With a business credit card, freelancers and entrepreneurs can secure a number of advantages. In this guide, we’ll show you why having such a card is practically a must!
The best business credit cards in Germany:
American Express Business Platinum Card
- Promotion: 200.000 welcome bonus points
- 1.440 euro credit with partners
- Free lounge access with guest
- Extended payment term of 58 days
- Upgrades, status, breakfast, and more at hotels
Revolut Business Mastercard
- Free physical and virtual cards
- Easy international transfers
- For startups, freelancers, and businesses
- Up to 3 physical and 200 virtual cards possible
- Various account models to choose from
FINOM Business Visa Debitkarte
- Up to 3 percent cashback on all card transactions
- Free physical and virtual cards available
- Free digital business account with German IBAN within 48 hours
- All-in-one: banking, invoicing, and accounting
American Express Business Gold Card
- Promotion: 75.000 points welcome bonus
- SIXT credit: €180 SIXT Plus & €50 Rent
- Credit: €80 Lodenfrey & €50 Freenow
- Collect points with every euro spent
- Comprehensive travel insurance included
Vivid Business Visa
- Free Vivid Visa Card
- Includes free credit cards for all employees
- Free business account – no annual fee
- No SCHUFA check
- Interest on all deposits
Of course, choosing the right model isn’t easy. That’s why in this comprehensive guide, you’ll find the best business credit cards from all providers compared in detail.
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What exactly is a business credit card?
While the term may seem self-explanatory, there are some important distinctions between business credit cards and regular consumer credit cards.
Typically, business credit cards are issued by banks as a separate branch of their services, distinct from personal banking. This means business cards belong to an entirely separate category and can only be applied for by entrepreneurs and self-employed professionals.
The real question, however, is who exactly qualifies for such cards and whether they’re the right fit. In most cases, business credit cards are designed for small and medium-sized companies with a relatively small number of employees.
Larger firms, on the other hand, usually switch to so-called corporate cards, which often include centralized travel expense accounting. A well-known example would be the American Express® Corporate Credit Cards, which are ideal for mid-sized and large companies.
💡 Note: Most of the business credit cards listed here can only be applied for by self-employed individuals, freelancers or owners/managing directors of a small or medium-sized business.
For example, American Express recommends switching from a Business Card to a Corporate Card once a company reaches annual revenue of 30 million euros and has at least ten traveling employees. With the Miles & More Gold Business Credit Card, even directors of small corporations can apply.
Aside from this distinction, a business credit card functions just like any other credit card, typically issued by one of the three major providers: Visa, Mastercard or American Express. You can use it at all acceptance points while keeping business and personal expenses clearly separated.
The billing account for such cards is usually your company’s business account. In some cases, however, companies may decide that traveling employees pay with the business card while charges are temporarily debited from their personal accounts and later reimbursed.
What are the benefits of a business credit card?
We’ve already covered the most important advantage, but there are plenty of additional benefits that make business credit cards a valuable tool.
At a glance, the advantages include:
- ✨ Extra perks such as insurance and discounts
- 💰 Increased liquidity
- 🎯 Earning miles or points
- ✈️ Travel benefits
Extra perks
One of the greatest strengths of a business card isn’t just separating business and private expenses, but also the additional benefits many models provide. Because merchants pay higher transaction fees on business cards, issuers earn more and can pass that value back to you.
These perks range from comprehensive travel insurance to generous credits, discounts and attractive welcome bonuses.
Increased liquidity
Another major benefit is the extra liquidity these cards provide. For businesses, payment timing can make a huge difference in financial planning.
For instance, if suppliers allow 30 days to pay after delivery, you’d normally have to settle the invoice within that period. But most business cards offer at least 30 days of delayed billing – effectively doubling your payment window. The Amex Business Platinum Card even extends this up to 58 days.
Since suppliers receive payment right away, you may also benefit from early-payment discounts without having to use your own cash immediately. In this sense, a business credit card acts like a free short-term financing service, often worth the annual fee alone.
💡 Note: Be sure to check whether your suppliers accept credit card payments.
Earning miles with business credit cards
For frequent travelers, this is one of the most exciting perks. Many business cards let you collect miles or points with every euro spent, which can then be redeemed for award flights – including First Class seats – at no extra cost.
Key cards for earning miles include:
- 💳 American Express Business Gold Card
- 💳 American Express Business Platinum Card
- 💳 Miles & More Gold Business Card
- 💳 Miles & More Blue Business Card
With Amex, you don’t earn miles directly but collect Membership Rewards® points, which can be transferred to eleven different frequent flyer programs. This flexibility means you can book award flights on some of the world’s best airlines.
Another big advantage: Amex automatically handles the taxation of Membership Rewards points, allowing you to use them privately without extra hassle.
With Miles & More Business Cards, you earn one mile per euro spent -double what the personal cards offer. Given that miles can be worth up to 0.06 euros each, the value quickly adds up.
Travel benefits
If you travel frequently for business or even privately, some business credit cards provide exceptional travel perks.
Take the Amex Business Platinum Card: it includes Germany’s best insurance package, annual travel credits, Priority Pass lounge access at 1,500+ airports and elite hotel status benefits. You also receive both a business and a private Amex Platinum Card, so you can enjoy these perks regardless of trip type.
Clearly, for travelers, business credit cards can deliver more value than their personal counterparts.
What are the disadvantages of business credit cards?
While the advantages are significant, there is a drawback to consider:
High annual fees and interest rates
One of the biggest drawbacks of business credit cards is the often high fees and interest rates associated with them. This is especially true in the premium segment, where some cards can cost several hundred euros per year, though they do come with an extensive package of benefits in return.
Whether such a card makes sense ultimately depends on the individual needs and circumstances of the self-employed professional or business owner.
