Usually official payments in Germany are made through transfers e.g. rent to your landlord or the monthly contribution to your health insurance company etc. So, it is advisable to open a bank account.

For students, opening an account and making transactions is free of charge.
Compare the different offers from different banks before making your choice. You could ask other students where they have their account. One of the most popular is the Deutsche Bank.

Take about 30 minutes along with you when going to open an account and do not forget the following:

• Passport or ID-card
• Proof of enrolment at the University (If you do not have it yet, you can submit it later )

And do not forget to mention that you are a student, if not the account will not be free of charge.