Germany IBAN Format, Length and German Example

How to read this Germany IBAN

• The value starts with DE, the IBAN country code for Germany.
• The next two characters are international check digits.
• The remaining 18 characters are the country-specific BBAN section: 18 digits after the country code and check digits.
• German IBANs are short enough to scan in invoice text, but the 18-digit BBAN part should not be split or retyped from memory.
• The example shows a DE country code, two check digits, and a numeric BBAN that remains the same in print and digital formats once spaces are removed.

Worked example

Use the example below to compare what an invoice might show with what a payment form or validator usually receives after spaces are removed.

Input shown on page

DE89 3704 0044 0532 0130 00

Normalized digital value

DE89370400440532013000

Expected length

22 characters

Result interpretation

Passing format checks still does not confirm a real account, owner, bank reachability, or payment success.

What the format check reviews

• Whether the IBAN starts with the DE country code.
• Whether the IBAN has 22 characters after normalization.
• Whether the value uses allowed letters and digits.
• Whether the MOD97-10 checksum is valid.

Common Germany IBAN searches

• Germany IBAN format: German IBANs use country code DE and 22 characters after normalization.
• DE IBAN length: DE IBANs have 22 characters in compact digital format.
• German IBAN check: use the IBAN Checker for country, length, characters, and MOD97 checksum only.

Popular Germany checks

• Germany IBAN checksum check for country, length, characters, and MOD97 result only.
• Germany SEPA status for country-level reference context, not bank or account readiness.
• Compare IBAN, BIC and SWIFT codes before using payment details from an invoice.

Common Germany IBAN mistakes

• Dropping one digit from the long numeric BBAN when copying from an invoice.
• Treating a passed checksum as proof that the German account belongs to the named payee.

When this page is useful

• Checking whether a German invoice IBAN has the expected 22-character structure before using the IBAN Checker.
• Comparing a spaced invoice value with the compact digital value required by many payment forms.
• Use the IBAN Checker after this page when you need a local checksum result for one value.

What it cannot confirm

• Format checks do not confirm that the account exists or belongs to the intended payee.
• They do not confirm bank reachability, payment readiness, or payment success.
• Use the detailed disclaimer for the full list of non-verified items.

Germany SEPA context

The local SEPA country reference data lists this country as: SEPA country - EU. Country-level SEPA status does not confirm that a specific bank or account can receive a payment.

Limitation note

This page explains IBAN format rules only. It is not a bank, account, sanctions, fraud-risk, or payment-network check.

Before using this IBAN format for payment

A structurally valid IBAN can still be wrong for a real transfer. Always verify payment details with the invoice issuer, recipient, bank, or payment provider before sending money.

FAQ

Last reviewed: 2026-06-28 Sources: Swift IBAN Registry, European Payments Council SEPA scheme countries list Reference data is reviewed periodically. BankCodeKit does not perform live bank, account, sanctions, or payment-network confirmation.