Deutschland Kompass
STEP

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

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Max recommends:

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.

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Lea recommends:

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.

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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.

OFFICIAL SOURCES