- TF Bank Mastercard Gold: Best free credit card in Germany. Free card transactions worldwide. Travel insurance included. 5% cashback for car rental and travel bookings. Banking app in English. Also available without a long credit history in Germany.
- awa7 Visa Card: Sustainable credit card. Free card transactions worldwide. Attractive cashback. Travel insurance can be added from €1.70 per month.
- Advanzia Gebührenfrei Mastercard Gold: Free card transactions worldwide. Travel insurance included. Low eligibility requirements.
- Barclays Visa Card: Free cash withdrawals and card transactions worldwide.
- American Express Blue: Excellent bonus program, Sixt Gold status, discounted priority pass for airport lounges.
Most banks will offer their websites only in German. Translate the pages using the Chrome browser’s built-in feature (Right-click → Translate to English). If a button or link is unresponsive, revert to the German version and retry.
Our editorial team’s conclusion on free credit cards in Germany
Free credit cards are ideal for anyone who wants to save costs without giving up the advantages of a credit card. When choosing a card, however, not only the lack of an annual fee but also the costs for card transactions, the included services, and interest should be considered.
Paid versus free credit cards — an overview
Credit cards are issued by numerous banks and other financial service providers. Most of these are Mastercard or Visa credit cards. American Express credit cards are also among the most important card offers in Germany. There are also a few other credit card providers, such as Diners Club, but these play a much smaller role.
You can find different types of credit cards on the German market: Revolving credit cards are classic credit cards with an overdraft facility billed monthly or based on an interest-free payment term. You can optionally use an installment facility for repayments. However, this can incur high interest rates. Charge cards also offer a credit line but are always billed monthly. Installment payments are not granted. On the other hand, a debit card or prepaid credit card does not have an overdraft facility. With a debit card, card transactions are debited directly from your bank account. A prepaid credit card must be topped up with credit.
Monthly or annual fee for chargeable cards
The conditions of a credit card can vary greatly depending on the provider and the card model. Most cards charge a monthly or annual fee. The higher the cost, the greater the scope of the card’s services.
Typical additional benefits of a credit card are bonus programs, shopping, lifestyle and travel insurance, and, depending on the card, various other benefits and discounts. Examples of this are American Express credit cards with premium functions: The American Express gold credit card costs €144 per year, while the American Express platinum card has an annual cost of €720.
You will also find much cheaper credit cards in Germany, which differ significantly in their benefits and conditions. As a rule of thumb, when choosing a credit card with a fee, the fees are worth it if you fully use the card’s services and benefits.
Free credit cards — no basic fee, but often additional costs
Numerous free credit cards are now available in Germany in addition to chargeable cards. Debit and prepaid cards are particularly often free, but credit cards with an overdraft limit are also offered as free cards. With their free credit cards, providers mainly target private customers.
When a provider advertises a free credit card, it is almost always a card for which no monthly or annual fee is charged. However, even with a free credit card, you must expect additional costs :
- Card payments in the eurozone are free of charge for most cards.
- For cash withdrawals are sometimes charged high fees. To withdraw cash in Germany is subject to a fee with many providers; there are a few free monthly withdrawals at most. C
- Foreign transaction fees may be charged for card transactions in currencies besides the euro.
- If you use a revolving credit card and pay your credit card bill in installments, you must expect high interest rates as soon as the interest-free period for full repayment has been exceeded.
Linking the credit card to a specific bank account may incur additional costs. Many banks issue their cards free of charge. However, to receive the card, you must open a bank account with that bank, usually for a fee.
Therefore, when comparing free credit cards, it’s crucial to consider the costs and conditions of using the card. This understanding will empower you to make the best choice for your financial needs.
Some cards are only free for the first year; a fee is charged afterward. In some cases, however, the fee is waived if you achieve a certain minimum turnover with your credit card.
Why and how do banks offer free credit cards?
With their free credit cards, banks target price-conscious users who want a card with an optimal price-performance ratio.
A free card can still pay off for the provider by charging fees for cash withdrawal and foreign currency, as well as interest for using the installment facility.
