ITIN for Germans: What Even Is It? 2026 Explainer
An ITIN is the US tax number for non-US citizens and the key to more US credit cards. What an ITIN is, when you need one, what it costs, and which US cards it unlocks. High-level explainer 2026, without the Premium application walkthrough.
Quick answer: An ITIN (Individual Taxpayer Identification Number) is a 9-digit US tax number for people who don’t have a US Social Security Number (SSN) — typically non-US citizens with US income or US tax obligations. Format: 9XX-XX-XXXX (always starts with 9). You apply for it via IRS Form W-7 with qualified proof of identity. Processing time: ~7 weeks (standard/off-season), 9-11 weeks during US tax season. For German points collectors, the ITIN is the key to the second card tier — it unlocks all AMEX MR cards (Platinum US, Gold US, Green US) as well as your entry into Chase, Citi, and Capital One. Important: an ITIN is not a residence permit and grants no right to work in the US. It serves tax identification purposes only.
ITIN — three letters that come up a lot in the points-collector scene. But what exactly is an ITIN, and why do German collectors need it for the second card tier?
Disclaimer: As of May 2026, source: irs.gov/…/individual-taxpayer-identification-number. This article is a high-level explainer, not an application walkthrough. The full ITIN application path is shown in the MEILENKÖNIG US Card Handbooks in the Stack path (€347).
What Is an ITIN?
ITIN stands for Individual Taxpayer Identification Number. It’s a 9-digit tax ID that the IRS (the US tax authority) issues to people who:
- don’t have a US Social Security Number (SSN) (i.e. are not US citizens or Permanent Residents)
- but do have US tax obligations (or will have them in the future)
Format: 9XX-XX-XXXX (always starting with 9, e.g. 912-34-5678)
Source: Internal Revenue Service (IRS), the US government entity for taxes.
Who Can Apply for an ITIN?
| Category | Eligible? |
|---|---|
| Non-US citizens with US income | ✅ Yes |
| Non-US citizens with a US tax-filing obligation | ✅ Yes |
| Spousal dependents of a US citizen | ✅ Yes |
| Students/academics studying in the US | ✅ Yes |
| Pure points collectors with no US income | conditional — see below |
The “Points Collector” Path
Pure points collectors with no classic US income can apply for an ITIN via:
- US LLC with US banking interest (Form 1040-NR)
- US investment account (brokerage with US stock dividends)
- US bank account with interest ($1+ in interest income is enough)
Important: Which exact form you choose determines your odds of success + processing time. The complete path is described in the MEILENKÖNIG US Card Handbooks — here on the blog we only explain the concept.
What an ITIN Gives You — and What It Doesn’t
✅ What an ITIN Gives You
- Application eligibility for most US credit cards (AMEX, Chase, Citi, Capital One, Discover)
- US bank account opening (Mercury, Wise USD account very helpful; classic US banks often hesitant)
- US investment accounts (IBKR, Charles Schwab International)
- US tax filing (Form 1040-NR required if you have US income)
- The ability to build US credit history
❌ What an ITIN Does NOT Give You
- No US residence permit (visa status is separate from this)
- No right to work in the US
- No US Social Security (and no welfare benefits)
- No voting or citizenship rights
An ITIN is purely a tax ID.
ITIN vs SSN: What’s the Difference?
| Property | SSN (Social Security Number) | ITIN |
|---|---|---|
| Who gets it? | US citizens + Permanent Residents + work-visa holders | Non-US citizens without an SSN |
| Format | 9 digits (XXX-XX-XXXX) | 9 digits (9XX-XX-XXXX) |
| Citizenship? | yes, often associated | No, purely for tax |
| US card applications | ✅ all | ✅ most (AMEX, Chase, Citi, CapOne) |
| US banking | ✅ all | ✅ most |
| US mortgage / loan | ✅ easier | conditional (often harder) |
| Expires? | never | renew every 3 years if unused |
Expiration: How to Keep an ITIN Active
As of May 2026: ITINs expire if they are not used for a US tax return for 3 years. Renewal is done via another Form W-7.
In practice: If you file Form 1040-NR every year (even with zero income), you stay on the safe side. Pure points collectors also file a “mandatory return” to keep the ITIN active.
The Application Path at a Glance
Important: The overview below is high-level. The step-by-step path with supporting documents, apostille, and certification is shown in the US Card Handbooks in the US Stack (€347).
