A free student credit card can be useful in many situations. Whether for travel or everyday life, credit cards are among the most accepted means of payment worldwide. That’s why it’s worth it for students to keep one in their wallet.
The best free student credit cards in Germany compared:
Hanseatic Bank GenialCard
- 0 Euro annual fee
- Free withdrawals abroad*
- Free payments worldwide**
- Repayment in small, flexible installments
awa7 Credit Card
- 0 Euro annual fee
- Pay worldwide free of charge*
- Withdraw cash abroad free of charge**
- Repayment in small and flexible rates
- Up to 2,000 euros can be paid out immediately
TF Bank Mastercard Gold
- Aktion: 30 Euro Bonus
- 0 Euro Jahresgebühr
- Weltweit gebührenfrei bezahlen
- Reiserücktrittkostenversicherung inkl.
- Auslandskrankenversicherung inkl.
Barclays Visa
- Deal: 40 Euro bonus
- Free credit card
- Free cash withdrawals worldwide
- Free payments worldwide
- Free loan up to 2 months
N26 Mastercard Debit
- 0 Euro annual fee
- Free payments worldwide
- Free cash withdrawals in the Euro-zone
- Free bank account included
In this guide, we explain in detail which credit cards students can apply for and which models are best suited for them. Our comparison also highlights the cards we would personally recommend for students in Germany.
Inhaltsverzeichnis
- How can students get a credit card?
- How do I apply for a student credit card?
- What is the best free student credit card?
- What should students look for when choosing a credit card?
- Which credit card model is ideal for students?
- How can you learn to use a student credit card responsibly?
- What is our experience with student credit cards?
- Credit cards for students: Our conclusion
How can students get a credit card?
Before looking at specific offers, it is important to understand why it can be difficult for students to obtain a credit card.
Credit card providers operate based on risk assessment: they evaluate how likely customers are to miss payments and how much revenue they are expected to generate.
Credit card issuers typically earn money in four ways:
- 💰 Fees
- 📈 Interest on short-term loans
- 🏪 Merchant fees
- 💳 Sale of additional cards
For students, these aspects usually mean either higher risk or limited revenue potential. Low income often results in lower spending, making students less attractive customers.
That doesn’t mean, however, that students have no chance of getting a credit card. The selection is just more limited, and the approval depends on several factors, which we explain in the following sections.
How do I apply for a student credit card?
If you want to apply for a student credit card that fits your needs, you should compare different offers carefully. Pay attention to the requirements to avoid unexpected fees.
Requirements for a student credit card:
| Requirement | Explanation |
|---|---|
| 👤 Minimum age | Most providers require you to be at least 18 years old. |
| 🎓 Student status | Some banks ask for proof of enrollment (e.g., student ID). |
| 💰 Income | A regular income is typically necessary. |
If you meet these requirements, you can proceed with the application process.
Steps for applying for a student credit card
- Application: Once you know the requirements, you can decide whether to apply online or at a bank branch.
- Identity verification: After submitting the application, you must confirm your identity. Depending on the bank, this is done via Post-Ident, E-Ident, or Video-Ident.
- Card activation: Once your credit card arrives, set up your PIN to start using it right away.
Hanseatic Bank GenialCard
- 0 Euro annual fee
- Free withdrawals abroad*
- Free payments worldwide**
- Repayment in small, flexible installments
awa7 Credit Card
- 0 Euro annual fee
- Pay worldwide free of charge*
- Withdraw cash abroad free of charge**
- Repayment in small and flexible rates
- Up to 2,000 euros can be paid out immediately
TF Bank Mastercard Gold
- Aktion: 30 Euro Bonus
- 0 Euro Jahresgebühr
- Weltweit gebührenfrei bezahlen
- Reiserücktrittkostenversicherung inkl.
- Auslandskrankenversicherung inkl.
Barclays Visa
- Deal: 40 Euro bonus
- Free credit card
- Free cash withdrawals worldwide
- Free payments worldwide
- Free loan up to 2 months
N26 Mastercard Debit
- 0 Euro annual fee
- Free payments worldwide
- Free cash withdrawals in the Euro-zone
- Free bank account included
Apply for a student credit card under the age of 18
If you are under 18, you can only apply for a prepaid credit card. With this card type, you can only spend the amount you load onto it beforehand, which makes it safe for minors and students. Unlike standard credit cards, no credit line is available.
💡 Good to know:
- Charge cards: You spend within a month and the total is debited once a month as a total amount.
- Revolving cards: Allow installment repayment, but usually with interest.
- Debit cards: Work like EC/Girocards; all payments are immediately deducted from your account.
Most student credit cards require a credit check. The bank verifies your SCHUFA record to ensure no negative entries. If your SCHUFA score is poor, it can be difficult to get a card, but prepaid or no-SCHUFA credit cards are an alternative.
What is the best free student credit card?
Students looking for a no-fee credit card don’t have a huge selection. That’s why our reisetopia financial experts have identified the best free credit cards.
Recommended student credit cards:
- 💳 Hanseatic Bank GenialCard
- 💳 awa7 credit card
- 💳 TF Bank Mastercard Gold
Hanseatic Bank GenialCard
The Hanseatic Bank GenialCard is an excellent choice for students. It comes with no annual fee, allows free cash withdrawals, and enables worldwide payments without additional charges- making it stand out clearly from many other cards.
On top of that, it offers flexible installment repayment options, which can be especially useful for students in certain financial situations.
