Germany Credit Cards for Students in 2023: In these difficult times, a credit card can be extremely useful for students who are frequently short on cash. Despite part-time jobs, parental support, and scholarships, you may need budget flexibility for additional expenses such as clothing, a car, or a vacation. Therefore, obtaining a credit card in Germany as a student can be an excellent solution.
Best Germany Credit Cards for Students in 2023 are:
- American Express Return policy
- Credit Cards: DKB Visa Card Awa7 Visa Card Advanzia Mastercard Gold Complimentary Santander BestCard Basic 1822direkt Classic
- If you are a student in Germany looking for a credit card, you should read this article first and last. Here is a comparison of the best student credit cards in Germany. This article lists the top German credit cards.
How to choose the best credit card as a student?
If you are considering getting a credit card during your studies in Germany, you should first consider whether a small personal loan would be a better option.
In addition, one should compare all credit cards on the market because the terms vary greatly.
However, all credit cards on our list are suitable not only for students but also for other German residents. However, both the monthly or annual fee and the requirements are below average.
https://russianvagabond.com/best-credit-cards-in-germany/
Top Credit Cards for Students in Germany
1. Barclays Visa card
In Germany, the Barclays Visa card is one of the most popular credit cards. It is a credit card that is free to use in Germany and other countries. The primary benefit of this card is the ability to pay and withdraw money in any currency or country without incurring any fees.
You can obtain a Barclays Visa without opening a Barclays bank checking account.
Features of the Barclays card:
- VISA credit card
- Zero monthly cost
- Free international cash withdrawals
- Free worldwide payments
- 0% interest rate for purchases less than €500; otherwise, 18.38%
- No fees for foreign currency transactions
- Online application via video legitimation or PostIdent
- Keep the following in mind:
- Free cash withdrawals are available beginning at 50 EUR.
- A successful application requires a good credit score.
2. American Express Payback
One of the most reputable companies in the world has issued American Express Payback, a no-fee credit card. The payback feature allows you to earn points on purchases made at all stores, excluding gas stations.
Featured aspects of American Express Payback:
- AMEX credit card
- Zero monthly cost
- Free transactions are permitted in the EUR zone.
- Online application via video legitimation or PostIdent
- How large is the return? One Payback loyalty point can be earned for every two euros spent. 100 payback points are equivalent to 1 euro.
Important to know:
- Payments made outside the Eurozone are assessed a 2% fee. In addition, cash withdrawals incur a 4% commission fee. Therefore, this card is useful if you intend to make purchases within the EU.
Other American Express credit cards include:
- Standard Blue, without cost Platinum Gold
Read our summary on American Express credit cards in Germany.
3. DKB Visa Card
The DKB credit card is one of the best free credit cards in Germany and Austria, as is their student bank account. This card will be especially useful when traveling abroad and withdrawing cash.
Features of the DKB Visa Card:
- Free checking account
- complimentary debit card with a 4. Awa7 Visa Cardcredit function
- Online banking
- Visa cards offer free cash withdrawals at ATMs worldwide.
- Online account creation
- Free emergency credit card and cash
- up to 20% cashback online
- International Student Identity Card (ISIC) for discounts worldwide
- With the DKB Visa credit card, students can make fee-free payments and cash withdrawals in Germany and abroad.
- To obtain a DBK credit card, you must first open a free bank account. Hence, a Visa credit card will accompany a normal debit card. They are both free.
Important to know:
- The minimum amount required for free cash withdrawals at ATMs is fifty euros.
- A monthly deposit of 700 euros enhances the card’s terms.
4. Awa7 Visa Card
On the list, Awa7 Visa is one of our favorites. It is a German credit card that is provided at no cost (i.e., no monthly or annual fees).
The company’s name is derived from Hebrew, where Awa means “the one who gives life.” In addition to representing a week, seven is considered a lucky number in this country. Just so you are aware
Moreover, it is the best option for those in need of cash! With an Awa7 credit card, you can apply for an immediate credit of up to 2,500 EUR while placing your order. The best part is that the interest rate is zero if the money is paid back within the first three months.
Highlights of Awa7 Visa Card:
- Visa credit card
- without monthly or yearly fees.
- No foreign transaction fees—worldwide payments are free. There is no minimum transaction volume.
- Free cash withdrawals in every country
- Online legitimation is possible.
- Payment options are flexible, including a one-time payment or monthly installments.
- Credit line for Apple Pay and Google Pay for up to €2,500
- Either pay in monthly installments or pay the monthly balance in full.
