Ist ein Geschäftskonto gesetzlich erforderlich?

Für GmbH und UG ist ein Geschäftskonto Pflicht. Einzelunternehmer:innen brauchen es gesetzlich nicht. Trotzdem ist die Trennung privater und geschäftlicher Buchungen sinnvoll — sie erleichtert die Arbeit mit dem Finanzamt.

Can I use a personal account for my business?

Most banks don't allow business payments on personal accounts. A regular account also lacks the dedicated tools that come with a business account — bookkeeping included. A business account is the better choice.

Do I still need other accounting software?

For most freelancers and small companies (UG, GmbH), Vivid Bookkeeping covers everything you need — especially if you work with a tax advisor. Some larger or more complex businesses may require features that are not yet available in Vivid Bookkeeping, such as inventory management.

Who is this bookkeeping tool for?

Vivid Bookkeeping is built for freelancers (Freiberufler), sole proprietors (Einzelunternehmer), and companies (GmbH, UG) in Germany. Whether you file an EÜR or a full balance sheet, Vivid adapts the categorization to your business type — no accounting background needed.

How does automatic categorization work?

Every transaction is automatically assigned to a bookkeeping category. Companies get SKR03/SKR04 account numbers; freelancers and sole proprietors get EÜR-based categories like 'Office rent' or 'Travel expenses.' The correct VAT rate (19%, 7%, or 0%) is applied automatically. You can change any category at any time.

What are SKR03 and SKR04?

SKR03 and SKR04 are the standard German charts of accounts (Standardkontenrahmen) used by most companies and tax advisors. They define how transactions are categorized for tax reporting. If you're a freelancer filing an EÜR, you don't need to worry about SKR — Vivid uses simplified categories instead.

Can I customize how transactions are categorized?

Yes. You can override any automatic category, or create rules for recurring transactions. For example, you can set a rule so that every payment to 'ChatGPT' is always booked to 'Software/SaaS subscriptions.' Rules apply to past and future transactions automatically.

What is the DATEV export?

DATEV is the standard format German tax advisors use to receive bookkeeping data. Vivid lets you export all categorized transactions — with account numbers, VAT rates, and booking records — as a DATEV-compatible CSV. Choose any period, enter your advisor's DATEV number once, and send the export via email or download it. Vivid also supports document integration with DATEV Unternehmen Online.

How do I get started with bookkeeping?

Open a Vivid Business account and go to the Bookkeeping section. Your transactions are categorized automatically from the start. Upload your receipts, review the categories, and export to DATEV whenever you're ready.

How much does bookkeeping cost?

Bookkeeping is included in paid Vivid Business plans at no extra cost. The free plan offers up to 25 document uploads; paid plans have no limit.

How secure is my financial data?

Vivid Money applies banking-grade security protocols and complies with the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standards. With 3D Secure and two-step authentication, no payment is made without your authorisation. Our servers are hosted in the European Union, ensuring full GDPR compliance.

Open a business account with accounting

You started a business — not to spend hours in spreadsheets. A smart business account with built-in accounting solves this problem for you. It brings account management and finance overview into one interface. Instead of matching transactions later, it happens in real time.

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Your benefits of a business account with accounting

A Vivid business account saves you time and reduces errors. Vivid handles categorisation, receipts and tax exports — so you can focus on your business.

Bookkeeping and a business account in one solution

A business account with built-in accounting is the control centre of your company. Every transaction is matched to the right receipt — without switching tools or double entries.

Automated processes save you time

The AI in your business account categorises transactions and helps to keep your bookkeeping up to date. Every transaction is assigned to the correct German standard SKR03/SKR04 account (or EÜR category) automatically — including the right VAT rate.

Manage receipts and invoices digitally

Once your business account with accounting is open, you scan receipts straight from the app. Upload documents, match them to transactions automatically, and always know which receipts are still missing.

Simpler collaboration with your accountant

Integrations like DATEV make working with your accountant easier: send data with a click. Receipt archiving follows GoBD principles. Export your entire bookkeeping as DATEV-compatible CSV — with accounts, VAT rates, and booking records. Choose any period and send it directly via email.

Features of a business account with accounting

What these accounts can do goes beyond the basics. You see at a glance how your finances are developing.

