Opening a business account for your registered association (e.V.) with Qonto is straightforward and fully digital 🚀. You can complete the entire registration process online without visiting a branch.
Our verification team aims for a fast onboarding process to get your association up and running quickly. This guide walks you through the required documents and steps to open your e.V. account with Qonto.
This feature is available to board members and authorized representatives of German registered associations (e.V.) on both 💻 web and 📱 mobile platforms. Your association must be registered in the German association register (Vereinsregister).
What documents do I need to open an e.V. account?
For regulatory reasons, we need specific documents about your association's structure and banking activities. All documents must be valid and clearly legible.
You'll need to provide these documents:
- Excerpt from the association register (Vereinsregisterauszug): Current official extract showing your association's registration
- Bylaws of the association (Vereinssatzung): Your association's complete statutes and rules
- Board members' ID proof: Valid identification documents for all board members listed in the register
- Proof of funds (Mittelherkunftsnachweis): Documentation showing the source of your association's funds
- Non-profit organization certificate (Freistellungsbescheid): Required if your association has non-profit status
☝️ Important document requirements:
- Provide all documents in PDF format—screenshots or low-quality photos will delay your application
- Submit ID documents in color with complete visibility—no cropped edges or cut-off corners
- Ensure there's no light reflection, glare, or shadows on any documents
- Verify all documents are signed and currently valid—expired or unsigned documents cannot be accepted
- Make sure all text is clearly legible before uploading
Can someone else open the account on behalf of the board?
Yes, someone other than a board member can open the account if they have proper authorization from the association. This can be useful if board members are unavailable or prefer to delegate the account setup process.
You'll need a power of attorney document that is signed by the board members who are listed in the excerpt from the association register. This power of attorney must clearly authorize the specific person to act on behalf of the association for account opening purposes.
The authorized person must provide their own valid identification as well. They will need to complete the registration process and upload all the required association documents listed above, along with the signed power of attorney document.
The power of attorney should specify the scope of authority and be dated and signed according to your association's bylaws. Once the account is opened, you can adjust access rights and permissions for board members through the Qonto platform.
How do I start the registration process?
You can begin your e.V. account registration on either web or mobile. The process is the same, but the interface differs slightly between platforms.
On web 💻**:**
- Go to the Qonto website and click Open an account
- Select Registered association (e.V.) as your legal form
- Enter your association's details exactly as they appear in the register
- Upload all required documents following the formatting guidelines
- Submit your application for verification
On mobile 📱**:**
- Download the Qonto app and tap Create an account
- Choose Registered association (e.V.) when selecting your legal form
- Fill in your association's information from your official documents
- Upload all required documents using your phone's camera or files
- Submit your application for review
After submitting your documents, our verification team will review your application. Verification time can vary depending on the completeness and quality of your documentation.
We aim for a fast onboarding process to get your association started with Qonto as quickly as possible. You'll receive updates on your application status via email.
For detailed step-by-step instructions on completing your registration, check out our guide on how to register your existing business with Qonto.
What if my board structure has changed?
If your association's board members have changed since your last official registration, you'll need to provide updated documentation. This is a common situation when board elections occur.
Submit one of the following documents:
- New articles of association: Updated version reflecting the current board structure
- Official protocols from general assembly: Minutes that confirm the new board composition and elections
These documents must clearly show the board changes and be properly signed according to your association's bylaws. The board members listed in these documents should match those providing identification for the account opening.
Make sure the documentation includes the date of the board change and follows your association's procedural requirements. If your new board members haven't been officially registered yet, include evidence that the registration update is in progress.
The signatures on these documents should come from authorized signatories as defined in your association's bylaws. This ensures the validity of the board transition documentation.
What should I know about limitations and requirements?
Your association must be officially registered in the German association register (Vereinsregister) to open a Qonto account. We cannot onboard associations that are not yet registered or are in the process of registration.
All documents you provide must be current and valid. Expired documents, including identification documents and certificates, cannot be accepted for regulatory reasons.
Board members or authorized representatives must be able to verify their identity through our onboarding process. This includes providing valid government-issued identification.
Like all Qonto customers, your association must comply with our usage policies and terms of service. Certain activities are prohibited on the Qonto platform.
Review the complete list of prohibited activities at Qonto to ensure your association's activities are eligible. If you have questions about whether your association's activities are permitted, contact our support team before starting the application.