How to apply for a credit card in Germany

Requirements: what you need to apply

For a genuine credit or charge card, banks in Germany almost always ask for the same basic requirements. With debit and prepaid cards, proof of income and a check with SCHUFA, Germany's main credit bureau, are often not needed – in our comparison, around one in five cards works without a SCHUFA check.

• You must be of legal age and live in Germany
• A valid ID card (Personalausweis) or passport for identity verification
• A current account as reference account for the monthly direct debit – it does not have to be with the same bank
• A regular income if the card comes with a credit line
• A credit record without current negative entries if the bank checks SCHUFA
• An email address and a smartphone, since the application, approvals and the card app are mostly digital today

Step 1: Find the right card

It pays to compare before you apply. What matters is the card type (credit card, charge, debit or prepaid), the annual or monthly fee, the foreign currency fee for travel and – for cards with an instalment option – the effective annual interest rate (APR). Also check whether the bank runs a SCHUFA check: if your credit rating is weak, choosing a suitable card without SCHUFA spares you a rejection.

Submit one targeted application rather than several at once. Each bank checks independently, and a rejection from one bank does not improve your chances with the next.

Step 2: Fill in the online application

The application is almost always online today and usually takes only a few minutes. You will be asked for personal details such as your name, date of birth, address and nationality, as well as your occupation, employer, monthly net income and often your housing costs. You also enter the IBAN of your reference account.

Fill in everything completely and truthfully. Discrepancies between the application and your ID – an old address, for example – lead to follow-up questions or a rejection. Before you submit, you must receive the contract terms and the price and service schedule (Preis- und Leistungsverzeichnis); read the fees, interest rate and repayment method in particular.

Step 3: Verify your identity

Banks are required by law to verify your identity. Common methods are VideoIdent (a short video call via smartphone or webcam), the online ID function of the German ID card (eID) with an app, and PostIdent, where staff at a post office branch check your ID. Some providers also let you verify via the online banking of an existing current account.

VideoIdent is often done in under 10 minutes but needs good lighting, a stable connection and a valid ID. The eID option is even faster, but requires an activated online ID function and your PIN.

Step 4: Credit check and approval

For cards with a credit line, the bank requests a report from SCHUFA or another credit bureau and sets your credit limit based on your details. The decision often comes instantly, sometimes after a few days if the bank asks for further documents such as payslips.

The first credit limit is often cautious. Many banks raise it later on request or automatically once you have used the card reliably for a while. If a card with a credit line is approved, the bank usually reports it to SCHUFA; a card used as agreed is not a negative entry there.

Step 5: Receive and activate your card

The card arrives by post, the PIN usually separately or digitally in the app. Many providers give you a digital card beforehand so you can pay with Apple Pay or Google Pay – almost all cards in our comparison support this.

Once you have the card: check these settings right away

A few minutes in the app save you costs and hassle later:

• Set repayment to full payment if the card has an instalment option
• Set up the approval method for online payments (3-D Secure) in the app
• Turn on push notifications for every payment
• Adjust limits and country blocks to how you use the card, if the app offers this
• Add the card to Apple Pay or Google Pay if you want to pay with your phone
• Note the date of your first statement and direct debit

Common reasons for rejection

Not every application is approved. The most common reasons for rejection are a negative credit rating due to missed payments or ongoing debt collection proceedings recorded with SCHUFA, an income that is too low or irregular, and incomplete or incorrect information in the application. A failed identity verification – for example because your ID has expired – can also lead to a rejection.

If you cannot yet prove an income or have gaps in your employment history, classic credit cards are often declined. Banks set their exact requirements themselves and do not always communicate them transparently, so a rejection does not necessarily mean your credit rating is permanently poor.

What to do if you are rejected

A rejection is not a final verdict. First request your free SCHUFA data copy, check it for errors and have incorrect or outdated entries corrected. If income is the problem, you can apply for a debit or prepaid card instead, which works without a SCHUFA check and without proof of income.

After a few months with an improved financial situation or corrected data, it is worth applying again. Make sure all mandatory fields are filled in completely and your details are up to date – this noticeably improves your chances.

Frequently asked questions about the credit card application

How long does it take until I have the credit card?

Application, identity verification and decision are often completed on the same day. The plastic card then usually arrives by post within a few working days. Many providers make a digital card available in the app beforehand, so you can pay with your smartphone straight away.

Do I need a current account at the same bank?

For credit and charge cards, usually not. The statement amount is collected by direct debit from a reference account at any bank. Debit cards, on the other hand, always belong to an account with the card provider, which you open together with the card.

Can I withdraw from a card contract after applying?

Yes. If you sign the contract online, as a consumer you usually have a 14-day right of withdrawal. The period only starts once you have received the contract documents and the withdrawal notice. You still have to pay for any purchases you have already made.

Can I get a credit card without an income?

A genuine credit card with a credit line is hard to get without proof of income. Much easier to obtain are debit cards from online banks and prepaid cards, which often require neither an income nor a SCHUFA check. There are also cards for students with low requirements.