Opening an AUD account in Germany can be a smart plan for Australians living in Germany, international students, business owners and frequent travelers. Whether you’re receiving rent from Australia to Germany, sending money down under to cover bills there, or spending AUD during vacations, an AUD account may help you cut your costs.
There are different AUD account types, depending on your transaction needs, from digital providers like Wise, and from German banks. This guide covers all you need to know to help you choose the best AUD currency account for you.
What is an AUD currency account?
An AUD currency account is an account from a bank or a digital provider which lets you hold Australian dollars.
All AUD accounts let you hold Australian dollars – but other features might vary quite a lot. Some AUD accounts are single currency options supporting AUD only, while others allow you to hold many other currencies including EUR in the same account. You might also be able to earn interest, send payments, receive local AUD transfers or get a debit card, depending on the account you pick.
Wise Account
For convenient, low-cost cross border transactions, check out Wise. Open a Wise account to hold and exchange AUD and 40+ other currencies, and order your Wise Multi-Currency Card to spend and withdraw in 150+ countries. Accounts offer ways to send money to 140+ countries and receive payments globally in EUR, AUD and more with local or SWIFT account details.
What can you do with an AUD account in Germany?
We’ll cover some of the most popular AUD account options available for German residents in this guide – but first, let’s look at why you might want one.
Here are some common uses for an Australian dollar account:
- Hold and convert an AUD balance: Receive and hold AUD payments, or store up AUD in advance of paying a bill or taking a trip to Australia. You can convert to and from AUD conveniently in most Australian dollar accounts, in just a few taps of the provider’s app.
- Receive payments in AUD: Some AUD accounts offer local AUD account information, so you can receive fast AUD transfers which are often also cheap or free for the person sending the payment. Or, you may get SWIFT information to receive AUD as a cross border payment instead.
- Send payments in AUD: Send money with an AUD account to cut the costs associated with cross border payments, whenever you’re sending a payment to an Australian bank account.
- Spend and withdraw AUD: Accounts from providers like Wise and Revolut offer a debit card, which you can use to spend your AUD balance in Australia with no extra fees, or to make cash withdrawals in Australia and other countries easily.
Types of AUD accounts
AUD accounts have been designed to fit different customer needs, including options for daily use and others for saving and investing in foreign currencies as a diversification strategy. In Germany, the main options fall into two categories: multi-currency accounts and single-currency foreign currency accounts.
Multi currency accounts: Hold AUD along with anything from a handful to dozens of other currencies side by side in one account, to make it easier to track your overall balance, convert between currencies and make payments in Germany, Australia and wherever else you may choose to.
- Wise Account: Hold 40+ currencies, and get local account details for receiving 8+ currencies including AUD, and SWIFT details for receiving 20+ currencies easily.
- Revolut Account: Hold 25+ currencies with a linked debit card to spend and withdraw, and get SWIFT account details to receive Australian dollars to your account.
- Airwallex Account: Business account supporting 20+ currencies including AUD and EUR, with ways to receive customer bank and card payments online.
- HSBC Global Money Account: Premium international account supporting up to 19 currencies, including AUD and EUR, available to HSBC Expat customers. Hold and send money internationally with no HSBC transfer fees via Global Money.
In Germany, multi-currency accounts from digital providers are often the most practical option for holding and using AUD day to day, as banks rarely offer AUD current accounts with cards.

Foreign currency accounts: Some German banks offer personal foreign currency accounts for holding non-EUR balances, but these are typically in major currencies such as USD or GBP.
Australian dollar (AUD) accounts are rarely available to retail customers and are more commonly offered to business or private banking clients. As a result, personal customers in Germany usually access AUD through multi-currency accounts rather than foreign currency accounts via a bank.
Best AUD currency accounts in Germany
The good news is that there are quite a few multi-currency account options for AUD currency accounts in Germany. However, this also means you’ll need to compare features carefully to find the right fit, as German banks rarely offer AUD accounts for everyday personal use.
Providers like Wise or Revolut have multi-currency account and card services for individuals and businesses. These can be flexible to use, supporting many currencies – but you won’t get any branch or face to face support.
Banks such as HSBC also support AUD through international or premium banking products. These accounts are typically aimed at higher-balance or internationally active customers and are more commonly used for holding funds or sending payments rather than everyday spending. Debit cards are not always included, which means this account isn’t ideal for travel or daily use.
Finally, providers like Wise, Revolut and Airwallex also have multi-currency business accounts which support AUD, EUR and many other currencies for online, digital and other businesses.
Here we’ve selected some different providers and banks offering AUD accounts in Germany for personal and business use, looking at convenience, cost and customer intention.