- Zero interest rate on credit
- 12-month coverage for online shopping
- 5% off all travel bookings
- This card is vastly superior to the majority of credit card options for students and others.
5. Advanzia Mastercard Gold
The Gebührenfrei (free) Advanzia Mastercard Gold is the ideal credit card for German students because it is free. It is completely free and comes with numerous useful features.
Features of the Advanzia Mastercard Gold:
- Mastercard credit card
- No monthly or yearly charges
- No fees for payments in foreign currency; free payments worldwide.
- Free withdrawals of cash
- Simple application procedure (no PostIdent required)
- Apple Pay and Google Pay travel insurance is included with up to 7 weeks of free credit.
- 24-hour customer support
- Read our comprehensive Advanzia Mastercard Gold credit card review.
https://russianvagabond.com/advanzia-mastercard-gold-credit-cards-in-germany/
Important to know:
- A monthly interest rate of 1.49% will apply to cash withdrawals.
- There is no automatic monthly bill deduction from a bank account.
6. Free Santander BestCard Basic
Santander is a well-known international bank, including in Germany. They offer a variety of credit cards, but the free Santander BestCard Basic is among the best options for German students. Even without a regular income, a student can obtain a credit card, albeit with a lower credit limit.
However, it is also suitable for professionals with a steady income and self-employed German residents.
Since cash withdrawals and payments in EUR are free with a Santander credit card, it is also suitable for frequent travelers who travel primarily within the EU.
Key features of Free BestCard Basic:
- zero-cost Visa credit card
- 0 EUR yearly fee
- Free international cash withdrawals up to four times per month
- Spending in EUR is free.
- There is no need to establish a checking account.
- 24-hour customer support
- 5% cashback with select partner travel agencies
- Online banking
- Maximum credit limit of 2,000 EUR
- Interest rate: 13,98%
- Returning credit within 28 days with no interest
Check Also: Germany Long Stay Working Visa 2023 – Fully Explained
Important to know:
- When paying in a non-EUR currency, a 1.5% foreign transaction fee applies.
- Maximum of four free withdrawals per month
Applying for a credit card online is possible. Conditions for eligibility:
- Income Stability and Residency in Germany
7. 1822direkt Classic Credit Card
Key features of the 1822direkt Classic Credit Card are:
- Visa or Mastercard credit card without cost
- The initial year is free.
- Receive a 225 EUR bonus as a new customer.
- Current account fees are included. SparkassenCard
- Unlimited fee-free cash withdrawals at all German Sparkasse ATMs (over 25,000)
- No restrictions on payments
- Free withdrawal of cash in the EU
- Rapid account opening using video identification or PostIdent
- Free mobile app
- Beneficial insurance provisions
Important to know:
- Visa or Mastercard credit cards are free if annual turnover exceeds 4,000 EUR (or 700 EUR per month); otherwise, a monthly fee of 3,90 EUR
- Withdrawals made outside of the EU incur a 1.75 percent fee.
- 1822direkt Visa Gold Credit Card Bank 1822direkt offers a vast selection of credit cards that are ideal for German students. 1822direkt is a subsidiary of Sparkasse, one of Germany’s largest bank networks.
Features of the 1822direkt Visa Gold Credit Card:
- Visa or Mastercard Gold credit card
- Monthly charges of €9.90
- Receive a 225 EUR bonus as a new customer.
- Current account fees are included. SparkassenCard
- Unlimited fee-free cash withdrawals at all German Sparkasse ATMs (over 25,000)
- Free withdrawal of cash in the EU
- Rapid account opening using video identification or PostIdent
- Free mobile app
- Beneficial insurance provisions
- Pick your own PIN.
- Visa PayWave’s contactless payment system
- Important to know:
Withdrawals made outside of the EU incur a 1.75 percent fee.
- Credit Card 1822MOBILE
- 1822MOBILE is an alternative, more cost-effective credit card offered by 1822direkt.
Features of the 1822 Mobile Credit Card:
- Receive a starting credit of 25 EUR.
- Zero monthly cost
- Free checking account with GiroCard’s optional overdraft service
- Free mobile app
- Rapid account opening with video identification or post-identification
Important to know:
- If monthly payments of at least 0.01 EUR are received, there is no account management fee; otherwise, a monthly fee of 1.90 EUR is charged.
- Following three salary confirmations, an overdraft facility is available.
- Additionally, we suggest that you read “The Best Bank Accounts for Students in Germany” so that you can choose the most suitable option.
https://russianvagabond.com/best-bank-account-for-international-students-in-germany/
8. ICS Visa World Card
The Visa World Card issued by ICS is the most widely accepted credit card in the world.