Interest on arrears for installment payments plays a particularly important role here. For example, transactions with the Advanzia Gebührenfrei Mastercard Gold are free worldwide. On the other hand, very high-interest rates apply when using the installment payment function. Cash withdrawals are also only free of charge at first glance – from the day of the transaction, the bank charges a high-interest rate, which you can only avoid if you immediately settle the outstanding amount. Other banks follow a similar strategy. This does not have to be a disadvantage for convenient card use as long as you settle due payments on time.
Services provided by free credit cards
Regarding the services provided by free credit cards, a distinction must be made between standard and additional services.
Standard services
Credit cards without a monthly or annual fee offer the same standard services as a chargeable card. Cashless payments and cash withdrawals are supported. Apple Pay and Google Pay for mobile payments and NFC for contactless payment are integrated into almost all cards. Most credit card providers allow you to manage card payments in mobile apps. If the card is directly linked to your bank account, you can manage all your finances online or in your mobile banking app.
If you have opted for a revolving credit card or a charge card, you can also take advantage of a credit line with your card. The interest-free period for the settlement of the credit card balance is one month for most free credit cards. However, some credit card providers also offer significantly longer interest-free payment periods for their free cards. One example is the Barclays Visa Card, which provides a period free of up to two months.
Additional services
Credit card providers structure the additional services offered by your cards very differently. In addition to insurance, which is particularly useful when traveling, there are rental car discounts, shopping discounts, bonus programs, and cashback. Premium cards often also include lounge access at airports, concierge services, travel assistance, and status advantages in hotels.
Many free credit cards offer limited or even absent additional services. Debit and prepaid credit cards usually only offer classic payment functions.
By contrast, you will find a wider range of services with free credit cards with an overdraft facility. When you compare different offers, you should be able to clarify which services are important to you with your credit card and which cards optimally meet your requirements, just as you would with a chargeable card.
Important additional services for free credit cards are:
Insurance
Insurance is a typical additional service for credit cards. However, if free credit cards include insurance services, they usually do not offer comprehensive insurance coverage.
However, there are exceptions to this rule, which you should be aware of if you are looking for a particularly powerful free credit card. For example, the TF Bank Mastercard Gold comes with a comprehensive insurance package that includes all the relevant travel insurance and personal liability for property and injury up to €1 million.
Some credit card providers do not provide insurance as standard with their free cards but offer the option of taking out additional insurance for a small fee.
Bonus programs
Another important and popular additional benefit of credit cards is bonus programs.
If you want to collect bonus miles with airlines, the American Express Blue Card is a particularly attractive option. You participate in the Amex Membership Program to collect bonus points with every card payment, which you can exchange for material rewards or bonus miles with various airlines.
With the Payback American Express Card, which is also free, you collect Payback points with every purchase – even at merchants that are not Payback partners. You can exchange bonus points for material rewards or Miles & More miles.
Some other free cards also come with bonus programs. The TF Bank Mastercard Gold scores points here with an attractive offer.
Further travel benefits and discounts
Additional travel benefits are not the norm with a free credit card. However, some cards offer discounts on car rentals, travel bookings, and purchases from selected partner companies.
The services offered by the American Express Blue Card are particularly noteworthy here. With this credit card, you can purchase a discounted Priority Pass to access exclusive airport lounges. A Sixt Gold Card and access to Amex offers are also included.
The Genial Card and the awa7 credit card from the Hanseatic Bank (both Visa) also score very well regarding additional services and bonuses. With them, you can receive up to 15% cashback in selected online shops.
Applying for a free credit card in Germany
You can almost always apply for a free credit card online. You will be asked to provide your personal details and information about your professional situation and creditworthiness. Some banks require you to hold your bank account with them if you want to get a credit card from that provider, but there are also numerous free credit cards without an account requirement.
As a rule, you must be of legal age and have a German residence to receive a credit card. If you are an expat living in Germany, the bank will usually require current proof of residence.
For credit cards with an overdraft facility, the bank usually obtains a Schufa report in advance to check your creditworthiness. You can often get debit cards and prepaid cards without a credit check.
Legitimation via VideoIdent, PostIdent or E-Ident
You need a valid ID card or passport (as an expat, with proof of residence) as proof of identity. Most credit card providers now offer legitimation via VideoIdent, which takes just a few minutes. Alternatively, you can use the PostIdent procedure at a post office to legitimize yourself.
Currently, E-Ident is also becoming increasingly important for credit card applications. You need a German ID card or an electronic residence permit with the online ID function activated for this.
