Ranked · Business
Best business credit cards in Germany in 2026
The best business credit cards in Germany for 2026: American Express, Miles & More, Holvi, Pliant, bunq and the big banks, compared on rewards, credit lines and team cards.
Bitezine Editorial TeamRankings, reviews & guides 9 min read
AI generatedThe best business credit card in Germany depends on what you want the card to do: earn travel rewards, stretch your cash flow, or give employees controlled spending. In Germany, a Firmenkreditkarte is also a bookkeeping tool, since a separate card keeps business expenses out of your private statement and makes the tax adviser's job easier. Many banks now attach credit cards to their business accounts, while American Express and fintechs such as Pliant compete with rewards, virtual cards and spending controls.
For this ranking we compared the business cards that come up most often in German Firmenkreditkarte comparisons and checked each issuer's current German product pages. We looked at who the card is for (self-employed, GmbH or larger company), true credit versus debit, reward programmes, payment terms, insurance, employee cards and accounting links. Annual fees change regularly, so we describe them qualitatively and recommend checking the issuer's price list before you apply.
At a glance
- 1
American Express Business Gold Card - 2
American Express Business Platinum Card - 3
Miles & More Gold Credit Card Business - 4
Pliant - 5
Holvi Business Kreditkarte - 6
Deutsche Bank BusinessCard - 7
Commerzbank Business Card - 8
Amazon Business American Express Card - 9
bunq Business credit card - 10
American Express Business Green Card
#1 · Best for Owners who want rewards and flexible payment
American Express Business Gold Card
Best all-round business card
The Business Gold Card is American Express's core card for the self-employed and owner-run firms in Germany. It pairs a cashback-style rewards benefit with an extended payment period on request, and you can add up to 99 employee cards at no extra charge. The first year is free of the annual fee, which makes it easy to test.
- Up to 99 free additional cards
- Extended payment period on request
- Rewards on business spending
- First year without annual fee
- Travel and purchase insurance
- Card type
- Charge card
- Best for
- Self-employed and owner-run firms
- Annual fee
- Moderate, first year free
#2 · Best for Owners who travel several times a month
American Express Business Platinum Card
Best for frequent business travel
Amex's premium business card is built for owners who travel often. It includes a yearly travel and technology credit, mobility credit, credits for coworking and phone services, Membership Rewards points and a long payment period. The annual fee is high, so it pays off mainly for heavy users of the included benefits.
- Membership Rewards points
- Annual travel, tech and mobility credits
- Up to 99 additional cards
- Long payment period for cash flow
- Receipt automation via GetMyInvoices
- Card type
- Charge card
- Best for
- Frequent travellers
- Annual fee
- High
#3 · Best for Businesses that fly with Lufthansa Group
Miles & More Gold Credit Card Business
Best for Lufthansa miles
Issued by Deutsche Bank, the Miles & More business cards earn one mile per euro of business spending, twice the rate of the entry-level MyFlex private card. The range comes in Blue and Gold versions with an insurance package, and there are separate variants for the self-employed and for companies, plus status cards for Frequent Travellers, Senators and HON Circle members.
- One mile per euro spent
- Versions for self-employed and companies
- Blue and Gold versions with insurance
- Status variants for frequent flyers
- Issued by Deutsche Bank
- Card type
- Credit card
- Best for
- Lufthansa Group flyers
- Annual fee
- Moderate
#4 · Best for Companies that want control over team spending
Pliant
Best for teams and virtual cards
Pliant is a Berlin fintech focused only on business credit cards. Companies can issue physical and virtual Visa credit cards to employees, set limits and rules at several levels, and collect receipts for every transaction. Real-time reporting and accounting integrations, including Lexware Office, help finance teams close the month faster. Commerzbank also offers Pliant to its business customers.
- Physical and virtual Visa credit cards
- Multi-level limits and rules
- Receipt capture for every payment
- Real-time reporting
- Accounting integrations and API
- Card type
- Credit card
- Best for
- SMEs with many card users
- Based in
- Berlin, Germany
#5 · Best for Small firms that want a real credit line
Holvi Business Kreditkarte
Real credit line for small firms
Holvi offers a business credit card with a credit line of up to 5,000 euros for the self-employed and up to 50,000 euros for a GmbH or UG. You can repay within the month at no interest or spread payments over 12 months. It is issued after six months of using Holvi or another business account, and team cards come with individual limits.
- Credit line sized to legal form
- Pay monthly or in instalments
- Team cards with individual limits
- Apple Pay and Google Pay
- DATEV, Lexware and sevdesk links
- Card type
- Credit card
- Best for
- Freelancers, GmbH and UG
- Annual fee
- No monthly base fee for main card
#6 · Best for Existing Deutsche Bank customers
Deutsche Bank BusinessCard
Solid bank card with insurance option
Deutsche Bank's BusinessCard is a Mastercard credit card for business customers with individual limits and statements for each employee. The account is debited ten days after the monthly statement, and the PlusPaket extends that to twenty days and adds travel insurance and free euro cash withdrawals abroad. Apple Pay, Google Pay and Samsung Wallet are supported.
- Mastercard credit card
- Individual limits per employee
- Optional PlusPaket with travel insurance
- Mobile wallets supported
- Mastercard Business Bonus programme
- Card type
- Credit card
- Best for
- Deutsche Bank business customers
- Annual fee
- Moderate
#7 · Best for Firms that bank with Commerzbank
Commerzbank Business Card
Best choice for Commerzbank clients
Commerzbank offers a Business Card Classic for business travel and a Business Card Premium for small and mid-sized firms that want to give employees their own credit cards. It also sells a Premium Debit card and offers Pliant's digital credit card platform for companies that need virtual cards.