Create and manage invoices
A business account with built-in accounting lets you create professional invoices in your own design. Since the system already knows your account details, they're added automatically. You see at a glance which receivables are open, and you send payment reminders with a template.
Receipt management and archiving
When you open a business account that specialises in accounting, you get a digital archive. All uploaded receipts are stored safely — it supports you in meeting legal retention periods. The search lets you find a receipt in seconds, which helps during an audit.
Financial overview and reports
With a business account that includes accounting, you get up-to-date reports on your profit and a view of your preliminary tax overview. Dashboards show how your finances are trending, so you can spot patterns early.
Integrations with bookkeeping tools
Do you use software like Lexware or sevDesk? Many accounts can be connected to them. Data syncs automatically. No manual reconciliation is needed.

Get a business account with accounting in 3 steps

The path to a modern business account is fully digital and done in just a few minutes.

Sign up and apply for an account

Just visit the website and fill in the online form for your business account. You only need your basic details and a few facts about your company.

Verify your identity

Verification runs via VideoIdent or another digital identification method. Just keep your ID document at hand.

Use your account and bookkeeping

Once approved, your business account with accounting is activated. You can make your first deposit, upload receipts and write invoices. The bookkeeping features are ready to use immediately.

Open a business account with accounting online

Please review our website to understand the scope of our services and our Privacy notice for the use and handling of your data.

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In our business environment, I don’t want our financial partner to fall behind. It has to keep our pace — and Vivid does.

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Instead of just venting, I try to translate frustration into something constructive. Something doesn’t exist yet, or doesn’t work well enough — and the question becomes: how do we actually build this?

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We’re building software that answers a simple question: how much money can you make with a battery in the energy market?

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There was something that no one really wanted to deal with, but for some reason I found it very interesting.

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Plans built for every business

Monthly

Payment period

Annual

Save up to 24%

Optimal for growing companies with high activity and advanced needs — built to keep fast teams in sync

Free Start
Suited for newly registered companies setting up finances and looking to try key banking features for free
0 € / month
Free of charge at all times
Get started
- Accounts & Interest
  - Free accounts with German IBANs
    Unlimited
  - Initial fixed interest rate p.a.*
    4%
  - Fixed interest rate p.a. after 4 months*
    0,1%
  - Initial fixed interest rate p.a., USD/GBP*
    5%
  - Fixed interest rate p.a. after 5 months, USD/GBP*
    0,2%
- Cards & Cashback
  - Guaranteed unlimited cashback
    0,1%
  - Cashback on selected categories and brands, up to
    2%
  - Virtual and physical cards
    Free
  - Card spending limits for ads & IT services
    Unlimited
- Transfers
  - SEPA Instant
    Free
  - Incoming SWIFT
    Free
  - Outgoing SWIFT
    5 €
- Support
  - 24/7 human support
    Yes
  - Dedicated customer success team
    No
Basic
Great fit for small businesses with steady transactions needing reliable everyday banking at a low cost
6,9 € / month
2 months free trial
Get started
- Accounts & Interest
  - Free accounts with German IBANs
    Unlimited
  - Initial fixed interest rate p.a.*
    4%
  - Fixed interest rate p.a. after 4 months*
    0,5%
  - Initial fixed interest rate p.a., USD/GBP*
    5%
  - Fixed interest rate p.a. after 5 months, USD/GBP*
    1%
- Cards & Cashback
  - Guaranteed unlimited cashback
    0,2%
  - Cashback on selected categories and brands, up to
    4%
  - Virtual and physical cards
    Free
  - Card spending limits for ads & IT services
    Unlimited
- Transfers
  - SEPA Instant
    Free
  - Incoming SWIFT
    Free
  - Outgoing SWIFT
    5 free per month, then 5 €
- Support
  - 24/7 human support
    Yes
  - Dedicated customer success team
    No
Pro
Optimal for growing companies with high activity and advanced needs — built to keep fast teams in sync
18,9 € / month
2 months free trial
Get started
- Accounts & Interest
  - Free accounts with German IBANs
    Unlimited
  - Initial fixed interest rate p.a.*
    4%
  - Fixed interest rate p.a. after 4 months*
    1,3%
  - Initial fixed interest rate p.a., USD/GBP*
    5%
  - Fixed interest rate p.a. after 5 months, USD/GBP*
    2%
- Cards & Cashback
  - Guaranteed unlimited cashback
    0,5%
  - Cashback on selected categories and brands, up to
    6%
  - Virtual and physical cards
    Free
  - Card spending limits for ads & IT services
    Unlimited
- Transfers
  - SEPA Instant
    Free
  - Incoming SWIFT
    Free
  - Outgoing SWIFT
    10 free per month, then 5 €
- Support
  - 24/7 human support
    Yes
  - Dedicated customer success team
    Yes

