Everyday financial tools

Germany bank code guide

When to use Eight-digit BLZ, what to request from the bank, and how to interpret directory results.

Domestic payments

For ordinary SEPA euro payments, obtain the recipient’s IBAN. The BLZ is a domestic bank identifier and is part of a German IBAN.

For a transfer outside the applicable SEPA process, follow the receiving bank’s IBAN and BIC instructions.

A BLZ is eight digits and is not the same identifier as a BIC.
The Bundesbank publishes scheduled quarterly files; daily checks do not create daily source updates.
Check merger and successor information at the source instead of assuming an old BLZ still applies.

Ask the recipient to obtain payment instructions from their bank’s official app, statement or website.
Match the country, identifier type and institution. Keep leading zeros and do not substitute a different code type.
For a changed bank or branch, verify the replacement instructions directly with the bank. A similar name is not enough.

Use the linked authority and the receiving bank for current records.

Saved source date: See authority publication. Authority / source reference ↗