Opening a business account in Germany is quick for residents and possible for many non residents. Freelancers can often open online in minutes, while a registered company needs its company documents and usually a German address.
- Can a non resident open
- Possible but harder. Many banks prefer at least one director with a German address, and some ask for certified documents or in person identification. Verify with the provider.
- Typical timeline
- About 20 minutes to open for a freelancer online, and roughly one to four weeks for a company.
- Free account available
- Yes for the self employed. N26 Business Standard is EUR 0 a month as of 28 May 2026. Company accounts usually carry a fee.
- Most providers
- 10 or more business accounts
General information, not financial, legal, or tax advice. Verify current terms and eligibility with the provider before applying.
How business banking works in Germany
German law does not force most freelancers to hold a separate business account, but a registered company does need its own account for share capital and bookkeeping. Providers fall into two groups. Traditional banks offer branches, cash handling and lending relationships and charge a monthly package fee, commonly EUR 10 to EUR 35. Digital providers open remotely, give a German IBAN and price per use, with lower or zero headline fees but limited cash services. The right fit depends on whether you need branches and cash, or fast remote opening and software.
Who can open a business account
Freelancers and sole traders, known as Einzelunternehmer, can usually open with a valid ID and a tax number. Partnerships and companies such as a GmbH, UG or GbR provide their registration documents and identify the owners. Non residents can open in many cases but face extra checks and may need a German address.
Traditional banks compared with neobanks
Traditional banks suit businesses that handle cash, want a branch relationship or expect to borrow, but they bundle services into a monthly fee. Digital providers such as N26 Business, Qonto and Finom open quickly, give a German IBAN and lower headline fees, and add invoicing and accounting tools, but they limit cash deposits and withdrawals. Weigh the cost of the items you actually use rather than the headline fee alone.
Requirements and documents
What you need depends on your legal form. Verify with the provider
- A valid passport or national ID for every owner and director, with identification by VideoIdent, PostIdent or in a branch.
- Your tax number or VAT identification number, and for a freelancer a short description of your activity.
- For a company, the commercial register extract known as the Handelsregisterauszug, the articles of association and a shareholder list, plus a German business address. Verify the current list with the provider.
How to open an account
- Choose your legal form and the type of provider, a traditional bank for branches and cash or a digital provider for fast remote opening.
- Gather your documents and identification, then apply online or in a branch and complete VideoIdent or PostIdent.
- Fund the account, and for a GmbH pay in the share capital so the notary can complete the registration. Confirm current steps with the provider.
Compare business accounts available in Germany
These providers accept business customers in Germany. Fees and eligibility shown as of 28 May 2026. Confirm current terms with the provider before applying.
Compare business accounts →Questions about business banking in Germany
Can a non resident open a business bank account in Germany?
Do freelancers in Germany need a business bank account?
How much does a business account in Germany cost?
How long does it take to open?
Fees, features, and eligibility change and vary by region. This page was last reviewed on 28 May 2026. Confirm current terms with the provider before applying.