Traditional bank vs. neobank, what documents you'll need, and how a blocked account (Sperrkonto) differs from a regular one.
Neobanks (N26, DKB, and similar app-based banks) have become the default choice for most students — the account is free, opens entirely online with a video call for ID verification, and comes with a normal German IBAN you can use for rent, your university, and everyday payments.
Traditional branch banks (Sparkasse, Deutsche Bank, and others) still make sense if you want in-person service, a local branch for cash deposits, or your university/city has a specific partnership with one — worth checking, since some cities offer free student accounts through a local Sparkasse.
Your passport is universal. Beyond that, requirements vary: some neobanks only require proof you're a resident of Germany (sometimes accepted before your Anmeldung is finalized), while most traditional banks will ask for your Anmeldung confirmation and proof of enrollment.
If you need an account before you've completed Anmeldung — for example, to receive your first paycheck or pay a deposit — check the specific bank's requirements first rather than assuming; policies differ and change.
A Sperrkonto (blocked account) is specifically for proving you have enough money to support yourself, usually as part of a student visa application before you arrive in Germany. Funds are locked and released to you in monthly installments once you're here and enrolled.
It is not the account you'll use for everyday spending — most students open a regular account (neobank or traditional) once they arrive, separate from the Sperrkonto used for the visa process.