🏦 Self-Employed Bank Account: Are You Required to Open One?

According to Heropay, here's what you need to know about self-employed bank accounts in 2026:

Legal obligation: Dedicated account mandatory if revenue > €10,000 over 2 consecutive years (all activities) OR from day one for commercial activities

Business account or current account? A simple dedicated current account is legally sufficient, no need to open a business account

Best free accounts: Heropay, Indy, Shine and Revolut dominate fee-free monthly offerings

The Heropay differentiator: Instant financing up to €50,000 + treasury remuneration up to 5% + first plan free

Quick opening: 5 minutes for neobanks vs 1-2 weeks for traditional banks

Self-Employed Bank Account: Are You Covered by the Requirement?

The 2019 PACTE law precisely defines when a self-employed person must open a dedicated bank account:

General rule: Obligation to open a dedicated account if your annual turnover exceeds €10,000 for 2 consecutive calendar years.

Important exception: If you operate a commercial activity (sale of goods, commerce, e-commerce), opening a dedicated account is mandatory from creation, regardless of your turnover.

Dedicated account ≠ business account. A simple personal current account reserved for your professional activity is legally sufficient.

Sanctions for non-compliance: Accounting confusion during social security audits, possible tax reassessment, difficulties justifying your business expenses if you use actual expense accounting.

Our advice: Even below the €10,000 threshold, open a dedicated account from launch. This simplifies your accounting and secures your social security declarations.

Business Account VS Dedicated Current Account: What's the Difference for Self-Employed?

Both solutions are legally valid. Here's how to choose.

Warning: Some traditional banks refuse professional use on standard current accounts. Check the terms and conditions before opening an account.

Top 5 Accounts for Self-Employed in 2026

Here's our selection of the best banking solutions for self-employed professionals.

Heropay: Much More Than a Business Account for Self-Employed

Heropay offers a business account with instant financing up to €50,000 and treasury remuneration up to 5%.

What changes everything: IBAN (French or German), Visa Platinum, unlimited instant transfers, integrated invoicing and accounting, free capital deposit with certificate in 24h. Business creation support included. 7-day support, 100% European-based.

Pricing:

• Hero X free (1 virtual card)

• Hero Go at €9/month (financing up to €1,000)

• Hero Pro at €39/month (financing up to €50,000).

For whom? Self-employed who want to optimize their cash flow from launch and have access to financing without complex banking files.

Indy: The Free Account + Accounting Combo

Indy offers a 100% free account with local IBAN, physical and virtual Mastercard, unlimited instant transfers.

Strength: Automatic synchronization with Indy accounting tool for your declarations and invoices. Responsive customer support.

Limitation: No cash or check deposits.

For whom? Self-employed in services with few monthly banking transactions looking for the best value for money.

Shine: Free Account but Limited Transfers

Shine offers a Free plan with local IBAN, Mastercard, possible cash deposit and integrated invoicing. 7-day customer support.

Frustrating limitation: Only 5 free transfers per month on the free plan.

For whom? Self-employed with very few monthly banking transactions.

Revolut Business: The Free Multi-Currency Option

Revolut offers an account with local IBAN, physical and virtual Mastercard, 5 free SEPA transfers per month, multi-currency account ideal for international business.

Strength: Integrated invoicing, POS terminal available with 0.8% + €0.02 fees.

Limitation: Beyond 5 monthly transfers, each transfer costs €0.20.

For whom? Self-employed with international activity or foreign currency payments.

N26 Business: Free but Very Basic

N26 offers an account with virtual card only (physical card charged at €10), unlimited transfers, 0.1% cashback.

Limitations: German IBAN, no integrated invoicing, no possible evolution to a company offering.

For whom? Ultra-minimalist self-employed without need for advanced services. Not recommended.

How to Open a Self-Employed Bank Account: Steps and Documents

Opening a self-employed bank account takes between 5 minutes and 2 weeks depending on the bank chosen.

Documents to Provide

Mandatory documents:

• Valid ID (national ID card or passport)

• Proof of address less than 3 months old

• Business registration certificate or social security attestation

• SIREN situation notice

The 4 Opening Steps

1. Gather your documents in advance to accelerate the process.

2. Choose your bank according to your real needs (see our top 5 above).

3. Online registration: 5-10 minutes for neobanks like Heropay, Indy or Revolut. 1-2 weeks with mandatory appointment for traditional banks.

4. Card reception and activation: Bank card in 5-10 days, immediate activation via mobile app.

Average delay: 24-48h for neobanks vs 1-2 weeks for traditional banks.

The 5 Concrete Advantages of a Dedicated Account for Your Self-Employment

A dedicated bank account simplifies your daily life as a self-employed professional.

1. Total accounting clarity: Clear separation between your business income and personal expenses. Simplified turnover calculation for your social security declarations.

2. Security in case of audit: Avoid reassessments during audits. Immediate justification of your business expenses.

3. Real-time cash flow monitoring: Clear vision of your activity, anticipation of your financing needs.

4. Simplified declarations: Automatic export of your transactions for social security and taxes. Considerable time savings.

