Are you moving to Germany and in need of a German credit card (Kreditkarte)? Don’t panic! This can easily be arranged. This is one of the first tasks in that you will have to arrange once you arrive in Germany. Comparing German credit cards can be time-consuming. You can get different kind of credit cards issued by different banks at different costs and it is therefore easy to lose overview. With our tips we will ensure that you will sing up for the credit card that fits to your needs.
German credit cards explained
List of prepaid credit card providers in Germany
All these banks and prepaid credit card providers offer different banking options at different prices. Comparing the specifications of each bank and credit card can be time-consuming. Are you wondering which bank offers the best deals or the best connection? We have listed the most reliable banks and fin-tech companies below while using the following criteria:
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Barclays credit card is a strong competitor in the market in Germany, where users can enjoy hassle-free credit card using experience without €0 annual fees. |
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DKB is a widely known and top-notch banking service provider in Germany that provides free Visa and Credit Card to all dedicated customers from all over Germany. |
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In Germany, you can get your hands on Visa world cards, a flexible, over-the-top, and excellent credit card service provider. |
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Hanseatic Bank is a free Visa and credit card provider in Germany from where you can also get your hands on free cards without any annual fees. |
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First of all, it is important to understand that there are different types of credit cards with different functions. Moreover, it is important to understand that there is also different requirement for a successful application. There are 2 types of credit cards available: a credit card with a current account and a prepaid credit card. We have explained both credit card options below – both have their advantages and disadvantages.
Credit card with current account
This is the most commonly used way of receiving a credit card. A current account is called in German a ‘Girokonto’. Keep in mind that it is less easy to receive a current account with credit card since it often requires regular salary payment. The main advantage of a credit card in combination with a current account is that you can do all your banking from a single source or that you can establish automatic billing on the current account – which saves the transfer of the credit card billing amount. Moreover, the creditworthiness of the customer is known, which can be an advantage or a disadvantage depending on the amount of money in your current account.
DKB credit card
One of the best banks to get a Visa Credit card is at DKB the (Deutsche Kredit Bank). When opening a DKB current account you will get a free debit card and a free DKB credit card, which are both free of charge. DKB is well known in Germany and highly popular among expats and foreigners since they offer benefits that only an online bank can offer. Benefits include:
DKB benefits:
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- ✓ Free account with no monthly input
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- ✓ Free VISA card
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- ✓ Free worldwide cash withdrawals
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- ✓ 0.70% Interest paid on credit card balance
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- ✓ Free securities account
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- ✓ Monthly credit card and bank statements online
These are benefits that no other bank currently offers in Germany. It is however not easy to get a current account from the DKB if you don’t receive regular salary payments. If you do, then it should be easy receiving a current account with credit card from the DKB. The online sign-up process makes it easy to open a German DKB bank account – even from abroad!
Postbank credit card
Another bank that offers a current account with credit card is the Postbank AG. The Postbank AG is one of the largest banks in Germany and has several offices in almost every German city. With more than 16 million customer in Germany alone, the Postbank is a trustworthy bank and if you like to do your banking in person, this could be the ideal bank for you. The Visa credit card that the Postbank offers is free for the frist year and then you must pay 22 euro per year. A list of the beneftis if you open a current account at the Postbank:
Postbank benefits:
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- ✓ Free account (at 1000 euro’s input per month)
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- ✓ Free cash withdrawals at most ATM’s in Germany
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- ✓ Free withdrawal with the credit card at home and abroad
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- ✓ Free securities account
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- ✓ VISA card for 22 euro per year (1st year for free)
The Postbank is an excellent bank if you like prefer a brick an mortar bank. They offer a lot of options. You can open an personal savings account, a deposit or even an trust fund. The Postbank has branches in every major and small city within Germany.
Prepaid credit card Germany
If you don’t want to a German current account or you don’t fit the demanded criteria, you can get a prepaid credit card in Germany. The difference between a prepaid credit card and a debit card is that a debit card is linked to your current account. A prepaid card however is not linked to a current account. Instead, you must load money to the prepaid card in advance before you can spend it. There are also banks on the market that are only specialized in the prepaid credit card business.
American Express card
The American Express Company (Amex) is one of the biggest credit card licensers worldwide. The company operates worldwide and is known for its good customer service and its reliability. You can pay almost everywhere in the world with this card and therefore also in Germany. You can easily apply online via the American Express website and your application will be processed. You can deposit money into your prepaid American Express card and once you receive the prepaid credit card it will work immediately. The card will simply work like a normal credit card once the money is transferred to the prepaid credit card. They currently offer 5 different cards; the blue card, the gold card, the green card, the payback card and the platina card. The blue card is used by most expats since it is the cheapest card to use. The first year is for free and the following years it costs 35 euro per year. American Express offers an excellent app where you can easily check your credit status. If you are a big spender, you could also consider using the other cards. If you are interested in the other cards or the blue card be sure to look on their website.