Revolut in Germany: Account, Card, Transfers, Cryptocurrency and Investments

Revolut can be a convenient first account after moving to Germany: registration is completed in the app, a virtual card is available quickly, and SEPA transfers and multi-currency transactions cover basic everyday needs. However, it is not a universal replacement for a German Girokonto: plans, limits, IBAN availability, identity-verification rules, crypto features and investment products depend on the country where you are served, your customer status and Revolut’s current terms.

If you need the account for your salary, rent, insurance and regular direct-debit payments, check in advance which IBAN you will receive and whether your employer, landlord or service provider accepts it. For long-term life in Germany, Revolut is often better viewed as an additional account rather than your only financial hub.

What Revolut is for customers in Germany

Revolut operates in the EU through Revolut Bank UAB and related Revolut Group companies. For customers in Germany, the terms may differ depending on whether the account is served by the German branch of Revolut Bank UAB and whether a German IBAN has been issued. For legally significant matters, rely not on reviews but on the agreements and documents in the Revolut app.

The app usually offers:

• a current account and a virtual debit card;
• euro transfers via SEPA;
• multi-currency balances and currency exchange;
• a physical card for an additional fee or as part of the selected plan;
• Google Pay and Apple Pay, if supported by the card and device;
• additional products: savings, cryptocurrency, investments, insurance and subscriptions, depending on the plan and eligibility.

Revolut does not have a traditional branch network. Support is provided through the app, so communication during an account block, document check or disputed transaction usually takes place online.

Who Revolut is especially useful for

The account may suit you if you have recently arrived in Germany and need a card quickly for everyday spending, transfers and online payments. It is also convenient for people who frequently travel between countries, hold several currencies or send money abroad.

Revolut is most often used for these purposes:

• paying for purchases by card and phone;
• receiving and sending SEPA transfers;
• paying German bills online;
• holding small amounts in different currencies;
• quickly transferring money to other Revolut users;
• trying investment and cryptocurrency features in a single app.

For keeping a large emergency fund, obtaining complex banking services, loans, personal advice and resolving unusual issues, it is safer to have a separate account with a German bank or Sparkasse.

Advantages of Revolut

• Quick start. Registration is usually completed in the app, without visiting a branch.
• Virtual card. You can use it for online payments and, where supported, add it to Apple Pay or Google Pay.
• SEPA transfers. This is important for payments within Germany and the EU.
• Multiple currencies. The app lets you hold and exchange different currencies.
• Clear mobile interface. Most transactions are completed in the app.
• Additional features. Depending on the plan, insurance, subscriptions, investments, cryptocurrency and other services are available.

The card can be virtual or physical; issuance and delivery terms depend on the selected plan.

Disadvantages and limitations

• No branches. Disputed situations are resolved through online support.
• Terms change frequently. Plans, limits, cashback, available products and fees should be checked in the current price list.
• Not every counterparty welcomes a non-German IBAN. If you are issued a non-DE IBAN, some employers, landlords or services may create extra complications, although IBAN discrimination is prohibited within SEPA.
• Cash is not its main strength. Fee-free withdrawal limits are restricted, and the ATM may charge its own fee.
• Cryptocurrency and investments are not bank deposits. They involve separate risks, fees, custody rules and tax treatment.
• Tax details may be required. In Germany, this is usually your Steueridentifikationsnummer, or Tax ID.

Plans and cash-withdrawal limits

Revolut has several plans, including Standard, Plus, Premium, Metal and Ultra. The monthly cost of paid plans and included benefits can change, so check the exact prices on Revolut Germany’s plans page or in the app before subscribing.

According to Revolut Germany’s current help information for 2026, Revolut’s fee-free cash-withdrawal limits are as follows:

Plan	Revolut fee-free withdrawal limit per rolling month
Standard	€200 or 5 withdrawals, whichever comes first
Plus	€200
Premium	€400
Metal	€800
Ultra	€2,000

After exceeding the limit, Revolut charges a fair-usage fee of 2% or a minimum of €1. This does not eliminate a possible fee charged by the ATM itself. Before withdrawing cash, check the terms displayed on the ATM screen and the limits in your plan section.