Chances of getting a free credit card in Germany
Some credit card providers exclude self-employed and freelancers from issuing their cards. However, your credit rating is the most essential criterion for a positive credit card decision.
However, the banks pursue different strategies here. For example, Barclays Bank requires an impeccable credit rating for the issue of its free Visa credit card – otherwise, potential customers can expect their application to be rejected. The hurdles are much lower for the Advanzia Gebührenfrei Mastercard Gold, which has low rejection rates. You can also get a TF Bank Mastercard Gold without any problems if you don’t have a long credit history in Germany.
Best free credit cards in Germany
In this article, we present what we consider to be some of the best free credit cards in Germany. In making our selection, we have ensured that the cards also meet the specific requirements of expats by offering favorable conditions for use abroad.
TF Bank Mastercard Gold
In our view, the TF Bank Mastercard Gold is one of the best free cards in Germany. No fees are charged worldwide for cash withdrawals and card payments. The card benefits include a bonus program and a comprehensive travel insurance package. When making a repayment, you can choose between an interest-free payment period of up to 51 days or flexible installment payments.
The disadvantage of this credit card is that a debit interest is due on cash withdrawals from the booking date, which can lead to additional costs if you take time to repay the amounts withdrawn.
awa7 Visa Credit Card
With the awa7 Visa Card, the Hanseatic Bank has issued a sustainable credit card that scores with excellent conditions. Costs only arise for cash withdrawals in Germany, which cost €3.75 each. By contrast, you can use this credit card completely free of charge abroad.
The card benefits include a bonus program. Travel insurance can be added at affordable rates. For international health insurance, you pay €1.70 per month; the complete package with all important travel insurance costs € per month. In addition, residual debt insurance and bag and wallet insurance are available.
Unique in Germany are the dental care rates (€6.90 or €11.90 per month) and an outpatient care rate that includes subsidies for glasses, contact lenses, hearing aids and checkups (from €7.90) that are available with this credit card. If you are interested in these insurance policies, you should also check the benefits and costs of other offers in advance, for example, for private supplementary dental insurance.
Advanzia Gebührenfrei Mastercard Gold
Like the TF Bank Mastercard Gold, the Advanzia No Fees Mastercard Gold is a golden credit card with no annual fee. The two cards are directly comparable in terms of their scope of services.
Cash withdrawals and cashless transactions with Advanzia Gebührenfrei Mastercard Gold are free worldwide. The card benefits include comprehensive insurance coverage when traveling, as well as travel and rental car discounts.
Card transactions remain interest-free for up to 7 weeks. However, high-interest rates apply when using the partial payment function and for cash withdrawals.
Barclays Visa Credit Card
Barclays Bank also offers a free credit card with the Barclays Visa Card. The card is attractive because it can be used free of charge worldwide. Unlike many other cards, there are no fees for cash withdrawals in Germany, either. The card offers an interest-free payment period of 51 days and flexible repayment options. A disadvantage is that the Barclays Visa Card has no insurance, either as an inclusive service or as an optional offer.
American Express Blue
Regarding additional services, the American Express Blue credit card is one of the most potent credit cards on the German market. Highlights of this credit card include participation in the Amex Membership Program, Amex offers, and Sixt Gold status.
However, this card incurs high fees for cash withdrawals and foreign currency transactions. Except for a transportation accident policy, no insurance is included with this card.
What we think about free credit cards
Free credit cards are a great choice if you value flexibility and savings.
Card payments in Germany and the eurozone are always free of charge. However, a foreign currency fee is often charged for international payments.
The situation is different for cash withdrawals: many providers charge for them, especially in Germany and, to some extent, abroad. Outside the eurozone, foreign currency fees typically also apply.
When choosing your free credit card, you should also consider the card’s inclusive services, repayment terms, and interest rate for installment payments.
We present you with free credit cards that you can use worldwide at no extra cost: the TF Bank Mastercard Gold, the awa7 Visa credit card, the Advanzia Gebührenfrei Mastercard Gold, and the Barclays Visa Credit Card. Except for the Barclays Visa Card, they also come with insurance and bonus programs. With the awa7, you can optionally book insurance services for a fee.