Hanseatic Bank GenialCard
- 0 euro annual fee
- Free payments worldwide*
- Free cash withdrawals worldwide**
- Repayment in small and flexible installments
awa7 credit card
The awa7® credit card is completely free and does not charge any foreign transaction fees. In addition, it allows immediate access to up to €2,000, while all cash withdrawals remain entirely free of charge, both at home and abroad.
awa7 Visa Credit Card
- 0 Euro annual fee
- Pay worldwide without fees*
- Withdraw cash abroad without fees**
- Repayment in small, flexible rates
- Up to 2,000 Euro instant payout
- Recommended by Stiftung Warentest (06/2025)
TF Bank Mastercard Gold
The TF Bank Mastercard Gold is an outstanding option for students who travel frequently. Among the most notable benefits are travel cancellation insurance and comprehensive international health insurance. This combination of zero fees and strong travel protection makes the TF Bank Mastercard Gold a particularly appealing companion for young travelers as a travel credit card.
TF Bank Mastercard Gold
- Free credit card
- Payments worldwide without any fees
- Travel cancellation insurance included
- Foreign health insurance included
What should students look for when choosing a credit card?
Before deciding on a specific model, it’s important to consider key factors.
Fees for student credit cards
Credit cards always involve fees, which should play a central role in your decision.
Possible fees include:
- 💰 Annual fee: Free cards are usually charge or debit cards. Prepaid cards are less common without fees.
- 🌎 Foreign currency fee: Relevant when paying or withdrawing money outside the eurozone. Frequent travelers should avoid cards with these charges.
- 💶 Cash withdrawals: Fees vary; some cards offer free withdrawals worldwide.
Application requirements
Some credit cards require proof of regular income. For students, options exist that require little or no income. Sometimes a guarantor or proof of part-time work is sufficient.
Travel benefits
Insurance benefits, airport lounge access and other exclusive perks can significantly enhance the travel experience. Such extras not only provide financial protection in case of emergencies but also add comfort and convenience, whether through coverage for unexpected events, access to quiet lounges during layovers or additional services that simplify travel.
For students in particular, these benefits can make a noticeable difference by reducing stress and creating a smoother, more enjoyable journey.
Additional services and bonuses
It’s also worth paying attention to additional features such as Apple Pay or Google Pay, welcome bonuses, or cashback programs. These extras not only make everyday payments faster and more convenient but can also provide real financial benefits.
Which credit card model is ideal for students?
There are four main types of credit cards to choose from:
- Prepaid credit card: Spend only what you load
- Charge card: Total balance is billed monthly
- Debit card: Payments are directly debited from your account
- Conventional credit card: Allows partial repayments, but carries debt risk
👉 Our recommendation: All of the options described above are suitable as credit cards for students. We would only advise against traditional credit cards, as the risk of debt is too high.
💡 Note: Many credit cards have the installment payment function preset. This means that you do not have to pay your credit card bills immediately, but can pay in installments. This can be an advantage for some, but it often results in high interest rates and a high risk of debt. Therefore, it is better to deactivate this function.
How can you learn to use a student credit card responsibly?
To avoid debt and build financial independence, responsible use is essential. We have a few tips for you that will help you keep track of your finances and develop good financial discipline.
Tips for responsible use:
- 🗓️ Plan a monthly budget: Set a clear spending limit.
- ⏳ Use interest-free periods: Repay within 30–60 days to avoid interest.
- 🔄 Set up automatic payments: Avoid missed deadlines.
Checklist for responsible use:
| Check | To-do |
|---|---|
| ✅ | Plan monthly budget |
| ✅ | Use interest-free period |
| ✅ | Deactivate installment repayment |
| ✅ | Avoid missed deadlines |
If you take these aspects into account, you can keep track of your expenses and avoid unnecessary costs!
What is our experience with student credit cards?
Students often face the challenge of making the most of a limited budget while still remaining flexible. Our students at reisetopia have also had this experience.
Credit cards have proven to be a very important means of payment in everyday life. They can be used in a wide variety of areas and make many things easier.
- 🎓 On campus, they make payments fast and easy
- 🌍 Abroad, they help avoid high costs, especially with cards that waive foreign transaction fees
- 💸 Extras like cashback or points add real value to limited student budgets
A credit card is more than just a means of payment: it is a practical everyday tool for students that can be useful in many situations, whether for studying, traveling or simply in everyday life.
Credit cards for students: Our conclusion
As a student, you may not immediately think that a credit card could be a good addition to your wallet. But when you start traveling, you realize how necessary a credit card is in many situations.
Many of the rumors about SCHUFA scores and other credit rating rules are not always true, so even as a student, you can easily apply for a credit card.
Free and prepaid cards, or those with travel benefits, are particularly valuable. The reisetopia financial experts especially recommend the Hanseatic Bank GenialCard and the Awa7 credit card thanks to their excellent terms.
Hanseatic Bank GenialCard
- 0 Euro annual fee
- Free withdrawals abroad*
- Free payments worldwide**
- Repayment in small, flexible installments
awa7 Credit Card
- 0 Euro annual fee
- Pay worldwide free of charge*
- Withdraw cash abroad free of charge**
- Repayment in small and flexible rates
- Up to 2,000 euros can be paid out immediately
TF Bank Mastercard Gold
- Aktion: 30 Euro Bonus
- 0 Euro Jahresgebühr
- Weltweit gebührenfrei bezahlen
- Reiserücktrittkostenversicherung inkl.
- Auslandskrankenversicherung inkl.
Barclays Visa
- Deal: 40 Euro bonus
- Free credit card
- Free cash withdrawals worldwide
- Free payments worldwide
- Free loan up to 2 months
N26 Mastercard Debit
- 0 Euro annual fee
- Free payments worldwide
- Free cash withdrawals in the Euro-zone
- Free bank account included