5. Professional credibility: Professional bank details on your invoices, serious image with your clients and partners.

Online Bank VS Traditional Bank for Self-Employed

The choice between online bank and traditional bank depends on your activity.

Verdict: Online banks suit 85% of self-employed (digital activities, services, consulting). Traditional banks remain useful for businesses with significant daily cash collection.

Case Study: Lea, Freelance Graphic Designer, Optimizes Her Finances

Profile: Lea, 28, freelance graphic designer self-employed for 1 year.

Turnover: €35,000 annually.

Identified needs: Client invoicing, supplier transfers (3-5 per month), no cash collection, mobility.

Initial situation: Credit union account at €18/month with basic tools. No remuneration of her €20,000 average cash reserve.

Optimal solution: Heropay Hero Go at €9/month.

Concrete benefits:

• Integrated invoicing with automatic accounting synchronization

• Unlimited instant transfers to pay suppliers quickly

• Treasury remunerated at 5% for 60 days then 1% = approximately €200/year passive income, more than her Hero Go subscription!

• Instant financing up to €1,000 in case of client/supplier gap

Quantified result: Savings of €108/year on subscription (€18 vs €9) + €200/year treasury remuneration = €308 gained per year.

Top 10 Alternatives for Your Self-Employed Account

Here are the main solutions available in 2026.

Heropay: Instant financing + treasury remuneration up to 5%

Indy: Free with integrated accounting

Qonto: Business account reference from €9/month

Shine: Simple and local with free plan

Revolut Business: Multi-currency champion

Wise: International payment specialist

N26 Business: Basic but free

Blank: Online account from major banks

Finom: Attractive cashback

SumUp: POS integration for merchants

Why Heropay Changes the Game for Self-Employed

Heropay radically differentiates itself from traditional banks and classic neobanks.

An Account That Pays Instead of Costing

Traditional banks charge €15-30/month in fees. Free neobanks don't remunerate your cash reserve.

Heropay remunerates your treasury up to 5% gross annually for 60 days, then 1% (Hero Go) or 1.85% (Hero Pro). On €20,000 average cash reserve, this represents €200 to €370 passive income per year.

The Instant Financing That Changes Everything

A gap between client payment and supplier payment? Heropay finances up to €50,000 instantly without complex banking file or personal guarantees.

Funds available in 48h maximum vs 2-4 weeks in a traditional bank. Ideal for seizing opportunities or managing unforeseen events without cash flow stress.

Support From Creation

100% online business creation via our partner Legalstart: articles of association, business registration, free capital deposit with certificate in 24h.

Open your Heropay account in 5 minutes and benefit from financing + remuneration from day one.

FAQ: Your Questions About Self-Employed Bank Accounts

Is a Business Account Really Mandatory for Self-Employed?

No. Only a dedicated account is mandatory if your revenue exceeds €10,000 for 2 consecutive years OR from launch for commercial activities. This account can be a simple personal current account or a business account.

What's the Best Free Bank for Self-Employed in 2026?

Heropay and Indy dominate for complete offerings. Heropay excels in instant financing and treasury remuneration. Indy stands out for integrated accounting. Revolut is relevant for international needs.

How Long to Open a Self-Employed Account?

5 minutes to 48 hours at Heropay, Indy or Revolut. Traditional banks: 1-2 weeks with mandatory branch appointment.

What Documents to Open a Self-Employed Bank Account?

ID, proof of address less than 3 months old, business registration certificate or social security attestation, SIREN situation notice. Some banks also require proof of income or business forecast.

Can I Use My Personal Account for My Self-Employment?

Legally yes if your revenue stays below €10,000 for 2 years AND you don't operate a commercial activity. But strongly discouraged: accounting confusion, risk of social security reassessment, unprofessional image. Open a dedicated account from launch.

Can You Change Banks Easily as Self-Employed?

Yes. No automatic mobility service like for personal accounts, but manual change remains simple: open new account + transfer bank details to clients and suppliers + close old account. Allow 1 month transition.

Do Online Banks Allow Cash Deposits?

Rarely. Shine offers cash deposit as paid option. Otherwise, favor a traditional bank if you regularly collect cash, or use an online account for the rest of your management.

Which Bank for Self-Employed Working Internationally?

Revolut Business (multi-currency account, international payments without fees) or Wise (exchange and international transfer specialist). Heropay also offers a German IBAN for your European needs.

Why Is a Dedicated Account Mandatory for Self-Employed?

The obligation aims to fight fraud and simplify audits. A dedicated account allows clear tracing of your business income and avoids any confusion with your personal finances. This protects both tax administration and yourself in case of audit.

What to Do in Case of Bank Account Opening Refusal?

If a bank refuses to open your account, it must provide you with an attestation or refusal letter. You can then contact the national central bank which will designate a banking institution obligated to open an account in your name. This is the right to an account procedure guaranteed by law.