Banking Apps Supporting GiroCode – Complete Overview 2025

Step-by-Step: Scanning a GiroCode

1. Open your banking app: Launch the app and log in with your PIN, fingerprint or Face ID.
2. Navigate to “Transfer” or “Payments”: Find the transfer initiation function.
3. Find the QR scanner: Look for a QR code icon, camera icon or a button labelled “Scan QR code”.
4. Point the camera at the GiroCode: Allow camera access when prompted. Hold your phone steady.
5. Wait for automatic recognition: The app automatically detects and decodes the QR code.
6. Verify the pre-filled data: Always carefully check the recipient name, IBAN, amount and payment reference.
7. Enter your TAN or use biometrics to confirm the transfer.
8. Confirm the transfer. The money typically arrives the next business day or instantly with SEPA Instant.

Scanning with Sparkasse App – Step by Step

The Sparkasse app is used by over 10 million people in Germany and was among the first German banking apps to support GiroCode scanning.

1. Open the Sparkasse app and log in with your PIN or fingerprint
2. Tap “Überweisungen” (Transfers) in the bottom navigation
3. Tap “Neue Überweisung” (New Transfer)
4. Tap the QR code icon (camera symbol) in the upper area of the transfer form
5. Grant camera permission if prompted
6. Point the camera at the GiroCode – the app automatically scans it
7. Check the pre-filled recipient name, IBAN, amount and reference
8. Tap “Weiter” (Next), then confirm with your TAN

Tip: If the QR code is on a dark invoice background, increase the screen brightness or move to better lighting.

Scanning with VR-Banking – Step by Step

1. Open the VR-Banking app and authenticate (PIN/fingerprint/Face ID)
2. Tap “Überweisung” (Transfer) in the main menu or home screen
3. Select “Neue Überweisung” (New Transfer)
4. In the transfer form, tap the QR code / camera icon next to the recipient IBAN field
5. Allow camera access when prompted
6. Scan the GiroCode – the form fills automatically
7. Review all pre-filled fields carefully
8. Complete the transfer with your SecureGo+ TAN or ChipTAN

Scanning with ING Banking – Step by Step

1. Open the ING Banking to go app and log in
2. Tap “Überweisen” (Transfer) on the home screen
3. In the transfer form, look for the camera icon at the right end of the IBAN input field
4. Tap the camera icon to activate the QR scanner
5. Scan the GiroCode – all fields are filled in automatically
6. Verify the data, enter your amount if not pre-filled, and confirm with your ING TAN

Scanning with DKB Banking – Step by Step

1. Open the DKB app and log in with your access number and PIN
2. Navigate to “Überweisungen” (Transfers)
3. Tap “Neue Überweisung” (New Transfer)
4. Find the QR code scan icon in the transfer form
5. Grant camera permissions and scan the GiroCode
6. All fields (recipient, IBAN, amount, reference) are pre-filled
7. Review and confirm with your DKB TAN

What to Do If Your App Has No QR Scanner

Alternative 1: Google Lens / iOS Camera App

The standard iOS camera app and Google Lens can read QR codes, but they cannot directly initiate bank transfers. They decode the EPC payload and display the text. You can then manually copy the payment details.

Alternative 2: Standard QR scanner apps

Many generic QR scanner apps can read GiroCodes and display the decoded text payload. You can then manually enter the displayed IBAN, amount and reference into your banking app's transfer form.

Alternative 3: Contact your bank

If your bank's app does not support GiroCode scanning, contact your bank and ask them to add this feature. Many banks have added GiroCode support after customer requests.

Alternative 4: Check for app updates

Banking apps are updated regularly. If your current version does not have a QR scanner, check for updates in the App Store (iOS) or Google Play Store (Android).

Security When Scanning GiroCodes

Always verify data before confirming

The single most important security practice is to always carefully check the pre-filled transfer data before confirming. Specifically, verify:

• Recipient name: Does it match who you expect to pay?
• IBAN: Does the first few characters match the expected bank?
• Amount: Does it match the invoice total?
• Payment reference: Does it reference the correct invoice number?

Recognising manipulated QR codes

• A QR code sticker that appears to be placed over the original
• The recipient name or IBAN does not match what is printed on the invoice
• The QR code is of noticeably different print quality than the rest of the invoice

When in doubt, do not scan the QR code – enter the payment details manually from the human-readable invoice text instead.

QR code phishing (Quishing) explained

Quishing is the use of malicious QR codes for phishing attacks. The best defence is simple: always verify the pre-filled transfer data against the human-readable invoice text before confirming. Never pay an invoice from an unknown sender based solely on a QR code scan.

What to do if you suspect fraud

1. Contact your bank immediately – the sooner you report it, the better the chance of recovery
2. Provide your bank with the transaction date, amount and recipient IBAN
3. File a police report
4. Report the incident to the German Federal Financial Supervisory Authority (BaFin) if appropriate

Use GiroCode Professionally – Software Recommendations

Anyone who wants to use GiroCodes professionally on invoices will eventually need good accounting or invoicing software. Creating GiroCodes manually is fine for occasional use – but for regular invoicing, an automated solution quickly pays off.

We recommend two proven tools that natively support GiroCodes:

* Affiliate link – If you purchase through this link, we receive a small commission at no extra cost to you.

For occasional use or as a starting point, we recommend our free GiroCode Generator – completely local, no registration required.