The Barclays Visa offers many attractive benefits and, thanks to its permanently waived annual fee, is one of the most attractive free credit cards in Germany. All new customers can currently take advantage of an attractive promotion with a starting balance of 25 euros.
Barclays Visa Credit card
- Free credit card
- Free cash withdrawals worldwide
- Free payments worldwide
- Free loan up to 2 months
In this detailed guide, we discuss all the advantages and disadvantages of the Barclays Visa and share our experiences with the credit card. We take a close look at the services offered, the fee structure, and the billing model to clarify the question of who would benefit from the free Barclays credit card.
Inhaltsverzeichnis
- What are the advantages of the Barclays Visa?
- What are the disadvantages of the Barclays Visa?
- What is our experience with the Barclays Visa?
- Which bank is behind the Barclays Visa credit card?
- When is the Barclays Visa credit card worthwhile?
- How do I apply for the Barclays Visa credit card?
- What are the best alternatives to the Barclays Visa?
- Our conclusion on the Barclays Visa
What are the advantages of the Barclays Visa?
The Barclays Visa is a milestone compared to its predecessor, the Barclaycard New Visa. The credit card offers attractive benefits that make it a great addition to your wallet.
The most important advantages of the Barclays Visa Card at a glance:
🙌🏼 Permanently free credit card
➗ Flexible repayment
🏧 Fee-free cash withdrawals
🏦 No need to change your checking account
🧾 Billing in the following month
🧑🧑🧒 Free partner cards
💰 Instant cash available
📱 Contactless and secure payment
The fee structure of the Barclays Visa credit card
Perhaps the biggest advantage of the Barclays Visa is its fee structure, as the credit card is unconditionally and permanently free of charge.
This is a particular advantage given that there are now many free credit cards on the market where the waiver of the annual fee is subject to certain conditions, such as a minimum income.
Furthermore, unlike many other free credit cards, you do not need to open an additional Barclays checking account to apply for the credit card. This is because the Barclays Visa is a genuine credit card with a credit limit and not a debit card.
So you can simply specify your existing checking account as your reference account and use it to pay your credit card bill. Since you don’t need to open an additional account, there is no need to change banks.
No fees for payments in foreign currencies
Another advantage of the Barclays credit card is undoubtedly that there are no fees for payments in foreign currencies.
For most credit cards, this fee is up to 2 percent, which is in the upper mid-range. That may not sound like much at first, but on a typical vacation, you could end up paying 20 to 40 euros in fees that are actually quite easy to avoid.
With a credit card that does not charge foreign currency fees, such as the Barclays Visa, you do not pay a cent extra and are much better off when traveling.
For this reason, we recommend the Barclays Visa primarily as a travel credit card. As soon as you leave the eurozone, the card is a useful addition to your wallet. And since the card has no annual fee, you do not take any risks with it.
Incidentally, foreign currency fees are always incurred when you make a payment in a currency other than the euro. This applies, for example, when booking a hotel in the USA, paying in a restaurant in Japan, but also when you simply make a payment in a different currency when shopping online — for example, when making purchases on a foreign website.
“The Barclays Visa is the ideal credit card for you if you enjoy traveling and want to benefit from the elimination of foreign currency fees.”
Moritz Lindner, reisetopia financial expert
No fees for cash withdrawals at home and abroad
In addition, the credit card allows free cash withdrawals from 50 euros at home and abroad – this also applies, for example, in Switzerland, Norway, and, of course, on intercontinental trips.
The credit card thus offers a convenient way to withdraw cash worldwide and at any time. The daily limit is 500 euros.
Interest-free payment period of up to 59 days
But the advantages go much further, because the Barclays Visa also offers another very important benefit: an interest-free payment period of up to 59 days.
The Barclays Visa credit card is a credit card with a credit limit, which is characterized by the fact that you receive your credit card statement with a long delay, thus giving you free credit for a limited period.
Unlike a Commerzbank credit card or an ADAC credit card, for example, the Barclays Visa is not billed between 30 days and 5 days after a payment, but always 30 days later. The payment term is therefore up to 59 days, which is twice as long as most other credit cards.
This can be a decisive advantage, as it gives you significantly greater financial flexibility and allows you to make your payments much later.
This extended payment term can be particularly useful when you are on vacation. But it is also beneficial for those who need additional liquidity at short notice, for example, for larger purchases during a move or similar.
