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Top Germany Credit Cards Without Schufa: Options for All Credit Scores
- No credit check required: These cards are available without a Schufa inquiry — ideal for expats without a German credit history.
- Card types: Mostly prepaid or debit cards, often issued by fintechs like N26, Revolut, bunq, or Trade Republic. Some premium options offer travel perks.
- Usage: Suitable for everyday payments, online shopping, ATM withdrawals, and travel, with Apple Pay or Google Pay support.
- Not for credit-building: These cards don’t help establish a Schufa score, since they involve no borrowing and reporting to credit bureaus.
- Low entry barriers: No income proof or permanent job required — most cards only require ID and a German address. Also ideal for students and freelancers.
What Is Schufa, and Why Does It Matter?
If you’ve recently moved to Germany, you’ve probably come across the term Schufa — short for Schutzgemeinschaft für allgemeine Kreditsicherung (General Credit Protection Agency). The Schufa is Germany’s most important credit bureau and plays a central role in assessing your financial reliability.
Most banks, landlords, mobile providers, and utility companies check your Schufa score before offering their services. It’s part of everyday life in Germany — even if you’ve never borrowed money before.
The challenge? As a newcomer, you likely don’t have a Schufa record yet. Without an existing credit history, you may be denied access to basic financial tools, such as postpaid mobile contracts, current accounts with overdraft facilities, or traditional credit cards. In some cases, you may even be asked for a larger deposit or a guarantor when renting an apartment.
That’s where credit cards without a Schufa check come into play. These cards bypass Germany’s traditional credit system and offer a practical solution for anyone who hasn’t yet had time to build a local financial footprint — or who wants to avoid Schufa-related complications altogether.
Understanding Schufa-Free Credit Cards in Germany
Not everyone in Germany has a Schufa score — and even those who do may prefer financial products that don’t depend on it. In this section, we explain what Schufa-free credit cards are, how they operate, and what distinguishes them from other types of credit cards.
What Is a Credit Card Without Schufa?
A Schufa-free credit card is any card that does not require a Schufa credit check. These cards can usually be obtained without prior financial history in Germany, making them especially attractive to expats, students, and freelancers. Unlike traditional credit cards, their providers typically do not access or report customer data to Schufa.”
Instead of evaluating your Schufa score, the provider may rely on basic identity and affordability checks, such as proof of identity or a valid registration certificate (Meldebescheinigung). Even if you don’t have a regular income — for example, if you’re a newcomer to Germany, a freelancer, or a student — you can get a Schufa-free credit card without much difficulty.
While Schufa-free credit cards offer fewer restrictions, they are still issued by regulated financial institutions and must comply with consumer protection laws in Germany and the EU.
Which Card Types Are Usually Schufa-Free?
To understand which cards do and don’t require Schufa checks, it’s helpful to distinguish between different types of German credit cards:
Prepaid Credit Cards
Prepaid credit cards are topped up in advance and carry no credit limit. Since no borrowing is involved, they are typically issued without a Schufa inquiry. However, they do not affect your credit score. Thus, they also do not help you to build a credit history in Germany.
Among the best prepaid credit cards in Germany are the Commerzbank Prepaid Mastercard, the Postbank Visa Card Prepaid, and the Pay Center SupremaCard Mastercard. However, the availability of prepaid credit cards in Germany is limited.
Debit Cards
Debit cards are linked to a bank account and draw money from your balance via direct debit. While some German banks may conduct a Schufa check when opening an account, many neobanks and fintechs offer debit cards that do not require a Schufa check. German debit cards are issued by many credit card banks in partnership with Visa or Mastercard. They do not provide a credit line.
Charge and Revolving Credit Cards
Charge and revolving cards are true credit cards, where the provider lends you money for each transaction. They almost always involve a credit check and result in an entry on your Schufa report.
Relevant charge cards in Germany are, for example, the American Express credit cards. You pay the bill for a charge credit card in full and interest-free within a specified payment period — often 30 days, but longer payment terms are also possible. With such a card, you receive a free loan for a limited period.
Many banks issue revolving credit cards, including the Barclays Visa Credit Card, the Hanseatic Bank GenialCard and GoldCard, or the Barclays Platinum Double. With these cards, you can choose between an interest-free one-time payment or repayment of your credit card bill in installments. You pay interest for installment payments.
How Credit Cards Without Schufa Work
Schufa-free cards are generally either prepaid or debit cards. Here’s what that means in practice:
- No credit check: You can apply without having an existing credit history or worrying about a missed or rather low Schufa score.
- Instant approval: Typically, your account and card are automatically created once your identity and address have been verified.
- Limited risk: Because there’s no lending involved, providers don’t need to assess your employment status or run background checks.