Multi-currency wallets and currency exchange

The ability to use multiple currencies is one of the main reasons people choose Revolut for travel and transfers. In the app, you can hold different currencies and exchange them before making a payment or transfer.

Important details:

• currency exchange may be free only within your plan’s limit;
• additional fees may apply at weekends and after exceeding the fair-usage limit;
• the exchange rate and final amount are shown in the app before exchange;
• for large amounts, it is worth comparing the final cost with a regular bank or a specialist money-transfer service.

Do not leave old examples such as “€1 = $1.07” in the text or in personal calculations: exchange rates change constantly and do not help you choose an account.

Transfers and payments

Revolut supports transfers between Revolut users, bank transfers and card payments. For life in Germany, SEPA transfers and SEPA Direct Debit are particularly important, as they are often used to pay for insurance, mobile service, internet, rent, gym memberships and subscriptions.

Before listing Revolut as your main account, check:

• whether the specific recipient accepts your IBAN;
• whether regular direct debits are available for the contract you need;
• whether there are limits on incoming or outgoing payments;
• how much an international transfer to the required country and currency costs;
• how quickly transfers are processed on the selected route.

For transfers from Germany to Russia or other countries subject to restrictions, conditions are especially unstable: banks and payment services may change routes, currencies and customer checks. It is best to verify the details before each transaction. See also how to transfer money from Germany to Russia.

Cryptocurrency and investments in Revolut

The app may offer the purchase and sale of cryptocurrency, shares, ETFs or other investment products. This is convenient as a single interface, but such transactions are not the same as keeping money in a regular account.

What you should understand before your first purchase:

• cryptocurrency and securities can fall sharply in value;
• fees and spreads affect the final return;
• tax consequences in Germany depend on the type of asset, holding period, amount and personal circumstances;
• the investment account may be provided by a separate Revolut Group company;
• bank-deposit protection does not cover investment losses and usually does not cover crypto-assets as an ordinary deposit.

If you live in Germany, before actively trading, take the time to understand taxes on cryptocurrency and how to choose a brokerage account for investments.

Cashback and partner offers

Cashback in Revolut depends on the plan, transaction type, country, merchant and current partner campaigns. Do not rely on it as stable income: percentages, categories and partners change. If the app offers increased cashback at a particular merchant, check the activation terms before buying; sometimes you need to access the merchant through the Revolut app.

How to open a Revolut account in Germany

The registration process is usually completed in the mobile app. The specific list of documents depends on your citizenship, residence status, country of residence and compliance checks.

You will usually need:

• a German phone number;
• a residential address or registration in Germany;
• a passport or other document Revolut accepts for identification;
• proof of your right to reside, such as a national D visa or residence permit, if required;
• Tax ID (Steueridentifikationsnummer), if Revolut requests tax information.

The usual order is:

1. Install the Revolut app and enter your phone number.
2. Enter your personal details and residential address.
3. Complete identification: upload a document and complete the identity check in the app.
4. Provide tax information if the app requests it.
5. Wait for verification and issuance of the virtual card.
6. If necessary, order a physical card and choose a plan.

If you have a short-term visa, an unusual document or no German address, registration may not proceed automatically. In that situation, do not force your details to fit the form: it is better to wait for the correct documents or choose a bank that explicitly serves your status.

When it is better to choose a German bank

Revolut is convenient for getting started, travelling and everyday card transactions. However, a German bank may be more practical if you need:

• a stable primary Girokonto for salary and rent;
• personal advice at a branch;
• credit history and banking products in Germany;
• a mortgage, a large loan or a joint account;
• complex powers of attorney, inheritance matters or business banking.

For many newcomers, the optimal arrangement is to open Revolut as a quick additional account, then choose a primary Girokonto with a German bank for long-term needs.