Flexible repayment options
Another important advantage of the Barclays Visa, which gives cardholders additional flexibility, is the extensive range of repayment options. As a Barclays Visa credit cardholder, you can choose from three different repayment options each month:
- flexible partial payments
- fixed installments
- total amount
The default setting is a monthly repayment of 3 percent of the total balance or a minimum of 30 euros per month. However, this setting can be adjusted at any time and at your convenience in online banking. This gives you complete flexibility when paying your credit card bill.
reisetopia expert tip: As with all credit cards that offer installment payments, very high interest rates apply to partial or installment repayments. Therefore, unless absolutely necessary, we advise against using the installment payment options.
More liquidity with instant cash
Another practical feature for anyone who wants a little more liquidity at short notice is the Barclays Visa Card’s instant cash option. This feature allows you to quickly and easily access your credit limit when needed by transferring money from your credit card to your registered checking account.
What makes it special: The instant cash can be requested during the credit card application process and is paid into the designated checking account immediately after the account is opened.
The amount of instant cash depends on the individual credit limit. This option can be used once when applying for a credit card and is free of charge, but interest is charged on the amount.
Up to 3 free partner cards
Upon request, Barclays Visa cardholders can receive up to 3 partner cards. The additional cards come with the same functions and are ideal for partners, family, or friends.
A practical feature is that all transactions are shown separately and each cardholder has their own online banking access.
To receive the free Barclays Visa partner cards, simply fill out the partner card application. The only requirement is that the partner card can only be issued to adults.
Contactless and mobile payments
Barclays Visa now offers another significant advantage. After considerable effort on the part of Barclays, the credit card is now compatible with the two mobile payment services Apple Pay and Google Pay.
Once you have received your Barclays Visa, you can store it directly on your smartphone and simply pull out your Apple or Android smartphone at the checkout to pay. The card itself is also NFC-enabled, so contactless payments are no problem either.
Quick and easy application
It is also worth mentioning that you can apply for the Barclays Visa credit card via a so-called instant decision and save yourself a trip to the post office thanks to digital signatures and video identification procedures.
Your credit card application will be approved directly online and you will receive the physical credit card by mail within a few days. So you don’t have to wait patiently for a letter from the bank, but will be informed immediately online.
Barclays Visa Credit card
- Free credit card
- Free cash withdrawals worldwide
- Free payments worldwide
- Free loan up to 2 months
What are the disadvantages of the Barclays Visa?
On the one hand, the Barclays Visa Card offers a whole range of advantages, but it also has some limitations that you should be aware of before applying. In principle, the card comes close to the premium Barclays Platinum Double product in many areas.
This is because the Barclays Visa Card does not charge an annual fee and does not levy foreign currency fees. However, the biggest weakness of the credit card is certainly its billing model, which we will examine in more detail below.
The disadvantages of the Barclays Visa Card at a glance:
💵 Chargeable direct debit for full payment
📈 High interest rates for installment payment option
⬆️ Increase in credit limit
🎰 High interest rates for payments in casinos, lotteries, and betting shops
Chargeable direct debit for full payment
For a long time, full repayment with the free Barclays Visa was complicated: you had to make a manual transfer or activate the direct debit in your online banking account each month – otherwise, the expensive installment payment option was automatically applied.
It is now possible to have the total amount debited automatically. However, since December 2023, a monthly fee of two euros has been charged for this service. Those who choose not to use this service must make the transfer themselves in good time to avoid interest charges.
In terms of billing, another disadvantage is that partial payment is activated by default when you apply for the credit card.
If you activate full payment by direct debit, you will be charged a monthly fee of two euros. This leaves only bank transfer as a way to avoid additional fees.
High interest rates for installment payment option
It should also be mentioned at this point that the use of the credit line with installment payments is subject to an annual interest rate of 20.91 percent. However, for this high price, you can also use it very flexibly.
Depending on your personal preferences, this can be a major disadvantage, but it doesn’t have to be. The amount of the credit line depends on the user’s credit rating and is set accordingly at the outset. An increase is then possible every six months.
Increasing the credit line
To apply for a new credit line amount, information on gross annual income is required, and the process can be easily completed in Barclays online banking. However, if you need a higher credit line more quickly, there is also the option of transferring a certain amount from your checking account.
Using the IBAN and BIC of your credit card account, which can be found on your monthly statement, you can easily transfer the desired amount to your Barclays Visa. You can find the statement with the IBAN and account number of Barclays in your online banking account settings.
High interest rates for payments in casinos, lotteries, and betting shops
Since December 2023, there has been another disadvantage that you should be aware of. From the booking period onwards, interest of 4 percent is charged on transactions from transfers and card use in casinos, lottery shops, or betting shops.
