American Express Credit Cards in Germany — Benefits, Costs & Top Options

About American Express in Germany

American Express has long been recognized as a premium credit card brand with a strong presence in global travel, finance, and lifestyle services. In Germany, Amex offers a direct alternative to traditional bank-issued cards — with its billing infrastructure, distinct reward system, and a focus on customer service.

Brand Overview

Founded in 1850 in the United States, American Express has become a globally recognized credit card provider, renowned for its premium benefits, strong customer support, and exclusive partnerships. In Germany, Amex operates as an independent issuer — not as a bank — and provides all cards directly, including billing and customer service.

Standalone Billing System and Payment Network

Unlike Visa and Mastercard, which operate as open networks used by various banks, American Express is a closed-loop system, issuing its own cards and handling transactions directly. This integrated model allows Amex to offer unified customer service, consistent card policies, and a seamless user experience.

Acceptance in Germany

While American Express is widely accepted at major retailers, hotels, airlines, and online platforms, its coverage is still more limited than that of Visa or Mastercard, especially at smaller shops, restaurants, or local service providers. However, acceptance is steadily improving, particularly in urban areas and international business environments.

While you can technically withdraw money with Amex cards, this feature is not encouraged due to high fees and limited ATM compatibility.

Who Should Consider an Amex Card?

American Express cards in Germany are particularly well-suited for:

• Frequent travelers looking for reward points, travel insurance, lounge access, and exclusive perks
• Expats who need international flexibility and prefer English-speaking customer service
• Professionals seeking premium service, attractive extras, and high-class travel benefits
• Consumers who prefer direct monthly billing over revolving credit lines
• Users looking for a flexible bonus program, with points that can be redeemed across airlines, hotels, and lifestyle partners

Amex Credit Card Options – A Quick Comparison

American Express offers a range of credit cards in Germany, from free entry-level options to premium travel cards:

Amex Blue
A free entry-level credit card for everyday use. Earn Membership Rewards points on all purchases and enjoy access to the Amex bonus program without paying an annual fee. Best suited for newcomers to American Express.

Payback American Express
Also available free of charge, this card is specifically designed for Payback users. With this card, you collect Payback points directly on your purchases, which can be redeemed for rewards, vouchers, or transferred into Miles & More miles, making it a versatile Payback program for everyday spending. Ideal for frequent shoppers at German Payback partner stores, such as REWE, dm, and Aral.

American Express Gold Credit Card
A premium travel credit card with a wide range of included benefits. Offers comprehensive travel insurance, Membership Rewards, and access to exclusive presales and partner offers. Designed for frequent travelers and professionals. Comes with a monthly fee.

American Express Platinum Card
The top-tier card in the Amex lineup. Includes an extensive insurance package, unlimited lounge access (Priority Pass), €200 annual travel credit, elite hotel status, and concierge services. Ideal for frequent flyers and users with high spending volume. Requires a strong credit history and high financial stability.

Pros and Cons of American Express Credit Cards

American Express cards offer strong rewards and premium services, but they also come with certain limitations — especially in terms of acceptance and fees. Here’s a quick overview:

Advantages

• Strong rewards program: Membership Rewards or Payback points can be redeemed flexibly for travel, shopping, or partner offers.
• Multiple card options: Ranging from free entry-level cards to premium travel credit cards with luxury benefits.
• Comprehensive travel insurance: Included with Gold and Platinum cards — ideal for frequent travelers.
• Attractive additional services: Premium cards include airport lounge access, hotel privileges, concierge services, and more.
• English-language support: Application, app, and customer service are available in English — great for expats.
• No preset spending limit (on most cards): Offers flexibility, especially for high-income users.

Disadvantages

• Limited acceptance: Not as widely accepted in Germany as Visa or Mastercard, especially at smaller retailers or in rural areas.
• High monthly fee: Especially for Gold and Platinum cards — only worth it if you use the benefits.
• No revolving credit line: Amex cards are charge cards, requiring full payment each month.
• Transaction limitations: Cash withdrawals are restricted, expensive (a 4% fee applies), and not supported at all ATMs. A 2% foreign currency fee applies to all international transactions.
• Premium cards require excellent credit: Especially the Platinum Card, which is reserved for high-income individuals.

Fees, Interest & Repayment

American Express cards issued in Germany function as a charge credit card. This means the full balance must be paid monthly — there is no revolving credit or installment plan by default.

Fees & Interest Rates

• Annual fees vary by card: from €0 (Amex Blue, Payback Amex) to over €700 (Platinum Card).
• Monthly billing cycle: Invoices are issued every 30 days.
• Payment deadline: The outstanding balance is due within 5 days after receiving the credit card statement.
• No interest charges: Provided the full amount is paid on time. In other words, you don’t pay interest on everyday spending, unless you use optional services like Splitpay.
• Foreign transaction fee: A 2% fee applies to all purchases made outside the European Union (EU).
• Cash withdrawal fees: 4% per transaction, regardless of card type.

