Business account comparison 2026: the complete guide for entrepreneurs in Germany
Choosing the right business account is one of the most important financial decisions for your company. In this comparison we analyse the best business accounts for GmbH, UG, sole traders and freelancers – with transparent cost breakdowns and expert ratings. Our goal: to help you find the business account that best fits your needs.
What is a business account and who needs one?
A business account (also called a company account) is a bank account used exclusively for business transactions. Unlike a private account, it offers features for entrepreneurs: DATEV interfaces for accounting, several access rights for employees, company credit cards and often integrated invoicing tools.
Good to know:
Limited companies (GmbH, UG, AG) are separate legal entities and need an account in the company's name – not least to pay in the share capital before registration. In practice, a business account is therefore indispensable. For sole traders and freelancers it is not mandatory but strongly recommended – for clean bookkeeping and a professional appearance. Many banks' terms do not allow private accounts to be used for business purposes.
Business account costs: what you really pay
The cost of a business account is made up of several components. Our comparison shows considerable differences – from €0 at modern online banks to around €40 per month at traditional branch banks with premium services (e.g. Deutsche Bank Business PremiumKonto €39.90).
The most important cost factors:
- Monthly fee (account management): between €0 and €40 per month. Many neobanks such as FINOM, N26 Business or FYRST offer free basic plans.
- Transaction costs: €0 to around €0.30 per transaction depending on the provider. Many plans include 5–500 transactions per month.
- Card costs: debit cards are usually free, company credit cards from €0 to €30/year.
- Cash withdrawals: often free up to a limit (e.g. 2–8 times/month depending on the plan), then around €2 per withdrawal.
- SEPA transfers: included in the transaction allowance at most providers.
Online bank vs. branch bank: which suits your business?
The choice between a digital neobank and a traditional branch bank depends on your priorities:
Online banks (FINOM, N26, Holvi)
- • Low or no monthly fees
- • Fast digital account opening
- • Modern app with accounting integration
- • DATEV export often included
- • Ideal for: start-ups, freelancers, e-commerce
Branch banks (Postbank, Sparkasse)
- • Personal advice on site
- • Cash deposits at the counter
- • Credit lines & financing
- • Higher deposit protection
- • Ideal for: retail, hospitality, trades
Business accounts for GmbH & UG: special requirements
To set up a GmbH or UG you need a business account. The order: first the articles of association are notarised, then you open the account of the company in formation and pay in the share capital (€25,000 for a GmbH, of which at least €12,500 immediately; from €1 for a UG). The bank then issues a deposit confirmation, which is required for the commercial register application.
Important: not all banks open accounts for UGs in formation. Particularly well suited are:
- FYRST (a Deutsche Bank brand) – start-up account with no monthly fee in the first year (then €10); FYRST Base for GmbH/UG: 6 months free, then €6/month
- Qonto – features for growing GmbHs (Qonto took over Penta; the Penta brand no longer exists)
- ING – business account for GmbH, UG, KG and OHG, at least 6 months without fees (12 months for founders)
The best business accounts for freelancers
As a freelancer or solo self-employed person you have particularly good options. As there is no limited company involved, most banks also accept their cheapest plans. Our top picks:
| Provider* | Monthly fee | Ideal for | Special feature |
|---|---|---|---|
| N26 Business* | €0/month | Minimalists | 0.1% cashback |
| FINOM Solo* | €0/month | Accounting fans | DATEV export, invoices |
| Kontist* | €0/month | Tax savers | Automatic tax reserve |
| Holvi Flex* | €0/month | Creatives | Integrated invoicing, €0.25 per transfer, Finnish IBAN |
* Affiliate link. We receive a commission if you sign up.
DATEV export: why this feature matters so much
DATEV export is a standardised interface that transfers your account transactions directly to accounting software such as lexoffice, sevDesk or DATEV Unternehmen Online. This means:
- Time saved: no manual transfer of bookings
- Fewer errors: automated categorisation
- Tax-adviser friendly: data in the standard format
- Real-time overview: always up-to-date financial data
Providers with DATEV export: FINOM, FYRST, Qonto, Holvi, Postbank – marked in the free comparison above.
Opening a business account: how it works
Opening a business account at an online bank often takes less than 15 minutes. What you need:
- ID card or passport – for video identification
- Trade registration or commercial register extract – depending on the legal form
- Articles of association – for GmbH/UG
- Tax number – if available
- Proof of business address – at some providers
Tip for founders:
Many banks also accept a trade registration that is still being processed. FYRST and FINOM are particularly founder-friendly and allow you to open an account even before the official trade registration.
Conclusion: the best business account 2026
There is no single best business account – only the best one for your situation. Which account suits whom:
- For the cost-conscious: N26 Business, FINOM Solo, Kontist (all €0)
- For GmbH founders: FYRST start-up account (year 1 free) or Qonto Basic
- For many transactions: FYRST Complete (€10, 75 free, then €0.08) or Holvi Pro (500 free)
- For cash-based businesses: Postbank Business Giro or your local Sparkasse/Volksbank (prices vary by region)
- For teams: Qonto Smart or Vivid Pro
E-invoicing: what the business account has to do with it
Since 1 January 2025 every business in Germany must be able to receive and read e-invoices (XRechnung, ZUGFeRD) from other businesses – including small businesses under the Kleinunternehmer rule. The transition periods for 2027/2028 only concern issuing e-invoices: from 2027 for companies with prior-year turnover above €800,000, from 2028 for everyone else; small businesses are exempt from issuing. Some business accounts (e.g. Qonto, Holvi Pro, Accountable) include invoicing tools that can create or read e-invoices – a plain e-mail inbox plus a viewer is enough to receive them.
Konstantin Botschmanowski
Finance expert ✓ VerifiedFounder of kosten.org. As a former client adviser at an online broker and an active trader with more than 10 years of experience in the financial markets, I regularly rate brokerage accounts, brokers and financial products based on their published terms. My focus: transparent comparisons without hidden costs!
