Currently, opening a business bank account in a European bank requires a lot of effort, as the requirements for beneficiaries and company activities have increased and the application processing has become more complicated.

Our team at   has been helping clients open corporate bank accounts across Europe for eight years. We leverage our extensive and trusted network in the European banking industry to provide the companies we serve with the most appropriate and efficient options to improve their operations.

Benefits of a business bank account include the following:

• Professional image

• Opportunity to build credit history

• More organized accounting records

• Online tools for invoicing and other accounting processes

• Annual tax reporting (ensuring that business transactions are kept separate from any personal transactions is vital)

• Business account perks and benefits (banks may offer fee waivers, free business advice, or competitive interest rates to new business account owners)

• A European bank account makes it easier to manage funds and transactions within the Single Euro Payments Area (SEPA)

You may consider opening a business bank account if the following apply to you:

• The company has a high transaction volume

• The company's income and expenses have increased significantly, and there is a need to simplify tax self-assessment

• You are planning to register a limited liability company

• Your business needs a business credit card

• If your business plans to accept card payments from customers

• Interested in applying for a business loan

Things to consider before choosing a bank:

• Whether it fits your business domain (e.g., cryptocurrency) and operational framework (e.g., connectivity with PayPal)

• Business bank account fees (administration fees, various types of transactions, etc.) may not seem obvious at first

• Level of customer support (communication channels and whether it can be tailored to you)

• Interest expenses

• Transfer Limit

• Deposit Insurance

• Offshore Banking

Overview of European Banking Industry

 European banks are strictly regulated and therefore trusted by many international businesses, which can add an extra layer of security to your company operations. The European Banking Authority is the EU's regulator whose job is to enforce transparency and integrity in the financial industry and can override national regulations to achieve its goals. Another influential institution is the European Investment Bank, whose purpose is to provide funding for strategic EU projects.

Balance sheet total is one of the key indicators of a bank's success. While you could choose from a large number of European banks, keep in mind that the following banks are the largest (and most successful) by total assets:

Requirements for opening a business bank account

<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="size-medium wp-image-5333 alignright" src="/uploadfile/202502/0982980fe075e38.png" sizes="auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" srcset="/uploadfile/202502/0982980fe075e38.png 300w, https://ib-ia.com/wp-content/uploads/business-banking-768x544.png 768w, https://ib-ia.com/wp-content/uploads/business-banking-260x185.png 260w, https://ib-ia.com/wp-content/uploads/business-banking-705x500.png 705w, Typically, requirements vary depending on the type of legal business structure, the country in which you wish to open a business bank account, and the company's residency status. Banks from different countries often offer different services for sole proprietors, limited liability companies, partnerships, and other types of businesses.

For limited liability companies, the following requirements may apply:

• Transfer a specified amount of funds to a new business account to register the business in that particular country (the required amount varies for each bank)

• Register your company with local authorities (usually the National Commercial Register)

• The company can only access the transferred funds after it is fully registered with the local authorities

• The head office should be located at the place where the registered office is located

While different countries require different sets of documents for resident and non-resident companies, generally the following documents are required to open a bank account in Europe:

• Articles of incorporation, certificate of incorporation, or other corporate documents (such as a partnership agreement)

• Certificate of Incorporation

• The company's business plan

• Identification documents of the company's shareholders and directors

• Proof of company registered address

• Sample personal signature for use with a business account

In terms of country requirements, banks in Switzerland and the Nordic countries usually have the most stringent requirements, as they are the most strictly regulated worldwide. Usually you will need to meet face-to-face in the country of your chosen bank and a background check will need to be done on you in order to open a corporate bank account. If you wish to avoid the pain of preparing a whole bunch of documents, we strongly recommend exploring the possibilities in Estonia, as the country’s e-residency program opens the door for foreign non-residents, as long as they own an Estonian company.

How to open a business bank account in Europe

In a digital world, you can often open a business bank account remotely from anywhere in the world. Depending on the country you choose, the bank you choose, and the volume of applications they receive, the process can take anywhere from a few weeks to a few months.

To open a corporate bank account at a traditional European bank, you should take the following steps:

• Determine your business needs and the type of account your company requires.

• Select a European country and a bank where you wish to open a corporate account.

• Liaise with your bank of choice to clearly define your specific requirements.

• Gather the required documents.

• Submit your application to the bank of your choice.

To open a business bank account with Digital Bank, you should take the following steps:

• Determine your business needs and the type of account your company requires.

• Research and choose a digital bank.

• Create a business account with your chosen digital bank using your business email address.

• Complete the online application form – provide your company details (company name, legal structure, registration number, registered and operating addresses, directors and ultimate beneficial owners information, etc.).

• Submit your application to the digital bank of your choice.

Whether you are opening a corporate bank account with a traditional bank or a digital bank, it takes careful preparation and understanding of the documents and information required to open a business bank account. By following these steps and making sure you have all the necessary information and documents ready, you can simplify the process of setting up a business bank account in Europe.

If you are planning to open a business bank account in one of the European countries, an experienced   advisor will be happy to help you. Over the past eight years, we have built a series of trusted relationships in the European banking industry, which will simplify the application process at your chosen bank. Book a personalized consultation now and get advice that will accelerate the success of your business.