Test report: free Girokonto 1|2|3 from Santander Bank

Read the following test report to find out what my experience with the 1|2|3 checking account of the Santander Bank. How reputable is the bank and what does it offer? The unique selling point of
1|2|3 Santander Bank account is the multi-level bonus model, with which you as an individual can receive up to €9 per month or €108 per year. If the account is managed as a joint account with two incoming salaries, even €10 per month is possible.

Santander Girokonto conditions at a glance

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At a glance – the short check of the 1|2|3 current account

• Withdraw cash free of charge worldwide – Any fees charged at foreign ATMs will be reimbursedt
• Pay worldwide for free
• Free account management for monthly incoming payments of at least 1200 euros, otherwise 6.95 euros/month
• Overdraft interest: 8.05 to 11.53 % (graded according to the amount of the overdraft)
• Free credit card
• Free giro card
• Attractive bonus payments – 1|2|3 bonus
  • Bonus with a monthly salary of at least €1200: 1 € monthly (2 € monthly for a joint account with 2 salary payments of at least 1200 €)
  • Debiting at least 3 direct debits per month: 2 € monthly
  • Paid deposit at Santander-Bank: 3 € monthly
  • construction financing at Santander Bank: 3 € monthly

123 current account, is there an account management fee?

Santander 1|2|3 Giro – Withdraw cash free of charge – WORLDWIDE

In Germany you can get free cash with your free debit card at all CashPool banks. These include, among many others, the following banks: Commerzbank, German BankHypoVereinsbank and postal bank.You can also get it in the euro countries except Germany All ATMs accept EC cards free of charge (almost all of them).

Furthermore, you get in all other countries worldwide Cash at all ATMs that have the VISA symbol.

Please also note the following: In some cases, individual fees are charged by the ATM operator. These cannot be influenced by Santander Bank. These fees will also be reimbursed by Santander on request.

Deposit cash at Santander Bank

If you want to deposit cash at Santander Bank, you can use the deposit machines in the branches of the bank. You can also take advantage of free advice in the branch and deposit cash free of charge at the counter.

Santander 1|2|3 Giro: Google Pay/Apple Pay integration

Santander Bank does not currently support Google or Apple Pay payment services. Cashless payment is even faster with Google Pay/Apple Pay and your credit card. Have a look at her N26, o2 banking or the comdirect over if these services are important to you. The Visa card no longer has to be dug out of the wallet. All you have to do is pull out your smartphone and you can pay in seconds via smartphone app. You can pay at any contactless terminal. If the amount is less than 25 euros, it is sufficient to switch on the smartphone display. Amounts over 25 euros must be released by password or fingerprint.

Santander test report: giro and credit card

The Girocard of your Santander Giro is a Maestro card. As usual, transactions in euros are free with the Girocard. In the non-euro area, it is best to use your free credit card from the account to save costs. The Girocard only works in euro countries. you get cash within Germany and in the euro countries free of charge at the machines Cash pool banks (including at Commerzbank, Deutsche Bank, HypoVereinsbank and Postbank). In other European countries it is best to use your free credit card. Incidentally, the Santander Bank credit card is particularly customer-friendly: Even fees from ATM operators abroad over which the bank has no influence (“surcharges”) are reimbursed against receipt.

Overall, the following picture emerges for the use of the Girocard and credit card

If the credit card is accepted, it is advisable to use it consistently at home and abroad. In case of doubt, there are fewer fees (e.g. with third-party banks). In addition, acceptance is higher (non-euro countries). The Santander Bank credit card is particularly customer-friendly: Even fees from ATM operators abroad, over which the bank has no influence ("surcharges") are refunded against receipt.

Santander 1|2|3 Giro: Your account as a traveller!

In my opinion, the Santander Bank account is ideal for holidaymakers and travellers. When traveling to distant countries, the hassle-free and inexpensive supply of cash is essential. Furthermore, paying in foreign currency with low fees is another important point for globetrotters. In the worldwide cash availability category, the Santander 1|2|3 current account is even better than the DKB cash account, since Santander also pays ATM fees abroad. The DKB scores with a lower overdraft interest rate and free account management without minimum payment. Read more about the test-winning account in the category For travelers and vacationers here.

