Qonto

Qonto is a European business finance platform specifically designed for freelancers, SMEs, and startups. Founded in France and now one of Europe’s fastest-growing fintechs, Qonto offers a smart business account with integrated expense management, invoicing, and bookkeeping tools.

For freelancers and entrepreneurs in Germany, Qonto provides an IBAN-backed German business account that can be opened online in minutes — no branch visit required. The platform is available in German and English, with customer support accessible via chat and phone.

What sets Qonto apart is its depth of financial management features: real-time transaction categorisation, VAT tracking, team expense cards with individual limits, invoice management, and direct integrations with popular accounting software like DATEV, Lexware, and Xero. These features are particularly valuable for growing businesses that need more than a simple current account.

Qonto offers several tiered plans from Solo (for individual freelancers) to Enterprise. Each plan includes a number of physical and virtual cards, user seats, and transaction allowances, making it scalable as your business grows. For expat entrepreneurs starting a GmbH or UG in Germany, Qonto also supports the account requirements for company formation.