That said, there are also free business credit cards available – such as the permanently fee-free Tide Card Mastercard – which are specifically tailored to the needs of freelancers and the self-employed, while still covering all the essential features.
Which is the best business credit card for me?
When it comes to business credit cards, there’s no one-size-fits-all solution. Different entrepreneurs and companies have very different needs, and the “best” card will always depend on your individual situation.
The good news is that there’s now a wide variety of offers from traditional banks and modern fintechs alike, so whether you’re looking for a no-frills free option or a premium powerhouse packed with perks, you’ll find something that fits.
Free credit card with a free business account
Let’s start at the entry level: business credit cards that are completely free of charge.
The N26 Business Credit Card, for example, comes bundled with a free business checking account. This Mastercard has no annual fee and is designed for maximum convenience, with a fully app-based account you can manage anytime, anywhere.
Even though it costs nothing, the N26 Business Credit Card still provides a number of useful features. Payments can be made worldwide without any foreign transaction fees, making it particularly attractive for those who work internationally.
In addition, users in Germany can withdraw cash from ATMs up to three times per month without paying any fees, while unlimited withdrawals are possible free of charge throughout the Eurozone. On top of that, every transaction automatically earns a small cashback of 0.1 percent, allowing you to get something back with each purchase.
For freelancers and small business owners who simply want a reliable, no-cost card, N26 is a strong and practical option.
We would, however, advise against the paid N26 Go version, which is also available in a business edition. At 10 euros per month, the added value is limited to an insurance package and up to five free ATM withdrawals in Germany. If you’re looking for more substantial benefits, you’ll be better off with one of the premium models outlined below.
N26 Business Standard
- Permanently free business account
- Only for self-employed and freelancers
- Free Mastercard included
- 0,1% cashback on all business purchases
- Free cash withdrawals in Europe
Unlimited perks with Germany’s best business credit card
At the other end of the spectrum is the Amex Business Platinum Card, which is widely considered the most powerful business credit card in Germany. This card is accompanied by a comprehensive package of benefits that goes far beyond standard features.
For example, cardholders can issue up to 99 additional employee cards, making it easy to equip an entire team with access to the account. On top of this, the Business Platinum also includes a private American Express Platinum Card, giving the main cardholder access to all of the travel and lifestyle perks available with the consumer version.
The list of advantages is long: from premium insurance packages to extensive travel benefits, such as lounge access at over 1,500 airports worldwide, hotel elite status upgrades and generous annual travel credits.
For entrepreneurs and executives who either travel extensively themselves or manage a team of frequent travelers, this card is an outstanding choice. While the annual fee is considerable, the value of the included services can easily exceed the cost if used regularly.
American Express Business Platinum Card
- 200 euro travel credit per year for flights, hotels, and much more
- 200 euro SIXT Ride credit per year
- 240 euro SIXT Plus credit per year
- 200 euro Dell Technologies credit per year
- 300 euro eBuero credit per year
- 300 euro Office Club credit per year
- Digital invoice management: GetMyInvoices membership
- Collect valuable Membership Rewards points with every euro spent
- Up to 99 free additional business and partner cards
- Additional private card included
- Additional liquidity thanks to up to 58 days delayed billing
- Full insurance package included
- Free lounge access for up to 4 people in 1.550 lounges worldwide
- Upgrades, breakfast, and other status benefits in hotels
However, if your primary goal is simply to earn reward points or miles on business spending, the Amex Business Gold Card may be the more practical solution. It offers many of the same rewards opportunities at a significantly lower annual fee, making it a cost-effective alternative for those who do not need the full premium package.
Smart receipt and card management with cashback
Beyond the classic bank and premium card providers, innovative fintechs like Finom are also worth a look. Finom offers four different account tiers designed for companies with larger teams.
The package includes both virtual and physical Visa Business Credit Cards, along with an intelligent management platform that allows you to assign cards and set spending limits flexibly.
Another highlight: Finom offers cashback of 2–3% on purchases, depending on your account level – an especially attractive feature for businesses with high transaction volumes.
Finom Business Credit card
- Up to 3 percent cashback on all card transactions
- Free physical and virtual cards available
- Free digital business account with German IBAN within 48 hours
- All-in-one: banking, invoicing, and accounting
Our conclusion: Choosing the best business credit card
At first glance, it may not be obvious why a business credit card makes sense. But when you look at the perks, from increased liquidity to travel rewards, it quickly becomes clear that these cards can offer even more value than personal ones.
If your business generates significant expenses, don’t waste time debating whether you should get a business card. The real question is: which one?
The best business credit cards in Germany:
American Express Business Platinum Card
- Promotion: 200.000 welcome bonus points
- 1.440 euro credit with partners
- Free lounge access with guest
- Extended payment term of 58 days
- Upgrades, status, breakfast, and more at hotels
Revolut Business Mastercard
- Free physical and virtual cards
- Easy international transfers
- For startups, freelancers, and businesses
- Up to 3 physical and 200 virtual cards possible
- Various account models to choose from
FINOM Business Visa Debitkarte
- Up to 3 percent cashback on all card transactions
- Free physical and virtual cards available
- Free digital business account with German IBAN within 48 hours
- All-in-one: banking, invoicing, and accounting
American Express Business Gold Card
- Promotion: 75.000 points welcome bonus
- SIXT credit: €180 SIXT Plus & €50 Rent
- Credit: €80 Lodenfrey & €50 Freenow
- Collect points with every euro spent
- Comprehensive travel insurance included
Vivid Business Visa
- Free Vivid Visa Card
- Includes free credit cards for all employees
- Free business account – no annual fee
- No SCHUFA check
- Interest on all deposits