This interest also applies to securities trading, for example, via a broker or a securities account. Therefore, credit cards are not recommended for this type of use.
What is our experience with the Barclays Visa?
Over the past few years, our reisetopia financial experts have gained some experience with the Barclays Visa credit card, which we would like to share with you here – we have tested the card both in everyday life and when traveling.
Our experience with the Barclays Visa at a glance:
| 👍 Positive | 👎 Negative |
|---|---|
| Quick application via video identification | No additional services |
| High acceptance abroad | No bonus program |
| No foreign currency fees | Loading times in the app |
| No withdrawal fees abroad | |
| Permanently free with no conditions | |
| Fast customer service |
With regard to credit card applications, we can emphasize that the application process is extremely straightforward. Both the application process and the VideoIdent identification procedure went smoothly and could be completed conveniently from home.
The Barclays Visa credit card also impressed our experts in all other criteria they reviewed. Among other things, we were impressed by its high acceptance abroad and the elimination of foreign currency fees and withdrawal fees, which has already saved us several hundred euros when traveling.
The credit card statement is clear and easy to understand, allowing you to maintain an overview and avoid unexpected costs. Although additional services such as travel insurance or bonus programs are not included, the card is permanently free of charge – with no conditions such as minimum spending or regular deposits.
We were less impressed with the Barclays Visa credit card app, mainly due to its long loading times. Otherwise, the app is clearly laid out and easy to navigate. It is convenient that the app also displays the credit card PIN. This feature is particularly helpful if you have several credit cards.
On the online review platform Trustpilot, experiences with the Barclays Visa credit card tend to be rather poor. A frequent point of criticism is poor customer service. According to customer statements, the hotline is hardly ever available and refunds can take several months. On the other hand, long-term customers mention satisfactory customer service and quick resolution of problems.
We can also confirm these experiences, as we received prompt assistance when we contacted customer service. The credit card performed well in our Barclays Visa test, which is why we can recommend Barclays’ free credit card — the card has proven to be very practical, especially when traveling.
How did we gain our experience with the Barclays Visa credit card?
Have you been wondering how we got our experience with the Barclays Visa credit card? Our team has over 40 employees who have the opportunity to test credit cards for you.
With years of experience in credit card offers, we can already draw comparisons, which we summarize in our reisetopia credit card comparison. The financial products are tested several times a year and the information on existing products is updated.
We look at the most important criteria and analyze, among other things, the fee structure, the services offered, customer service, and the application process. We then present our findings in our guides to help you choose the right financial product.
In order to find the best financial products for you, we have been conducting independent and comprehensive comparisons for years. To do this, we test offers according to fixed criteria such as fees, services, and customer service, and compare the results transparently. This way, you can be sure to make a well-informed decision.
Have our reisetopia financial tips helped you? Then please rate us on Trustpilot!
Which bank is behind the Barclays Visa credit card?
Behind the name Barclays, formerly known as Barclaycard, is the British bank Barclays PLC, the third-largest bank in the UK. As a global financial institution, Barclays operates in 55 countries and employs over 80,000 people worldwide. The bank has also been established in Germany for many years.
The German branch is based in Hamburg and employs almost 700 people, who serve more than 1.9 million German customers. Some people may be familiar with the name Barclays, as the bank is the title sponsor of the Barclays Arena in Hamburg.
The bank’s product portfolio primarily comprises three business areas: credit cards, installment loans, and investments, such as the Barclays instant access savings account.
In addition to the statutory deposit protection provided by the Central Bank of Ireland’s Deposit Guarantee Scheme (DGS), savings at Barclays are also protected by the German Deposit Protection Fund.
💡 Note: Contrary to popular belief, there is no Europe-wide deposit insurance. Instead, each country operates its own scheme under harmonized EU rules, which guarantees coverage of up to 100,000 euros per depositor in every EU state. However, the actual security also depends on the financial stability of the respective country providing the guarantee.
The maximum coverage per customer is a generous five million euros. So you can rest assured that there is no need to worry about the security of your savings at Barclays.
When is the Barclays Visa credit card worthwhile?
The Barclays Visa credit card is particularly recommended for travel, as there are no foreign currency fees. Unless you need travel insurance, there is hardly a better credit card for this purpose.
This is because the Barclays Visa credit card has no annual fee, but still allows fee-free withdrawals and payments in foreign currencies.