Where and How to Use Schufa-Free Credit Cards
Benefits of Schufa-free credit cards include:
- Withdraw cash (domestic and international)
- Online shopping and digital subscriptions
- Travel, including rental car deposits or hotel bookings
- Managing utility bills or daily spending for groceries, office supplies, or travel bookings
Except for a credit limit, Schufa-free debit cards offer all the functions of a credit card, including worldwide acceptance, cashless transactions, including mobile payments via Apple Pay or Google Pay, and contactless payments via NFC. Especially premium cards may come with additional benefits such as cashback, bonus programs, or travel perks.
Prepaid cards can also be used worldwide. However, you may encounter acceptance restrictions for certain transactions, such as hotel and car rental bookings or the use of certain online services. These cards typically do not offer additional services.
Many expats face challenges when opening a bank account or applying for a credit card due to a missing Schufa record. Schufa-free credit cards provide a practical solution, allowing access to everyday financial services without requiring a German credit history. They’re ideal for newcomers who need a reliable payment method while building their economic footprint in Germany.
Who Should Consider a Credit Card Without Schufa?
Schufa-free credit cards are not just a workaround for those with poor credit — they serve a broad range of people whose financial background in Germany is incomplete, unestablished, or temporarily problematic. These cards can be a valuable tool for:
Expats and Newcomers
If you’ve just moved to Germany, you likely don’t have a Schufa record yet. Without this history, many banks and service providers will treat you as “credit invisible,” even if you have a stable income or excellent credit in your home country. A Schufa-free credit card provides instant access to essential financial services, such as cash withdrawals, online payments, or hotel bookings, without the need to wait months to build a Germin credit score.
Freelancers and the Self-Employed
Freelancers often experience irregular income streams, which can make it harder to pass traditional credit checks. Many fintechs and neobanks that offer Schufa-free cards are more flexible with income verification, making these cards particularly attractive to self-employed professionals, freelancers, and gig workers.
Students
Most students, whether German or international, have limited financial histories. A prepaid or debit-based Schufa-free credit card enables students to manage their expenses, shop online, and travel internationally — all without incurring debt or impacting their (still developing) credit score.
People with Negative Schufa Records
Even those who have made financial mistakes in the past deserve a second chance. If missed payments or other issues have damaged your Schufa score, a Schufa-free credit card may help you regain financial flexibility. While these cards don’t help rebuild your credit score directly, they can support responsible budgeting and provide access to essential services while you improve your overall financial standing.
Costs and Fees of Schufa-Free Credit Cards
While Schufa-free credit cards offer an easy entry into the German financial system, they often come with different cost structures than traditional credit cards. It’s essential to understand the fees to expect and which providers offer the best value.
Monthly Fees vs. Annual Fees
Unlike traditional revolving or charge credit cards that typically charge an annual fee, many Schufa-free debit cards come with monthly account maintenance fees instead, which are normally very moderate. The card itself is often free, but you pay for the linked bank account.
For prepaid cards, you pay an annual or monthly fee.
Some traditional banks, neobanks, and fintechs offer free debit cards with limited features, while premium versions with travel perks, cashback, or insurance benefits typically come at a cost.
Credit cards that do not require a Schufa check are typically debit cards. Many of these cards are advertised as free. However, you must also keep an eye on the costs associated with managing the linked bank account and card transactions. A completely free credit card comes with no monthly fees, no account management costs, and no charges for standard domestic or foreign transactions. An example of such a card is the Trade Republic Visa Debit Card (with one exception: cash withdrawals are only free from €100). Free credit cards are a practical choice for those who want to save money.
Fees for Card Transactions
When using a Schufa-free credit card, it’s essential to understand the various types of transaction fees that may be applicable. While many cards come without annual or monthly charges, additional costs can still arise depending on how and where you use the card.
- Cash withdrawals can incur varying charges. Some traditional banks offer free withdrawals at their ATMs or within a partner network in Germany, whereas using third-party machines incurs a (often high) fee. Fintechs and neobanks may offer a limited number of free withdrawals per month; any subsequent transactions may incur a charge. Some credit card companies waive the cash withdrawal fee worldwide or above a certain amount.
- Foreign currency fees may apply if you pay or withdraw money in currencies other than euros. These fees are typically between 1% and 3% of the transaction amount, but some cards — particularly those designed for frequent travelers — offer fee-free international payments.
Prepaid cards may charge fees to transfer money to the card. Bank transfers are usually free, voucher or cash top-ups are typically subject to a fee.
Always review the provider’s full fee schedule to check for other fees such as inactivity, replacement cards, or top-up charges.
Pros and Cons of Schufa-Free Credit Cards
Like any financial product, Schufa-free credit cards come with advantages and disadvantages. Whether they’re right for you depends on your needs, financial situation, and long-term plans in Germany.
