Banking Guide for Workers
How to open a bank account, manage money, and send remittances home — essential banking advice for Bangladeshi workers in Europe.
What You Need to Open an Account
Requirements vary by country and bank, but most European banks require the following documents:
Valid passport
Original passport with valid visa — copies are not accepted.
Residence permit or registration
Proof that you are legally registered in the country (Anmeldung in Germany, Meldezettel in Austria, etc.).
Proof of address
Rental contract, utility bill, or employer letter confirming your address.
Employment contract or payslips
Some banks require proof of income. Your first payslip or signed contract usually works.
Tax identification number
Issued by the local tax office after registration. Some banks open accounts without it initially.
Phone number and email
A local European phone number is strongly recommended — some banks require it for verification.
Recommended Banks
Sparkasse
Traditional
Passport, Anmeldung (address registration), residence permit. Branch visit required.
Deutsche Bank
Traditional
Passport, Anmeldung, employment contract. English-speaking branches available in major cities.
N26
Digital
Passport + video verification. No Anmeldung needed initially. Free basic account.
Commerzbank
Traditional
Passport, Anmeldung, employment contract. Free basic account available.
Tips
- Open an account as soon as you have your Anmeldung. Employers need your IBAN for salary.
- Sparkasse has the most branches and ATMs but may charge monthly fees.
- Germany is still very cash-oriented. Always carry some cash with you.
- EC-Karte (debit card) is accepted more widely than credit cards.
Recommended Banks
PKO Bank Polski
Traditional
Passport, PESEL number, proof of address. Largest bank in Poland.
mBank
Digital
Passport, PESEL number. Fully online account opening. English app available.
Bank Millennium
Traditional
Passport, temporary residence card. English-speaking staff in major branches.
Tips
- PESEL (national ID number) is needed for most banks. Get it at the local urzad gminy.
- Many banks offer free accounts for the first year. Read the terms carefully.
- BLIK is Poland's popular mobile payment system. Set it up for easy payments.
- Zloty (PLN) is the local currency, not Euro. Your salary will be in PLN.
Recommended Banks
Intesa Sanpaolo
Traditional
Passport, codice fiscale (tax code), residence permit, proof of address.
Poste Italiane (PostePay)
Traditional
Passport and codice fiscale only. Easiest to open for newcomers.
Hype
Digital
Italian codice fiscale + ID. Free basic account with Italian IBAN.
Tips
- Get your codice fiscale from Agenzia delle Entrate first. It is free and takes 15 minutes.
- PostePay Evolution is the easiest account to open and gives you an IBAN.
- Many Italian businesses still prefer cash. Card payment is legally required but not always available.
- Watch out for monthly account fees. Compare before committing.
Recommended Banks
La Banque Postale
Traditional
Passport, proof of address, residence permit. Most accessible for newcomers.
BNP Paribas
Traditional
Passport, justificatif de domicile, employment contract.
Boursorama
Digital
French address + ID. Free account with no conditions.
Tips
- French banks are legally required to offer basic banking services (droit au compte).
- If a bank refuses you, contact Banque de France to exercise your right to an account.
- RIB (Releve d'Identite Bancaire) is France's equivalent of IBAN. Your employer will ask for it.
- Carte Bancaire is the main payment card. Almost all businesses accept it.
Recommended Banks
ING
Traditional
BSN number, proof of address, residence permit. Most foreigner-friendly.
ABN AMRO
Traditional
BSN number, Dutch address, valid ID.
bunq
Digital
EU passport or residence permit. Online signup. English-first bank.
Tips
- BSN (citizen service number) is required. You get it when you register at the gemeente.
- The Netherlands is nearly cashless. Card and phone payments are accepted almost everywhere.
- iDEAL is the Dutch online payment system. It works with your bank account directly.
- Most Dutch bank accounts cost EUR 2-5 per month. Factor this into your budget.
Recommended Banks
CaixaBank
Traditional
NIE (foreigner ID number), passport, proof of address.
Banco Sabadell
Traditional
NIE, passport. Offers accounts for non-residents.
Openbank
Digital
NIE + valid ID. Free account, fully online.
Tips
- NIE (Numero de Identidad de Extranjero) is essential. Apply at the police station or immigration office.
- Some banks open accounts for non-residents with just a passport (cuenta para no residentes).
- Bizum is Spain's instant payment system (like bKash). Set it up through your bank.
- Spanish banks may charge commissions. Ask about "cuenta sin comisiones" (no-fee account).
Digital Banks — No Branch Needed
These banks operate entirely through mobile apps. They are popular with foreign workers because they have simpler requirements and multilingual support.
Wise (formerly TransferWise)
Best for sending money to Bangladesh. Multi-currency account with real exchange rates and very low fees. Accepted in most EU countries.
Requirements: Passport + selfie verification
Cost: Free basic account
Revolut
Popular all-in-one financial app. Free card, currency exchange, and budgeting tools. Good for daily spending in Europe.
Requirements: Passport or ID + proof of address
Cost: Free plan available
N26
German digital bank available across the EU. Clean app, free basic account, and IBAN for salary deposits. Good as a primary salary account.
Requirements: EU residence + passport + video verification
Cost: Free standard account
Tips for Managing Money Abroad
Your salary must be paid into a bank account — not in cash, not into someone else's account, and not held by your employer. This is your legal right in every EU country.