Openbank BestCard Smart
Shopping credit card from Openbank (formerly Santander) – no foreign currency fee, with purchase protection and 4 free withdrawals per month.
Score: 8.1 / 10 · Very good
Rating: 8.2 / 10 · No reviews yet
Best for: Shopping & abroad
Overview
The Openbank BestCard Smart is a genuine credit card from Openbank (ehem. Santander) on the Visa network. Shopping credit card from Openbank (formerly Santander) – no foreign currency fee, with purchase protection and 4 free withdrawals per month. The annual fee is €24 (free in the first year). The card also waives the usual foreign currency fee abroad.
Who is it for?
Our take: Shopping & abroad. Its strengths lie in travel and use abroad and mobile payments. It is issued without a German IBAN, so no additional checking account is strictly required. As a genuine credit card it offers a credit line (effective annual interest 16.72 %).
How the score is calculated
Overall score: 8.1 / 10 · Very good
| Costs (30 %) | 7.4 / 10 |
|---|---|
| Foreign currency (18 %) | 10.0 / 10 |
| Cash worldwide (14 %) | 10.0 / 10 |
| Interest (10 %) | 6.3 / 10 |
| Cashback & bonus (10 %) | 0.0 / 10 |
| Features (6 %) | 1.8 / 10 |
| Community signal (12 %) | 6.9 / 10 |
Highlights
- Year 1 €0, then €24 – waived from €2,000 spend in the previous year
- No foreign currency fee on payments
- 4 free cash withdrawals per month
- Purchase protection and extended warranty
Costs & Fees
| Annual fee | €24 |
|---|---|
| Welcome bonus | — |
| Eff. annual interest | 16.72 % |
| Type | Credit card |
| Network | Visa |
| Issuer | Openbank (ehem. Santander) |
The annual fee is €24, with the first year free. You pay no surcharge abroad or in foreign currency. A fee of 3.5 % (min. €5.75) applies to cash worldwide (4 withdrawals/month free). The effective annual interest rate is 16.72 % (for instalment payments). Billing: Monthly billing with optional installment (revolving) repayment.
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This card in our comparisons: Travel Credit Cards · Credit Cards With Instalments · Visa Credit Cards Compared · Credit Cards Without Foreign Transaction Fees Compared
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- Deutschland-Kreditkarte Classic – Well-known free Visa credit card with no account requirement, recommended by Stiftung Warentest.
- Bank Norwegian Visa – The all-round fee-free travel credit card with no extra checking account.
Frequently asked questions
- What does the Openbank BestCard Smart cost per year?
- The Openbank BestCard Smart costs €24 per year; it is free in the first year.
- Does the Openbank BestCard Smart charge foreign currency fees?
- No. With the Openbank BestCard Smart you pay no foreign currency fee worldwide.
- Is the Openbank BestCard Smart a genuine credit card?
- Yes, the Openbank BestCard Smart is a genuine credit card with a credit line (effective annual interest 16.72 %).
- Does the Openbank BestCard Smart require a SCHUFA check?
- Yes, Openbank (ehem. Santander) runs a SCHUFA credit check for the Openbank BestCard Smart; a negative SCHUFA record can lead to rejection.
- How is money on the Openbank BestCard Smart protected?
- Statutory deposit guarantee Germany (EdB), up to €100,000. Additionally voluntary BdB deposit protection fund (up to €3 million for private customers, as of 2026). Openbank Deutschland AG (formerly Santander Consumer Bank AG, Mönchengladbach) is a German credit institution.