While American Express business credit cards may offer extended payment terms, this does not apply to standard consumer cards in Germany.

Private customers can use the Amex Splitpay service alongside their regular credit card statement, which allows individual purchases to be split into installments with an annual interest rate of 23.43%.

Fees, Interest & Repayment

Although Amex cards provide strong purchasing power, they don’t extend actual credit in the traditional sense — there’s no revolving line or interest-based borrowing. The full balance must be repaid each month. The withdrawal amount is deducted automatically via SEPA.

Late payments can negatively affect your credit score and may result in additional fees or a temporary card suspension. Always ensure you have enough money in your bank account to settle your monthly bills on time.

• Annual fees vary by card, ranging from completely free (e.g., Amex Blue, Amex Payback) to premium cards with high costs (e.g., the Platinum Card, which incurs over €700 per year).
• No revolving credit line: American Express cards require full monthly repayment — no partial or minimum payments are allowed.
• No interest charges: Since there’s no credit line, no interest is applied. However, Amex typically grants a short grace period (usually up to 30 days) between the statement and due date.
• Limited cash withdrawal options: Cash advances are not a key feature and are only available at select ATMs, usually with a 4% fee and daily limits.

Repayment Options

American Express credit card bills must be repaid in full each month. You can choose between 2 SEPA-based repayment methods: automatic direct debit or manual bank transfer. Alternative payment methods (e.g., PayPal, credit card-to-card payments) are not supported.

Bonus Programs & Amex Membership Rewards

Most American Express cards in Germany give you access to the Membership Rewards program, allowing you to collect points for nearly every euro you spend. Typically, you earn 1 point per €1 spent, and these points can be redeemed flexibly — for shopping, gift cards, statement credits, or transferred to various airline and hotel loyalty programs.

Amex Blue cardholders can join the Membership Rewards program for an annual fee of €30. For faster accumulation, all cardholders can activate the optional Membership Rewards Turbo for €15 per year, which increases the earning rate to 1.5 points per €1.

The Payback American Express card is linked to the Payback bonus program instead. With this card, you collect Payback points directly on your purchases, which can be redeemed for rewards, vouchers, or transferred into Miles & More award miles.

Please note that earning rates, redemption options, and point value can vary slightly depending on the card. Premium cards, such as the American Express Gold Card or American Express Platinum Card, typically offer better conversion rates and exclusive reward options.

Values of Amex Membership Rewards Points — Depending on Redemption

The value of Amex points also depends on how you redeem them. While transferring points to airline or hotel partners can yield high value, most other redemption options offer a lower return, typically around €0.005 per point.

Insurance Coverage & Additional Benefits

American Express cards offer more than just payment flexibility and rewards. Depending on the card type, you’ll enjoy a wide range of insurance services and exclusive extras that enhance your everyday spending and travel experiences.

Insurance Coverage

American Express credit cards come with varying levels of insurance coverage, depending on the card type — from basic protection with the Blue Card to comprehensive insurance with the Platinum Card. In most cases, coverage requires that the purchase or trip was paid for using the Amex card. Supplementary cardholders are usually included. For full details and exclusions, refer to the official insurance terms provided by American Express. The Payback Card includes only limited purchase protection.

Be sure to review the fine print, especially regarding insurance activation conditions, as coverage typically depends on the trip or item being paid with the card.

Other Amex Benefits

American Express cards come with a range of additional perks, with significant extras available on Gold and Platinum cards.

For entry-level cards like Blue and Payback Amex, basic benefits include access to Amex Offers (exclusive partner promotions) and a discounted Priority Pass membership for Blue cardholders.

For Gold and Platinum cardholders:

• Priority Pass access to 1,700+ global airport lounges — Gold: discounted membership (access fees apply); Platinum: Prestige membership with free access for 2 people
• Status upgrades with hotel and car rental partners
• Concierge service (Platinum)
• Exclusive presale and invitation-only events
• 5x Membership Rewards points on eligible travel bookings (Platinum only)
• Global Dining Collection & Fine Hotels + Resorts (Platinum)

Application & Eligibility

To apply for an American Express card in Germany, you must meet the following basic requirements:

• Residence: You need a registered address in Germany.
• For expats: You need a valid passport or national ID. Non-EU nationals are required to hold a valid residence permit.
• Income: A regular income is required; the specific threshold depends on the card (e.g., higher for Gold and Platinum).
• Creditworthiness: A positive Schufa score is usually expected.
• Linked bank account: Unlike many other providers, Amex does not require you to switch your checking account. You can use any German bank account.
• Age: You must be at least 18 years old.

