The business account for retailers

A business bank account is an account provided by a banking or payment institution designed to simplify financial management for Freelancers, SMEs, Startups, and Associations. Only business income and expenses are transferred via a business account.

It corresponds to an account for private individuals, but usually contains more extensive functions. The basic function remains the same: making and receiving payments. Thus, the business and private finances of the entrepreneur are clearly separated from each other, because the latter continue to be booked on the private current account.

As a rule, a founder's business account is opened in the early stages of setting up a business. 

Every company is different, and the requirements for a business account depend heavily on the number of employees and the transaction volume. Therefore, the question of costs is not so easy to answer. The good news: as soon as you have an overview of your requirements for a business account, the most important step has already been taken.

A close comparison of providers is worthwhile. Entrepreneurs who want to set up a business account at the bank should keep an eye on the details. The following variable costs, among others, may apply:

1. Annual or monthly basic fee for the account
2. Costs for an EC or credit card
3. Costs for individual paper-based or paperless bookings (transfer, standing order, direct debit)
4. Fees for cash withdrawals from ATMs
5. For a digital account: any charges for accounting functions
6. Fees for international transfers

Account management costs

The total cost of a business account is made up of fixed and variable costs. The monthly account management fee, if it is incurred, is one of the fixed costs.

Price differences do not only exist between traditional banks and fintechs. Often, a bank or fintech offers different account models, which in turn are associated with different account management fees.

Qonto offers a completely free business account for freelancers and sole proprietors at no cost. Open your free business bank account now.

Is a subscription worth it?

An initially free business account is usually supplemented by individual services for which a fee is charged. This can quickly add up to a lot of money.

Flat-rate packages or subscriptions - such as those offered by Qonto - provide much more security on the cost side. They are based on the size of the company and the usual payment transactions or on the average transactions and offer corresponding services at a fair, fixed and easily calculable price for a flat rate.

You don't need an appointment to open an account for your business. Simply set up your business account online - when and where you want.

The simple account opening process only takes a few minutes. With a few clicks, you can customise the business account to suit your needs.

If you have any questions, feel free to contact our team - we will respond within a short time and help you with any problems. A free test via a demo is also possible if you want to set up a digital business account with Qonto.

To open a business account, you must be the director(s) of your company (as listed in the company's articles of association). If you open the account using a management power of attorney, we will require proof of identity from both you and the director(s). Read here which proof of identity (identity card or passport) and which documents Qonto accepts for registration.

Qonto’s business account offers many advantages:

• 100% online: open your account in minutes, get your IBAN instantly and order your Qonto Mastercards from the app
• It helps make your accounting easier with automated receipt matching technology, personalized labels and more
• Enjoy integrated invoicing, cashflow and supplier management tools.
• Designed for teams: team members can manage their transactions according to parameters you set
• Integrated with the best 'fintech' and 'SaaS' (Stripe, Slack, Sage, Cegid...)
• Available and responsive customer support: 7 days a week, via chat, phone, and social networks.

Qonto offers a business account with German IBAN and all the classic banking services you need (e.g. SEPA real-time transfers, foreign payments, card payments, online banking, etc.).

It also offers modern tools to simplify your bookkeeping and expense management, for example with accounting integrations, budgeting software and much more. In addition, all plans include at least one Business Mastercard corporate card free of charge.

For more information, see our online business account comparison.

A digital business account is opened online and can then be managed via smartphone. With Qonto, you have an overview of all bookings, even while on the road. The business account can be adapted to the needs of your business - whether you want extensive functionality or need basic functions for everyday transactions. You can see our different price plans in the link.

In addition, your Qonto business account is equipped with tools for efficient accounting. For example, your business account offers the option of digital receipt management. Other features include automatic VAT recognition and customised tags for a clear overview of your expenses. Dashboards allow you targeted and clear financial reporting. You can also connect your account to your favourite accounting software.

Managing your finances is easy and clear with Qonto. This is ensured by the innovative technologies and the well thought-out design of the business account: An all-round flexible user interface that makes everyday business life easier for you and your employees.

Take a look at our customers' reviews on Trustpilot to see how satisfied they are.

Ultimately, a digital business account saves time for entrepreneurs and the self-employed.