- Create the prerequisite: establish a US tax obligation (US LLC, US bank account with interest, US investment account)
- Fill out Form W-7: prepare proof of identity (passport apostille, proof of residence)
- Certification: have your passport copy certified through the IRS-certified application path (or by mailing your original passport to the IRS — risky)
- Submission: send the W-7 + certified documents + Form 1040-NR to the IRS
- Wait time: ~7 weeks processing (off-season), 9-11 weeks during tax season
- ITIN letter: the IRS mails you the ITIN number
Costs (May 2026)
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| IRS Form W-7 (self-filed) | $0 |
| Apostille of German passport copy | €30-80 |
| International express mail | $20-50 |
| Realistic total cost | €50-150 |
Which US Cards Require an ITIN
| Card | ITIN needed? |
|---|---|
| AMEX Green US | no (possible with Global Transfer from your DE AMEX) |
| AMEX Gold US | yes (for the full welcome bonus) |
| AMEX Platinum US | yes (for the full welcome bonus) |
| Chase Sapphire Preferred | yes |
| Chase Sapphire Reserve | yes |
| Capital One Venture X | yes (or SSN) |
| Citi Strata Premier | yes |
| Bilt Mastercard | yes |
| Chase Ink Business Cards | EIN needed (LLC path) |
→ The ITIN is the key to the full US card spectrum for German collectors.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How long does the ITIN application take?
As of May 2026: ~7 weeks in standard cases (off-season). During US tax season (January-April) more like 9-11 weeks, since many US tax applications are running at the same time.
Do I need to reside in the US to get an ITIN?
No. An ITIN is explicitly for non-US citizens without an SSN. You can apply from Germany.
Do I have to send my original passport to the IRS?
No. There is an IRS-certified application path through which your passport copy gets identity-certified, instead of sending your original passport to the IRS. The exact process is shown in the Stack path of the US Card Handbooks.
How high are the ongoing costs?
After the ITIN application: 0. You only need to file a US tax return (Form 1040-NR) once a year to keep the ITIN active — usually a zero return is possible.
What tax obligations come with an ITIN?
If you have US income (e.g. US bank interest >$1, US LLC income), you are required to file a US tax return. Form 1040-NR. With a pure collector setup and no US income: a zero return is often possible.
Does an ITIN affect my German taxes?
The ITIN itself doesn’t. But if you have US income, it must be declared in Germany. The DE-USA double taxation treaty helps, but clarify your own tax situation on your own responsibility — we do not provide tax or legal advice.
Can I apply for an ITIN without forming an LLC?
Yes. Paths without an LLC are possible (e.g. a US investment account at IBKR). Which paths work most reliably is described in detail in the US Stack handbook.
What happens if the ITIN application is rejected?
Common reasons: an uncertified passport copy, a missing US tax obligation, the wrong form. If you get rejected, you can reapply — often with better preparation. The certified application path significantly reduces the rejection risk.
Am I subject to US tax with an ITIN?
It depends. You are required to file a US tax return if you have US income — and depending on the amount, that income is taxed in the US. Non-resident aliens (which is what Germans without US residence are) usually pay tax only on US-source income. Clarification is your own responsibility.
Conclusion: The ITIN Is the Key to the Second Card Tier
The ITIN itself is not complicated, but it is organizationally time-consuming (6-12 weeks processing time). Any German who wants to use the full US card library (AMEX Gold/Platinum with the full welcome bonus, Chase Sapphire, Capital One Venture X) must have an ITIN.
Path order for German collectors:
- Sprint phase: first US AMEX via Global Transfer (no ITIN needed)
- Stack phase: apply for an ITIN → AMEX Plat US, Chase Sapphire, Citi
- Empire phase: US LLC + EIN → Chase Ink Business + AMEX Business Plat US
Further reading:
You don’t just want to know what an ITIN is — you want to actually get one as a German? The Stack path (€347) of the MEILENKÖNIG US Card Handbooks explains the complete path with the certified application route, a form-filling walkthrough, common rejection reasons, and timing tips.
Your path to US credit cards — step by step
Welcome bonuses up to 175,000 MR, 1:1 transfer ratios, Chase & Capital One: the US handbooks show you the complete roadmap — from the US address to your first card. Without US residency, as a German.
To the US card handbooks
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