IBAN FAQ
Everything you need to know about International Bank Account Numbers
How is the IBAN structured?
An IBAN contains country code, bank and account information, and check digits. It standardizes account identification across different countries with a structured format.
IBAN Length by Country
Each country has defined its own IBAN length based on its banking system:
- Shortest: Norway (15 characters)
- Longest: Malta (31 characters)
- Germany: 22 characters
All IBANs follow the same basic structure regardless of length, with country-specific adjustments.
German IBAN Structure
The German IBAN (22 characters) is composed of the following elements:
Country Code
2 characters (DE for Germany)
Identifies the country where the account is maintained
Check Digits
2 digits (calculated for each account)
Protects against transmission errors, based on ISO 7064 MOD 97-10
Bank Sort Code
8 digits (identifies the bank)
In Germany, the familiar BLZ, also includes branch information
Account Number
10 digits (includes leading zeros)
For numbers less than 10 digits, leading zeros are added
Visual representation of a German IBAN structure
Example of a German IBAN
DE89 3704 0044 0532 0130 00
For readability, an IBAN is usually formatted in groups of four characters. For electronic processing, all spaces are removed.
International Differences
The IBAN follows the same basic structure internationally, but with country-specific features:
| Country | IBAN Length | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Germany | 22 characters | DE89 3704 0044 0532 0130 00 |
| France | 27 characters | FR14 2004 1010 0505 0001 3M02 606 |
| Great Britain | 22 characters | GB29 NWBK 6016 1331 9268 19 |
Despite varying lengths, the standardized structure allows for easy international processing.
Calculate an IBAN
Want to calculate an IBAN from your account number and bank code? Use our free IBAN Calculator.
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