Features you get on every plan

Invoicing
Free
Document uploads for bookkeeping (on every paid plan)
Unlimited
Integrations (sevDesk, Lexware Office, DATEV, ...)
Free
Business travel cashback up to
30%
Crypto Earn rewards up to
8% APY
Maximum loan amount & repayment term
200,000 €,
12 months
Fee for receiving card payments from clients (EEA cards), from
0,79% (+0,25 €)
Business Brokerage (stocks, ETFs, crypto)
Free
Tax filing (for freelancers)
Free
POS terminal
Free
Flat transaction fee (all cards)
Up to 1.49%
Digital employees (personal and legal AI assistants)
Free

Compare all features

Frequently asked questions about a business account with accounting

Ist ein Geschäftskonto gesetzlich erforderlich?
Für GmbH und UG ist ein Geschäftskonto Pflicht. Einzelunternehmer:innen brauchen es gesetzlich nicht. Trotzdem ist die Trennung privater und geschäftlicher Buchungen sinnvoll — sie erleichtert die Arbeit mit dem Finanzamt.
Can I use a personal account for my business?
Most banks don't allow business payments on personal accounts. A regular account also lacks the dedicated tools that come with a business account — bookkeeping included. A business account is the better choice.
Do I still need other accounting software?
For most freelancers and small companies (UG, GmbH), Vivid Bookkeeping covers everything you need — especially if you work with a tax advisor. Some larger or more complex businesses may require features that are not yet available in Vivid Bookkeeping, such as inventory management.
Who is this bookkeeping tool for?
Vivid Bookkeeping is built for freelancers (Freiberufler), sole proprietors (Einzelunternehmer), and companies (GmbH, UG) in Germany. Whether you file an EÜR or a full balance sheet, Vivid adapts the categorization to your business type — no accounting background needed.
How does automatic categorization work?
Every transaction is automatically assigned to a bookkeeping category. Companies get SKR03/SKR04 account numbers; freelancers and sole proprietors get EÜR-based categories like 'Office rent' or 'Travel expenses.' The correct VAT rate (19%, 7%, or 0%) is applied automatically. You can change any category at any time.
What are SKR03 and SKR04?
SKR03 and SKR04 are the standard German charts of accounts (Standardkontenrahmen) used by most companies and tax advisors. They define how transactions are categorized for tax reporting. If you're a freelancer filing an EÜR, you don't need to worry about SKR — Vivid uses simplified categories instead.
Can I customize how transactions are categorized?
Yes. You can override any automatic category, or create rules for recurring transactions. For example, you can set a rule so that every payment to 'ChatGPT' is always booked to 'Software/SaaS subscriptions.' Rules apply to past and future transactions automatically.
What is the DATEV export?
DATEV is the standard format German tax advisors use to receive bookkeeping data. Vivid lets you export all categorized transactions — with account numbers, VAT rates, and booking records — as a DATEV-compatible CSV. Choose any period, enter your advisor's DATEV number once, and send the export via email or download it. Vivid also supports document integration with DATEV Unternehmen Online.
How do I get started with bookkeeping?
Open a Vivid Business account and go to the Bookkeeping section. Your transactions are categorized automatically from the start. Upload your receipts, review the categories, and export to DATEV whenever you're ready.
How much does bookkeeping cost?
Bookkeeping is included in paid Vivid Business plans at no extra cost. The free plan offers up to 25 document uploads; paid plans have no limit.
How secure is my financial data?
Vivid Money applies banking-grade security protocols and complies with the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standards. With 3D Secure and two-step authentication, no payment is made without your authorisation. Our servers are hosted in the European Union, ensuring full GDPR compliance.