Credit Cards in Germany:
Compare Fees, Types and Requirements

Yes, but the available options may be limited. Providers of charge and revolving products generally assess the applicant's creditworthiness before making borrowed funds available. If no German credit history exists, they may request further evidence of income and financial stability. Prepaid and debit alternatives are often easier to obtain because no separate borrowing facility is provided. However, the associated bank may still carry out checks when opening a current account or granting an overdraft.

There is no single product that is best for every international resident. A suitable option depends on factors such as the applicant's residence status, income, Schufa information and intended use. Expats in Germany should compare basic fees, foreign currency charges, cash withdrawal costs, repayment methods and acceptance for hotel or car hire deposits. English-language customer support may also be an important consideration.

Yes, some providers do not charge an annual or monthly basic fee. However, a free credit card with no basic fee may still incur interest on instalments, immediate interest on cash withdrawals or fees for certain foreign currency and special transactions. The terms should therefore be checked in full instead of relying only on the advertised basic fee.

This depends on the provider. Many standalone products require a reference account from which the monthly bill can be collected. The issuer's terms determine which accounts and bank details are accepted. A current account is normally opened together with a debit product. By contrast, some borrowing products are available without opening an additional current account with the same provider.

Some providers allow customers to request a higher spending limit at a later date. The bank may assess income, previous account management and current creditworthiness. There is no entitlement to an increase. Some banks adjust the available amount automatically after a longer period of use. Anyone who needs a higher amount for a trip or a larger booking should submit the request in good time.

Once an application has been approved, a physical version is often delivered by post within approximately ten to 15 days. The exact delivery time depends on the provider, the identity verification process and the postal service. Some providers make digital payment details available in their app shortly after approval. They may then be used for online payments or through Apple Pay or Google Pay before the physical version arrives.

Yes, provided the merchant or cash machine accepts the relevant payment network. Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted in Germany. American Express is accepted less frequently. Some smaller businesses, restaurants and market stalls may only accept cash or the German girocard. If the account is held in a currency other than euros, the foreign provider may charge a currency conversion fee for payments made in Germany.

A foreign-issued product will generally only affect the Schufa score if the issuer reports the contract or a payment default to the Schufa. Accounts from providers that do not share data with the Schufa will not normally appear in the German database. Consumers can check the information and enquiries stored in their name through their Schufa account or by requesting a free copy of their data under Article 15 of the General Data Protection Regulation.

• Kreditkarte
• Kostenlose Kreditkarte
• Kreditkarte mit Kreditrahmen
• virtuelle Kreditkarte
• Prepaidkarte
• Kreditkarte mit Ratenzahlung
• Kreditkarte ohne Girokonto
• Firmenkreditkarte
• Kreditkarte ohne Schufa
• Kreditkarte für Studenten
• Kreditkarte fürs Ausland
• Debitkarte
• Kreditkarte mit Reiserücktrittsversicherung
• Kreditkarte mit Auslandskrankenversicherung
• Kreditkarte mit Versicherungen
• Kreditkarte mit Mietwagenversicherung
• Premium-Kreditkarte
• Goldene Kreditkarte
• Platin Kreditkarte
• Schwarze Kreditkarte
• Reisekreditkarte
• Cashback-Kreditkarte
• Kreditkarte mit Partnerkarte
• Kreditkarte ohne Einkommen

• Mastercard-Kreditkarten
• VISA-Kreditkarten
• American Express Kreditkarten

• Kreditkarte beantragen
• Ratgeber
• Lexikon
• Kreditkarte für Kinder