless, there are things they can do to lessen the damage. First, consumers should look around for institutions that have fee-free accounts or accounts with lesser costs. Information on the various fees levied by various banks can be found on comparison websites and through consumer organizations.
Second, customers may think about altering their banking practices to lower costs. For instance, they can choose digital banking services, use ATMs and branches less frequently, and stay away from overdrafts, and other services that have extra fees.
Lastly, consumers can also speak up and express their concerns to their banks and elected officials. If consumers can show that they are in financial difficulty, banks might be ready to waive or reduce costs. Government representatives might also be able to press for regulatory reforms that would limit the fees that banks can charge.
There are many different reasons that contribute to the complex problem of rising banking costs in Germany. Consumers can take measures to lessen the impact on their finances. They can strive for fairer and more economical banking services in Germany by looking around for banks, altering their banking practices, and speaking out.
Read more at How To Abroad:
