Student credit cards in Germany: what matters

Can students get a credit card at all?

As a student, you can almost always get a debit card: it comes with a current account (Girokonto), takes each payment straight from your account and requires neither an income nor a credit line. Many online banks don't even run a SCHUFA check for it – SCHUFA being Germany's main credit bureau.

A genuine credit card with a credit line is harder to get. The bank checks your creditworthiness and income, and not every bank considers BAföG (German state student aid), a part-time job or maintenance payments (Unterhalt) enough. Some free credit cards do, however, grant a low credit line even on a small income. A SCHUFA file that is still empty is not a negative mark, but it doesn't earn you any points for long-standing contracts yet either.

The criteria that matter for students

When you compare cards as a student, pay particular attention to these points:

• No annual fee and no monthly fee – and no conditions you can't meet, such as a minimum monthly deposit
• No foreign currency fee – important for a semester abroad, travel and online purchases in a foreign currency
• Low-cost cash withdrawals in Germany and abroad, including via a free allowance
• No minimum income requirement or SCHUFA check if your credit history is still thin
• A good app with push notifications, card blocking and limits
• Mobile payment with Apple Pay or Google Pay

Free cards with no foreign currency fee

Our student category includes all cards with no annual fee and no foreign currency fee. It covers debit cards linked to a current account as well as genuine credit cards with a credit line. In the table, look at the card type and the SCHUFA check: debit cards without SCHUFA are the easiest to get, while credit cards help with deposits.

Debit or credit card – which is better?

For everyday spending, a free debit card is the simpler choice: payments are debited from your account straight away, it is often available without a SCHUFA hurdle and it keeps you out of debt.

A genuine credit card has one advantage, though: it is accepted far more often for hotel deposits and car rental. If you travel regularly, you are best off combining a debit card for everyday use with a free credit card for trips. Two cards are also a good safeguard in case one gets lost or blocked abroad.

Semester abroad: what to keep in mind

If you are going abroad for a semester or an internship, check your cards before you leave:

• At least one card with no foreign currency fee if the country doesn't use the euro
• Check the cash terms abroad: free allowances, minimum fees and charges by ATM operators
• Keep a second card separate from your main card
• Abroad, always pay and withdraw in the local currency – never let the amount be converted into euros
• For rent and deposits, find out whether a genuine credit card is required
• Keep a current account with a German IBAN so that direct debits and BAföG keep running

Beware of instalment repayment

Many free credit cards make their money from instalment repayment (revolving credit): if you only pay a small part of your statement, the rest accrues interest – in our comparison at effective annual rates (APR) from around 10% to just under 26%, with most cards above 20%. On some cards, instalment repayment is the default setting.

So switch to full repayment as soon as you receive the card, and only spend what will be in your account on the debit date. Paying on time in your first years and keeping your card also lays the foundation for a good credit rating – the age of your oldest credit card counts towards your SCHUFA score.

Frequently asked questions about student credit cards

Do I need an income to get a credit card as a student?

Not for a debit card. For a genuine credit card with a credit line, most banks require a regular income; each bank decides for itself how high it has to be and whether BAföG or a part-time job is enough.

Are there credit cards specifically for students?

Dedicated student cards have become rare. Most students use the same free cards as everyone else – what matters is no basic fee, no foreign currency fee and low hurdles when you apply.

Which card is best for a semester abroad?

Ideally a combination: a card with no foreign currency fee and low-cost withdrawals for everyday use, plus a genuine credit card for deposits and as a backup. Check the cash withdrawal terms on each card's page beforehand.

Will a credit card hurt my SCHUFA score?

No, as long as you pay on time. A credit card with a credit line appears in your SCHUFA data; used as agreed, it is not a negative entry, and over the years its age even counts in your favour.