A bank transfer (Überweisung) means you send money from your bank account to the account of another person or company. You don't need cash for this. Your bank takes the money from your account and sends it to the recipient's bank. In Germany, many bills are paid this way. The word also has a second meaning: at the doctor's, an Überweisung is a referral letter. You take it to another doctor, for example a specialist.
Where you will see the word
- Bills and payment reminders (Mahnungen) often say: “Please transfer the amount to the following account” (“Bitte überweisen Sie den Betrag auf folgendes Konto”).
- Government offices send notices (Bescheide) about fees. There you will find the account details for the transfer.
- Many landlords want to receive the rent by bank transfer or standing order (Dauerauftrag).
- In online banking or in your bank's app, you will find the option “Überweisung”.
- At the doctor's office: your family doctor (Hausarzt) gives you a referral for a specialist (Facharzt).
What you should do
To make a bank transfer, you need your own account. If you don't have one yet, read Opening a bank account.
- Open your online banking. Or take a transfer form (Überweisungsformular) at your bank.
- Enter the recipient's name.
- Enter the recipient's IBAN. The IBAN is the account number. Check every digit carefully.
- Enter the amount.
- Write the payment reference (Verwendungszweck). This is, for example, the invoice number, the file number (Aktenzeichen) or the customer number. This way the recipient knows what the money is for.
- Confirm the transfer, for example with a TAN or in the app.
Pay attention to the deadline (Frist) in your letter. The money must reach the recipient on time. A normal bank transfer usually takes one bank working day. On weekends and public holidays it takes longer. So it's better to make the transfer a few days before the deadline. Many banks also offer instant transfers (Echtzeitüberweisung). Then the money arrives within a few seconds.
In most cases, you can't simply take back a bank transfer. If you have made a mistake, talk to your bank immediately. Be careful with emails or messages that push you to make a quick transfer. This may be fraud.
If you send money to a country outside the euro area, different rules apply. The fees are often higher. You can read more about this under Sending money to your home country.
For a referral from the doctor: take the paper with you to your appointment with the specialist. Ask at the doctor's office whether you need a referral. This depends on your health insurance and on the specialist.
Examples
- “Please transfer the fee by 15 March. Use the file number as the payment reference.”
- “I transferred the rent yesterday.”
- “For the appointment with the dermatologist, you need a referral from your family doctor.”
Related terms
- Standing order (Dauerauftrag): Your bank makes the same transfer regularly and automatically, for example every month for the rent.
- Direct debit (Lastschrift): The recipient takes the money from your account themselves, after you have given them permission.
- IBAN: The international account number you need for every bank transfer.
- Payment reference (Verwendungszweck): A short text that says what you are paying for.
- Instant transfer (Echtzeitüberweisung): A bank transfer where the money arrives within a few seconds.
- Referral slip (Überweisungsschein): The paper from the doctor that you take to another doctor.