Business account referral: understanding Qonto's two tiers

This approach makes sense for a business account. Qonto is not merely seeking a registration, but a customer who actually uses their account, card and subscription.

Key points

• Qonto is aimed at professionals, not individuals.
• The referral reward can reach 160 € each.
• The two tiers depend on use of the account.
• The physical card plays a role in the conditions.

The first tier: genuine account activation

The local data indicates a first tier of 80 € each when the referred user spends 50 € with their physical card and pays for a Qonto subscription during their first two months.

This detail changes the assessment. Simply opening an account and leaving it empty is not enough. The referred user must start using Qonto as a genuine business account.

For a self-employed person or small company, this is not necessarily restrictive. Paying for an ordinary business expense with the card may be enough. It is less appealing for someone who only wanted to receive a reward.

The second tier: more intensive use

The second tier adds a further 80 € each when the referred user reaches 3,000 € in spending with the physical card over the same period. The rationale becomes clearer: Qonto rewards an account that becomes central to cash flow management.

This tier is not suitable for every profile. A micro-entrepreneur with little card spending may never reach it. A company that pays for its tools, travel or recurring purchases with the card may reach it more easily.

Before promising “160 € each”, you should therefore check whether the referred user genuinely has the required level of spending.

Who Qonto is really aimed at

Qonto is relevant to freelancers, small business owners, consultants, agencies and small companies that want to keep their business finances properly separate. The referral reward is only an extra incentive.

If you do not need a business account, the offer is not for you. You would be better off considering consumer offers such as BoursoBank, Fortuneo or N26.

If you already run a business, the calculation becomes more attractive: the account serves a genuine purpose and the reward can offset the first few months.

How to present the link without overselling it

The right message is not “you can earn 160 €”. The right message is “if you need to open a business account and use a physical card, Qonto may reward you across two tiers”.

This wording avoids an incomplete promise. It also prepares the referred user to read the terms. A poorly explained business referral can cause frustration because the effort required is greater than simply registering.

For someone starting a business, by contrast, the condition may be a natural fit. They would have paid business expenses anyway.

An example of what to consider before sending the link

Before referring someone to Qonto, ask a simple question: “will you genuinely use the physical card during the first two months?” If the answer is no, the second tier becomes theoretical and even the first may be less straightforward.

The clearest message fits into one sentence: “if you open a Qonto business account and plan to pay your expenses with the physical card, the referral reward can cover two tiers.” This is more precise than simply promising 160 €.

My view

Qonto is a typical example of a referral offer that should not be judged by its maximum amount. The potential is good, but only if there is a genuine business need and the referred user intends to start using the account quickly.

If you are a consumer, read the comparison of French banks instead. If you are looking for a useful service for self-employed work, compare Qonto with Dougs and the SaaS offers.

See also

• Best SaaS referral programmes 2026
• Dougs referral 2026: the complete guide
• Wise referral code: verified link