FYRST • EUR
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Ingrid Schneider · Updated: 3 September 2026
Fyrst Base is an online business account from the German neobank FYRST. The variant reviewed here is aimed specifically at sole proprietors — freelancers, tradespeople and registered merchants (e.K.) who want to manage their account digitally, without visiting a branch and without paperwork. FYRST positions the product especially for founders, freelancers and self-employed people with manageable, predictable transaction volumes. Anyone currently running a business account with a traditional branch bank and wanting to switch to a lean, digital model will find an uncomplicated entry point here, without long contract commitments.
For sole proprietors, account maintenance is free according to the underlying data — EUR 0 per year, no monthly base fee. The provider's website confirms this principle but adds an important distinction: natural persons pay "from EUR 0", while legal entities such as a GmbH or UG pay from EUR 6 per month with FYRST. So if your business is structured as a corporation rather than a sole proprietorship, you should check before applying whether the advertised zero-fee tier actually applies to your legal form. This distinction is not visible on the raw product data alone but is decisive for choosing the right tariff.
On booking entries, there is a free allowance: 50 paperless online bookings per month are included in the price, with each additional one costing EUR 0.19. Anyone expecting more than 50 transactions per month — for example due to many small payments or frequent supplier payments — should factor in these extra costs realistically; at, say, 70 bookings a month, that would add roughly EUR 3.80 in fees. Offline or paper-based bookings, such as classic paper transfers, cost a flat EUR 5 per transaction regardless of monthly volume — unlike online bookings, there is no free allowance here. For businesses that work mostly on paper, Fyrst Base is therefore noticeably more expensive than for customers who book purely digitally, for whom the account effectively stays free.
According to the underlying data, a tolerated (i.e. not explicitly agreed) account overdraft carries no interest (0% p.a.). For an actually arranged overdraft facility, FYRST states on its own landing page a rate "from 9.95%" — this refers to a separate credit line that must be applied for individually and should not be confused with the tolerated overdraft. Since this is a "from" rate, the actual rate may turn out considerably higher depending on creditworthiness; anyone planning such a credit line should request an individual offer rather than relying on the advertised headline figure alone.
A free debit Mastercard is included in the price; according to FYRST, up to EUR 30 cashback is currently possible with it. Anyone who also needs a classic Girocard can add one optionally for a fee — useful for businesses that, for example, want to withdraw cash at ATMs that accept Girocard without giving up the debit Mastercard as their main card. Both Apple Pay and Google Pay are supported, so contactless payments are possible even without the physical card. Real-time transfers are, according to the provider, available at no extra cost, which can matter for time-critical business payments such as short-notice supplier payments. The account can be managed online, by phone and via the mobile app; a classic branch visit is not part of the FYRST model. FYRST additionally mentions the option of cash deposits and withdrawals at around 7,000 locations nationwide — a plus for businesses that occasionally need to handle cash despite digital account management, such as in retail or hospitality.
Beyond the statutory minimum standards, the issuing bank belongs to the deposit protection fund of the Association of German Banks (Bundesverband deutscher Banken). This protects deposits up to 15% of the bank's relevant liable equity capital — in practice a very high level of additional protection that goes well beyond the statutory deposit guarantee, offering extra security for business customers with larger balances.
There is currently no welcome bonus or new-customer premium for this product — anyone considering an account mainly for a sign-up bonus should look elsewhere.
The account is best suited to sole proprietors, freelancers and founders with a manageable transaction volume of up to 50 online transactions per month who want a free basic package with a debit card and rarely work with cash or paper. Anyone regularly exceeding 50 bookings a month or making many cash deposits should factor in the additional costs. Important: if the business is structured as a GmbH or UG, a different, fee-based tariff starting at EUR 6 per month applies according to the provider, instead of the zero-fee tier advertised here for natural persons.
Account opening takes place entirely online via the FYRST website; the currently reachable landing page does not describe the individual application steps in detail. Prospective customers should check which tariff matches their legal form before applying.
Fyrst Base – Sole Proprietor is a solid, free basic account for self-employed people with moderate transaction volumes. The allowance of 50 free online bookings covers the everyday needs of many sole proprietors and freelancers, while paper and cash transactions are specifically priced and can add up with heavy use. Anyone who books mostly digitally, does not have a GmbH structure, and can do without a welcome bonus gets an uncomplicated, free business account with a solid card package here.
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