Openbank BestCard Basic
Free credit card from Openbank (formerly Santander) – instalments preset, full payment selectable.
Score: 7.0 / 10 · Fair
Rating: 8.2 / 10 · 1.620 reviews
Best for: Free, no account
Overview
The Openbank BestCard Basic is a genuine credit card from Openbank (ehem. Santander) on the Visa network. Free credit card from Openbank (formerly Santander) – instalments preset, full payment selectable. It comes with no annual fee on a permanent basis. A surcharge of 1.85 % applies to payments in foreign currency.
Who is it for?
Our take: Free, no account. Its strengths lie in 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: 7.0 / 10 · Fair
| Costs (30 %) | 10.0 / 10 |
|---|---|
| Foreign currency (18 %) | 3.5 / 10 |
| Cash worldwide (14 %) | 2.7 / 10 |
| Interest (10 %) | 6.3 / 10 |
| Cashback & bonus (10 %) | 0.0 / 10 |
| Features (6 %) | 1.8 / 10 |
| Community signal (12 %) | 8.3 / 10 |
Highlights
- €0 annual fee
- No fee on euro payments
- Instalments preset (5%), full payment selectable
- No extra checking account required
Costs & Fees
| Annual fee | €0 |
|---|---|
| Welcome bonus | — |
| Eff. annual interest | 16.72 % |
| Type | Credit card |
| Network | Visa |
| Issuer | Openbank (ehem. Santander) |
There is no annual fee. Outside the euro area a 1.85 % foreign currency fee applies. A fee of 3.5 % (min. €5.75) + 1.85 % foreign currency fee applies to cash abroad. In Germany, cash withdrawals cost 3.5 % (min. €5.75). 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: Free Credit Cards · Credit Cards With Instalments · Visa Credit Cards Compared · Santander Credit Cards Compared
Related guides: Credit card fees and how to avoid them · Foreign fee study 2026: what credit cards cost abroad · What is SCHUFA? Germany's credit score guide
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Frequently asked questions
- What does the Openbank BestCard Basic cost per year?
- The Openbank BestCard Basic has no annual fee on a permanent basis — there are no fixed yearly costs.
- Does the Openbank BestCard Basic charge foreign currency fees?
- Yes. Outside the euro area the Openbank BestCard Basic charges a 1.85 % foreign currency fee.
- Is the Openbank BestCard Basic a genuine credit card?
- Yes, the Openbank BestCard Basic is a genuine credit card with a credit line (effective annual interest 16.72 %).
- Does the Openbank BestCard Basic require a SCHUFA check?
- Yes, Openbank (ehem. Santander) runs a SCHUFA credit check for the Openbank BestCard Basic; a negative SCHUFA record can lead to rejection.
- How is money on the Openbank BestCard Basic 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.