Last Update: 28 October 2024
1. What Is the Best Free Credit Card in Germany?
We compare free credit cards in Germany to give the information required for choosing the best free credit card. You can directly dive into each credit card’s essential features, benefits, and limitations. Moreover, this article will provide you with some basics on credit cards in Germany.
You can be an expat, student, or long-time resident in Germany: A credit card often means convenience, flexibility, and even rewards. However, it needs to suit your needs adequately. And there are lots of options to choose from to find best credit card in Germany for you.
Commercial partners
Best Free Credit Cards in Germany: 4 Ideas for Every Purpose
#1 – Eurowings Gold is premium: Lufthansa miles, travel insurance, airport and flight priority service, no fees for use or cash withdrawals abroad, *1st year without base fee.
#2 – TF Bank Mastercard Gold is expat-friendly: Easy opening for new residents, English app, insurance package, long payback duration, no fees for payments abroad.
#3 – PAYBACK American Express is rewards pure: cashback, travel portal, shopping discounts, insurance, start bonus, free partner cards.
#4 – Santander BestCard Basic is the all-in-one solution: online bank account with full-fledged credit card, free cash withdrawals, English mobile application.
2. The Entire List: Find a Free Credit Card in Germany
To find the best free German credit card, we identified cards that do not come with any monthly or annual fees. However, be mindful of any potential charges that may arise during usage, such as:
- Usage fees for transactions in other countries or foreign currencies
- Charges for cash withdrawals, both within and outside of Germany: Please note that beyond the fees listed in our overview below, some ATM providers may charge additional fees independently of your card. These will be shown to you on the screen before confirming the withrawal. In this case, we recommend to search for another ATM that does not charge fees.
- Fees for obtaining a second card or replacing a lost card
- Interest rates applied to delayed or unpaid bills
All credit cards require a residence in Germany. The different banks will also perform a credit check (Schufa) before accepting you as a customer. This record is only created with time. Some banks like TF Bank or Advanzia are known to be very welcoming towards recently arrived residents of Germany. However, in case you get rejected, we advise you to wait a couple of weeks after registering a residence, setting up a local bank account and obtaining frequent income. As an alternative, you can also check our list of free debit cards here.
This overview reflects the best of our knowledge. It is in alphabetic order, with our commercial partners on top. Even though we’ve tried to make the overview as holistic as possible, let us know in the comments if we need to include any exciting offers or corrections. If you want to know more about or sign up for a specific credit card, follow the link to the issuer’s website. After online assignment, you will have to follow an identification process that is similar to the one for opening a bank account in Germany.
American Express
Blue Card
Commercial partner
No annual fee
25 Euros start bonus
Advanzia Bank
Gebührenfrei Mastercard Gold
Commercial partner
No annual fee
Commercial partner
No annual fee
Barclays Eurowings
Kreditkarte Gold
Commercial partner
No annual fee (1st year)*
5.000 Lufthansa miles start bonus
BMW Card by
American Express
Commercial partner
No annual fee as of 2nd year (conditions apply)*
Consors Finanz
Mastercard
Commercial partner
No annual fee
Extra Karte
Mastercard by Novum Bank
Commercial partner
No annual fee
PAYBACK American
Express Card
Commercial partner
No annual fee
30 Euros start bonus in PAYBACK points
Santander Visa
BestCard Basic
Commercial partner
No annual fee
TARGOBANK
Online Classic-Karte
Commercial partner
No annual fee
TF Bank
Mastercard Gold
Commercial partner
No annual fee
Barclays Visa
Commercial partner
No annual fee
norisbank
Mastercard
Commercial partner
No annual fee
(conditions apply)*
Hanseatic Bank
GenialCard
Commercial partner
No annual fee
3. Major Brands in Germany: Visa Credit Card, Mastercard, and American Express
Only some years ago, German stores rarely accepted credit card payments. But things have changed. Nowadays, almost every store that takes electronic payments also accepts credit cards. Three names usually stand out for credit card issuers: Visa, Mastercard, and American Express.
- Visa credit card is widely accepted across Germany. Recently, it has become the most popular brand. Currently, Germany has about 18 million basic credit cards for everyday purchases and premium cards (e.g., travel insurance or rewards) issued by Visa.