Nevertheless, the credit card can still be useful as a supplement to an American Express credit card. Although Amex credit cards generally offer an attractive insurance package, they have their weaknesses when it comes to fees. For example, there is always a foreign currency fee and a fee for withdrawals.
However, the card is by no means only worthwhile as a supplement. Even if you don’t have a credit card yet, for example, it may be worth applying for the Barclays Visa. For newcomers, however, it can be difficult to use the card completely free of charge, as the billing model tends to result in fees being incurred.
Recommendation from the reisetopia financial experts: The Barclays Visa credit card is particularly recommended for travelers who want to benefit from the elimination of foreign currency and withdrawal fees. However, it is important to note that the card is only free of charge if you do not use either the installment payment option or the full payment option by direct debit.
How do I apply for the Barclays Visa credit card?
Once you have decided to apply for the Barclays Visa Card, there are just a few steps you need to follow.
- First, you need to apply for the credit card online. To do so, you must meet certain criteria, such as being a resident of Germany, having an existing account with a German bank, and having a regular income. Applicants must also be over 18 years of age and have a valid mobile phone number.
- Next, you need to fill in your personal details and contact information. Then you must provide information about your professional career and your checking account details.
- This is followed by identification. There are two options here: identification via the VideoIdent procedure or digital signature.
Once these two steps are complete, you can start using your Barclays Visa credit card right away. By downloading the app, you can already make mobile payments without having received the card.
Barclays Visa Credit card
- Free credit card
- Free cash withdrawals worldwide
- Free payments worldwide
- Free loan up to 2 months
What are the best alternatives to the Barclays Visa?
In Germany, there are numerous different free credit cards that compete with each other. Among these credit cards, Barclays undoubtedly offers an attractive product with the Barclays Visa. However, the card also has some weaknesses and is therefore not suitable for everyone. The following models are available as alternatives to the Barclays Visa in the area of free credit cards.
Hanseatic Bank GenialCard
We recommend the Hanseatic Bank GenialCard as a credit card with no annual fee. The Hanseatic Bank credit card has no annual fee and no hidden fees in subsequent years. The card is particularly impressive when traveling, as it is accepted worldwide and has no foreign currency fees, allowing fee-free payments around the world.
A key advantage over many other credit cards is that the Hanseatic GenialCard is a credit card with instant approval. This means that once your application has been approved, you can use it digitally immediately, even before you receive the physical card in the mail. Overall, the black credit card from Hanseatic Bank offers an attractive combination of attractive travel conditions and worldwide acceptance with no annual fee.
Hanseatic Bank GenialCard
- 0 euro annual fee
- Free payments worldwide*
- Free cash withdrawals worldwide**
- Repayment in small and flexible installments
TF Bank Mastercard Gold
Among the free Mastercards, TF Bank’s gold credit card is one of our top recommendations. This free credit card is a reliable companion when traveling, as there are no foreign currency fees and payments can be made worldwide free of charge.
The included travel insurance rounds off the package and makes the TF Bank Mastercard Gold a highly recommended travel credit card. Anyone who needs additional liquidity will find the TF Bank credit card an attractive option, as the TF Bank Mastercard Gold offers an interest-free payment period of 51 days, which means that cardholders receive free credit for this period.
TF Bank Mastercard Gold
- Free credit card
- Payments worldwide without any fees
- Travel cancellation insurance included
- Foreign health insurance included
Barclays Platinum Double
The Barclays Platinum Double is a card duo from the same company as the Barclays Visa and is an interesting alternative. Although there is an annual fee of 99 euros for the credit card, you generally benefit from free withdrawals and do not pay any fees for foreign currencies.
The package also includes comprehensive insurance benefits such as international health insurance and travel cancellation insurance. If you travel frequently, the Platinum Double is even more worthwhile than the free Visa thanks to its insurance benefits.
Barclays Platinum Double
Promotion: 50 euro starting bonus
- Free cash withdrawals worldwide
- Free transactions worldwide
- Free platinum partner card
- Travel cancellation insurance
- Worldwide health insurance
- Rental car insurance
Our conclusion on the Barclays Visa
We consider the Barclays Visa to be one of the best free credit cards in Germany and, in principle, it is worthwhile for everyone. No annual fee, free withdrawals, and fee-free payments abroad make the card attractive for both infrequent and frequent users — both in everyday life and when traveling.
Barclays Visa Credit card
- Free credit card
- Free cash withdrawals worldwide
- Free payments worldwide
- Free loan up to 2 months
