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Opening a business account: mandatory or not?
Written by Ilias2 min read
A frequently asked question from starting self-employed people: do I need to open a business account? The short answer is that it's usually not legally required, but strongly recommended. This article explains why a separate account makes your life a lot easier.
Is a business account mandatory?
For a sole trader business a business account is not legally required. In principle you may use a personal account. If you have a BV, a business account is necessary, because the BV is a separate legal entity with its own assets. Many banks also don't allow business use of a personal account in their terms.
Why is it sensible anyway?
With a separate business account you keep personal and business separate. That makes your bookkeeping much clearer and your VAT return a lot easier. In an audit by the tax authorities it's clear which transactions are business. It also looks more professional to clients.
What to look for when choosing?
When choosing a business account, look at the monthly costs, the per-transaction costs, and whether you can easily link it to your bookkeeping software. For most self-employed people a simple, cheap account with a good link is enough. The bank charges are also deductible from your profit.
This article provides general information based on the rules known for 2026 and does not replace personal tax advice. For your specific situation, we're happy to take a look with you.
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