Geschäftskonto: Opening a Business Bank Account
A separate account for your business makes tax accounting far simpler. Not legally required for sole traders, but strongly recommended.
WHAT TO DO
What is it and when to act?
A separate business account is not a legal requirement for most self-employed people, but it is a practical necessity. Open it as soon as you receive your Gewerbeschein or Freiberufler confirmation.
What to consider when choosing a bank
- Cost: online banks are often free or up to €10/month; traditional banks charge €15–30/month
- Accounting integration: Kontist and Qonto connect with lexoffice and sevDesk
- Credit limit: usually not needed at the start
- Multi-currency: if you work with international clients, consider Wise Business
I use Kontist — it automatically sets aside 25% of every incoming payment for taxes. Quarterly advance tax payments no longer scare me. For a self-employed beginner, this is a lifesaver.
I used my personal account 'temporarily' for the first few months. I ended up spending 6 months sorting out transactions with a Steuerberater. That cost more than any account fee I would have paid.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is a separate business account compulsory? ▾
For sole traders and Freiberufler: legally, no. But mixing personal and business finances turns bookkeeping into a nightmare. During a Finanzamt audit, all transactions will be examined. A separate account is the minimum standard of professional self-employment.
Which bank is best for a starter? ▾
For Freiberufler and Kleingewerbe, online banks work well: Kontist (designed for the self-employed, automatically reserves tax), Qonto (good for small teams), N26 Business (free, basic features). Traditional banks cost more but offer credit lines and a personal adviser.
Do I need the account before my Steuernummer arrives? ▾
You can open the account without a Steuernummer — just note in the application that it is being processed. Some traditional banks may ask you to wait for it.