Travel Credit Cards 2026

Travel credit cards save real money abroad: they waive the foreign currency fee and often allow free cash withdrawals worldwide. You pay in foreign currency at the real exchange rate instead of costly surcharges.

Who is it for?

For frequent travellers, holidaymakers and anyone paying or withdrawing cash abroad – without surprise fees on the statement.

What to look out for

• No foreign currency fee worldwide
• Free cash withdrawals worldwide
• Optional travel insurance as a plus
• Mobile payment (Apple Pay / Google Pay) on the go

Recommendations compared

1. Bank Norwegian Visa – The all-round fee-free travel credit card with no extra checking account. Annual fee: 0 € · Bonus: +15 € · Rating: 9.4/10
2. Consors Credit Card Gold Light – Free credit card with the Consorsbank account and fee-free withdrawals worldwide. Annual fee: 0 € · Bonus: — · Rating: 9.4/10
3. TF Bank Mastercard Gold – Free travel credit card with included travel insurance and a long payment period. Annual fee: 0 € · Bonus: — · Rating: 9.2/10
4. Easybank Kreditkarte – Flexible credit card with no account requirement — successor to the Barclays Visa. Annual fee: 0 € · Bonus: — · Rating: 8.8/10
5. Deutschland-Kreditkarte Classic – Well-known free Visa credit card with no account requirement, recommended by Stiftung Warentest. Annual fee: 0 € · Bonus: +15 € · Rating: 8.7/10
6. Trade Republic Karte – Debit card for the Trade Republic account with 1% Saveback into your savings plan. Annual fee: 0 € · Bonus: — · Rating: 8.6/10
7. C24 Smart Debitkarte – Free debit card with the C24 Smart account and fee-free payments worldwide. Annual fee: 0 € · Bonus: — · Rating: 8.4/10
8. BBVA Kreditkarte Classic – Fee-free credit card with free worldwide withdrawals and a German IBAN. Annual fee: 0 € · Bonus: — · Rating: 8.4/10
9. DKB Visa Debitkarte – Popular debit card with the DKB account — free for active customers. Annual fee: 0 € · Bonus: — · Rating: 8.2/10
10. Hanseatic Bank GenialCard – Popular fee-free credit card with free worldwide withdrawals. Annual fee: 0 € · Bonus: — · Rating: 8.2/10
11. DKB Visa Kreditkarte – Genuine DKB credit card with a credit line for bookings and deposits. Annual fee: 58,8 € · Bonus: — · Rating: 8.2/10
12. Consors Visa Debit – Free debit card with the Consorsbank account and a German IBAN. Annual fee: 0 € · Bonus: — · Rating: 8.2/10
13. Hanseatic Bank Smart – Debit card with fee-free worldwide withdrawals and full cost control. Annual fee: 24 € · Bonus: — · Rating: 8.2/10
14. GMX Mastercard Gold – Free gold credit card with travel insurance and free worldwide withdrawals. Annual fee: 0 € · Bonus: — · Rating: 8.2/10
15. Klarna Card – Free Visa debit card with no foreign currency fee, ideal for online shopping. Annual fee: 0 € · Bonus: — · Rating: 8.0/10
16. Hanseatic Bank Goldcard – Gold debit card with travel insurance — free in the first year. Annual fee: 58,8 € · Bonus: — · Rating: 8.0/10
17. Santander BestCard Premium – Premium card with extensive insurance and fee-free worldwide withdrawals. Annual fee: 118,8 € · Bonus: — · Rating: 8.0/10
18. Norisbank Kreditkarte Standard – Credit card with the Norisbank account — free for active customers, fee-free worldwide. Annual fee: 0 € · Bonus: — · Rating: 8.0/10

All information without guarantee (continuously updated). Conditions may change – the provider's details are always decisive. No affiliate links.

Related guides: Using a credit card abroad: avoid fees & pay smart · Credit card with travel insurance: what's really covered

Frequently asked questions

Which credit card is best for travel?

A good travel card waives foreign currency fees and allows free cash withdrawals abroad. Additional travel insurance can be worthwhile for frequent travellers.

Can I pay abroad for free with any credit card?

No. Many cards charge a foreign currency fee of around 1–2% outside the eurozone. Travel cards deliberately waive it.

Which card suits you best?

Use your personal usage profile to calculate the real annual cost of every card.