The Freelancer’s Guide to Smarter Budgeting and Banking

If you’re a freelancer, you already know how important it is to stay on top of your money. But between chasing invoices, managing irregular income, and handling taxes, budgeting as a freelancer can feel like a full-time job in itself.

That’s why choosing the right freelancer bank matters. With the bunq, you can simplify your finances, stay in control, and actually make the most of the money you earn.

Here are five practical tips for smarter budgeting for freelancers—so you can spend less time stressing over finances, and more time doing what you do best.

1. Separate your business and personal money

One of the first (and smartest) moves you can make is opening a separate bank account for your freelance income. 

Opening a dedicated Business Account helps you:

  • Track income and expenses more easily
  • Set aside tax and VAT without confusion
  • Present a more professional image to clients

bunq offers a Free Business Account for freelancers in Europe that takes just a few minutes to open—no paperwork, no hidden fees.

2. Use a digital bank built for freelancers

Freelancers don’t work 9 to 5, and your bank shouldn’t either.

A good freelancer bank should offer:

  • 100% online sign-up (no in-person appointments)
  • Full account access from your phone or laptop
  • Instant payments and real-time balance updates

bunq lets you open and manage your account from anywhere—making it easy to stay in control on the go.

3. Create separate accounts for smarter budgeting

Budgeting for freelancers is easier when your money is organized.

bunq lets you open up to 25 individual Bank Accounts. That means you can split your funds across categories like:

  • Income from clients
  • Tax and VAT savings
  • Emergency fund or long-term savings
  • Business expenses or subscriptions

This setup gives you a clear overview of your finances and helps avoid last-minute surprises.

4. Make secure payments instantly

Need to make a quick purchase for a client project? bunq offers a free Virtual Credit Card that works with Apple Pay and Google Pay.

You can:

  • Pay instantly online or in-store
  • Avoid waiting for a physical card
  • Keep your details secure

Fast, simple, and safe—right from your phone.

5. Earn rewards while you work

Your business expenses can actually help you earn more.

With bunq, freelancers can get:

  • Up to 1% Cashback on credit card purchases
  • Exclusive discounts on tools like Google Workspace

Just by using your business account for everyday payments, you can increase your earnings over time.

Freelancing gets easier when your finances are in order

As a freelancer, your time and energy matter. The right tools—like a bank built for your needs—can help you save both.

bunq’s Free Business Account is available for freelancers and small businesses in:

  • The Netherlands
  • Belgium
  • France
  • Germany
  • Austria
  • Spain
  • Italy
  • Ireland
  • Portugal

It’s easy to open, simple to use, and built to support better budgeting for freelancers—so you can spend more time doing the work you love.

bunq

Our goal is to empower go-getters by taking away the hassle of money admin. We’re on a mission to simplify finances, and give you full control, whenever, wherever. A decade into our journey, we’ve grown to be the second-largest neobank in Europe, helping over 14 million users bank better every single day.