Kontist
Freelancer banking that auto-reserves German taxes in real time.
Freelancer banking with auto tax buckets.
- Who holds it
- A sponsor bank behind the brand — not the app you signed up with — Partner bank (Solaris SE, BaFin-licensed); German IBAN accounts.
- The ledger
- Split between a program manager and the sponsor bank — the modular setup that broke in Synapse.
- If it fails
- Any claim runs through the sponsor bank, and only works if the two ledgers reconcile.
Derived from Kontist’s regulation type and custody — a class of protection, not a guarantee. Limits and eligibility vary by scheme, balance and jurisdiction; confirm before you rely on it. What happens if a neobank shuts down →
The facts
| Category | traditional · freelancers & creators |
| HQ | Berlin, DE |
| Founded | 2016 |
| Custody | Custodial |
| Regulation type | Partner-bank model |
| License detail | Partner bank (Solaris SE, BaFin-licensed); German IBAN accounts |
| Card | Visa · Business debit |
| Stablecoins | No |
| KYC | Yes |
| Active regions | Europe |
| Founders | Christopher Plantener |
Verified links: official site ↗
Common questions about Kontist
What is Kontist?
Kontist is a fiat neobank built for freelancers & creators, headquartered in Berlin, DE and founded in 2016. Your money is held custodially, so Kontist or its partner bank holds the balance and you hold a claim on it. It operates on a partner-bank model (Partner bank (Solaris SE, BaFin-licensed); German IBAN accounts).
Does Kontist have a card, and where can you use it?
It issues a Visa business debit card. It is available in Europe.
Does Kontist require KYC?
Yes. Kontist requires identity verification (KYC) to open an account, as a partner-bank model.
Peers
Monzo · Wise · Starling Bank · Atom Bank · Zopa Bank · Chase UK
Kontist appears in
Neobanks running on someone else’s banking license (81) · Neobanks available in Europe (144) · Neobanks for freelancers and creators (15) · Neobanks that issue a Visa card (182) · Neobanks in Germany (8)
Figures compiled from public sources, for comparison only — not financial advice. "Up to" rates change constantly; always confirm with the issuer. Spotted an error? Suggest a fix.