The application process is fully digital:

• Fill out the online application form
• Complete a video call or post-identification (PostIdent)
• Link a bank account for repayments

The approval decision is made directly by American Express, not by a partner bank, and is based on internal criteria.

Alternatives to American Express in Germany

Not every user needs the full set of benefits offered by an American Express card. Depending on your personal needs and spending habits, there are several strong alternatives worth considering. Even traditional banks, such as Deutsche Bank and Commerzbank, offer attractive credit card options that may suit users seeking local support and additional banking services.

If you’re primarily looking for the right free credit card for everyday use, other providers such as Barclays or TF Bank may offer more flexible terms and wider acceptance. For example, the TF Bank Mastercard Gold is one of the best free credit cards on the German market — offering travel insurance, a bonus program, and no fees for ATM withdrawals or foreign currency transactions. The Barclays Visa Credit Card does not provide additional benefits; however, you can withdraw cash and make cashless payments worldwide without incurring any charges.

Modern debit cards like the N26 Go and Metal Mastercards also provide valuable travel perks, including insurance coverage and lounge access (available with all N26 plans).

Finding the right free card or alternative to Amex depends entirely on your specific needs and spending habits.

Popular alternatives include:

• TF Bank Mastercard Gold
• Barclays Visa & Visa Gold
• Barclays Platinum Double
• Hanseatic Bank GenialCard & GoldCard
• Lufthansa Miles & More Blue/Gold
• Payback Visa Card
• Payback Visa Card
• N26 Debit Mastercards (Go & Metal)

Our Experience

With over 15 years of experience testing financial products in Germany, we’ve seen many credit cards come and go — but American Express has consistently stood out for premium users. Within our team, one editor has been using the American Express Gold Card for over 3 years. The extensive travel insurance package proved useful during a delayed flight in Rome, and the Membership Rewards points were seamlessly transferred to an airline partner for a discounted business class upgrade.

We’ve also tested the Platinum Card, particularly for users who travel frequently for work. The lounge access, lifestyle credits, and premium concierge service provide real value — if you can utilize the card’s full benefits. However, we wouldn’t recommend Amex to users who primarily want a simple, fee-free card for everyday use or cash withdrawals.

Conclusion

American Express cards in Germany cater to a specific audience: users who travel frequently, spend actively, and value premium perks. The Gold and Platinum cards in particular offer a powerful mix of rewards, insurance coverage, and lifestyle benefits, but they come at a price. If you’re looking for simplicity, flexibility, or fee-free options, other providers may be a better fit.

If you’re new to Amex, our step-by-step guide outlines how to apply, use your benefits, and manage monthly repayments efficiently.”

Frequently Asked Questions — FAQ

Do American Express cards have a spending limit in Germany?

Most American Express cards in Germany do not have a fixed spending limit. Instead, Amex uses a dynamic model that adjusts to your financial profile and spending habits. While there’s no hard cap, each transaction is evaluated in real time. High-value purchases may be approved based on your history and income. Optional limits can be set for supplementary or business cards.

I don’t have a long credit history in Germany. Can I still get a German Amex card?

Yes, it may still be possible. While a positive SCHUFA credit record is typically required to apply for an American Express card in Germany, new arrivals without a German credit history are not automatically excluded from consideration. If you’ve held an Amex card in another country, you may benefit from the Amex Global Transfer Program. This initiative enables American Express to consider your existing credit history abroad, which may simplify the application process for a German-issued card. However, approval is not guaranteed and remains subject to Amex’s internal credit assessment.

Do I need a minimum income to get an American Express card in Germany?

American Express does not publish official income requirements. Each application is assessed individually based on your creditworthiness, residence status, and financial situation.

In practice, the following income ranges are often mentioned as informal thresholds by users:

• Blue Card: No fixed income requirement; often accessible to students and moderate earners.
• Green Card: Typically requires stable income to cover fees and spending.
• Gold Card: Some sources mention a minimum of €1,650 net per month, but approval is more likely with a higher income.
• Platinum Card: Unofficial estimates start around €2,400 net per month, though many successful applicants report significantly higher earnings.

Keep in mind that your credit history, spending behavior, and overall financial profile matter more than any specific income number.

What makes American Express cards different from other German credit cards?

In Germany, all American Express cards function as charge cards—they must be paid in full each month, unlike revolving credit cards that allow flexible repayments. This sets them apart from most Mastercard or Visa credit cards offered by German banks.

Amex cards also differ from prepaid credit cards, which require advance loading and typically lack rewards or insurance. Compared to modern debit cards (like N26 or Revolut), Amex offers a more exclusive benefits ecosystem, particularly with the Gold and Platinum Cards, which include comprehensive travel insurance, lifestyle credits, and access to airport lounges.

Another distinction: American Express operates its individual payment network, which enables tightly integrated services but may have slightly lower acceptance in smaller shops compared to Visa or Mastercard.