Compare Business Banking in Germany

Live offers

22 live offers compared from 17 providers, from €1 /Monat. Updated daily.

What is Business Banking in Germany?

Business banking in Germany centres on the Geschäftskonto, a dedicated business current account used to keep company money separate from personal finances. It handles incoming payments, supplier transfers, salaries, tax payments and card spending, and typically comes with SEPA transfers, debit or business cards and increasingly with bookkeeping tools. Providers range from traditional banks such as Deutsche Bank and Commerzbank to digital challengers like N26 Business, Qonto, bunq, Holvi, Kontist and Finom, several of which are built specifically for freelancers and small companies.

How the German market works

Whether you need a Geschäftskonto depends on legal form. A Freiberufler (freelancer) or sole trader is not legally required to hold a separate business account, though it is strongly advised for clean bookkeeping. By contrast, a GmbH or UG (limited companies) must operate a business account, since the company is a separate legal entity and share capital and transactions have to run through it.

The digital segment has grown quickly. Kontist, Holvi and Finom target freelancers and micro-businesses with features like automatic tax set-asides, invoicing and expense categorisation. N26 Business, Qonto and bunq Business offer app-first accounts with fast onboarding and cards. A recurring theme is accounting integration — many accounts export to or connect with DATEV, the standard used by German tax advisors (Steuerberater), which simplifies year-end accounts and VAT returns.

Benefits

Clean separation — keeping business and private money apart makes bookkeeping, VAT and tax filing far simpler and is essential for incorporated companies.

Accounting integration — many providers export to DATEV or include invoicing and expense tools, reducing Steuerberater costs.

Fast digital onboarding — challengers such as N26, Qonto and Finom can open an account in days, often fully online.

Tax automation for freelancers — Kontist and similar accounts can estimate and set aside income tax and VAT automatically.

SEPA and cards — standard euro transfers, direct debits and business debit or credit cards for everyday operations.

How to choose

Match the account to your legal form and size. A Freiberufler may prioritise low monthly cost and built-in tax tools; a GmbH will need an account that handles share capital deposits, multiple users and higher transaction volumes. Check monthly fees, the number of free transactions, cash-deposit options (a weak point for purely digital banks), and card provision.

Weigh integration next: does it connect to DATEV or your accounting software, and does it support the payment methods your customers use? Finally consider service model — traditional banks like Deutsche Bank and Commerzbank offer relationship managers and branch access plus lending, while digital providers compete on price, speed and software.

Leading providers in Germany

N26 Business and bunq Business DE — app-first accounts with quick onboarding and cashback or card features.

Qonto and Finom — digital accounts aimed at SMEs and freelancers with invoicing and expense management.

Kontist and Holvi — built for freelancers, with tax set-aside and bookkeeping baked in.

Deutsche Bank and Commerzbank Business — established banks offering branches, advisors, lending and cash handling.

What it costs

Entry-level digital accounts start from around €1 per month, with some basic tiers advertised as free subject to activity conditions. Feature-rich plans with invoicing, more free transactions and additional cards typically run from roughly €10 to €30 or more per month. Traditional bank accounts often charge a monthly base fee plus per-transaction and cash-handling costs. Watch for charges on cash deposits, extra transfers beyond an included allowance, and additional user cards, as these often determine the true monthly cost.

Protections and regulation

Banks and licensed payment providers operating in Germany are supervised by BaFin. Where an account is held with a German credit institution, business deposits are covered by the statutory deposit guarantee up to €100,000 per customer. Some challengers operate under an EU banking licence passported into Germany or as e-money institutions, in which case protection may differ — e-money is safeguarded rather than covered by the €100,000 guarantee. It is worth confirming the provider's licence type and how client funds are protected before opening.

Common questions

Do I legally need a business account? A Freiberufler or sole trader does not, though it is advisable. A GmbH or UG must hold one.

Can I deposit cash? Traditional banks handle cash easily; many digital accounts limit or charge for deposits, so check if you take cash.

Will it work with my Steuerberater? Look for DATEV export or accounting-software integration to streamline VAT and year-end filing.

Business Banking in Germany — FAQ