Requirements for using Shopify Payments in Germany

Before you can use Shopify Payments in Germany, you need to understand the personal information requirements. These requirements are in place to comply with regulations and prevent financial crimes. In this article, you can find the purpose of collecting personal information, the types of documents accepted, and guidance on ensuring that your documentation meets the necessary criteria.

Overview of requirements for Shopify Payments in Germany

Before you can use Shopify Payments in Germany, you must ensure that you meet following requirements:

• Eligible business types: Certain types of businesses and services are'nt permitted to use Shopify Payments. To determine whether your business is eligible, refer to the list of prohibited business types for Germany, that's outlined in the Shopify Payments Terms of Service (TOS).
• Bank Account Requirements: Your bank account must meet the following requirements before you can connect it to Shopify Payments:
  • The bank account is with an European Union (EU) or Germany-based bank in EUR currency. Virtual bank accounts may work but experience a higher level of payout failure. Savings accounts aren't accepted.
    
  • The bank account is eligible for Single Euro Payments Area (SEPA) transfers. Consult your bank to verify whether your account can accept these types of transfers.
  • The bank account has an IBAN that starts with the following letters: AT, BE, CH, DE, DK, EE, ES, FI, FR, GB, GI, IE, IT, LU, NL, NO, PT, or SE.
• Personal Information requirements: To comply with regulatory requirements and prevent financial crimes, you must provide information about yourself and your business. This includes details about the individual creating the Shopify Payments account, the associated business, and the individuals who own or control the business. Ensure that your documentation is clear, correct, up-to-date, and free of errors or typos.

Purpose of collecting personal information

The collection of personal information is necessary to identify merchants using Shopify Payments and to comply with regulatory requirements. This helps prevent money laundering, terrorist financing, and other financial crimes. As regulations evolve, Shopify and its partners might request additional information from you to ensure compliance. These reviews can happen at any time during the lifespan of your Shopify Payments account.

Required information

The personal information that Shopify is required to collect varies from country to country. In the case of Germany, the following details are required:

• The individual creating the Shopify Payments account.
• The business associated with the Shopify Payments account.
• The individuals who ultimately own or control the business, including the business owner or a senior executive with legal signing authority.

Acceptable document types

To help with the verification process, you need to provide certain documents to validate your personal information and in some cases your business information. The following document types are acceptable for individuals and businesses in Germany.

Identity documents

• Reisepass (Passport)
• Führerschein (Driver's license): scans of front and back are required
• Personalausweis (Identity card): scans of front and back are required
• Aufenthaltstitel (Residence permit): scans of front and back are required

 Address documents

• Anmeldebestätigung / Meldebescheinigung (Proof of residence)
• Meldebescheinigung (Landlord letter)
• Betriebskostenabrechnung (Utility bill): dated within 6 months
• Bankauszug (Bank statement): dated within 6 months
• Darlehenskontoauszug (Mortgage statement): dated within 6 months
• Amtlich ausgestelltes Dokument (Government issued document): dated within 12 months

Company and entity documents

All legal entity types might be required to submit the following documents:

• USt-Registrierung (VAT Registration)
• Gewerbeanmeldung (Trade registration)
• Gewerbeschein (Trade license)
• Freistellungsbescheid (Tax Exemption)
• Handelsregisterauszug (Commercial register extract)
• Vereinsregisterauszug (Register of Associations Extract)
• Jahresabschluss (Financial statements)

For incorporated partnerships, you might be required to submit the following documentation:

• Gewerbeanmeldung (Trade registration)
• Freistellungsbescheid (Tax Exemption)
• Handelsregisterauszug (Commercial register extract)

For unincorporated partnerships, you might be required to submit the following documentation:

• Gewerbeanmeldung (Trade registration)
• VAT Registration (USt-Registrierung in German)

For incorporated charities, you might be required to submit the following documentation:

• Gewerbeanmeldung (Trade registration)
• Handelsregisterauszug (Commercial register extract)
• Freistellungsbescheid (Tax Exemption)

For unincorporated charities, you might be required to submit the following documentation:

• Gewerbeanmeldung (Trade registration)
• USt-Registrierung in German (VAT Registration)

Ensuring documentation compliance

When providing your documents, you need to ensure that they meet the necessary criteria. Use the following guidelines to ensure compliance:

• Accuracy and validity: Ensure that the information on your documents is correct and valid.
• Clarity and legibility: Make sure that your documents are clear and large enough to read.
• Completeness: Provide all necessary details and ensure that all information is visible. If a document has been cropped, then ensure that all important information remains visible in the frame.
• Consistency: Ensure that the information on your documents matches the information provided during the account setup process.
• Currency: Keep your documents up-to-date with the most recent data possible.
• Error-free: Double-check your documents for any errors or typos.
• Avoid Copies: Submit original photographs of your documents whenever possible, and avoid scanning or copying them. If your documents were digitally issued, then submit the original, unaltered PDF.