Read on to learn more about each and how their AUD account works in Germany.
| 💡 At a glance | |
|---|---|
| Wise Account | Hold and exchange AUD and 40+ other currencies, spend with a Wise Multi-Currency Card in 150+ countries, send and receive payments globally in EUR, AUD and more. |
| Revolut Account | Choose from 5 different account plans which all offer a debit card, and support 25+ currencies for holding and withdrawal. Travel perks available on some account tiers. |
| HSBC Global Money Account | Hold and send payments in up to 19 currencies, including AUD and EUR, through an HSBC Expat account. Available to customers who meet HSBC Expat eligibility criteria, such as holding £75,000 (or currency equivalent) in savings or investments, or earning an annual income of £120,000 or more. |
| Airwallex Account | Business account supporting AUD, EUR and 20+ other currencies for holding and exchange, with low conversion costs and great exchange rates. |
Wise Account
Open a Wise Account online or in the Wise app, for personal or business use, and hold AUD alongside EUR and 40+ other currencies all in the same account. You can exchange between currencies in the app with the mid-market rate and low, transparent fees, order an optional debit card for spending and cash withdrawals, and send and receive payments globally in EUR, AUD and more.
Account opening fee: No opening fee for personal customers. Business customers pay 45 EUR for full feature access*. No minimum balance
Eligibility criteria: Available to German residents and many other countries and regions globally
Supported currencies: AUD, EUR and 40+ other currencies
Monthly fees: None
Exchange rates: Mid-market exchange rates

Accounts offer local and SWIFT details to receive payments, with no fee to receive AUD to your Wise account using your local account information.
- Hold and exchange AUD and 40+ other currencies
- Mid-market currency exchange with low, transparent fees
- Use your Wise Multi-Currency Card in 150+ countries for spending and cash withdrawals
*About Wise pricing: Please see Terms of Use for your region or visit Wise Fees & Pricing for the most up to date pricing and fee information.
Revolut Account
You can open 5 different types of Revolut Account as a personal customer in Germany, with an additional 4 plan options for business customers. As a personal customer you can choose a Standard plan with no monthly fee, or upgrade to a plan with maintenance fees up to 60 EUR/month.
Higher tier plans offer more no fee transactions, discounts and perks – but all accounts have a linked debit card and ways to convert in the account between 25+ currencies including EUR and AUD. You won’t get local account details to receive AUD payments, but you do get SWIFT account information to receive Australian dollars that way.
- Hold and exchange many currencies in the same account
- Select your account plan based on your transaction needs
- Personal and business services offered
Account opening fee: No opening fee, no minimum balance
Eligibility criteria: Available to German residents and many other countries and regions globally
Supported currencies: AUD, EUR and 25+ other currencies
Monthly fees: Personal customers pay 0 EUR – 60 EUR/month, business customers 10 EUR – 90 EUR/month
Exchange rates: Weekday currency exchange uses the Revolut rate to plan limits, then fair usage fees of up to 0.5% apply. Weekend exchange may attract an extra fee up to 1%.
HSBC Global Money Account
You can open an HSBC Global Money Account if you already hold an HSBC Expat Bank Account. This multi-currency account lets you hold and manage balances in up to 19 currencies in one place, and send international payments with no HSBC transfer fees.
The Global Money Account comes with a linked debit card, making it suitable for international spending and cash withdrawals as well as transfers. However, access is limited to customers who meet HSBC Expat eligibility criteria, so it is best suited to higher-income or internationally mobile customers rather than everyday banking.
- Hold a balance in up to 19 currencies, including AUD and EUR
- No HSBC fees on international transfers made via Global Money
- Debit card for spending in supported currencies and cash withdrawals
Account opening fee: None
Eligibility criteria: You must hold an HSBC Expat Bank Account and meet HSBC Expat eligibility requirements, such as:
- Holding £75,000 (or currency equivalent) in savings or investments with HSBC Expat, or
- Earning an annual income of at least £120,000 (or equivalent), paid into your HSBC Expat account, or
- Already having HSBC Premier status in another country or region
Supported currencies: Up to 19 currencies, including AUD and EUR
Monthly fees: None for the Global Money Account – fees may apply to your underlying HSBC Expat Bank Account
Exchange rates: HSBC rates – Global Money Account offers live, competitive rates you can see in the app
Airwallex Business AUD Account
If you need an AUD account for business purposes, an Airwallex Business AUD Account could help you take customer payments online, with corporate debit and expense cards for business spending online and in person.
Airwallex accounts are designed for internationally operating businesses and ecommerce companies in particular, offering great exchange rates with low fees and a wide network for local and international payments.
- Receive, hold, send and spend 20+ currencies
- Open Global Accounts with local bank details to collect payments from customers in their preferred currency
- Business tools including batch payments, corporate cards, expense management and integrations
Account opening fee: None
Eligibility criteria: Available to eligible EU and German-registered businesses, subject to identity checks and business verification
Supported currencies: 20+ including EUR and AUD
Monthly fees:
- 0 EUR or 19 EUR/month (Explore plan, 0 EUR if you deposit at least 10,000 EUR per month or maintain a 10,000 EUR minimum balance)
- 49 EUR/month (Grow plan)
- From 999 EUR/month (Accelerate plan)
Exchange rates: Interbank rates with a fee of 0.5% for major currencies and 1% for less commonly traded currencies
Fees for AUD accounts in Germany
Many AUD accounts in Germany offer no ongoing fees and low transaction costs. But they’re not usually completely free. Instead, fees can apply depending on how you transact, and what balance you hold, for example. Before you sign up to any AUD account you’ll need to check through the fees for the types of transactions you make frequently – and any ongoing fees you need to pay – to make sure you understand your responsibilities.