Recommendation: As the best free account for travelers and vacationers or people who travel a lot, I currently can DKB Cash current account recommend. The DKB has been offering worldwide free payment in euros and foreign currencies for many years. Likewise, free money withdrawals worldwide. In the meantime, however, these advantages are only available as active customer. You are automatically an active customer in the first year. After that, at least 700 euros in cash are required per month to receive the status.

With both accounts you get a very good exchange rate to the euro by paying/withdrawing money with a credit card. You don't have to pay a fee hidden in the conversion rate. Unfortunately, this is common when exchanging cash.

The best account for travelers in the test: Santander vs. DKB vs. Comdirect

Compared to the Santander account, the scores DKB with a more favorable overdraft facility and lower minimum deposit. In return, Santander also reimburses surcharges charged by ATM operators and offers attractive bonus payments of up to €108 per year. Read more about the DKB account here in the DKB test report and here via the test winner account in the category For travelers and vacationers.

Another alternative is this comdirect account You can also withdraw cash worldwide free of charge from comdirect. A small drop of bitterness with the comdirect account are the fees incurred when paying in foreign currencies (withdrawals are also free worldwide with comdirect!). In return, comdirect is currently awarding attractive opening bonuses! Have a look in the Test report by comdirect.

Santander 1|2|3 current account in direct comparison with other banks

Compare the most important features of the Santander current account in a direct comparison with numerous other current accounts. Which feature is important to you? The comparison calculator provides comprehensive information!

Alternatives to the Santander Girokonto

Did you the account of 1822mobile not able to convince? Then check out the comparison calculator other accounts on. A rating of the best free checking accounts without minimum deposit can be found in the linked article.

Alternative 1: If free cash withdrawals worldwide are important to you, this is an alternative N26 account under consideration. That N26 Girokonto is also very suitable for people who travel a lot. However, it has the disadvantage that a fee is due when paying in foreign currency (1.7 %). You will be informed of any account activity immediately by email or app. This is a safety bonus especially when traveling. To a certain extent, the decision remains a matter of taste. You can't go wrong with either account!

Alternative 2: Another alternative is this comdirect accountO You can also withdraw cash worldwide free of charge from comdirect. A small drop of bitterness with the comdirect account are the fees incurred when paying in foreign currency (withdrawals are also free worldwide with comdirect!). In return, comdirect is currently awarding attractive opening bonuses! Have a look in the Test report by comdirect.

Alternative 3: Another alternative is this DKB Cash account. You can also withdraw cash worldwide free of charge from the DKB. The advantages of the DKB account are the lower overdraft interest and the lower monthly minimum payment for withdrawing money abroad free of charge. The account management is even free of charge without a minimum deposit. The disadvantage is that the DKB, unlike the Santander, does not refund any surcharges.

Conclusion

liked that

The Santander 1|2|3 Girokonto scores with completely free account management from a monthly minimum payment of 1200 euros. The account offers very good cash availability worldwide. The bank even refunds surcharges. In this point, the account overtakes the test winner, the DKB Bank, which does not do that. The regular bonus payments (quasi a negative account management fee) make a decision for the Santander Girokonto even easier. Finally, if there are problems or questions, there is the possibility of making personal appointments for advice in a local branch.

Didn't like that so much

Unfortunately, the account is only free of charge in the account management from a monthly incoming payment of 1200 euros. In my opinion, anyone who can show this does absolutely nothing wrong with the account. This is especially true for frequent travellers!

Overall, Santander scores well in the test report of Konto-Kredit-Vergleich.de with 4 out of 5 stars. There is one point deduction for the really excellent account due to the minimum deposit required for free account management. As an alternative to Santander, I recommend the free checking accounts of the comdirect or the N26 as well as the DKB Cash. However, the first two have the disadvantage of charging fees for paying in foreign currency (but not for withdrawing). None of the alternatives refund surcharges like Santander Bank does. In return, comdirect scores with an attractive opening bonus and the N26 with modern smartphone banking. the DKB Cash as Test winner in the Travelers and Vacationers category comes up with a fantastic overdraft facility and a long history as a provider of free cash withdrawals worldwide.