How to create an AWS account without a debit/credit card (in Germany)

When you create a new AWS account, you must enter a debit or credit card as your default payment method. You cannot create an AWS account without a debit or credit card, such as Mastercard or Visa. As of the end of July this year, it is now possible to sign up for a new AWS account in Germany without using a debit or credit card. Instead, you will need to link your AWS account to your bank account (see official announcement).

Why do we need this feature?

Credit cards are not widely used in Germany. Many people prefer the German girocard. Even in the young age group (18-27 years), only around 50 percent had a credit card in 2020.

Telling people in Germany that they should sign up for an AWS account could be difficult. Students can't sign up because they don't have a credit card, so they won't be trained in AWS.

I suppose this was one of the reasons why AWS now allows AWS accounts to be created with a bank account in Germany. For now, this feature is not available in other countries.

Why should you know about this (in Germany)?

If you are teaching AWS to German students or other people, you can tell them that this alternative payment method exists. This article shows how to set up an AWS account without a debit or credit card - you will understand the process and be able to tell others about it.

Select the payment method

Sign up for your AWS account as usual. On the Billing Information page, select Germany as your billing country. Once you select Germany, the form will display the additional payment method type "Bank Account". Select this option.

The form shows additional information about how AWS links your bank account. It uses a service called TrueLayer.

You are asked to open TrueLayer.

Link your bank account

Next, select your German bank from the drop-down list. You can't enter a foreign bank here.

The TrueLayer service explains what information is shared. TrueLayer also reads your account balance - but doesn't share it with AWS.

You will be directed to your bank account. Log in and confirm that TrueLayer is allowed to read the requested data.

Continue the registration process

After confirming access to your bank details, the information will be transferred to AWS and you will see the last four digits of your bank account number on the registration form. This confirms that your bank account has been successfully linked.

Everything else is the same as using a debit or credit card. Once your AWS account is created, you can also verify your bank account in the payment preferences.

Summary

It works - you can easily link your bank account. I was able to sign up for an AWS account without a debit or credit card. The process is straightforward, there is no time-consuming verification like with some other services.