The documents you need to open an account depend on the legal form of your company. Companies that are already registered usually have to provide the following documents:

1) Proof of identity in the form of an identity card or passport,

2) Proof of business activity: depending on the legal form, e.g. current extract from the commercial register for corporations such as GmbH or UG, trade licence for sole traders, official letter from the tax office for freelancers or partners agreement or GbR contract for GbR.

3) Power of attorney from the management, if you are not the managing director. In this case, you will also need proof of identity of the managing director.

Depending on the bank, the following additional documents may be required:

4) Proof of creditworthiness: e.g. Schufa information (especially for loans).

5) Proof of business address

6) Tax identification number

7) Proof of professional status and power of representation

8) Tax information

A business account is only mandatory for corporations, such as a UG business account or GmbH business account. Self-employed persons, freelancers and other legal forms such as OHG or GbR are not obliged to keep such accounts.

But do these entrepreneurs also have to switch to a business account instead of handling everything via their private current account, and if so, from when? That depends on how quickly the business transactions increase and to what extent it becomes more and more confusing on the private account if business transactions are also processed through it. Ultimately, it is at the discretion of the self-employed person or freelancer whether and from when they want to separate professional and private bookings.

There are good reasons for setting up a separate company account. Above all, accounting in the company is made easier because private and business finances and transactions are strictly separated. This provides more clarity for the tax office, the tax office and, at the latest, for the company evaluation. Another advantage is that private funds cannot be viewed by the authorities, as the business account only shows professional financial flows.

In addition, banks often offer favourable conditions for a business account. Thus, more people are allowed to access business accounts than is the case with current accounts. Sometimes it also makes sense to have not only one business account, but several, or sub-accounts.

The online registration of the Qonto business account usually takes about 10 minutes.

Please note that we are subsequently required by law to carry out a regulatory check for each account opening.

View the prices and secure your Qonto business account today - free for one month!

In principle, you have the right to set up a business account from Germany in another EU country. Even if you set up a German GmbH and make your minimum deposits, the law does not stipulate the availability of a German account.

However, you often have to overcome administrative hurdles to do so. In the fight against money laundering and the financing of criminal activities, the OECD countries have agreed on common standards for opening a business account abroad.

With Qonto, you can open an account abroad and benefit from a local IBAN if you run a business or open a branch in the respective country. Qonto is present in four EU countries - France, Italy and Spain in addition to Germany - and offers a local IBAN in each of them.

Unfortunately, it is not possible to open a Qonto business account in these countries if you cannot prove that you have a local business or branch.

The good news: all transactions between your Qonto business accounts are free of charge - regardless of the IBAN.

If you want to open your business account unbureaucratically and quickly, without a prior appointment at a bank, Qonto is the best place for you:

1. Open a digital account in a few minutes in Germany, France, Spain or Italy from €9/month.
2. Manage your foreign account in real time, via app and in German language
3. Order free Premium Mastercard cards and pay securely worldwide
4. Send SEPA real-time transfers and SWIFT transfers at the click of a mouse
5. Test 1 month free of charge

For the self-employed as well as small and medium-sized companies, an account abroad is a strong service for foreign customers. They benefit from a familiar IBAN and process every transfer within their national borders. By having several foreign bank accounts, a company demonstrates that it operates internationally - which in turn can help its brand image.

It is important to choose a financial partner who also guarantees German-language service for accounts abroad. Here, working with Qonto is worthwhile: With a personal contact person, you are assured of competent support in German, no matter in which country you rely on your business account from Qonto.

A legal representative, or an authorized representative (not for “one-person legal forms”), can open a Qonto business account.

Qonto is available in Germany for companies with the following legal statuses:

- Sole trader (e.K./e.Kfm/e.Kfr)

- Freelancer

- (e)GbR

- Limited liability company

- GmbH i.G.

- gGmbh

- gGmbH i.G.

- UG

- UG i.G.

- gUG

- gUG i.G.

- AG

- AG & Co KG

- GmbH & Co. KG

- UG & Co. KG

- oHG

- GmbH & Co. oHG

- AG & Co oHG

- Limited partnership (KG)

- KGaA

- PartG

Please note that on top of the legal status of a company, certain professional activities cannot be accepted by Qonto. You can view the list of those activities here.