- No Schufa check — ideal for expats, freelancers, and students
- Fast and easy application — often fully online
- No impact on your credit score
- Spending control via debit or prepaid function
- Does not build German credit history
- Limited extra features (e.g., no cashback, no insurance)
- Not always accepted for hotel or rental car bookings
- Monthly fees or foreign usage charges may apply
Best Schufa-Free Credit Card Providers in Germany 2025
Several fintechs and online banks now offer Schufa-free credit cards that are ideal for expats, freelancers, and students. These providers typically skip the traditional credit check and offer modern app-based banking experiences. Here are four of the most popular options in 2025:
N26
N26 is a Berlin-based neobank known for its sleek mobile interface and fully digital banking experience. While the company officially reserves the right to perform a Schufa check, most customers report that the N26 Standard account and card are usually available without a credit check.
The free N26 Standard account includes a Mastercard debit card without monthly fees. Paid plans, such as N26 Smart, Go, and Metal, offer additional features, including partner discounts and priority support.
Especially the premium cards N26 You and Metal are excellent travel companions: they provide comprehensive travel insurance, airport lounge access, free cash withdrawals outside the Eurozone, and zero foreign exchange fees, making them comparable to many premium credit cards.
Revolut
Revolut is an international fintech originally founded in the UK and now widely available in Germany. Known for its multi-currency support and flexible account models, Revolut offers several Schufa-free card options with excellent features for travelers and digital nomads.
Even the free Revolut Standard plan includes virtual cards, budgeting tools, and currency exchange. Paid plans, such as Revolut Plus, Premium, or Metal, unlock additional benefits, including travel insurance, priority customer service, airport lounge access, and higher bonus benefits.
bunq
Bunq is a Dutch challenger bank focused on eco-friendly finance, user control, and international accessibility. It offers multiple plans, all available without a Schufa check, and is especially popular among freelancers and expats.
The provider offers virtual and physical Mastercard debit cards. The exclusive Metal card is only available with a bunq premium account.
Trade Republic
The German fintech Trade Republic is best known for its low-cost brokerage, but it also offers a Schufa-free Visa debit card linked to its investment and checking account. Designed for everyday use, this card combines banking, spending, and investing in a single app.
The Trade Republic card is completely free, and you can earn cashback for eligible card transactions, which is automatically invested into selected ETFs. The card includes free ATM withdrawals worldwide starting from a €100 transaction amount, and waives foreign transaction fees. We consider it one of the best free credit cards in Germany.
Alternatives to Schufa-Free Cards
Suppose you’re looking for more flexibility or want to start building a credit history in Germany. In that case, there are also low-barrier credit cards available that require a Schufa check and offer excellent conditions. Notable examples are the TF Bank Mastercard Gold and the Advanzia Gebührenfrei Mastercard Gold.
Both cards are revolving credit cards, which means you can pay off your balance in monthly installments. While a Schufa check is required, the approval criteria are often more lenient compared to those of traditional banks.
These cards are particularly attractive for travelers. They come with the following benefits:
- No annual fee (however, additional fees may be incurred due to interest rates)
- No foreign transaction fees
- Free worldwide cash withdrawals
- Travel insurance included
- No annual fees
Thus, they can be a great alternative to a Schufa-free card.
Conclusion
For many newcomers to Germany, the absence of a local credit history can be a significant obstacle when attempting to access basic financial services. Schufa-free credit cards offer a practical solution — whether you’re an expat, student, or freelancer in Germany.
These cards are easily obtainable and widely accepted. Depending on the credit card company, they may come with attractive benefits and features. While they don’t help build your Schufa score, they provide essential financial flexibility and security during your first months in Germany.
If you’re ready to take the next step — or want to build your credit over time — you can later switch to a traditional credit card. However, for getting started, Schufa-free cards are one of the most accessible and reliable tools for managing your finances stress-free.
Frequently Asked Questions — FAQ
Start by opening a German bank account, using a postpaid mobile or utility contract, and paying all your bills on time. Applying for a charge or revolving credit card later can also help establish a strong Schufa score. The key is consistent, responsible financial behavior over time.
No. A Schufa-free card means the provider does not check or report to Schufa. Many newcomers in Germany have no Schufa record at all, which isn’t negative. It just means that German banks and service providers have no data to assess your creditworthiness. For self-employed individuals, freelancers, and students, Schufa-free credit cards are also often an ideal choice.
Most Schufa-free cards can be applied for online. You typically need a valid ID and a German address (e.g., as indicated on your registration certificate). No proof of income is usually required.
Open a German bank account, pay bills on time, and eventually use a charge or revolving credit card that reports to Schufa. Avoid missed payments and frequent credit inquiries.
Once you have a stable income, a good Schufa score, and a positive payment history, switching to a traditional credit card can provide you with more features, a higher level of financial freedom, and help further build your creditworthiness.