With the Visa World Card, you can make purchases literally anywhere in the world and receive foreign currency at no additional cost.
Features of the ICS Visa World Card:
- Visa credit card
- Annual fee of €0 (permanent)
- Free withdrawal of cash in the EU
- 2% fee for withdrawals outside the European Union
- Apply without an existing account.
- Authentic credit card with partial payment option
- Simple application via video identification
- 5% cash rebate on travel reservations
Important to know:
- In Germany, cash withdrawals from a credit balance incur a 4% fee on the amount withdrawn (min. 5 EUR).
https://russianvagabond.com/why-dont-germans-use-credit-cards/
Benefits of having a credit card in Germany
Many students in Germany are unaware that they can obtain a credit card, which can significantly improve their quality of life.
Flexibility is by far the most significant benefit of credit cards. In addition, it’s incredibly useful for traveling and online shopping, as credit cards are accepted worldwide, whereas standard German cards are not.
Therefore, it will be incredibly beneficial for your semester abroad. Additionally, cash withdrawals are typically free.
- Credit line when money is needed.
- Reasonable terms for repayment
- Low prices
- No fees overseas
- Free money withdrawal
- Numerous advantages, ranging from discounts to insurance, are provided.
- Simple online purchasing
Chances of getting a credit card as a student
Students are not the most creditworthy individuals, so some banks may hesitate to issue you a credit card. Before making a decision, banks will evaluate your finances.
If it appears unprofessional, they may reject your application. In order to obtain a reputable credit card in Germany, a student must typically have a monthly income or savings.
Nonetheless, it is possible to obtain a credit card as a student without a regular income. Prepaid credit cards are credit cards that require a deposit prior to use. However, they can still be used to make payments and withdraw cash in Germany and abroad.
https://russianvagabond.com/credit-cards-in-germany-barclays/
Taking a loan as a student in Germany
Students are not the most creditworthy individuals, so some banks may hesitate to issue you a credit card. Before making a decision, banks will evaluate your finances.
If it appears unprofessional, they may reject your application. In order to obtain a reputable credit card in Germany, a student must typically have a monthly income or savings.
Nonetheless, it is possible to obtain a credit card as a student without a regular income. Prepaid credit cards are credit cards that require a deposit prior to use. However, they can still be used to make payments and withdraw cash in Germany and abroad.
https://russianvagabond.com/credit-cards-in-germany-barclays/
Here are some potential funding options for German students:
- BAfoG KfW student loan
- Student loans from specific banks, such as Sparkasse
- Loans from private banks, including microfinance institutions such as Auxmoney.
Sadly, not all international students qualify for this credit. The authorized student loan is offered for:
- EU citizens who have resided in Germany for a minimum of three years
- Family members of the previously mentioned EU citizens residing in Germany
- Individuals with a German high school diploma or who have graduated from a German school abroad
- If you do not fall into any of these categories, you can still obtain a student loan from a private bank. Apply for such a position here.
Based on our research and experience, Auxmoney is by far the best and easiest place for a student or a foreigner to obtain a loan, as both the rejection rate and the requirements are extremely low.
Unlike a conventional bank, it is a private organization supported by investors’ funds.
Additionally, you can apply for a loan even if a conventional bank denies your request. Auxmoney’s application and entire process are completed online.
To obtain a loan in Germany as a foreign national, you must have a German address, a German bank account, and a source of income. After meeting these requirements, Auxmoney will provide you with a loan within 24 hours or the following few days.
Other advantages of the loan from Auxmoney:
- favorable interest rates
- Rapid funds from private and institutional investors; loans from 1,000 to 50,000 euros; straightforward application; ecstatic clients
Requirements for credit cards in Germany
Credit card applications are generally open to all students. You must be “creditworthy,” however. This involves not having a poor credit score or Schufa. A credit card is nothing more than a monthly loan, which, of course, must be repaid.
Financial institutions may deem it too risky to issue you a credit card if your credit score is low.
In addition, having a steady income (e.g., a student job) will help you obtain a credit card in Germany. However, you should always ensure that you can repay the money you charge to your credit card.
Read about requirements for foreigners.
People Also Ask
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Is obtaining a credit card in Germany simple?
Therefore, if you are new to Germany, your chances of obtaining a credit card are lower than if you wait until you have established a credit history. However, you may still apply for some credit cards with a low credit limit or a prepaid credit card linked to your bank account.
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In Germany, which credit cards are accepted?
In Germany, which credit cards are accepted? In Germany, major credit cards such as VISA, Mastercard, and American Express are generally always accepted.
