Overview
Kontist, at a glance.
Kontist is a business account app, accounts held at solaris se headquartered in Germany. The business account has no monthly fee. Opening an account takes 3–5 days.
Accounts are provided by Solaris SE, a German bank supervised by BaFin. Kontist says balances are protected by the European deposit guarantee up to €100,000.
Why businesses pick Kontist
- A free plan, with tax estimates, invoicing and bookkeeping in the app
- Open to freelancers, small business owners, GmbHs, UGs and GbRs, and to companies in formation
- Instant SEPA transfers
- A Visa card, virtual and physical
- Trustpilot score of 4.7 from almost 1,500 reviews
Watch out for
- Only for legal representatives who live in Germany, with a company address there, and who file their taxes in Germany and not in the USA
- Euro and SEPA payments only: no payments outside SEPA
- Each transfer beyond the free allowance costs €0.40 plus VAT
- Card payments in other currencies cost 1.5% to 2%
- The Free plan includes only five transfers and Direct Debits a month
Business fit
Will Kontist accept your business?
Four quick answers. Where your company is registered and what it does rule a provider in or out faster than anything else.
Based on Kontist's published rules
Likely no
Kontist does not list United Kingdom among the countries where it accepts companies.
Kontist does not publish a minimum company age or turnover, so those two answers are not checked here.
This is one provider. Your profile checks all of them.
- Every provider that fits your business
- The reason behind each match
- Company age and turnover checked too
Who it works with
Accepted and not accepted.
What Kontist publishes about the businesses it takes on.
Who Kontist serves
- Freelancers
- Startups and SMEs
- Professional services
- Creative
Not supported
Industries and countries Kontist does not accept, from its own published lists.
Industries
- Not published
Countries
- Not published
Coverage
Where can you use Kontist?
Coverage is a starting point. It does not confirm that every business in these markets is eligible.
Supported currencies
EUR only
Payment reach
Not published
Who can apply
Company incorporation countries1 countries · show list
- Germany
Owner nationality
Not publishedOwner residency1 countries · show list
- Germany
Company types
Freelancers and self-employed, Small business owners (Kleinunternehmer), GmbH, UG, GbR
Pricing
What does Kontist cost?
Look beyond the monthly fee. Your total cost depends on how many transfers you make, where they go and how much you convert.
Account cost
Opening fee
Not published
Monthly fee
€0–25
depends on plan
Free
Lowest cost€0 per month
Setup fee not published
Start
€11 per month
Setup fee not published
Plus
€25 per month
Setup fee not published
Transaction fees
| Cost | Listed amount | How it is charged |
|---|---|---|
| Outgoing | ||
| SEPA | €0.4 | Fixed fee · After 5 (Free), 30 (Start) or 100 (Plus) free transfers and Direct Debits a month; plus VAT |
| SWIFT / international | Not offered | Not available |
Ranges span the plans; higher plans pay the lower end.
Other fees
Cards
| Cost | Listed amount | How it is charged |
|---|---|---|
| Card FX | 1.5–2% | Percentage of the amount; varies by plan · 2% on Free, 1.75% on Start, 1.5% on Plus |
Onboarding
From application to live account.
Opening an account typically takes three to five business days.
- 1
Apply
Start the application online or through the sales team.
- 2
Company and people
Give the company's registration details, directors and owners.
- 3
Checks
Upload the documents requested and complete identity verification.
- 4
Account live
Once approved, the account is opened and you receive its details.
Documents you need
Not published
FAQ
Your questions, answered.
Is Kontist a bank?
No. Kontist does not have its own banking licence; its accounts are provided by Solaris SE, a licensed German bank supervised by BaFin. Kontist says balances are protected by the European deposit guarantee up to €100,000.
How much does Kontist cost?
Kontist Free costs nothing, Start €11 a month and Plus €25, plus VAT. Each plan includes a number of SEPA transfers and Direct Debits (5, 30 and 100); after that, each costs €0.40 plus VAT.
Who can open a Kontist account?
People who live in Germany with an official registration, file their taxes in Germany and are at least 18: freelancers, small business owners and small GmbHs, UGs and GbRs, including companies in formation.
Can I pay in other currencies?
No. Kontist supports euro payments within SEPA only. Card payments in other currencies cost 2%, 1.75% or 1.5% depending on the plan.
Alternatives
How Kontist compares.
If Kontist is not the right fit, these providers work with similar businesses. Compare their listed licences and services below.
| Provider | Licensed in | Known for |
|---|---|---|
 KontistThis pageBusiness account app, accounts held at Solaris SE | Not published | Tax toolsGermany |
 QontoPayment institution |  | FreelancersInvoicing tools |
 HolviPayment institution |  | 18 currenciesFree plan |
 N26 BusinessBank |  | FreelancersFree account |
 FinomE-money institution |  | Freelancers and small companiesInvoicing |
Not sure which one fits? Your profile ranks them for your business, with the reason behind each.