- Classic and Premium credit cards
- Cards for managing directors and staff
- Mobile payments with phone and watch
- Access to Pliant virtual cards
- Card type
- Credit and debit cards
- Best for
- Commerzbank business customers
- Annual fee
- Varies by card
#8 · Best for Offices and shops that restock on Amazon
Amazon Business American Express Card
Best for Amazon buyers
This card gives Amazon Rewards on purchases at Amazon.de and Amazon Business Germany, with a higher rate than on other spending, and a longer payment period for Amazon orders. A Prime version offers an even higher reward rate for Business Prime customers. Up to 99 additional cards are included.
- Rewards on Amazon.de and Amazon Business
- Extended payment period for Amazon orders
- Higher rate on the Business Prime version
- Up to 99 additional cards
- Low annual fee, first year free
- Card type
- Charge card
- Best for
- Businesses buying supplies on Amazon
- Annual fee
- Low
#9 · Best for Online businesses that manage money in an app
bunq Business credit card
Best app-first card mix
bunq lets business customers issue digital, debit, credit and metal cards from one app. Credit cards can be used for everyday business payments online or in store, with limits and tracking managed per card. It works best for digital businesses that also use bunq as their main account.
- Credit, debit, digital and metal cards
- Per-card limits in the app
- Instant digital cards for subscriptions
- 20+ currencies
- Card type
- Credit and debit cards
- Best for
- Digital businesses
- Based in
- Amsterdam, Netherlands
#10 · Best for Sole traders who want an Amex at low cost
American Express Business Green Card
Best budget Amex for business
The Business Green Card is the entry-level Amex for owner-run firms. It includes travel comfort and transport accident insurance, an online travel booking service and 24/7 Amex support, and the first year is free. Additional cards cost extra, so it suits smaller teams.
- Travel comfort insurance
- Transport accident insurance
- Online business travel booking
- 24/7 service
- First year without annual fee
- Card type
- Charge card
- Best for
- Owners on a budget
- Annual fee
- Low, first year free
How to choose
First check whether you need a real credit card. Many business accounts come with debit cards that look like credit cards but take money straight from the account. A true business credit card, or a charge card like American Express, bundles your spending and debits it later, which smooths cash flow. Some cards, including Holvi's, also let you spread repayments over months at an interest rate, so compare the cost of that option carefully.
Then match the card to how your business spends. Frequent flyers get the most from Miles & More or American Express Platinum and their travel insurance. Businesses that buy a lot on Amazon should look at the Amazon Business American Express Card. Growing teams benefit from virtual cards and individual limits, which is where Pliant and bunq are strong. Finally, check that the card exports cleanly to DATEV or your bookkeeping tool, and whether the issuer asks for a SCHUFA check or a minimum trading history.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best business credit card in Germany?
+
The American Express Business Gold Card is the most popular all-round choice for self-employed people and owner-run companies, thanks to Membership Rewards points, an extended payment period and free additional cards. Frequent travellers often prefer the Business Platinum Card or the Miles & More Gold Credit Card Business.
Can freelancers get a business credit card in Germany?
+
Yes. American Express business cards are aimed at self-employed people and owner-run firms, Miles & More offers business cards for the self-employed, and Holvi grants freelancers a smaller credit line than companies. Issuers usually check your credit history and how long you have been trading.
Is American Express accepted in Germany?
+
Acceptance has improved a lot, and most hotels, airlines, online shops and larger retailers take it, but some small shops and restaurants still accept only girocard, Visa or Mastercard. Many business owners carry a Visa or Mastercard as a backup.
What is the difference between a business credit card and a debit card?
+
A debit card takes each payment directly from your account. A credit or charge card collects your payments and settles them later, typically monthly, which gives you a short interest-free period. Debit cards are easier to get, while credit cards help with cash flow and often include insurance and rewards.
Which business credit card is best for employees?
+
Pliant is built for companies that issue many physical and virtual cards with individual limits and receipt capture. American Express business cards include up to 99 additional cards, and bunq and Holvi also let you issue team cards with custom limits.
Do I need a SCHUFA check for a business credit card?
+
Most real credit cards involve a credit check of the owner or the company, since the issuer extends credit. Some providers, such as Holvi, also require a minimum period of account activity before issuing a credit card.
Which business credit card earns Lufthansa miles?
+
The Miles & More Credit Card Business range, issued by Deutsche Bank, earns miles on every euro of card spending and comes in Blue and Gold versions, plus status cards for frequent flyers. American Express Membership Rewards points can also be transferred to several airline programmes.
For most self-employed people and owner-run firms in Germany, the American Express Business Gold Card offers the best balance of rewards, payment flexibility and free employee cards. Frequent travellers should compare Amex Platinum and the Miles & More Gold Business card, while companies that want many virtual cards and tight spending controls will be better served by Pliant. If you prefer to keep everything with your bank, the Deutsche Bank and Commerzbank business cards are solid, familiar choices.
How we research: We compare each product on the same criteria, using makers’ documentation, independent reviews and owner feedback, and re-check the list when products change.
Written by
Bitezine Editorial Team
Rankings, reviews & guides
Our editors research every piece from makers’ documentation, independent tests and owner reports, and update it when products change.
