Holvi Blog for Makers and Doers

Mandatory e-invoicing in Germany 2020 – the way of the future

How to use Holvi, Business tips, freelancer | 22/10/20 12:49

If you’re self-employed and working for Germany’s Federal Government, you’ll have heard of e-invoicing already. How come? Because...

From 27 November 2020, the Federal Government will no longer accept paper or PDF invoices.

An expat's guide to Finanzamt – Steuer-ID, Steuernummer and Umsatzsteuernummer (2020)

Business tips, Sole trader taxes | 22/10/20 12:23

Germany is proud of its national efficiency stereotype. While it might not always seem like it, the country gets stuff done – just look at Germany’s strong economy and relatively low working hours compared to other EU countries. But German efficiency comes with complex processes and systems. Like the German tax system, for example.

5 moments when German taxes frustrate every freelancer

Business tips, freelancer | 13/10/20 08:35

Starting a freelance career isn’t easy. And when taxes come into play, life can sometimes get stressful. But don’t worry, you’re not alone. Here are 5 moments when every freelancer in Germany would probably love to abolish the Finanzamt.

An expat's guide to health insurance in Germany – for freelancers (2020)

Business tips | 09/10/20 06:00

Your health is the most important thing in your life. It's also the solid foundation of a successful career. But... life is unpredictable. That’s why health insurance is mandatory in Germany. There's no way around it, doctor’s orders. And the market is big.

What to do when the IHK sends you a letter (2020)

Business tips, Sole trader expenses, Sole trader taxes | 01/10/20 08:30

Getting a letter in the post can be a beautiful thing. An event that instantly transports you back to simpler times. Days when you still noticed the sunshine, the changing seasons, felt a flutter of excitement at the prospect of travel (or simply running into someone on the street). The pre-screen era, long before 2020.

‘In future, we’ll issue our own cards’ – Holvi co-founder Tuomas Toivonen lays out plans for new card features

Holvi news | 27/08/20 11:04

It’s official: the Holvi card is taking a new direction – Holvi Business Mastercard® 2.0. We haven’t yet mapped out all the finer details, but to keep you informed we’re sharing our plans to date.

Discover Holvi’s brand and product redesign

Holvi news | 17/08/20 14:00

Each day we do a bit more to simplify life for the self-employed. A big part of this is improving our product. Here are the latest updates set for release in 2020.

Holvi is leaving the UK – when and why?

Holvi news | 12/08/20 11:02

Yes, you read correctly. We will officially be leaving the UK on 31 October 2020. As you might imagine, this was not an easy decision to make. But we believe in open communication and sharing information as soon as possible, so we’ve already sent an email to our UK customers. This post is to explain our decision in a bit more detail.

Facebook Shops – helping small businesses boost online sales

Business tips | 09/06/20 12:27

Facebook recently announced a global rollout of Facebook Shops – not to be confused with Facebook Marketplace. Its aim? To provide a mobile-first shopping experience built for today’s consumers. Together with Facebook Pay, Facebook Shops is the most promising update for small businesses worldwide. Now anyone can easily create an online store on Facebook and Instagram – for free!

5 key learnings from small businesses adapting to change

30/04/20 17:08

Over the past two months, small business owners across the UK have faced new worries over their futures. But in exceptional times, living creatures have an intrinsic drive to dig deep, to find previously untapped reserves of strength and resourcefulness. And often, adversity is a catalyst for creativity.