N26 Business review: a simple, free-to-start bank account for freelancers

This N26 Business review covers the business version of the Berlin-based mobile bank N26. N26 Business is designed for freelancers and self-employed people who do business under their own name, and it offers a free Standard plan, cashback on card spending, a German IBAN and Spaces sub-accounts for setting money aside for tax.

Using N26's own plan details, its regulatory history and independent coverage, we look at who can open an account, what the four plans include, how safe your money is and how N26 Business compares with Qonto and Revolut Business.

What is N26 Business?

N26 was founded in Berlin in 2013 by Valentin Stalf and Maximilian Tayenthal and received a German banking licence in 2016. It now operates across many European countries. N26 Business is its account for self-employed customers, run entirely from the app.

The important limitation comes first: N26 Business is only for self-employed individuals and freelancers who trade under their own name. The account is opened in your personal legal name, companies such as a GmbH or UG are not supported, and you cannot hold a personal and a business N26 account at the same time.

N26 Business plans compared

N26 offers four business plans. The core account, German IBAN, 10 Spaces and deposit protection are the same in all of them, while the paid tiers add a physical card, more free cash withdrawals, insurance and higher cashback. The Standard plan is free, Smart is budget-priced and Go and Metal are mid-range.

• Business Standard: free, virtual card, 0.1% cashback, 2 free eurozone ATM withdrawals a month; a physical card costs extra
• Business Smart: physical card included, 3 free withdrawals, budgeting automations such as rules and round-ups
• Business Go: 5 free withdrawals, no N26 fee for ATM use outside the eurozone, travel insurance and travel cashback
• Business Metal: metal card, 0.5% cashback, 8 free withdrawals, travel insurance plus phone insurance and purchase protection

Spaces, cashback and everyday features

Spaces are N26's most useful tool for the self-employed. You can create up to 10 sub-accounts, each with its own IBAN, and use them to separate VAT, income tax reserves or savings from the money you can spend. On paid plans, rules and an income sorter can move a share of every incoming payment automatically.

Cashback of 0.1% on Mastercard payments, or 0.5% on Metal, is credited monthly. Insights groups income and spending, MoneyBeam sends money instantly to other N26 users, and cash can be paid in at more than 10,000 partner shops such as REWE, Penny and dm for a fee. Chat support is offered in several languages, with a chatbot around the clock.

Is N26 safe? Licence and regulatory history

N26 Bank SE is a fully licensed bank supervised by BaFin, and deposits are protected up to 100,000 euros per customer under the statutory scheme. That gives N26 Business an advantage over payment institutions that only safeguard funds.

N26's compliance record is less spotless. BaFin fined the bank 4.25 million euros in 2021 over anti-money laundering failings and capped new customer growth until June 2024. In December 2025 BaFin appointed a special monitor and imposed further restrictions, and the bank has changed its leadership, with Mike Dargan taking over as CEO in April 2026. These measures do not affect deposit protection, but they are worth knowing about.

What N26 Business lacks

Compared with Qonto, N26 Business is a lean product. Its business plan pages focus on banking and budgeting and do not advertise invoicing, receipt management or accounting integrations, so freelancers who want their tax adviser connected directly may need a separate bookkeeping tool.

There are also no team features, since the account belongs to one person, and multi-currency accounts are not part of the offer, which makes Revolut Business a better fit for international work.

Who should choose N26 Business?

N26 Business is a good match for freelancers, creatives, consultants and side hustlers who want to separate business and private money cheaply, keep tax reserves in Spaces and enjoy the security of a licensed bank. The free plan is enough for many one-person businesses.

Founders of a GmbH or UG, businesses with employees, and anyone who wants integrated bookkeeping should look at Qonto or a traditional bank instead.

Key specs

Provider

N26 Bank SE, Berlin (BaFin-licensed bank)

Eligibility

Self-employed people and freelancers trading under their own name

Plans

Business Standard (free), Smart, Go, Metal

Cashback

0.1% on card payments; 0.5% on Metal

Sub-accounts

Up to 10 Spaces with individual IBANs

Free eurozone ATM withdrawals

2 (Standard), 3 (Smart), 5 (Go), 8 (Metal) per month

Deposit protection

Up to 100,000 euros

Insurance

Travel insurance on Go and Metal; phone and purchase protection on Metal

Alternatives to consider

• Qonto: Better for companies and teams, with DATEV sync, e-invoicing and team cards.
• Revolut Business: Better for multi-currency accounts and international transfers, and open to companies.
• Holvi: A freelancer-focused business account that adds invoicing and bookkeeping to banking.

Frequently asked questions

N26 Business is one of the easiest ways for freelancers in Germany to open a proper business account: free to start, backed by a licensed bank with deposit protection, and equipped with Spaces that make tax reserves painless. Its limits are clear, though: no company accounts, no teams and very little bookkeeping support, plus a regulatory history that still weighs on the bank. For solo self-employed people who want simplicity at a low cost, N26 Business remains a solid choice in 2026.

How we research: Reviews are based on the maker’s specifications, published independent tests and owner reports. Scores compare the product with others in its class.