By contrast, the American Express Blue Card scores points with attractive additional services such as participation in the Amex Membership Rewards Program. However, Amex has not waived fees for cash withdrawals and international payments.
It’s worth comparing the different offers to find the card that best suits your lifestyle.
Conclusion
Free credit cards are an attractive option if you are looking for a card solution that offers you optimal value for money. However, you should not judge free credit cards solely because they do not charge an annual fee.
Many free credit cards charge fees for cash withdrawals and foreign payments, which can significantly increase the card’s cost. If you opt for a revolving credit card and use the installment facility, you can also expect to pay high-interest rates.
The ideal solution is a free credit card offering relevant services such as travel insurance, bonus programs, and free or low-cost card transactions.
If you are looking for a free credit card, you should know your needs exactly and carefully review the various offers to find the best card offer for you.
Frequently Asked Questions — FAQ
A free credit card is issued without a monthly or annual fee – at first glance, this seems to be the main advantage of these cards. However, you should also be aware of other costs when using the card when choosing your card. Important aspects here are the fees arising for cash withdrawals and using the card outside the eurozone.
Some cards are only free for a certain period, usually the first year. Subsequently, the credit card company charges a monthly or annual fee. If you are looking for a truly free credit card, you should consider such restrictions.
It depends on the features of the card. A free credit card offers the same basic services but is subject to a fee – i.e., card payments and cash withdrawals. Most cards also include options for contactless mobile payments, such as Apple Pay or Google Pay. The additional services offered depend on the credit card company’s conditions and the card profile. Many free credit cards come with no or only very limited additional services. However, there are also free card offers that provide comprehensive travel insurance or attractive bonus programs. For some cards, insurance services can be added for a fee. Before deciding on a free credit card, consider what you need from your card and look for offers that specifically meet your needs.
With their free credit cards, providers primarily target private consumers. Many banks and financial service providers offer special card models for business customers.
A free credit card is suitable for anyone who wants a reliable credit card at a particularly affordable price. However, whether the card offers the best value for money also depends on the additional costs of using the card and any additional services that may be included.
If you travel a lot or regularly make large credit card purchases, a charge card with premium features may be your better choice. The advantages of such credit cards are often the integrated insurance services as standard and the opportunity to collect bonus miles with every card payment.
Free credit cards differ in how they are billed, so you should also consider this when choosing and using your credit card.
With a debit card or a prepaid credit card, you have full control over your spending with the card. There is no credit line for either card type. Debit card transactions are debited directly from your bank account. You may not get an overdraft facility for your debit card, but for your bank account, unlike with a classic credit card, you must pay interest from the outset. With a prepaid credit card, you can only use the credit you previously loaded onto the card. However, there are only a few free prepaid credit cards – an example is Revolut’s Mastercard. Another advantage of these cards is that they are often issued without a Schufa check (credit check).
With a charge card, credit card transactions are settled interest-free for a fixed period. Billing is usually monthly, but longer payment terms are possible depending on the credit card.
Revolving credit cards offer not only interest-free credit, but also the option to pay your credit card bill in installments. Some free cards, such as the Barclays Visa Card (51 days), offer a particularly generous interest-free period, giving you additional financial flexibility. However, if you pay in installments, high-interest rates will apply to outstanding amounts. In addition, the billing terms of the individual cards differ: not all providers support payments by direct debit. For example, with the free Advanzia Gebührenfrei Mastercard Gold, you must pay the invoice by the due date via bank transfer to avoid interest. In general, we recommend avoiding using the installment facility of a revolving credit card if possible.
When you apply for a credit card, you usually need a reference bank account to which the card will be linked. The same applies to free credit cards: some can only be obtained if you simultaneously open a bank account with their provider. Other cards can be linked to any bank account.
There is no general answer to whether a credit card with or without an account is better. Many banks offer high-performance credit cards for their accounts, which can be either a chargeable or a free credit card. If you want to open your bank account with that bank anyway, you will also receive the card. However, you are bound by the provider’s terms and conditions.
Even with a free credit card not tied to a specific bank account, you can choose the terms and services of the card entirely according to your needs. From our perspective, a second credit card without an account tie-in can, therefore, be useful.
The information on credit cards contained in this article may be subject to change. Please also visit the credit card issuers’ websites for the most up-to-date information.