Here are some fees to look out for:
- Monthly maintenance fee: Ongoing fees which may be called maintenance or service fees can apply no matter how frequently you actually use your AUD account. This can drain your balance if you’re not expecting it. If you want an account with no monthly fee check out providers like Wise which don’t charge a maintenance fee.
- Fall below fee: A fall below fee applies on some accounts if you don’t hold the provider’s required minimum balance. This is common with premium international banking products from global banks, such as the HSBC Global Money Account, which is only available to customers who meet HSBC Expat eligibility requirements. These typically include holding £75,000 (or the currency equivalent) in savings or investments, earning an annual income of at least £120,000, or already having HSBC Premier status in another country.
- ATM withdrawal fees: If you’re looking for an AUD account for everyday use, a product with a linked debit card is an essential. However, ATM fees may apply locally or internationally and might be a flat charge or a percentage of the withdrawn amount. Providers like Wise and Revolut offer some no fee ATM use each month to help you lower your transaction costs.
- Foreign transaction fees: If you’re spending in a currency you don’t hold in your account you might need to pay a foreign transaction fee of up to 3%. This fee doesn’t usually apply on accounts like the Wise Account or products from Revolut, but is common with bank debit and credit cards.
- Wire transfer fees: Your bank might waive wire transfer fees but that doesn’t mean you pay nothing, as the exchange rate used might include a markup – a fee that’s not so easy to spot. Typically providers like Wise and Revolut can offer more competitive rates than many banks.
How to open an AUD account in Germany
The way you open an AUD account in Germany depends on whether you’ve chosen a product from a bank or a digital first service. You’ll need to double check you meet the eligibility criteria for the account you’ve picked first, and then gather up the information and paperwork the bank or provider needs such as your proof of ID and German address, residence permit, registration certificate or payslip.
You can then review the account opening process, which may look like this:
With banks: Bank account opening policies vary but you might need to go to a branch in person to open your account, especially if you don’t already have a EUR account with that specific bank. If you need to go to a branch a team member will guide you through the application process and you may be able to get your account opened and verified in one visit.
With online providers: Providers like Wise, Revolut and Airwallex manage your account application, verification and onboarding digitally, so all you need is a smart device or laptop. You don’t even need to leave home. Instead, just complete the information following the prompts on the application screen and then upload clear images of the documents required to support your application. Accounts may be verified instantly or it may take a couple of days.
How to use your AUD account in Germany
Living internationally can be expensive. If you’re an expat or international student in Germany- or if you’re a frequent traveller, business owner or digital nomad, using an AUD account to manage your Australian dollar payments and transactions can help reduce the fees you pay for currency conversion and other cross border services.
Here are some ways expats commonly use their German-based AUD accounts:
- Send international money transfers: If you’re making transfers to Australia from Germany, an AUD account cuts out admin time and can also help you lower the costs. Providers like Wise use their own network to move money quickly and with low fees, which can mean your payment arrives quicker compared to using your checking account.
- Hold and exchange AUD and EUR: For many people living an international lifestyle, managing different currencies is a day-to-day need. With an AUD multi-currency account you can see your AUD and EUR balances at a glance to keep on top of all your payments and transactions more easily.
- Receive AUD payments: Some AUD accounts offer local AUD account details to receive and hold AUD easily. Local transfers like this often cost nothing to receive, and can also be cheap or free for the sender. Get your money in AUD and then convert or spend whenever you like.
- Use your debit card for spending and withdrawals: For daily use, an AUD account with a debit card can be handy – allowing you to spend when you travel or when you’re shopping with Australian retailers online. It’s usually free to spend a currency you hold, or cheap to convert to AUD if you need to, if you choose a multi-currency account with a provider like Wise or Revolut.
Conclusion
AUD accounts are popular with German-based expats, business owners, and international students – and can also be handy for German residents who travel to Australia often for business or leisure. You can open an AUD account pretty easily from a specialist provider like Wise, Revolut or Airwallex, although the features, fees, and eligibility requirements can vary widely.
By contrast, AUD accounts are much harder to find through German banks, particularly for personal customers. Where they are available, they are typically tailored to business, commercial, or international banking clients, and are more often designed for holding or transferring funds rather than everyday spending. For most individuals in Germany, multi-currency accounts from digital providers remain the most practical way to hold and use Australian dollars.
Providers like Wise offer more flexible accounts to send, spend, and hold AUD along with EUR and 40+ other currencies. Compare your options looking at features, fees, convenience and currency availability, to see which account type is the best fit for you.
Useful resources:
- Revolut Personal Pricing Plans – Revolut Germany personal pricing plans and feature descriptions
- Revolut Business Pricing Plans – Revolut Germany business pricing plans and feature descriptions
- HSBC Global Money Account – HSBC Global Money Account introduction
- Airwallex Pricing – Airwallex EU account descriptions and pricing plans




