Compare Credit Cards in Germany

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What are Credit Cards in Germany?

A credit card (Kreditkarte) in Germany lets you pay in stores and online and settle the balance later. It is important to distinguish genuine credit cards from the debit cards that dominate everyday spending. Many cards marketed in Germany are actually debit cards that draw directly from your account, while true credit cards fall into charge cards, which are repaid in full each month (typical of American Express), and revolving cards, which let you repay in instalments with interest.

The domestic Girocard still handles most in-person payments, so credit cards are used more for online shopping, travel, bookings and spending abroad.

How the German market works

Germany has historically been a cash and Girocard market, and credit card adoption has grown more slowly than in some countries. Cards are issued by banks such as Deutsche Bank, Commerzbank, Targobank and Berliner Volksbank, by specialist card banks such as Hanseatic Bank and TF Bank, and by networks and issuers including American Express and Austria-based easybank operating in the region.

A key distinction is fee structure: some cards charge an annual fee (Jahresgebühr) in exchange for rewards or travel benefits, while several free cards (kostenlose Kreditkarten) carry no annual fee. Foreign transaction fees, the Auslandseinsatzentgelt, are a major differentiator for travellers.

Benefits

Wider acceptance online and abroad — A real credit card is accepted where the Girocard is not, especially internationally.

Deferred payment — Charge cards let you pay monthly, and revolving cards spread larger costs over time.

Free options exist — Cards such as the Hanseatic GenialCard and TF Bank Mastercard carry no annual fee.

Travel-friendly features — Some cards waive foreign transaction fees and add insurance or lounge benefits.

Rewards and cashback — Premium and Amex cards can return points or cashback in exchange for a fee.

How to choose

Decide whether you want a fee-free everyday card or a premium card whose rewards justify the annual fee. If you spend abroad, prioritise the foreign transaction fee and the exchange terms, as these outweigh most other costs for travellers. Check whether the card is a charge card requiring full monthly repayment or a revolving card, and if revolving, look closely at the interest rate.

Consider acceptance, since Mastercard and Visa are more widely taken than American Express at smaller German merchants. Confirm ATM withdrawal fees, any required minimum income, and whether rewards or insurance benefits match how you actually spend.

Leading providers in Germany

Hanseatic Bank — Known for the fee-free GenialCard. TF Bank — Offers a no-annual-fee Mastercard aimed at travellers. American Express — Charge and rewards cards with strong benefits but narrower acceptance. Deutsche Bank, Commerzbank, Targobank and Berliner Volksbank — Established banks issuing cards alongside their accounts. easybank — A regional direct-bank issuer. Terms vary widely, so compare annual fees, foreign transaction charges and repayment type rather than brand alone.

What it costs

Annual fees range from zero on free cards to around 500 euros for premium travel and rewards cards, with many mainstream cards falling somewhere in between. Beyond the annual fee, the main costs are the foreign transaction fee, often around 1.5 to 2 percent on non-euro spending unless waived, ATM withdrawal charges, and, for revolving cards, interest on any balance carried over, which can be high. Free cards minimise fixed costs but may offer fewer benefits, while paid cards can be worth it for frequent travellers or high spenders.

Protections and regulation

Card issuers are supervised by BaFin. Before granting a card, banks run a Schufa credit check, and approval and limits depend on your credit record and income. Payments carry the consumer protections of the card networks, including chargeback rights for disputed or fraudulent transactions, and strong customer authentication rules apply to online payments. Revolving credit is subject to responsible-lending and disclosure requirements, so interest rates and terms must be shown clearly. A poor Schufa record can lead to refusal or a lower limit.

Common questions

Is my card a real credit card or a debit card? Many German cards are debit cards; a true credit card defers payment, either monthly as a charge card or over time as a revolving card.

Are there genuinely free credit cards? Yes, cards like the Hanseatic GenialCard and TF Bank Mastercard have no annual fee.

Will applying affect my Schufa? Issuers check your Schufa when you apply, and approval depends on your credit record.

What is the Auslandseinsatzentgelt? The foreign transaction fee charged on non-euro spending, which some travel cards waive.

Credit Cards in Germany — FAQ