- Mastercard is just behind Visa, equally serving around about 18 million users. Mastercard offers a similar range of card types, some of which include price protection and identity theft protection.
- American Express, often called Amex, is known for its premium service and rewards program. About 3 million Germen credit cards are currently in circulation. However, retailers often have to pay higher fees when accepting Amex payments. Hence, the acceptance rate in Germany is significantly lower. Cardholders appreciate the benefits that come with the brand: Extensive travel insurance, exclusive event access, and a superior rewards program.
4. Credit Card, Debit Card, and Prepaid Card: Understanding the Differences
Often, people only talk about requiring a “Visa,” “Mastercard,” or “credit card.” However, there are four different types with distinct differences in how they function:
- Charge credit cards: This is probably the most common type of credit card in Germany when you get it together with a bank account. The total balance is deducted from your bank account once a month. This way, you cannot run into high-interest payments because of missed payments. Nevertheless, penalties are charged if the transaction fails because you have insufficient funds in your current account.
- Revolving credit cards: You do not have to pay interest until the due date (usually 30-60 days in the future). Afterward, you can decide on the amount you want to pay back. Although, there is interest accruing on any unpaid amount. It is preferable to choose a German credit card provider that allows you to set up an automated direct debit for the total amount from your bank account once it is due. This way, it is not possible to run into debt by accident.
- Debit cards: The focus is on efficient payment, as the money is immediately deducted from your account. Accruing debt is impossible, but debit cards also offer fewer perks. They are primarily available in combination with any standard current account. Check here for our review on bank accounts and debit cards in Germany.
- Prepaid cards: You must load money onto the card before using it. Prepaid cards function much like debit cards, with the difference being that they are not linked to a bank account. These cards are often dedicated to people with a short or adverse credit history.
Our review for the best credit card in Germany focuses on charge and revolving credit card features and benefits. Only these cards offer you perks and the option of delayed payments, e.g., to cover the duration between travel expenses and a refund from your employer. They are also necessary for hotel or rental car bookings as they allow a company to “block” a certain amount.
However, please refer to our dedicated review of the best German bank accounts if you want a debit card.
5. Factors to Consider in Choosing The Best Credit Card
Everyone has different needs. Hence, deciding on a premium or free credit card depends on your spending behavior and needs. Here are some essential aspects to keep in mind:
- Fees: Some credit cards come with annual fees. Our reviews focus on cards without monthly fees. Still, some issuers may charge fees for foreign currency transactions, cash withdrawals, or interest.
- Sign-up Bonuses: Many credit cards attract new users with enticing incentives: Cash, cashback rewards, or bonus points are just some options.
- Rewards Programs: Some credit card companies reward usage with cashback, airline miles, or loyalty points.
- Benefits: Some of the best credit cards in Germany also come with complementary insurance packages or partner cards.
6. Conclusion
Choosing the best credit card in Germany is a personal decision. First, reflect on your lifestyle, and then consider the fees, sign-up bonuses, rewards programs, or other features such as insurance packages. We advise you to have a detailed look at the entire list to select the best option for you. Although, there are lots of premium options with a variety of perks, you can choose from a variety of free credit cards in Germany. Some highlights for every purpose are:
- Eurowings Gold is one of the best credit cards in Germany for you in case you look for a holistic package and premium perks. They offer an insurance package and Lufthansa miles. You get free cash withdrawals, no foreign transaction fees, automatic repayment of debt, and an English mobile app.
- TF Bank Mastercard Gold is very expat-friendly with liberal credit checks and no foreign-transaction fees. The interest free period of up to 51 days and the English mobile app are highlights.
- PAYBACK American Express and BMW Card by American Express are free Amex credit cards. It includes a generous cashback program, shopping discounts, a start bonus and a free partner cards. The outstanding balance is automatically deducted from your bank account.
- Santander BestCard Basic comes with a full-fledged bank account and free cash withdrawals.
7. Frequently Asked Questions
Disclaimer:
The information in this post is non-binding and for informational purposes only. It is not a complete market overview. We do not take responsibility for the accuracy and up-to-dateness of the data. Please re-check the final conditions and prices on the providers’ websites (§18 ZKG).
We do not intend to provide financial advice. All investments involve risks of loss.
Some of the links in this article are promotional links. We gain a commission if you purchase an item or open an account following this link. It helps us keep this site running and does not come at any cost to you.
