If you’re trying to figure out which bank accounts in Germany are actually worth it, you’re in the right place. This guide compares the top bank accounts for freelance or self-employment income and international transfers. If you’re looking for best everyday current accounts with high welcome bonuses, you can find them in this article.
Note: this article contains affiliate links, which are marked with *.
Best Business Bank Accounts for Freelancers and Entrepreneurs in Germany
You don’t have to open a separate business bank account in Germany if you’re freelancing or are self-employed – but keeping business and private money separate can make life easier. It helps with accounting, tax reporting, and staying organized – especially once invoices start flowing in and out.
Qonto
If you’re looking for a modern business account, Qonto* is one of the best options right now. It’s not technically a bank but a licensed payment institution: customer deposits are held with Qonto’s partner bank, Crédit Mutuel Arkéa, and protected up to €100,000 under the French deposit guarantee scheme. In everyday use, though, it works just like a digital bank.
Qonto has a free Starter plan for freelancers and sole traders (Einzelunternehmer) – you’ll find it under the “Selbstständige” tab on their pricing page. You get an account with a German IBAN, up to 5 transfers per month and 1 virtual payment card. You can also create and send invoices with an included e-invoicing tool, and sync your financial data with your accounting software (DATEV or Lexware Office).
Basic plan is €9/month (excl. VAT) and includes up to 30 transfers per month, 1 physical One Card Mastercard plus 2 virtual payment cards, and additional payments features (payment links, Tap to Pay & POS terminals). Smart plan is €19/month (excl. VAT) with up to 100 transfers per month, 2 physical One Card Mastercards & up to 50 virtual payment cards, 1 sub account to manage expenses and accountant access plus integrated DATEV platform for simplified accounting. One thing to know before you compare: those €9 and €19 are the monthly rates if you pay for a year upfront (€108 and €228 a year) – paying month to month costs more.
If you’re launching a GmbH or UG, there are also special founder packages from €99 that help with the formation and capital deposit. If you’d like to register with Finanzamt as a sole trader or a freelancer, Qonto provides this service for free.
Qonto is a truly modern product – the app and web interface are clean, intuitive, and available in English. Lots of solopreneurs and small business owners I know use Qonto, and they seem to be enjoying it. Open your account here*.
Qonto combines a beautiful interface with smart features for managing business finances.
Tide
Similarly to Qonto, Tide* isn’t technically a bank but a financial platform for the self-employed and small businesses. The accounts are provided by Adyen, a Dutch payment institution regulated by the Dutch National Bank and licensed to operate across the EU, with a €100,000 deposit protection. In practice, it works much like an online business bank account – you get a German IBAN, a free debit Mastercard, and everything is managed in the Tide app.
What makes Tide stand out is that there are no monthly account fees (a rarity for business bank accounts in Germany) and a 4.5% interest rate for 4 months on savings up to €50,000 – that’s a 1.25% base rate plus a 3.25% new-customer bonus. On top of that, you get a €200 welcome bonus: enter the code 6APALV when you sign up and spend €200 with your card within 30 days. Tide is a good option for freelancers or small businesses that want a modern account without fixed costs. Sign up here*.
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