diff --git a/src/allmende_payment_system/database.py b/src/allmende_payment_system/database.py
index 5bff15b..9365dae 100644
--- a/src/allmende_payment_system/database.py
+++ b/src/allmende_payment_system/database.py
@@ -1,7 +1,8 @@
+import os
 from sqlalchemy import create_engine, select
 from sqlalchemy.orm import Session, sessionmaker
 
-from allmende_payment_system.models import User
+from allmende_payment_system.models import User, Account, Transaction
 
 SQLALCHEMY_DATABASE_URL = "sqlite:///./aps_db.db"
 engine = create_engine(SQLALCHEMY_DATABASE_URL)
@@ -38,4 +39,11 @@ def ensure_user(user_info: dict, session: Session) -> User:
     session.add(user)
     session.flush()
 
+    if not "APS_PRODUCTION_MODE" in os.environ:
+        # when in demo mode each user gets an account with some starting balance
+        account = Account(name=f"Demokonto für {user.display_name}")
+        account.transactions.append(Transaction(total_amount=100.0, type="deposit"))
+        user.accounts.append(account)
+        session.flush()
+
     return user