Here’s how to open your Holvi business account quickly and smoothly.
1. Is your company type supported?
Holvi offers business accounts only for certain business types. Please note that some other criteria must be met in order for you to open an account.
Find out more: Who can open an account?
2. Is your ID still valid?
You need a valid ID document for the identity check when opening an account. This can be an ID card or passport.
Find out more: How do I carry out identity verification?
3. Is your company already registered?
Before you open a Holvi business account, you must register your freelance or commercial activity. You need appropriate proof from the tax office or trade office to open the account. GmbHs/UGs must be notarised.
Find out more: Documents for company verification
If you are currently founding a GmbH or UG, the pre-GmbH or pre-UG must have been notarised before you open your business account.
Find out more: How do I open a founder's account?
When you register your self-employment as a freelancer or business, you’ll be asked for your bank details. Here you can initially provide a private account. As soon as you have opened your Holvi business account, give the authorities the IBAN of your Holvi account.
4. Tax number applied for?
To open a Holvi business account, you need a company tax number. You apply for this using the tax registration questionnaire.
In addition to the tax number, you will also be asked for your personal tax ID, which remains the same for life. You can find it on the annual wage tax certificate or income tax notice, for example.
You can add your tax ID and your business tax number within 90 days if you don't have them to hand when you open the account.
Find out more: How do I enter my personal tax ID?
5. Ready for a video call?
Instead of making an appointment at the bank, you can open your business account with Holvi directly online. You identify yourself in a short video call with an ID document.
We use the third-party provider IDNow for identity verification. You’ll be connected to a person from IDNow who will check your ID document.
Sometimes there can be waiting times. Also, dark lighting conditions can make identification more difficult. If this happens, please try again at a different time or in a different location.
After opening the account
6. Inform the tax office
Inform your tax office of your new Holvi bank details online via ELSTER.
7. Inform business partners
Also remember to include your IBAN in invoice templates and letterhead.
8. Add tax ID
Please enter your tax ID within 90 days.
More on this here: How do I enter my personal tax ID?
9. Set up bookkeeping
Do you use bookkeeping software?
Lexware Office
Activate the Lexware Office interface in your business account to automatically synchronise transactions.
More on this here: How to set up a Lexware Office connection in Holvi
Other bookkeeping software
Holvi supports numerous accounting tools. You can find an overview and short instructions here: Connections
Do you work with a tax office?
Set up DATEV interface
The DATEV interface in Holvi is the direct line to your tax office. Activate it to automatically synchronise the transactions in your business account with your tax office's DATEV system.
Find out more: How to connect Holvi with DATEV
Or use DATEV reports (Holvi Pro/Holvi Pro+ only)
As an alternative to the interface, you can also use DATEV reports. These export files contain transactions, categories and sales tax rates. This allows you to do the preparatory accounting in Holvi and your tax office can easily import this data.
Find out more: DATEV compatible reports
Preparatory bookkeeping in Holvi
In the Holvi business account, you can save receipts, categorise payments and add sales tax rates. This gives you financial insights in real time and allows you to export reports.
More on this: Bookkeeping
10. Beware of fake invoices
Self-employed people and companies that are registered in the commercial register often receive dubious invoices shortly afterwards about the entry in the commercial register or other directories. These are difficult to distinguish from real invoices.
We wish you much success with your Holvi business account!