Business overdraft - protect your flow

The duration of using a business overdraft varies from bank to bank.

Generally, an overdraft is intended as a short-term solution, often limited to 30 or 90 consecutive days depending on your account agreement terms.

Beyond that, the bank may consider it no longer a temporary need but a structural cash flow issue.

At Qonto, the maximum usage period is 60 consecutive days, meaning your account balance must become positive at least once every 60 days.

ATM withdrawals are generally not allowed when your account has a negative balance, even with an overdraft authorization in place.

At Qonto, cash withdrawals are not covered by the authorized overdraft.

This restriction aims to limit abuse and reserve the facility for essential business payments (direct debits, transfers, card payments).

If you need cash due to a temporary difficulty or unexpected expense, consider other financing solutions.

Exceeding the authorized overdraft limit is technically possible, but strongly discouraged.

This results in late payment penalties, intervention fees, and a risk of direct debit rejection.

At Qonto, any improper behavior or recurrence of excessive use may lead to the revocation of your overdraft authorization.

Yes, the cost of a business overdraft is reflected in the payment of interest charges, calculated based on the applied interest rate, the amount used, and the period of use.

With Qonto, the calculation of interest charges is proportional: you only pay on the amount actually used and only for the effective duration of the negative balance. The applied rate is 18.38% per year (legal usury rate), without any file fees or additional intervention charges.

Interest charges are billed only on the overdraft amount and are collected quarterly.

This transparent pricing allows entrepreneurs to better anticipate the cost of their cash facility.

No, the bank overdraft will not be banned in 2026.

According to an ordinance of 3 September 2025 transposing a European directive, the rules governing overdraft authorization for individuals will evolve from 20 November 2026, but the facility remains legal and accessible.

The main changes concern the strengthening of solvency analysis by banking institutions.

Currently, this evaluation is mandatory only for overdrafts equal to or exceeding 200 euros and/or lasting more than one month.

From November 2026, this analysis requirement will also apply to overdrafts of less than 200 euros and/or lasting less than one month.

Additionally, the pre-contractual information provided by banks must be clear and understandable, especially regarding the total cost of fees and the annual percentage rate (APR).

These new requirements aim to better protect borrowers and reduce the risk of insolvency. Overdraft authorizations already in place before 20 November 2026 will not be affected by these new provisions.

There is still no automatic right to an overdraft, and banks remain free to accept or refuse a request after reviewing the client's financial situation and profile.

With other overdraft providers, to increase your overdraft limit, you would typically submit a formal request to your bank.

The banking advisor will analyze your current financial situation and your payment history.

In the case of a business overdraft, the analysis will also consider your turnover.

At Qonto, the maximum overdraft amount is €5,000 for businesses that have been operational for at least 6 months (this limit rises to €15,000 in Germany).

If your needs exceed this amount, explore our other available financing solutions: Deferred Debit Card, Pay later, or business loans from our partners that are tailored to your activity.