September 3, 2026, 10:33 am | Read time: 4 minutes
ING plans to restructure its checking accounts in all markets and offer four models in the future. For Germany, CEO Steven van Rijswijk has promised that a free option will remain available. The conditions for this and the services it includes are still unclear. The introduction of the new account structure is currently planned for mid-2027.
The new ING subscription models have already been introduced in the Netherlands and shortly thereafter in Belgium, Poland, and Romania. They are also expected to expand to other European countries. Germany CEO Lars Stoy stated in early August that the exact design of the individual subscriptions has not yet been finalized. According to the current schedule, the new offerings are set to launch in Germany in mid-2027.
Following the announcement, many customers wondered what would happen to ING’s existing free account. CEO Steven van Rijswijk explained at the Handelsblatt Banking Summit in Frankfurt that they intend to continue offering it.
Conditions for Free Option Still Unclear
The CEO’s promise does not mean that today’s conditions and services will remain unchanged. It has only been confirmed that a free option will be part of the new account structure. The allocation of customers to the four models is also yet to be determined.
It remains unclear how the offerings will differ in terms of cards, cash supply, additional services, and fees. Changes to the current conditions are possible until the introduction.
ING Germany has more than ten million customers and describes itself as the third-largest bank in Germany. By the end of 2025, it had 2.9 million so-called Mobile Primary Customers. These include customers who use the checking account intensively, own at least one other product, and regularly access it via the app.
Currently, the ING checking account is free if credits totaling at least 1,000 euros are received within a calendar month. Account holders under 28 years old are also exempt from the account management fee. If these conditions are not met, the direct bank charges 4.90 euros monthly.
The minimum credit can consist of several payments. These include salary, pension, child benefits, and other transfers. Transfers between one’s own ING accounts with identical account holders, securities transactions, and credits from returned direct debits are not considered.
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Visa Debit Card Included in Account
The current account model includes a Visa debit card. An additional Girocard costs 1.49 euros per month. For withdrawals of at least 50 euros, ING does not charge a fee in Germany and the eurozone. However, third-party ATM operators may impose their own fees.
At the end of 2024, ING increased the required monthly credit for free account management from 700 to 1,000 euros. At the same time, the optional Girocard became more expensive, rising from 0.99 to 1.49 euros. The bank cited increased costs and the goal of establishing the checking account more strongly as the main account.
The checking account also serves as a gateway to savings accounts, securities accounts, loans, and mortgage financing. How the four models will differ in terms of services, fees, and conditions is still unknown. For existing customers, the currently published conditions initially apply.
Also of interest: On which smartphones the ING app no longer works
ING Compared to DKB, Comdirect, and N26
DKB and Comdirect also tie fee waivers to conditions. At DKB, a monthly credit of 700 euros or being under 28 years old is sufficient. Otherwise, the primary account costs 4.50 euros. Different rules may apply to older existing accounts. The credit also affects the active status.
For Comdirect’s Active checking account, a monthly credit of 700 euros is sufficient, among other things. Alternatively, regular mobile payments or securities activities can enable fee waivers. Without meeting the requirements, 4.90 euros per month are due.
N26 offers its standard account without a monthly management fee and without a required minimum credit. However, it only includes a virtual Mastercard. A physical card may incur additional costs, and the number of free cash withdrawals is limited. C24 Bank advertises its Smart account as unconditionally free.